Expert: Jana Connell RVT, CVT - 8/11/2010

Question
How do you know when its time?

I have a 16 year old Black Lab mix named Jake. About 3-4 years ago, despite our best efforts, he succumbed to canine glaucoma in both eyes but was able to make the best of it. Within the last year, my wife and I began to notice that he stayed continuously congested. The congestion was followed by extreme itchiness and an unpleasant odor. The odor was definitely not genital in nature. We strive to keep Jake clean but even after bathing him, the odor remained. About 3 months ago, our local vet put him on a brief regiment of Prednisone. The Prednisone stopped the itching, cleared up the congestion and the odor dissipated. Once the regiment ended, the symptoms returned. I spoke to my Vet about a continuous regiment of Prednisone to make Jake as comfortable as possible. The Vet understood but made it very clear that the Prednisone would accelerate Jake’s end. Balancing out everything, I decided to place Jake back on the Prednisone to make his remaining time as comfortable as possible. The Prednisone is no longer working. Even while taking the medicine 1 ½ tabs daily, all of his symptoms have returned. In addition to the previous symptoms, Jake now has a difficult time relaxing; he paces quite a bit and seems to be no longer able to lie on his side. He breathes heavily (panting) and is always ravenously thirsty (which I understand is an effect of the medicine). Over the years I have grown very fond of Jake and losing him would be tantamount to losing a child but I can’t bare the thought of him suffering. Jake can barely walk for the itching and has bloodied himself in several areas. I realize euthanasia of a pet is a personnel choice and would never expect anyone to say “yeah or nay” but any guidance would be greatly appreciated.


Answer
Don,
You are correct. Euthanasia is a personal choice, but if governed by facts it sometimes becomes easier to make one way or the other.

A 16 yr old lab is rare even these days with good medicine. You have done a great job of being his caretaker and friend. And being a really great friend now is the hardest thing you will do- but truly great friends look out for what's best for us- not themselves.

The bottom line is that Jake is clearly not having a very good quality of life. He is uncomfortable and worse he is in pain. He is most likely blind so he doesn't even understand where this source of pain is coming from.
This is a list we use to determine if it's time to end our pets suffering.
1. What is their quality of life? Are they interacting with the family or just miserable all the time and want to be left alone.
2. Are they eating normally? If not, they are most likely telling you that they are ready to let go.
3. Are there more bad days then good days? This goes back to quality of life.

Short but to the point.I know that Jake can't talk to you but he is clearly exhibiting signs of pain and unrest. If he could, ask yourself if he would tell you that he is ready.

Don I know it's hard, so very hard that it is like losing your child. I understand this because I have been through it. I had a dog that was my soul-mate but when she quit eating after I took her off of the Prednisone, I knew she was ready. I feel bad even now when I look back on her photos at that time and see how thin she was.

Ending their suffering is the greatest gift we can give our pets. They somehow instinctively know this. They look to us to give them that gift. Knowing that I ended my dog's pain was the only thing that helped me recover and sleep at night. I gave her a gift.

It's your turn to give it to Jake. Stay with him while it's done for your sake- if you can handle it. It helps you later that you were  there to send off his sweet soul.

My thoughts and prayers are with you both. Please let me know how it turns out.

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Thank you for such a kind rating Don. I know how hard this is for you- I agonized over my beloved dog Cameo.But I lost my 15 yr old cat last year and I gave myself the run down on her condition and told my self that I was giving her that same gift. It still hurt but I felt so much better knowing that SHE was no longer in pain. I just had to deal with my own pain at that time.
Jake knows you love him and he trusts you to do what's best for him. Just remember that.