I wasn't about to make her live life afraid of things that only she could see and couldn't possibly understand. He often didn't recognize us and no longer recognized any other family members. 5. [5] We have a 16 1/2 year old dog who we think may be time to put down. Rhonda, You sound like such a loving, caring dog mom. When her world started getting scary for her, I put her to sleep. However, just like humans, they inevitably will age and eventually slow down. But there are helpful considerations that can provide guidance during this emotional time. If you have a dog, you probably hate thinking about negative things, such as the signs your dog may be getting dementia. I just put my dog to sleep over the week end. Euthanizing your dog should be the last resort. of dementia and medication didn’t help. My heart goes out to you.-Lena But the look in his eyes was not that of a dog at his end. If you are considering putting down a dog due to aggression or other behavioral issues you should do some specific steps to give your dog every chance at life before making the decision. When to Put Down Your Dog checklist and survey, alongside the more scientific Dog Quality of Life Scale from vets, will help you with this tough decision. He had mild cataracts and was going deaf but was doing fine at 16 other than that. As your dog ages and their health declines, it can be difficult to figure out when it's the right time to put your dog down.. Dog euthanasia is the hardest decision that one ever will face as a dog owner. We had a minature schnauzer we put down due to dementia. Neighbor kids that had grown up around her,,,,, hand made a polished box for her ashes. First of all, my heart goes out to you. That is, its main causes are poisonings, infections (viral or bacterial), or congenital conditions (they can be reversible or not depending on the case), dehydration, decreased blood flow in the kidneys, urinary obstruction. Some people ask about dog with dementia lifespan; the good news is that dementia will not shorten your dog’s life. Another sad fact is that many dogs are put down because there is noone to look after them and they become strays. I’m in denial but I’m slowly accepting the fact I have to put my dog down. Senior dementia is a common problem seen in older dogs just like it is in older humans. Managing anxiety requires owners to know what works best for their individual dog, such as soothing music, aromatherapy or a long walk. The Quality of Life Scale allows you to evaluate your dog’s well-being to help you make difficult end-of-life care decisions. I understand how you feel, i am 22 and got my dog when I was about 8, he was put down last sunday (aged 14) due to kidney disease and he wasnt walking , eating or drinking much by the end :/ just know that you are doing the right thing by putting him out of pain ad suffering, he will be in a better place soon, hugs xxx I would love some feedback from other dog lovers out there. I have lost a dog to to an accident, one to heart failure as a result of anesthesia, and one due to health problems, but I have never faced putting a dog down due to age. While advances in veterinary medicine are allowing your pet to live a longer, healthier life, the most difficult decision you can make regarding your best friend’s care is when to let her go.There’s rarely a clear-cut answer as to when is the “right” time to put your beloved dog down—rather, it’s a culmination of a variety of factors. Cushing’s disease in dogs can prove to be fatal if proper care is not taken. Continued Put Yourself in Their Paws. This lab, pure, is 13 years, 9 months now. I am having a very difficult time with this, again. I did put her down and had her cremated. If you do these things and you still come to the realization that you need to put the dog down, then at least you will know that you have done everything you could. She's been pretty spacy for about a year prior, but happy and content on whatever planet she inhabited. Deciding to put down your best mate is never easy. While natural signs of aging are nothing to be alarmed about, if your dog’s personality or behaviors change, it might be something a bit more serious than just getting old. And, how wonderful you were to adopt an older dog -- sounds like she had a great home with you. However, this rarely happens. Ask your vet what your pet is feeling. I wanted to try and save my dog. So it’s likely that kidney failure in a dog feels about the same as it would for a person. I couldn’t put her to sleep and managed her with wheelchair and hydrotherapy. We thought he was often fearful and certainly was no longer enjoying life so we made the … Whether your dog has physical problems or dog dementia the question of when to put down a loved pet always revolves around the same issues. When your dog slows down, you might notice that they start to gain weight. here. I have many months of sleepless night just caring for her listening to her crying and being so disorientated. Dog dementia, or Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome, is a cognitive disorder in dogs associated with effects similar to those of Alzheimer's in humans. As long as your friend is enjoying his life, and while caring for his needs is possible for you without making it impossible for you to meet your other commitments, you can continue to enjoy each others company. It is largely a result of old age; with time the brain begins to naturally accumulate beta amyloid, a protein found to damage nerves. They didn’t want to see him suffer this way anymore. As a result, she is only allowed in the kitchen and has essentially destroyed our floors. For her, behavioral modification hadn’t been successful and her family … Animal charity Blue Cross states that if you have a dog that’s being put down, you shouldn’t feel ashamed if you feel you’re unable to stay in the room. I put the dish away and he just barks for his water, so I am just between a rock and a hard place. Your dog may be dealing with a disease called Canine Cognitive Dysfunction, or CCD. Last October we put down Dylan, our almost 13-year-old chocolate Labrador Retriever (and the best brown dog in the world). But that was not my choice. They convinced me of the immense pain he was in and that he had no quality of life. Think about how your pet feels, Nguyen said. I may have rambled a bit, but I guess the key points are I am so sorry for you and her, but from your post I can tell you loved her and you have spent a great many years together. She was paralysed a year ago and I kept her going as she has good appetite . The front has a glass separate part where her picture is. Sadly, incontinence (both bladder and bowel) is one of the main reasons people put their dogs down. I am sitting at home waiting to go to put our beloved black lab down. Anyone had to put a dog down solely for bowel/bladder incontinence? There are many dogs that never develop this cognitive condition. Many pet owners wish that their dog could stay a puppy forever. It is more of a funnel really as one leads to the next. Dementia can be individual to each dog and often depends on how far advanced the condition is, so work with your vet to formulate an appropriate plan. She has been incontinent (both pooping and peeing) for the last year or more. 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