How do you know when it's time?
Shelby has been diagnosed with congenital kidney disease. Everyday, she gets progressively worse. She has been shaking and vomiting constantly. She hardly leaves the couch. Today, my dad brought up the question of, "How long are we going to let this go on?" As much as I hate to think about it, I have to. We hate having to think of putting her down, but she just seems miserable. I'm sure that you guys are much more experienced than I am, so what do you think?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Sam & Shelby on
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She loved playing with toys, playing with the other dogs, and eating. She does not play at all, and I have to hand feed her or go feed her one tablespoon at a time. It breaks my heart a million times over each time she sits on my lap and just shakes.
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Permalink Reply by Cindi on
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It's a most difficult decision to make. But if you are even questioning it, seeing her struggle, it's time. She will be at the Rainbow Bridge waiting for you and playing with all the wonderful ones who have gone before. She will watch over you as she always has, but be free of the pain and illness that ties her down now. My heart is with you.
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Permalink Reply by Sky and Lyla on
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I am so so sorry that you even have to think about this. Lots of love from my gang goes out to you!!
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Permalink Reply by Jane Christensen on
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Sam,
I think you already know the answer! I know how hard this is and I have had to do this to a few animals that were young also.
My only advice to you is...if you can...go and be there with her...when it's time and hold her while they put her down...you will never regret it! It's hard BUT it's the last thing you can do for little Shelby to comfort her instead of her being with strangers!
Don't let her suffer! I think of all my critters that I have done this with and I can say I was with them till the very end. It gives you a calm ending with no suffering anymore!
Our tears and thoughts are with you!
Jane
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Permalink Reply by Beth on
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I think the question is, is there anything that can be done in the short term to increase her comfort level?
If you just started a new diet or any medications, it is perhaps worth it to give it a couple of days to see if there is any improvement. Can she be given IV fluids at the vet to give her some short-term relief?
If there is something that can make her feel better while you see if the low-protein diet will help the symptoms, then that would be worth exploring.
If she is miserable with nowhere to go but down, then the look on her face should tell you all you need to know.
I'm so sorry you need to make this decision so soon, with such a young dog.
We had an elderly dog who had normal age-related kidney failure (she was about 16). She was vomiting and shaking like you said. When I carried her out to potty she fell over. We took her to the vet who said she was too weak to do tests, and it might be her kidneys or a virus. She gave her IV fluids and said it would make her feel better in the short term, but if it were her kidneys she would decline again. If it were a virus it would give her time to improve on her own.
In hindsight, we waited too long. She did perk up considerably after the fluids. My mom tried to feed her chicken soup the next morning and she refused. My mom ran to the store and when she came home she found the poor dog, barely conscious and oozing fluids. I wish we'd had her put to sleep sooner; she could have avoided an extra day of suffering. However, she was very old and the decision is even harder with such a young dog.
Big hugs.
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Permalink Reply by Stephanie on
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I can't believe she's digressed so quickly. It seems like only a few days ago that you posted about her weight. I have always believed in minimizing suffering as much as possible. I also believe that you know best and that Shelby will trust you to do right by her because you love her, and doing the right thing by her is the best way to show that. What's right doesn't always feel good, but it does feel right.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
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Permalink Reply by Geri & Sidney on
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Oh Sam, I am so very sorry. I also remember reading about how you were concerned about her weight. My corgi mix has the age-related kidney failure, and he's been hanging in there with diet changes. I realize Shelby's case is very different, and I have no advice to offer...just my sincere heartfelt condolences.
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Permalink Reply by Bev Levy on
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I am so sorry! I have been through this a number of times with much loved cats and dogs. I have waited too long and taken action a little too soon (maybe). I guess I now feel it is better to err on the soon side. Waiting too long just seems to leave me feeling there was suffering I could have prevented. BUT there is probably no right or wrong way, just follow your instincts. Animals always seem to know we are doing the best we can.
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Permalink Reply by Kevin and Buddy! on
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I am so sorry to hear about your puppy. Watching a pet get that sick is very, very hard. I bought my mother a pekingnese puppy, and after 3 years we had to put her down due to liver/kidney failure. It is so heartbreaking to see this happen to young dogs, but I'm sure you gave her the best life a furbaby could ask for.
I am sure you will chose the best option for her when the time comes.
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Permalink Reply by DR, Nala & Simon on
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Our thoughts are with you. Hugs from me Nala & Cosmo.
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Permalink Reply by Wendt Worth Corgi's on
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I'm so sorry Sam but you can not be selfish over your own needs. The greatest love you can give her is the love to say good bye to her and let her be free again. No one likes to make these decisions and many don't get the opportunity of them passing peacefully in their sleep.
"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion."
---author unknown
Look into her eyes..the answers lay there. Do not regret your decision, it will be the right one and she will love you more for it and you will see it in her peaceful smile and the twinkle in her eye as she peacefully and calmly takes her last breath. Many will tell you this is true that have gone through this. You are in my prayers and thoughts. God Bless you all.
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Permalink Reply by Katie on
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Hi Sam...I am tearing up just reading your post. I am so sorry. Listen to your heart and listen to Shelby, when her bad days outnumber her good days and she is not finding any joy in the things that she once loved, and the light in her eyes is gone- you will know. My beautiful pets have gotten get this million mile stare, and that is how I knew. The gift of going peacefully, painlessly is the last gift that we can give our beautiful babies. She will always be in your heart. I am so sorry you and Shelby are going through this....
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