Deciding on Euthanasia for Maxwell: A Tough Choice

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the difficult decision of euthanizing a dog named Maxwell, who is suffering from bladder cancer. Participants share their personal experiences and thoughts on how to determine the right time for such a decision, considering the dog's quality of life and signs of discomfort.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express sadness and empathy for the situation, acknowledging the emotional difficulty of the decision.
  • One participant suggests consulting the vet about how long to wait before the dog experiences discomfort, emphasizing the importance of not prolonging suffering.
  • Another participant proposes a more detached approach, suggesting letting the dog go into the wild, indicating a lack of personal experience with pets.
  • A participant notes that dogs may hide their pain and that their perception of time and suffering differs from humans, suggesting that dogs live in the moment.
  • Some participants recount their own experiences with euthanizing pets, highlighting the importance of recognizing signs of pain and the emotional toll of the decision.
  • One participant mentions the potential for animals to mask their pain and the difficulty in assessing their condition without veterinary intervention.
  • Another participant shares that they waited until their dog showed clear signs of suffering before making the decision, indicating a personal criterion based on visible distress.
  • Some participants reflect on the idea that animals may not have the same awareness of mortality as humans, complicating the decision-making process.
  • One participant emphasizes the importance of being present for the pet during the final moments, sharing their approach to providing comfort during euthanasia.
  • Another participant mentions that a healthy appetite does not necessarily indicate the absence of discomfort, referencing advice from a vet.
  • Several participants agree that recognizing the quality of life is crucial in making the decision, with some suggesting that a noticeable decline in well-being is a key indicator.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on how to approach the decision of euthanasia, with no clear consensus on the criteria for determining the right time. While some emphasize the importance of recognizing signs of suffering, others share personal experiences that suggest different thresholds for making the decision.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include varying interpretations of animal pain and discomfort, differing personal experiences with pets, and the emotional weight of the decision-making process. The discussion reflects a range of subjective criteria for determining when to euthanize a pet.

  • #31
Sorry to hear about Maxwell Lisab :(
 
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  • #32
Maxwell was last year. Yesterday, Sweet Miss Phoebe had to be euthanized.

My sympathy Lisa.
 
  • #33
I am so sorry Lisa :frown:
 
  • #34
Sorry for your loss Lisa. :frown:
 
  • #35
Thanks everyone.

I assumed that I'd be emotionally a wreck after she was gone but I'm doing better than I expected. It was really stressful trying to figure out how bad she was feeling, it's a difficult responsibility. But once she was gone it was a load off my mind knowing she wasn't suffering.

I do miss her though. It seems life is a series of new normals.
 
  • #36
Lisa,

Some wonderful memories of Miss Phoebe you have I am sure, thanks for posting the pictures, you were right about what you said, you have to adapt and roll with the punches, and learn to embrace a new normal, with whatever it may bring. You will have better days, of that I am sure. Just want you to know I am thinking of you.

Rhody...
 
  • #37
I can perhaps share my experience (With a cat though).

This particular cat (Now deceased) had very recurrent bladder problems (Stones). I would come back from school, and sometimes he;d be in agony, crying in pain. It took 6 surgeries for the problems to go away; and at the last surgery, he was in worst pain than he had ever been. The only reason I kept trying to hold on, and not euthanizing him, was because I couldn't imagine not having him around. In retrospect, I probably should have euthanized him in the first few times. He went through so much pain. I had to move out a year later, and couldn't take him with me. He died of loneliness because he had always spent all his days with me, even though he still had good company after he moved out.


Lesson for you: My advice is don't try to extend things unnecessarily. I did not find it to be the best way to go.

Of course, this is only anecdotal and a piece of advice. Take it as you wish.

Good luck!


-D
 
  • #38
lisab said:
It was really stressful trying to figure out how bad she was feeling, it's a difficult responsibility. But once she was gone it was a load off my mind knowing she wasn't suffering.


As someone once said, the most unselfish thing you will ever do, is to help your pet through this difficult time in their life.

Sorry for your loss. :frown:
 
  • #39
lisab said:
I can assure you though, that cat had a wonderful life...very spoiled.

I can tell she was spoiled, she has at least one more piano than I do!

I'm sorry for your loss, Lisa. But there are far worse things than living a long, happy life around people who love you. If only every now-gone cat were so lucky as Miss Phoebe. My condolences.
 
  • #40
lisab said:
Sigh. Almost a year later, and I was again faced with this.

Yesterday I learned Sweet Miss Phoebe, my kitty, was in the final stage of kidney failure. This morning my daughter and I did what had to be done, we had her euthanized. She was ready to go but still, it was sad.

I can assure you though, that cat had a wonderful life...very spoiled.

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Oh no! :cry: I am so sorry Lisab. It's never easy, they become such a part of our lives.
 
  • #41
sorry lisab! looks like a smart cat though! napping, piano, pf :)
 
  • #42
What a beautiful kitty, in her black formal wear. {hugs}:cry:
 
  • #43
Lisab, I have always been the one "delegated" to take our pets on their final trip to the vet. It has never been easy, though ferrets (our most common pets) are fairly short-lived. They were always such heart-stealers. Now, we have Duke, and I hope sincerely for our sake and his that he has a long healthy life. I would be lost without him.

We spoil the crap out of him and try to keep him well-trained, happy, and engaged, no matter if we are playing, walking, going for a ride, etc. He's a happy boy, so I guess things are working out for him. I hope I can hold up OK when it comes time to say goodbye. Wishing you well.
 
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  • #44
Andre said:
Maxwell was last year. Yesterday, Sweet Miss Phoebe had to be euthanized.

:cry: this is so sad :(
 
  • #45
I'm very sorry lisab! :frown: I'm always very sad to see such a lovely creatures go. Good that they lived a happy life though...
 
  • #46
:cry::cry::cry:

Such a sweet kitty. I'll be giving my aging Cha-Cha extra pets thinking of Phoebe.
 
  • #47
This thread actually made me cry. Two losses in one year! I feel very sorry for your loss(es). Tough calls to make, but the right decision.

My sympathies.
 
  • #48
Honestly, I don't find the decision tough.

I ask myself "For whose benefit am I forcing the animal to suffer? My own inability to let them go?".

Yes, the loss is sad but when it comes to the decision itself I find it's best to remove emotion from the equation.

It's why my mother insists I take them to the vets, she can't stand it.
 
  • #49
Oh the piano kitty :(

God that reminded me... Sorry to hear that Lisa. Kittens always leave good memories.
 
  • #50
lisab said:
No, not right away. I'm living in an apartment, so any animal I have would have to be alone all day while I'm at work. A lot of animals would not adapt well to that. I know Phoebe didn't mind it, she had a very laid back temperament. Plus she was older and slept a lot.

I hope your home doesn't look empty.
 
  • #51
rootX said:
I hope your home doesn't look empty.
My house is tiny, and it looked "close" when both my wife and I were home (before we got Duke). But if Duke wasn't here, it would look empty. Pets are such a huge part of our lives.

Our favorite neighbors have an older male pit-bull/German shepherd mix that is an absolute sweetie. Max has a crush on Duke, and though Duke doesn't reciprocate romantically, he loves his gay friend and is always ready to play and roughhouse and when they are tuckered out, they nap together. Max has sarcoptic mange (according to his vet) which is supposedly highly contagious. The dogs have such a wonderful time together that my wife and I would never think of limiting their contact, and Duke is still as healthy as can be. I can't help but wonder if Frontline and other topical treatments can help kill fleas and dog ticks, but depress the dog's immune system to the point that mange ticks can overwhelm them.

We have never used topical flea/tick treatments on Duke, and he has never had a problem. I pulled an American dog tick off him last summer, but he has never had problems with deer ticks, fleas, etc.
 
  • #52
I wasn't able to see the pictures you posted until I got home from work (my company blocks tinypic, youtube, etc.). Very nice looking cat. It's tough when you have to let your pet go.
 
  • #53
rootX said:
I hope your home doesn't look empty.

Well, I picked up a bunch of her toys last night, also cleaned up her food and water area. It does feel a bit empty. I keep catching myself wondering where she is.

My daughter volunteers in cat shelters...I have a feeling she's going to start making suggestions about certain cats who would make good roommates!
 
  • #54
lisab said:
My daughter volunteers in cat shelters...I have a feeling she's going to start making suggestions about certain cats who would make good roommates!

I must say, it's for the best.

Get straight back into it, gain a new loving friend and make both you and the cats life better!
 
  • #55
Sad sad sad.

I'll dispatch Johnny Depp to comfort you.
 
  • #56
Newai said:
Sad sad sad.

I'll dispatch Johnny Depp to comfort you.


:bugeye:... And you're his father?
 
  • #57
RIP Miss Phoebe.

I'm sorry for you loss lisab. :frown:

I've been down the same path many times.
 

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