My senior dog is very sick and weak. When should I put him down?

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Skye. I'm sorry she isn't doing well! She is definitely getting old and these signs are not good. You cannot leave her in this condition, dying is not a pain free process. You need to take her into a vet immediately. Best of luck.

Thank you for using PetCoach. I'm so sorry for your situation with Brooklyn. Euthanasia for our pets is one of the greatest gifts for our pets, and greatest burden on us as owners and veterinarians. Consulting with Brooklyn's vet may help you to know when to make the decision. Using a quality of life scale can also help to make a more objective decision. This allows you to assign a numerical value to Brooklyn's activities and symptoms in order to determine his quality of life. I have used this one: http://lapoflove.com/Pet_Quality_of_Life_Scale_DrMcVety.pdf Another thing you can do is to have 2 jars - for every good moment put a penny in one and for bad moments put one in the other jar. If bad moments approach or overcome good moments then it is time to consider euthanasia. I hope this has helped a little bit with your decision making. Please feel free to post again if you have further questions.

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. It sounds like Buffy is very sick, since she can't keep down water and is also having diarrhea, and is unwilling to move around. I highly recommend that Buffy be seen by a veterinarian. As a 15 year old dog, I am worried about a possible cancerous cause of her clinical signs. Diagnostics such as bloodwork and even an abdominal ultrasound would likely be necessary to determine the underlying cause. At the very least, your veterinarian can discuss possible palliative treatment options to try to get Buffy feeling comfortable again. It is also not wrong to consider the option of humane euthanasia, to help eliminate Buffy from suffering. I know this is a difficult choice, but from what you are describing I don't believe it would be wrong. I hope this is helpful.

Hi and thanks for posting on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. The symptoms you described for Snoopy sound like she has a medical condition causing her to become ill. My advice is to have Snoopy evaluated with her veterinarian very soon so she can be examined and tested for organ issues, gastrointestinal obstruction, and/or infection that could be underlying. She may need blood work and x-rays or other diagnostic tests to help understand what is causing her symptoms.

Hello, thank you for using PetCoach. I'm sorry you are having to deal with this issue. The right time to euthanize a pet is based on quality of life. If you feel his quality of life is diminished then it is time. In my opinion, no veterinarian will turn you away or judge you for wanting to euthanize her based on the information you provided here. Quality of life is based on many factors. You can check out this link as it may help you to make a decision. ( https://vet.osu.edu/vmc/sites/default/files/import/assets/pdf/hospital/companionAnimals/HonoringtheBond/HowDoIKnowWhen.pdf ) I hope this helps. Best wishes.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I am so sorry that you are in this position. I would recommend that you consider going to your veterinarian before making this decision. They would be able to gather more information, examine him and determine what would be best to proceed with always considering his quality of life. They may decide to recommend something that may improve his quality of life and buy you both some quality time to spend together. Best of luck!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Spooky! I am so sorry that Spooky is so sick. I would stay home. I am worried about how sick is and for how long. Have you tried applying for care credit or reached out to low cost clinics like the SPCA? I am worried that he may pass away with out further care. I wish you the best