My hound dog mix rescue Daisy is almost 14. She has cornea deficiency which has robbed her of most of her vision. She doesn’t hear very well. She has difficulty standing from a prone position. She has adrenal cancer-causing Cushing’s Syndrome. She also has become incontinent requiring medication. Despite all this Daisy still smiles when I take her out for slow walks and has a healthy appetite. She still gets excited when I give her treats. Daisy is still enjoying life. When her time comes to pass over the rainbow bridge, I pray Daisy will pass peacefully in her sleep due to a sudden medical event. But I know the more likely scenario is that I will have to make the difficult decision when to euthanize.
The decision to humanely end your dog’s life is, and always should be, an intensely personal decision. Friends, family, loved ones, even your veterinarian, don’t know your dog like you do. While they all can have input, you must trust yourself to do what’s best for your dog! Nevertheless, as Nicholas Dodman, DVM likes to say “old is not a disease.” He points out there is no such thing as a dog dying of natural causes. A diseased organ is always involved. Therefore, owners should distinguish between natural healthy aging versus a painful, terminal disease process before making a euthanasia decision. Healthy aging will include: arthritic joints, a decrease in muscle mass and an increase in fat mass, decrease in heart and lung function, hormonal changes causing diabetes and hypothyroidism, reproductive system tumors, dental tartar, and periodontal disease, decrease in kidney and bladder function causing urinary incontinence and neurologic decline (cognitive dysfunction/dementia).
The good news is modern veterinary healthcare has made tremendous progress in treating the effects of healthy aging. Obesity can be dealt with using special diets. There are natural and pharmaceutical treatments for arthritis. Medications treat high blood pressure and correct low thyroid levels. Water supplements can decrease tartar buildup. Proin medication can increase sphincter tone alleviating urinary incontinence. The use of anesthesia has progressed to the point where older dogs can safely undergo surgical procedures to prolong their quality of life.
Despite the above, there will come a time when your dog’s quality of life suffers to the point that it is not worth pursuing. Some of the telltale signs include loss of enthusiasm for playing or being around you, loss of appetite, loss of interest in his treats and toys, inability to stand from a resting position, inability to walk, diagnosis of a terminal/painful disease (canines typically don’t vocalize suffering with crying or facial expressions). When that time comes, owners need to separate what they want from what’s good for their pet.
Owners should understand euthanasia is a tool to end their dog’s suffering. In fact, euthanasia is infinitely more peaceful than natural death. The procedure involves injecting chemicals that make your dog fall asleep and become unconscious before her respiration and heartbeat is stopped. Many organizations including Hope Hospice and Tufts University-508-839-7966, offer free euthanasia support. I pray all pet owners find peace when that decision comes.
