Pet Euthanasia

**cyclonefreak5** · 10-17-2011, 08:31 PM

Over the past couple of weeks, the health of my 13 year old golden retriever has been deteriorating and he is going downhill fast. He can hardly stand up nowadays and we're planning on taking him to the vet to be put down soon. I really don't know what to expect from the whole thing. Anyone that has been through it before have any advice?

**CycloneErik** · 10-17-2011, 08:35 PM

It's very awkward on the car ride over and in the waiting room, especially if the dog is a happy sort of dog. Of course, the dog is likely pretty fond of you, so he'll be happy to be around you. That part is hard, and there just isn't any way around that.

Once you're in the room, and the dog is on the table, it's amazingly fast. Our vet was very comforting to everyone involved, including our dog, who hated needles. After the injection part, it's just a couple minutes of waiting while the drug takes over. It's kind of a nice chance to say goodbye.

Expect to cry on the way home. That's pretty normal. You'll know it was for the best for your dog, though, and you won't have to watch him suffer anymore. That part helps.

**CYVADER** · 10-17-2011, 08:35 PM

bring lots of Kleenex

**Incyte** · 10-17-2011, 08:36 PM

Your call as to whether you will stay in the room or not during the procedure. We stayed in the room, held him as it happened and then took him home to be buried. Totally sucked. Cried like a child. Good luck and sorry for your loss.

**timappelgate** · 10-17-2011, 08:37 PM

I know my parents will be taking my 13 year old Sheltie to do this fairly soon. The hard part is that I am away at college and will be informed by a phone call. Im not ready for that at all.

**CyCrazy** · 10-17-2011, 08:38 PM

Originally Posted by cyclonefreak5

Over the past couple of weeks, the health of my 13 year old golden retriever has been deteriorating and he is going downhill fast. He can hardly stand up nowadays and we're planning on taking him to the vet to be put down soon. I really don't know what to expect from the whole thing. Anyone that has been through it before have any advice?

It is a terrible experience. Had to put our 14 year old German Sheppard down a few years back, ya I cried. I hope I never have to do it again.

**CycloneRulzzz** · 10-17-2011, 08:43 PM

Originally Posted by Incyte

Your call as to whether you will stay in the room or not during the procedure. We stayed in the room, held him as it happened and then took him home to be buried. Totally sucked. Cried like a child. Good luck and sorry for your loss.

Wow either way would be hard. One part wouldn't want to me to see that but another part would want to be there in their last moments. Just reading this thread is making me tear up. To the OP I'm sorry about your pet.

**rebecacy** · 10-17-2011, 08:45 PM

Originally Posted by CycloneErik

It's very awkward on the car ride over and in the waiting room, especially if the dog is a happy sort of dog. Of course, the dog is likely pretty fond of you, so he'll be happy to be around you. That part is hard, and there just isn't any way around that.

Once you're in the room, and the dog is on the table, it's amazingly fast. Our vet was very comforting to everyone involved, including our dog, who hated needles. After the injection part, it's just a couple minutes of waiting while the drug takes over. It's kind of a nice chance to say goodbye.

Expect to cry on the way home. That's pretty normal. You'll know it was for the best for your dog, though, and you won't have to watch him suffer anymore. That part helps.

My first was when I was in 8th grade, Boxer my uncle gave me as a birth present.......Tawnie was MY dog. He went after strangers who came in the yard if I didn't tell him it was OK. It still bothers me today when I think about it, I loved that dog. I swear he knew what was up and he gave me an ear kiss good-bye just before the end. I took him and buried him on the farm and when I get back near Geneseo IL I still stop and say hi.........stupid I know but I do it anyway.

**CyCrazy** · 10-17-2011, 08:46 PM

Originally Posted by CyclonesRulzzz

Wow either way would be hard. One part wouldn't want to me to see that but another part would want to be there in their last moments. Just reading this thread is making me tear up. To the OP I'm sorry about your pet.

I gotta admit, I am too a little.

**kcclones** · 10-17-2011, 08:47 PM

this thread brings back memories of the 2 dogs i put down in the last year....very very difficult thing to go through. sorry to hear about your dog not doing well

**Schfinkter** · 10-17-2011, 08:48 PM

I do not envy you.. I had to due this a few years back with my golden retriever/lab mix. I had him since I was starting kindergarten and had to put him down shortly before leaving for college. I knew he was getting bad, but didn't know how bad until one night when I headed to bed. He always came up a few minutes after I did and laid at the end of my bed, but one night I woke up and he wasn't there, which was completely strange, so I went to look for him and he was laying at the bottom of the stairs. I hollered at him to come up and he tried but couldn't make it up the stairs, so I slept with him on the floor at the bottom of the stairs all night. Took him in the next morning and they told me it probably wasn't going to be long, but gave him medicine to feel well and sent him home. Seemed fine all day, but again that night he just wasn't himself, so we slept again on the floor at the bottom of the stairs and the next morning I called the vet and told him he wasn't getting any better so we made the decision that he had suffered enough and it was time to put him down. He just looked in pain and tired. I know this is going to sound completely corny too, but after talking with the vet about it, I laid down with my dog again and talked to him about it and asked him what he thought and he looked at me in a way as to say he was ready to go. So I took him to the vet and petted him while they put him down, it was real quick and smooth. Took him home and buried him that day. Had to have taken me an hour to dig the hole because I balled like a little school girl and couldn't seem to figure out how to use the shovel. Have held off getting another dog since and probably won't for awhile still, just can't quite replace your first dog.

**cyclonedave25** · 10-17-2011, 08:49 PM

Hell this thread is making me get all sad and I don't even have a pet. Probably because the last time I saw my dad get teary eyed was when he had to put his dog to sleep.

**Hawkcigar** · 10-17-2011, 08:52 PM

I had to have my 15 year old dog put down a few months ago. My wife and I chose to be in the room with her the whole time and once the vet injects the drug it's almost immediate. Luckily our vet was very sensitive and gave us time alone with her before and after so we could say our goodbyes.

It's a difficult time but when it's time, it's the right thing to do. No one wants to see their pet suffering. Really sorry to hear that your little buddy isn't doing so well.