The American Beagler Forum

Hi, it has been awhile since I have posted here. Not looking forward to this post but need to know what to do. I have a hound that is coming up on 14yrs old. She has been a great hound for me. She had a pretty good sized tumor removed about three years ago. It is starting to come back and she is now having trouble with her back end and legs. She seems to be pretty weak back there. She can stand but legs are often very close together or bowed in. If standing for a long period of time she slowly gets low and low to the ground on the back end. She is dragging her left foot about 50 to 60 percent of the time. She has a hard time getting up into the dog box. She doesn't yelp in pain and when let out to run she tries but her gait is all screwed up. She is eating as though nothing is wrong. I need some advice on what to do. Is there anything I could do to help her out like pain killers or something or is it time to put her down. I have never had to put one down and not sure if I can go through with it but don't want to see her suffer either. Thanks for the advice.

Don it's something no one can answer for you. You just have to decide if every day life is a good enough quality to be worth it for your dog. If you feel it is too big a struggle or they are in too much pain then it's time.

Don I also would like to say I have only had one dog put down by a vet. The dog was a 14 yr. old Lab that got hit by a car. I will never ever take another dog to a vet to have it done. My son and I watched him jump around on the table for 30 minutes or so. I hate to do it to the good ones you love but no more vets for me.

10 months ago I was in the same position you are in currently. I too was worried about doing the right thing. I took Jodi to the vet that I worked with while in college - the vet that you can trust your kids with - for her opinion because I can trust that all efforts have been exhausted. She ran several test to ensure that putting her down was the only choice I had. Once the test results were in, she gave Jodi the euthanasia injection, I held her head as she passed on to the eternal running grounds. I had Jodi cremated and she is in my office. My experience was much better than what Bobby stated that he had but I agree that it is a tough decision to make. My heart is with you while you decide what is best for your friend.
Laura