Hi everyone,
I'm dealing with a big problem at the minute and would like some advice.As some of you may remember my 4 year old staffy had 3 op's for crutiate problems-the last to remove his knee cap.We promised ourselves that we would put him through no more op's since we feel hes had enough-18 months of ops and recouperation.So amputation is not an option.
The problem is that he is not 'right'.He is in pain (but we don't know how much since he's very brave).He has good days,not so good days and bad days.We have followed no end of advice from the vets(wonderful vet!!!) and have him on rymadil(sp?).He still enjoys his walks and food but is obviously uncomfortable.
We have decided to let him lead a normal life until we feel that its unfair to let him continue.I could probably postpone the obvious by keeping him confined but what kind of life is that???He would become soooo depressed.
He is the most wonderful natured dog I've had in the 30 years I've had dogs and is so obedient.
Any advice on when I should call it a day.
Archer

I feel that we have to keep our dogs comfortable and pain free. If we can't to that for them, then it's time to say goodbye.
So sorry that you find yourself in that position.

I am so sorry to hear of your Staff's problems :-( It must be an awful time for you. I think if I were in that position, and I trusted my vet 100% (as you obviously do), then I would ask for their frank and honest opinion on what you should do. Ultimately, it will obviously be your decision, but perhaps if you were guided by a professional then you may feel you can see the fuller picture and know all the facts about whether your dog is experiencing pain or is unhappy and what kind of future he will have. I have read and been told numerous times that your dog will let you know when he wants to go - but as I lost my previous dog through means beyond my own control then I am not sure how much truth there is in that statement. However, you know your boy better than anyone else and I am sure you will be able to tell when he has had enough. Hugs to you - I am sure you will make the right decision for your Staffie, whichever it is.
Kirsty

Hello Archer, I'm so sorry that despite your efforts things are still not good for your boy. It sounds to me that you have given this alot of thought already, and you have come to your own conclusions. Your head is telling you one thing but your heart is saying something else. I have had to make the decision to release a young dog from a life of misery, and I decided that stopping the suffering was of paramount importance. I suffer, from sadness, and guilt, incase I did the wrong thing, but my heart now accepts that I did the right thing because his pain is over. I'd much rather bear the pain of losing him, than he continue to suffer.
Thinking of you, Dawn R.

You're so right -I've thought about our options over and over.Its been a hard 18 months and maybe it would be easier if he were older or not such a perfect dog-which he is!!
My head says let him go but my heart won't let me-I'm not afraid to say I've cried so many tears.
Thankyou all for your advice and stories-I know the time is coming to make a decision but its so hard.
Archer

It's not easy at any age, Archer. My last dog to die was 15 years old - and I still wanted her for longer.

The best advice I can give is what my vet (bless him) said to me "Better a week too soon, than a day too late."

I do know what you're going through. No time is the right time, but there is a best time.

Having just recently had my two oldies put down together I know how hard that decision is to make. My vet left the decision to me because he knew I would know when the time would be right.
I have questioned and questioned if I did it too early. Reading the post " better a week too soon, than a day too late" has given me comfort in that I now know it was the right time.
You will do what is best no matter how much it hurts. Really sorry

Hi Archer,
I'm really sorry that you find yourself with this horrible predicament - I found myself in a similar situation, about 10 years ago. We had a beautiful rough collie, Czar, who unfortuantely got out of my mum's garden and picked up some kind of toxin from somewhere. We rushed him to the vet the next day when he was vomiting white foam, and couldn't stand up - this came on very quickly with no warning at all - the vet gave him some medication, and he attended the vets every other day for 2 weeks, I couldn't stand to see him suffer any longer, it had gotten to the point when he had to be carried outside to the toilet and carried back in - it was horrendous, and we agreed that it was best to put him to sleep.
I cried myself to sleep every night for days on end wondering whether I'd did the right thing, and what if the vet had been able to mend him in the end, and questioning myself at every turn. But I realised that although it wasn't right for me ... it was right for him.... and ultimately I did do the right thing, although it took me a while to realise.
I'm sorry, I guess it's a big ramble and it doesn't really help you but what I suppose I'm trying to say is that I don't think it will ever feel at the time that you're doing the right thing... whenever it needs to be done.
Good Luck,
Sharon
X

Hello, i am so sorry, but just to say - he will let you know when he has had enough he will give you a look that is saying its time to say goodbye i never leave mine so long that they cant walk in to see there friend the vet and wagg there tail and i always sit with them giving a big hug as the needle is in and then they are asleep no more pain for them just for us ? Jackie

The first dog I ever had to pts gave me that 'look' one morning when he had had enough. He still wanted his walks and his food but one day he couldn't cope any more. If I close my eyes I can still see him tottering over to stand in front of me with that 'look' in his :(
I decided then (for me!) that that look meant he had crossed the line into suffering and I was not going to let that happen again as long as I was capable of doing something about it. No dog of mine will ever feel despair like that! I felt for the sake of a few hours of my own selfish reasons of not wanting to say goodbye that I had let him down :( Maybe I'm being hard on myself but you can't help the way you feel at the end of the day.
I lost a much loved bitch last year who has been part of my life for a very long time. I let her go before she couldn't cope. I don't regret my decision one bit and would like to think in an ideal world that someone would do the same for me one day. I got a letter from my vet a few days later saying he wished he had had the courage to do the same as me as he thought he had let his dogs go on too long before he put them to sleep.
At the end of the day you must do what you think is right for your dog - they need you - they can't do it by themselves. The decision you make or fail to make in time can live with you for a very very long time.
Lara x

Yes, I believe that the dog will tell you - I know our last oldie, Gemma, did just that. At 17 and a half, almost blind, with legs going, we had made the appointment for a certain day, so that we could be take her for that last trip to the Vet, but that morning, when we got up, she was jumping around, enthusiastic for another day - and we had a lovely day with her - so the dreaded deed was put off. A week or so later, however, she got out of her bed, just tottered over to me, put her head in my lap - and we knew.

It's not easy, Archer, but you know in your heart that it is the most loving thing you can do in the end, if your boy is in pain.

Thinking about you lots - as you say, it is one thing when your friend is old, completely another when he is young. Remember though - be glad he has been with you, not sad he has gone.

Love
Margot

Hi Archer

Sorry to hear of your situation. I know your dog has been through a lot. But maybe amputation is an option. Your dog is still young at 4 years old and if is in good health, then I don't see why not. I know you don't want any more suffering but this would take away the pain permanently, and stop the discomfort that is affecting his life. Most animals do very well on three legs. Just a thought. Speak to the vet and ask his/her opinion or better if they could help you make contact with other dog amputee owners

Hope this helps

Lube

Hello Archer - I am in a similar situation at present, my Golden Oldie has Lymphoma and together with my Husband and the Vet we have desided Poppy will be PTS this week. Oh it is hard, even though she is 12years old, even though we have 4 other dogs, Poppy is unique, our first Golden, she will be forever by our side.

My thoughts are with you

Sweep x

hi Archer
sorry about your staffie i had to make the same desision last year with my 3 yr old rottie remus he had a cyst on his spinal column causing him to not be able to send messages from his brain to his limbs we had numerous ops etc and some how one day i just looked at him and i knew the time was right and i know that deep down in your heart you also know the answer to your own question,speak to your vet and trust your heart good luck all our sympathy

Archer,

I know it is terrible to see a dog in pain, even a dog that is very stoic and brave. I'm sure you know that dogs can live happy and healthy lives following amputation. Have you asked you vet if your dog would be in pain after amputation?

I have had to put two dogs down and I hope never to need to make the decision again. I do not regret it, but it something that never leaves you. If for a moment I thought there was a possibility of recovery in either case I would not have done it.

In an otherwise healthy dog you need to be absolutely sure that in fact you are not suffering more than dog. Your dog will tell you when it's time, as others have said. Eventually the bad days outnumber the good .. and the good days get less and less good.

Stacey

Archer,
I can only echo what everyone else has said...
My thought are with you

Donna and Charliex

Hi Nikki
Really sorry to hear that Archer is still having problems - I recall your posts last year when you were deciding whether to go ahead with the kneecap operation.
Does he have more bad days than good days ? I know people say that you will know when the time comes but, personally, I'm not so sure. I've seen a lot of dogs suffer longer than perhaps they should because their owners were waiting for the 'sign' that the time had come. With an older dog sometimes the delay in putting them to sleep is just postponing the inevitable - sadly none of them recovers from old age.
This is why the decision is so much harder with a young dog - often you just can't be sure about the degree of recovery. Has the vet said whether there's a chance of improvement if you wait a while ? Or is the way he is now how he will always be ?

You know your own dog better than anyone - I truly hope that whatever decision you come to you will know that in your particular circumstances it is the right one.

Thinking of you.
Joyce

Archer and Sweep

It is a very hard time for you both now but you will make the right choice even though it may well be the hardest choice.

Lucy
xxxx

Hi everyone
thanks so much for all your replies and stories.Archer has had a good few days since I posted-we went on a long steady walk yesterday and he loved it.I commented to my hubby that days like that make it harder cos he was 99% sound and soooo happy and full of life.He trotted along beside my daughter and was just wonderful.We still have more good days than bad but the bad ones are so hard for me to bear -I hate seeing him in pain.
I,m not considering amputation since the other knee has a degree of crutiate damage and the weight of him running on one leg could only cause more harm.The thought of watching him collapse with no usable back legs doesn't bear thinking about.
I'm hoping you're all right and that he lets me know when its time-I must admit hes given me a look a couple of times that seemed to say 'I'm tired-make it better' but I know I can't.
Anyway we're enjoying this good spell while we can and just make the most of our time together
Once again thankyou,Archer