Hello. I came across this forum after searching the web most of the morning. I am facing a very difficult decision and am not looking forward to it. My sister and I have an 11 year old minature poodle which we have had since he was 8 weeks old. It's amazing how quickly the years have passed by. A few years ago he was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease in his back. He was in really bad shape but we nursed him through it and he recovered. A year ago he was diagnosed with diabetes. We give him vetsulin shots twice a day. Recently, he kept losing his balance and couldn't stand up. We took him to the vet and the x-rays showed fusing of two of his vertabrae AND stones in his bladder. The stones were not manifesting any problems so we did not have the $1500 surgery the doctor suggested. Now he has developed cataracts and is almost completely blind. It's getting more difficult to give him his shots because his skin is becoming tough in those areas. He runs and bumps into things in the yard (one day he walked right into the backyard pond) and from time to time he continues to have episodes when he can't keep his balance. Usually, he'll just stand there falling over and then when he can, he lays down and sleeps it off. His appetite is somewhat good but he seems so sad. Part of it I know is the aging process. My sister, whom I couldn't do without, is the one who gets up with him 3:00 am, 5:00 am during the night because he loses control of his bladder and sometimes bowels. I know it is just a matter of time before the stones start giving him problems. We have provided him with the best of care but we hate to have put out hundreds (which could lead to thousands) of more dollars to have tests run and for treatment that may not solve the problem. Already his care is costing almost $200 every 5 weeks. This is expensive considering we are trying to save for retirement. He's given us 10 wonderful years and I know it will be heart renching to have to have him put down. Why do I feel so guilty? Just reading about euthasia brings me to tears but we don't want him to start really "suffering" before making the decision to do so. Well, I just wanted someone to listen. Thanks.

I am sorry that you had to find a pet-grief site at all, but happy that you found your way here, to Lightning-Strike.

I understand only too well the pain & sadness that you are feeling. And yes, it is soooooooo true, the years do pass by very quickly!!

From what I have read, your little guy does sound like his quality of life is suffering.
When thinking of euthanasia, most veterinarians will tell you that when "life isn't fun anymore for your pet", or when our babies aren't able to do things that they normally could do, and that includes - going to the bathroom, eating, drinking, standing, walking, etc....



Just as your precious furbaby has given you 10 wonderful years, you and your sister have also blessed him with a wonderful life for 10 years - and, have taken care of him very well.
He love you & your sister, and will always love you both!!!

Having an animal that is suffering, is sick, in pain, and having trouble doing normal everyday things is very upsetting, because we, as their owners know that perhaps a 'decision' must be made.

When we decided that it was time to have our precious Ernestine put to sleep (back in Feb 7, 2004), it was of course, extremely difficult.
But.........really, it was the most loving thing we could do for her.

Someone here on this site said to me:
Denise, you are taking on Ernestine's pain so that she can be without pain.

I had prayed to God that He take our girl in her sleep, but that wasn't to be -- so, we had to help our girl move on from this life on earth, to her Heavenly home.

Euthanasia is really a loving gift that we can give our animals who are suffering.
I truly believe that!

Please, come here as often as you like, and post your thoughts & feelings.
That's what I did in the early days (and, for months after, too!), because I needed to be around people who understood what I was going through.
Believe me, EVERY SINGLE PERSON HERE understands the pain & mixed feelings that you are going through.....

Wishing you & your sister Peace & Love.

God Bless You both.

Love, Denise

Thank you so much for replying. Your words are reassuring and kind. I will take them to heart as my sister and I take this journey. Thanks again.

I'm glad you found this site. There are many happy memories and much support amidst the tears. Well, my own personal philosphy with our furkids is to do anything and everything possible to help them when they are ill. We have spent over $1300 on Sir Francis the bunny (so far) when he developed a bacterial infection in his sinuses and an abscess on his nose from an infected tooth root. He is 8 1/2 years old and has been in our family since he was a baby. After three different antibiotics, dental surgery, and surgery to clean out the abscess he is doing much better. He is still on an antibiotic for this infection and will probably be on it for the rest of his life. We take him to the best rabbit doctor in our part of the state. She has been wonderfully cooperative working with us. She has consulted the top rabbit abscess specialist in the country and we have been trying several experimental procedures for it such as long term bicillin shots and te use of manuka honey from New Zealand as an antbacterial flush for the wound. If necessary we plan on having antibiotic beads implanted next. I'm relating all this to show the level of commitment we have to helping Francis stay with us.

That said, there comes a time when you have done all that can be done medically. After that, making the furkid comfortable is the prime objective. I feel that they let us know in subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) ways when their will to live has gone. Francis is still hopping around merrily, marking territory and staying with his bonded buddy Tommy cat, so I know that this time has not come for him. As long as he is fighting to live and enjoy life we will keeping fighting for him. One day when he lets us know that his joy of living is permanently gone, then we will have to make the most painful decision of our lives to show him the mercy and compassion he deserves and euthanize him. I know that this last act of love will tear our hearts out but it is the pact we make with our furkids when we adopt them. Listen and watch carefully and you will know when the time has come to say goodbye. When you do, we will be here to share your grief and to listen.

To Ken Albin, thank you for sharing your story. We just saw a cute bunny at the vet's this week. She was a cute little thing. I hope you have many more years with your bunny. After Kobe is gone, I know I will not have any more pets (as much as I would like to). I got him on the heels of having to put my last kitty down (I had 4). It's too much stress and I don't think my heart can take too much more. Thanks for responding to my message. Take care.

I would suggest that you not give up on getting another pet. The heartache we feel at their loss is more than made up for by all of the hours of love they give us during their lives. It is only the goodbye that hurts. We can deal with that pain when we remember all they have selflessly given us to enrich our lives.

Take care and all the best,
Ken

WOW. That kinda says it all. Thinking of it this way helps me. Thank you...