Have You Ever Had To Put A Pet To Sleep?

[futurecoach]

I have a full blooded Siberian Husky who is seven years old named Mylo, and he is the sweetest dog you would ever meet. Well he recently has developed a tumor on his right front leg, we took him to the Vet to get it looked at. Within a week of waiting for the test results the tumor tripled in size and is like a softball on his leg. We found out that it is cancerous and will spread, but they can't just remove the tumor they would have to take off his whole front leg. The only problem is that when he was one he dug out of the yard and got out and ended up getting hit by a car. So he has a bad left leg and hip and already limps with that. So if we have his right leg removed, he probably would have a very difficult time moving around.

 

So now we are faced with the decision to either let the Vet take his front leg off, or go ahead and put him to sleep. Which is just very hard to think about because for the most part he still acts like himself, so it just makes it even harder to just put him to sleep like that. We have to make a decision this week on what to do, because no matter what the Tumor can't stay there it has gotten so big it has busted some and keeps bleeding all over. So we have to do one of the two things. If we take his leg off though he probably wont be the same and would be very hard on him to get around at all and just feel like he would be miserable then.

 

We are leaning towards probably putting him to sleep this Friday which is really hard to think about I have had him since he was a puppy and I just love that dog. I couldn't have asked for a better dog. So I was just wondering what some of you all would do. Because either way it just seems wrong to me because he does act like himself. But I know he also won't be able to get around at all if he gets that leg taken off because his back leg is bad and he usually tries not to use it at all. So what would you all do?:cry:

[HT721]

I'll definitely be praying for you, losing a pet is one of the hardest things in life, they can be closer than some human family members. We had to put my dog to sleep last thanksgiving, he was a lot older than your dog but he was having heart failure right as he was put to sleep. It was one of the hardest moments of my life. We knew he was on deaths door for weeks and woke up the day after Thanksgiving and he started having massive seizures. By the time we got him to the vet he was almost gone when he was put down, but it was one of the hardest days of my life to say good bye to my best friend of 14 years.

[BoondockSaint]

Good lord you just brought back some memories, we had a 16 year old Husky we had to put down when I was 16.

[Mustang]

I think you have answered your own question.

 

As tough as it is, your pet has obviously reached the end of his useful, meaningful, healthy, happy life. With the cancer in his system and the loss of his leg, he would no longer be able to lead a normal life and would probably struggle with his new situation, which will only continue to deteriorate.

[futurecoach]

Thanks for all of your all's reply's and I am sorry to hear about your pets too. I think it would be a little easier if he wasn't still basically acting like his normal self. If he was acting different and just could tell it was really bother him, then I think it would be easier on me to accept it. So this just makes it hard because it seems like we just basically are killing him then, even though he is still young. I know though that after the surgery he wouldn't be acting the same anymore, however it just makes it harder because basically be putting him down when he still acting like his normal self basically. I know it is the right thing to do though, it just sucks because he basically only has lived half his life.

[mcpapa]

Many times. Never an easy decision to make, but comes with the territory.:cry:

[formerkywrestler]

Once, two years ago and I still remember it. We knew it "was time", but it was still awful...last time I cried.

[00Rocket28]

I know several people who have dogs missing a limb as a result of being hit by a car or cancer and had it removed. If removing the leg will prevent the cancer from spreading and he's other wise healthy, I'd say have the leg removed, he'll hop but will still be able to live a happy life.

[FC]

While I can’t tell you which decision is best for Mylo, I will pray that God will help you make the right decision. I had to put my 14 yr old Lab down a few years ago and understand the heartache that accompanies the loss of a pet.

[Beechnut]

We've just confronted this at the end of June. It was horrible, but at the same time, you just KNOW when it's the right time. Yes, it's hard, but you'll know in your heart which way to go and when. Your vet should be able to guide you. Good luck. I'll be praying for you.

[Aiden Seamus]

Generally, IMO, you and your pet will know when it's time to go. When we put our 16 year old Pug down, you could look in his eyes and tell it was time.

 

In the past, I also had a Siberian Husky who got cancer when he was around 5 or 6. Is that common in Sib. Huskies?

[cooperstown]

Tough situation. I'm sure the vet will walk you through all possibilities. Very best of luck. Amazing how we all get so attached to our pets!

[Clyde]

For those that remember our old friend HSSRB he will tell you it was one of the worst experiences of his life. His wife took off work for 2 or 3 days because she simply was unable to function.

 

I had a dog that was killed when he was accidentally hit with a baseball bat and it crushed me.

[bigblueinsanity]

I'm so sorry.

[sportsnut859]

A couple of times. I'm sad to hear about Milo. Your little brothers have been over a couple times since all this was coming out. One seems to know the seriousness and the other seems a bit young to.

 

My advice won't help you much though. When I was younger we had a dog that was hit by a car when it was a puppy and hit by a car. As a result she lost a front leg and had a bad back hip. she adjusted fine and was able to live something like 12 more happy years.

 

On another note. If the vet AND your family decide to put him down keep this in mind. 2 years ago grandma's Cocker Spaniel needed put down. That dog was like a daughter to her so, she asked me to stay in the room and make sure she was treated well as the vet gives you the option. Don't think by getting it done that Milo will be "hurt." What I saw was very peaceful. There are 2 shots that take place. The first simply makes the dog sleep very deeply. The second shot is actually what continuously slows the heart down until it stops. It is an extremely peaceful process!

 

I'm not trying to pursuade you either way as ultimately the decision is yours and your families. Do not let the vet pursuade your decision either. Make the decision you feel is right! If you have any questions I'm a text away my friend.