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Did I make the right choice putting my dog down, despite my guilt?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | American Pit Bull Terrier | Male | neutered | 80 lbs

My dog was put down about 5 years ago around Christmas. He lost about 25 lbs in 2 months. He had bloody black stools. He was receiving IV treatments weekly and prednisone for a month but never got better. I knew deep down he was not getting better, but my vet said we could keep getting tests and more weekly IV's. I made the choice to put him down. He was a skeleton. When he died a bunch of pink fluid came out of his nose. The Vet said "you did the right thing." Was she just being nice?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Lindsey Edwards MVB, BSc, IVCA

Answered By Lindsey Edwards MVB, BSc, IVCA

Veterinarian

Published on December 22nd, 2017

I am sorry to hear of your loss, it is a very difficult time to lose a pet as even as time passes, memories are brought back by many triggers. I would also have agreed that euthanasia was a valid and kindest option given the symptoms of such severe weight loss of more than a quarter of his body weight, bleeding into the bowel and likely the chest given the pink fluid and black stool and the failure to respond adequately to steroids. Please do not feel guilty for allowing him to go with some dignity, quality of life has to be much more important than quantity for our pets and often allowing them to go is the bravest and kindest treatment we can offer in debilitating conditions
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Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Kevin Sanada, DVM

    Veterinarian

    I'm really sorry to hear this. I'm sure it was very difficult to see Caddy get so sick and whither-away like this. It seems like Caddy had a very severe illness.
    From what you're describing it could have been cancer. The pink fluid indicates that this problem not only affected his intestines, but also affected his lungs. In these cases, they either have a severe infection, or cancer.

    It's difficult to know if this could have been treated successfully without me knowing the cause, but considering the amount of damage done, it seems like it would have been very difficult to successfully treat his condition.

    If the vet made a point to state that "you did the right thing," then I would be inclined to believe her. It's always difficult to know for sure without knowing the vet personally, but given the circumstance, I don't think she was just being nice. I suspect that she felt that further testing and treatment would have unnecessarily prolonged suffering.

    The decision to euthanize is extremely difficult and there is no right or wrong answer. I advise my clients to consider euthanasia when they feel like their pet is suffering so much that they don't seem themselves anymore; or just don't seem to enjoy life anymore. You are the best judge of this.

    I hope that helps and you have a happy holidays.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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