Is It Time to Put My Pet Down?

Dr. Lera provides insight about one of the toughest decisions that pet owners face.

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DISCLAIMER: The content provided in this channel is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

[michaelshelley]

and what's worse is when they AREN'T sick....when they are not sick. My dobie would just lose her legs out from under front legs...not the back...she couldn't go down the stairs anymore and would wait for me to carry her down them....fell a lot in the house and in the yard. She was almost 100 pounds....not easy to one day she was standing at the top of the stairs and I swear when I looked at her she looked at me like "let's not do this anymore knew that was it...she was too proud. and here comes the tears again....sorry!! she was "the one"

[blanehartleb]

My vet put it the perfect way. YOU WILL KNOW WHEN IT IS TIME. Follow your gut. It is that simple.

[K_Leash_Holder]

My 12 year old Portuguese water dog won’t respond to the word treat any more. Won’t get excited or even move to go “bye bye” won’t come when called unless you used the immediate word now at the end and firm and a few times. Hair falling out. Won’t listen when he gets into the trash and now snatching food from my kids.

Sadly it’s time and your video has helped me determine that. Now to find the correct place for it and time.

Thank you for such a great video and may my dog have better days ahead on the other side and hope to reunite one day :)

[tinasyoga]

My Lucy is 13, 5 has a virus, cough, shaking, lethargic, and now trouble walking so I have decided it is time to put her down plus she is prone to injury jumping off or falling off couch despite my efforts ti keep her at ground level 😕it is so hard, but death is part of life, my heart goes out to all owners who li e their fur babies❤️

[superplannergirl]

My 14 year old jack russell mutt, Lizzy, has been in and out of the vet's office 5-6 times over the last month or so for various age related difficulties. She already carries a diagnosis of spinal arthritis, but on Saturday, she jumped off of a chair and landed in a bad fall. Her left back leg is almost completely unusable. We are having to carry her outside for the bathroom, which she is still able to do. I have her at my vet's clinic this morning, and I'm waiting to hear from them. I just don't know when it is the right time to let her go. She's old and having problems, but up until this weekend, has been doing okay overall. What are your thoughts? I guess my main hesitation is that she's not "sick" per se. I hate that this is so hard. I want to do what is right by my dog, though, and not be selfish in this decision at all. Thank you for the video and your help.

[wolfherzen]

We had to put down our dog recently she had cancer and the tumor was 6 pounds on her right back ankle. It was becoming rare for her to eat all of her food. She didn’t want to great you at the door. She no longer wants to play with her toys. She was having issues going up and down the 4 steps outside. Some times you would have to carry her. She was 9 years old.

[MonicaWalton-]

I just put my dog down due to her having her second episode of IVDD and it was very hard to let go. I do feel guilt. She was probably a stage five she was paralyzed. The surgery was about $10-$15, 000. Not sure if she had a chance to walk. I made the decision of putting her down because she was so much pain. I feel so much guilt.

[JosephLafrance-nw]

My 80 pound 12 yr old pitbull/bull terrier mix service dog Lucky has been lethargic for a few days took him to the vet for a lump around his neck they took a sample and it came back negitive for cancer he does his business outside but slow and comes back in the house on his own but he lays on the floor sitting up and usually freaks out when I say treat but nothing. he hasn't ate anything today I'm worried about him I lost my younger brother and mother last year so it's been awful he's been there for me due to my PTSD so I just want whats best for him thanks.

[MusicTheoryLogic]

Is the feeling of guilt normal? I feel like either way I go, I have failed. That being said, I understand that isn't rational... feelings aren't always rational.

[heartman]

This does not work for all situations. Our cat has luxating patellas on both legs and has had 2 failed surgeries already, her days are spent in a crate, do we subject her to a 3rd major surgery when it will most likely failed again and still have another bad leg not even operated on yet? It would mean 3 months more of total crate rest on top of the already 2 months she has done. we are in agony trying to make this choice because she is only 3 years old and healthy otherwise but mobility is bad and will never get better. utterly impossible and heartbreaking!

[donnadavies]

My 12 year old Golden Doodle is skin and bone, eats very little and poops (straining often) yellow mucous stool w signs of blood. All blood tests are normal. She has declined steadily over the past 9 months. It breaks my heart but the vet just keeps saying it is up to me.

[williamwatters]

I have a 14-year-old red heeler, and he is completely blind and deaf. He can hear high pitches like whistles. So how does that work with him or how do I know when it’s time for him?

[iLoveBoysandBerries]

If you're dog is say 14 yo or older than it's average life span, don't force the animal to survive longer just to alleviate your own sorrow. Putting your pet down is the most sympathetic gesture you can offer them. Dogs appear to tolerate pain extremely well, doesn't mean they are not suffering, they just don't show it.. Just ask yourself is it worth stretching it out a few more months until they seizure or become incapacitated? It's not. Call around for an at home vet that comes to your home and euthanizes your dog while they are asleep in your arms. Theres nothing more peaceful than that, it's a send off that's painless and humane

[fightpollution]

this guy is too good-looking for a discussion on this topic

[PegDavis-hv]

My dog is drinking alot of water. She isn't isn't moving around alot just about stop eating. Sge been bleding for 12 days now i where she's been assessments as haveing pyometra .

[troynewnan]

It so painful..watching my dogs getn old and

[judivandeveer]

Please address panting, coughing, gagging, my sweet little Corgi, ate very well normal br habits, BUT nighttime was HELL She couldn't get comfortable, couldn't stop panting, but everything else was fine, she still wNted to go bunny hunting during the day, towards the end she had a hard time getting up the stairs, she had lymphoma, not always the same symptoms.

[rosiedominguez]

Hi Dr. Thanks for your video. My dog has a level 4 heart murmur. She is not eating, I have to give her baby food..it's so hard to know when it's time to say goodbye. Now she is developing pain in her front legs. My dog will be 12 soon and she is a schnauzer. Your she is on heart meds and sometimes they seem to help other times I see her having issues breathing. Any advice would we appreciated. Thank you!

[paulafoss]

My shih Tzu has heart disease she's 12 years old she coughs day and night but she does eat and go to the bathroom my concern is she has no energy though I'm heartbroken I don't know what to do.

[soniarasul]

My dog contracted distemper even though she was vaccinated after a spaying & hernia procedure from a local hospital. Now she has tremors and I don’t want her infecting my other dog so till. I am giving her convulsion medicine and doctor has prescribed anti biotics. What do I do to make her feel better? Or should I put her down. But sometime with care does it heal. I already have seen videos that it’s fatal.