Question about my old dog

[Catlady711]

I'm actually kind of scared it's a medical thing, and that's making me scared to bring him to the vet. He's so old, I know it's likely that something is very wrong.

What if I go in and they tell me he has some terrible disease? Maybe I'll just try the canned food and see if he eats better, before I bring him in. Then, if it doesn't work, at least I'll be prepared.

I don't mean to offend on purpose here, but I see and hear stuff like this at work on a daily basis and it just makes me mad!

WHY on earth do people wait if they're afraid it's a medical problem????? I have seen so many dogs/cats come in our hospital in the most horrible condition and suffering because the owners waited! Not only that, but in alot of cases, if they had brought the animal in first thing when they noticed the problem we could have treated it, however because they waited the pet was not only suffering needlessly, but now untreatable due to the damage caused by the illness!!! NEVER wait to see your vet, time can be of the utmost importance.

I had the sweetest old dog who got cancer, and the vet pushed me to put him to sleep.

Just because your previous dog had cancer does NOT mean that this dog does!! They are two different dogs!! If you doubt your vets diagnosis or treatment, then seek a second opinion from another vet!!! A good vet should never have a problem with this.

He's old and slow and probably arthiritic.

Arthritis is TREATABLE!!! There are many good arthritis medications your vet can prescribe for dogs that would help alot with the pain and suffering of old age. Dogs do NOT need to suffer needlessly because people think that it's simply old age and nothing can be done. 30 years ago that may have been the case, but it's simply NOT TRUE now!

She said our choices were to go through chemotherapy and the whole nine yards, or put him to sleep. She didn't seem to think allowing him to die naturally was a choice at all, and I was such a pushover. I still think my old guy could have had a few more happy days in this world and regret having him put to sleep that day.

Do you know what 'dying naturally' is, especially when it comes to cancer?? It means a GREAT DEAL OF PAIN, organs shutting down, lungs filling up with fluids so that breathing is very difficult and PAINFUL!!! It means NOT BEING ABLE to enjoy those ear scratches, or treats or walks anymore. Your vet was trying to spare your dog AND YOU the pain of having to endure all that!! I've seen what happens when they are nearing the end with cancer especially, and I've seen the pain the pets AND owners go through when they elect to let it 'die naturally'. In most cases the owners regret that they waited, and that their last memories of the dog were of it totally wracked in pain and nothing like the dog they remembered for all those years!

A good vet would only suggest this as a last resort when all other viable options have been tried and failed, and when the death of the dog is immenent! It is CERTAINLY NOT a job the vet likes to do, or even likes having to offer as an option when all other viable options fail!! They are there to HELP pets not to randomly euthanize animals for the sake of meaness!!! If you doubt your vets diagnosis or options available, seek a second opinion from another vet!

Then I'll have to choose between treating it and extending his suffering, putting him to sleep

I always tell our clients that if they will simply make a list with two columns...

1) Things that make a quality life (favorite treats, going for a walk, brushing, etc)

2) Things that my pet is still able to enjoy doing without pain.

When you see that the first column out numbers the second column by quite a bit then you'll know that 'it's time'.

And if you're honest in the list, and the first column quite a bit longer than the second, then you should evaluate whether you're stalling for the pet's sake, or yours!