The days are coming to an end for my 13 year old lab. She was my first dog ever, and she's been a great one. I noticed over the last several months her breathing has become more and more labored. X-rays show something in her lungs. I don't want her to suffer but I also don't want to put her down prematurely either. She still gets around decently considering her age, and she still had a great appetite. My question is how will I know it's time?

Having older dogs and one that's health is slowly declining, I think you just know when it's time. I think your dog will let you know the pain is just too much and it will show in some regular activity of the dog.

I am really not looking for this moment as I have never put a dog down but I know there is a point where I want my last memories of my dog(s) to be of them not suffering and enjoying life.

That's why I am starting to spend extra time with my dogs everyday and enjoy the little things... the greetings at the doors, the constant nagging for a belly rub, and the occasional attempt to let one in bed after the wife falls asleep.

I know I didn't really give you any real advice but just enjoy your time with your dog and be ready to "listen" to when your dog is ready.

I went through the same thing several months ago with my 13 year old dog. He had been diagnosed with cancer and a couple of surgeries and other treatments failed.

I didn't want him to suffer.

He still had a good appetite and loved going for walks. As long as he seemed happy, I couldn't put him down.

One Monday, I took him for his morning walk, He had a great deal of energy and dragged me along like he did when I was younger. By Tuesday evening, he couldn't stand up. I put him down early Wednesday morning.

I was stunned at how quickly he went from looking/acting great to knowing it was time.

You will know when it's time and the decision will still suck, but you'll know that it's the right thing to do.

Good luck.

I don't have anything to add but I recommend the companies that come to your house to do it. Was a lot more peaceful than doing it at the vet. Especially if your dog isn't a fan of the vet like ours was.

Went through a similar situation with my 14 year old border collie earlier this year. All I can say is spend as much quality time with her. You'll know when it's time, for me it was a hard call but I could just see it in his eyes that he was tired and hurting. You've been around her for 13 years, you know her mannerisms and temperament and you will be able to tell.

I put down my 13 year old lab earlier this year due to kidney failure. It was tough. Very tough.

When the tail stops wagging, you know it is time to say goodbye to an old friend.

Computer screen is getting misty, so I leave you with my thoughts and prayers.

AgBass01 said:

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Went through a similar situation with my 14 year old border collie earlier this year. All I can say is spend as much quality time with her. You'll know when it's time, for me it was a hard call but I could just see it in his eyes that he was tired and hurting. You've been around her for 13 years, you know her mannerisms and temperament and you will be able to tell.

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I did the same thing this past June with my 14 year old doxie. They will tell you when it's time. As others have said, just spend time with them, love on them and appreciate them.

You'll know.

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You'll know.

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This...for our prior lab, it was when he lost interest in eating. Still makes me sad.

Bassmaster said:

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You'll know.

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I lost my best buddy about a month ago. I'm still quite tender at the thought of him.

They bring such joy, but you pay quite a price when they go.

OP, so sorry to hear. Been there so many times in my life with the family pets, but I put down the first of my own (as an adult) on May 6th. Lots of tears. This may sound kind of corny to some people but I made sure I was laying in front of her, talking to her, so she'd hear my voice and see my face while she passed...i like to think that gave her some comfort.

I dread this day. Enjoy your time and make her final days great!

Man it's dusty around here.

Like others have said, you just seem to know. And some good advice was given when I asked this same question not too terribly long ago - a day early is better than even an hour late. We owe that much to great pets.

Bassmaster said:

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You'll know.

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This. There will come a day when you look at her and just know it's time. That day sucks.

Sorry to hear that.

You will know. A couple of years ago we made that decision for our 12 year old golden. When it was time to go to TAMU Vet School - opened the front door at home and out she runs like a one year old pup.

Brought her little butt back inside and she made it three more weeks..We knew when to make that drive.

Lots of hugs and kisses and treats. It's hard, but know your love you share with that special fur baby will pull you through.

Best wishes to you both.

You will know. About a year ago we knew it was only a matter of time. Cancer had done a number on her but at 14 she was still pretty mobile. Kept he pumped full of metacam and she was doing good. Then she quit eating and would not come out of my office. Final straw was she bit my wife when she was trying to take her outside.
The last few days was me carrying her up the stairs to go sit on the porch for fresh are and occasional walk when she was up to it.

You will know and it will be the worst choice you will ever make. When we arrived the Vet asked if we changed our minds and we told her no. After it was over she told us we had made the right call. If we had let Roo pass on her own she would have only lasted a few more weeks and they would have been painful as she slowly starved herself to death.

Thanks for the responses everyone. I really wish she would just give me a sign like not eating, or not being able to get up. I just don't know if the labored breathing is causing her to suffer. There is a definite wheezing and sometimes almost a gasping for air. There have been a couple of times I though I was about to have to take her in, only to have her settled own and seem to breathe easier. Like I said, I know I'm going to have to make the decision, but I just don't want to put her down prematurely.

My 13 yo Boykin suffered renal failure. Vet diagnosed it in spring of 14 and put him on prescribed diet. T'giving weekend we had him in CS for LSU weekend and he quit eating. We tried turkey, chicken from every fast food place we could find. Got him home, he looked gaunt, and unsteady. Made up my mind and monday I loaded him up headed to the vet. I felt like he knew the whole drive. Had to stop and let some emotion out. Finally got there and got it done. Really hard but I know he was struggling.

Best of luck. It's hard to make that call with family.

My rule is when the good days out number the bad. It's one of the saddest moments of your life and you will do it because you know its the right thing to do.

I can feel your pain. I just lost my Pyr.

chloelee said:

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You will know. A couple of years ago we made that decision for our 12 year old golden. When it was time to go to TAMU Vet School - opened the front door at home and out she runs like a one year old pup.

Brought her little butt back inside and she made it three more weeks..We knew when to make that drive.

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This is almost exactly what happened with my 13 y/o lab Sul Ross. Dude couldn't get out of bed one morning and I thought it was time. I went to warm up the truck and came back in to find him leash in mouth wagging his tail at the front door ready to play.

By the end of the week it was a different story.

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I don't have anything to add but I recommend the companies that come to your house to do it. Was a lot more peaceful than doing it at the vet. Especially if your dog isn't a fan of the vet like ours was.

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Our vet in Park City had a garden out back by the creek. She didn't like the dogs last place be the inside of the vet hospital.

I'm so sorry to hear this. I know how heartbreaking it is. I posted the exact same question on this board back in May. Hannah (our almost 12 year old lab) had lung cancer. I got so much great advice but like a precious poster said it's better to do early than an hour too late. Our vet told us that ultimately she would suffocate from not being able to breath and being 8 months pregnant I couldn't bare thinking of her going through that. We scheduled a vet to come to our house. It was about $100 and worth every penny. That morning before the vet came we went to Sonic and got Hannah 2 hamburgers and an ice cream cone. She was still eating pretty good so she was the happiest dog. The vet got there and we were already outside and had her lay on her towel and she administered the meds. I held her the whole time and balled like a baby (like I'm doing now typing this). I hated it but couldn't imagine it any other way. She was my baby. I got her as a freshman when I was at A&M.

Again I'm so sorry. I know it's awful especially when you're hoping for a sign. We never got one. I just knew I couldn't bare to see her suffer if something worse were to happen. T&P

(Sorry for typos)

Here's my original thread from when we went through the same thing:

http://texags.com/forums/34/topics/2749458

Again, thank you everyone for your advise. TxAggiesgirl........thank you so much for posting the link. I read every response. I know what I have to do. I'm going to talk to the vet on Monday and make the appointment. I'm going to make Bailey's last week on earth one of the best ever. Despite the fact that I will be crying on the inside

Bassmaster said:

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You'll know.

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This. I've unfortunately faced this five times in my life now. My best dog ever, an old red male dachshund named Winchester was my football watchin buddy. If I was on the couch, he was conked out on my lap. Lived to the ripe old age of 14. He was old and slow, but always had a crooked tail wag and a kiss for your hand. One day he tried to walk across the living room to me, got halfway there, fell over, had a seizure and **** himself. I could see it in his eyes. I took him to the vet the next day.

Mtn_Guide said:

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Our vet in Park City had a garden out back by the creek. She didn't like the dogs last place be the inside of the vet hospital.

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Similar situation for us. The vet lives out in the country with lots of tall grass surrounding her. Roo got in one last hunt minutes before her final rest. I know she was happy when she laid down, surrounded by us and a vet she really did like. But damn if part of me just didn't want to let her run off in the grass and just keep going.

Said goodbye to my Aussie/heeler mix last Friday. We used a company called last wishes here in the Houston area. Pricey, but worth it to have my buddy at ease during his last moments with me

This is who we used too, really recommend them

I put my 15yo border collie down this past August. She had a recurrent tumor on her leg that we had removed two years ago but came back. When she was 13 she was still bright and perky and doing well enough to justify the surgery but two years later she was getting senile and had arthritis so bad she had trouble navigating the 4" step into the house. Still sweet as could be.

When the tumor grew enough that it ruptured through the skin it was either put her through surgery again or put her down. It happened on a Tuesday, we bandaged the wound and had her scheduled to be put down later that week. Friday I wake up to take her in and it's turns out it's ****ing National Dog Day (Aug 26th). I killed my dog on National Dog Day.

Anyone will tell you that a fifteen year old dog that has touble walking and is senile and has a tumor rupturing the skin should be put down. Emotionally it still screws with me.

I had to put my horse down last November & I knew it was time. We had been through a lot & he didn't need to suffer. I bought the biggest bag of carrots I could find & sat down with him as he ate them all. Vet showed up a few minutes later....

Damn onions all up in this place. Staff might want to put a warning label on this thread.

Put our 13 year old Sheltie down last Saturday. I knew it was time. Could see it in his eyes and activities. He had a large non-cancerous growth that had grown larger and was causing him a lot of pain. I'm 61 and thought, at my age, it wouldn't be so emotional. I was wrong. Cried like a baby. Been a tough week. As others have said, enjoy the time you have now.

Thanks again everyone. Unfortunately, I'm going to call the Vet on Monday and hopefully get an appointment for the end of the week. Sucks.

OutdoorAg said:

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Thanks again everyone. Unfortunately, I'm going to call the Vet on Monday and hopefully get an appointment for the end of the week. Sucks.

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Sorry to hear that but it's probably the right decision. Stay strong!