Neutral Cruiser

The only time you put an animal down is for their benefit. Never our own. That should answer your Q. It does sound though as if he's declining in the usual way i.,e digestive system, and general moblity.
I feel our last 2 cats were put down too late though. Don't think my dad could face it which again is a bit selfish really because i i could see that they were in a state. Just make sure you don't do it too late either mate. If his digestive system up the spout and he's starting to lose his faculties then it will be time soon. Take it easy.

16vmarc

He said its my decision.

NC, I wouldnt say his diegestive system is up the spout, hes still eating etc and doesnt just **** and **** all the time. Just when he needs to go he just does it there and then.

pslewis

My German Shepherd Bitch was like this in the end ...... but, because they are such clever dogs (I wouldn't have a stupid one, would I? ) she would eat her crap, rather than let me see it!!

It was simply not fair on my dog, so I had her put down (hardest thing I have done, that!) by the way ............................. holding your dog of 14 years while they drift to sleep for the last time is gut-wrenching.

Your dog seems ok, not eating it and feeling bad about it, so I say "It shall be life!"

Pete

andyfish

Hi Marc

our cat had similar problems for a couple of years before he died - although he usually (not always) made it to the litter tray to wee. It was a pain in the **** (no pun intended) to clean up after him day in day out (and we had young kids about the place) but apart from that he was happy and went out in the garden. We would never have had him put down because he was difficult to look after but had he started to suffer (which he did at the end) we would have had him put down.

Andy

ScoobyDoo555

Whilst I'm a dog-owner, I find myself having to see it from both perspectives. After reading your previous topics, I have to agree with this sentiment At the end of the day, it's your dad's house - not yours.

I know that if it was the other way round, and one of my kids' pets was soiling the house, I'd be asking the same question.

It's an awful decision to make - my Father-in-law had to do the exact same with one of his Cocker Spaniels - same condition as yours. She was put down. It hurt immensely. It still does.

It's all well and good people coming on here and acting all self-righteous (it wouldn't be Scoobynet otherewise!! ), but they're NOT in the same position - having to deal with it (both you and your parents). They responding with goodwill and kindness (as anybody with an ounce of humanity would), but life ain't that simple.

However, if the dog's quality of life is good, great!!! There is a problem, but you have to accept it as part of old age

The only advice I can offer, is to talk with the vet - explain the predicament with your parents, and see what they would recommend.

Either way, I hope you make the right decision

Dan

talizman

iTrader: (1)

ScoobyDoo555,

How is it self righteous advising someone not to put down an incontinent, but otherwise healthy animal?

Neutral Cruiser

That's what i thought. Indeed it's nice to see a thread on Scoobynet where it hasn't descended into joking in poor taste and winding eachother up. Most if not all responses to this thread seem to have been well meant, which is nice as it concerns an animal and is an important subject.

David Lock

cats aside

ajm

I agree with most of what has been said. Knowing the dog for such a long time you should be able to tell wether he is happy or not. If he is happy then leave him be... if he is unhappy then you need to do anything you can to make him happy and if that isn't possible only then do you euthanise.

To put it into perspective my burmese python cr*ps and p*sses like a great dane wherever she feels like!

tarmac terror

iTrader: (2)

I have two dogs one is a springer the other looked like a weimaraner when she was a pup, I was told she was a weimaraner but although I called her Weimar I think she is the by product of a threesome between a weimaraner, a greyhound and a labrador!! Both are rescue dogs. I house trained or re-house trained both of them together - The springer is fantastic - he would burst before he would **** in the house and dances by the door when he wants out. They sleep in my utility room. Weimar will **** wherever, whenever and always has done this - this is guaranteed if you add excitement into the mix. I can not train her and the vet tells me there is nothing wrong with her despite the fact she pissed all over him when he arrived at the house to give her her jabs...

The point I am getting to is that I have had to adapt a bit to suit her. I have to religiously let her out of the house every two hours and stand in my dog run to ensure she takes a ****. This needs to be more frequent if she drinks a lot.

just as you make all the other decisions for your dogs, like when they get fed, when they are allowed inside, when they get vaccinated, they rely on you to make the tough call if or when that time comes. If his tail still wags, he's still eating and drinking and he is not suffering - why end his life especially if making a few adjustments can make things more comfortable for him.

Whatever the decision - i'm sure you'll do whatever is in the dogs best interests.

Good luck,
TT

Spoon

A bit of a brushing wouldn't go amiss looking at that picture.

16vmarc

Half his fur comes out when we do, he lost loads when i washed him few months back!

Spoon

Easily remedied though.

ScoobyDoo555

Neutral Cruiser & talizman,

My "self-righteous" comment wasn't aimed at anyone in particular (although if the badge fits.......) but this type of thing that really gets lentil munchers going

However, from my own doggy experiences, the incontinence and soiling of bedding is the leadup to something else.

My point still stands though, that this is a decision that may be forced by the family, regardless of our opinions

Hope it gets sorted.

Dan

Adrian F

I had to go through this problem when I was a couple of years younger than you with my 13 year old Springer.

I also lived in my parent’s house. I had to make the extra effort to clean the mess up. I am sure after so many years of being clean indoors that Tanzy didn’t want to have accidents in the house and as far as I was concerned my side of the deal for the years of love and affection and pleasure she had given me was to look after her in her old age until she was suffering to much and only then if needed to ask the vet to put her to sleep.

Unfortunately that day did arrive but after many more months of good memories and she enjoyed the trips we made together even if they were no longer the 20 mile walks we had done when she was 5, the decision was very hard but it was based on if it was right for her and nobody else, its a decision you have to live with for the rest of your life, enjoy the time you have together as the time flies and soon unfortunately they pass away.

Still maybe one day you will have to make the same decision about your father and at least he is telling you what he would want?

Swen6

Didn't really read the other posts, but long as hes happy then why should you end the poor sods life because he can't control it's bladder, nothing a bit of flash won't mop up and a bath isn't a hard task is it.

mad_dr

I know - we've all seen the pictures thanks!

StickyMicky

so your home is full of ****?

how often do you have the house carpets cleaned?

Leslie

It s an awful thought to put him down just because he is getting on a bit. Its as though he is of no further use so get rid of him!

I am glad you can't bring yourself to do it. He deserves to live his life out just as much as anyone on this earth.

Les

16vmarc

He was a pain this morning!

I got up to let him out at 6, then went back to bed for an hour. Come 7 he had pissed on floor and was asleep in corner! I had to disinfect the floor and lay more newspaper down before i got to work!

Dracoro

What does the vet say?

Tiggs

sounds like he's well past his happy dog life, when it cant even control its bladder thats a good sign all is not well.

i would get him down the vet.