Would you put your pet to sleep?

Question

We have a dog who's had 5 surgeries to remove tumors that keeps growing back in the same place. This time, it grew back but it's internal and it's impacting his ability to deficate. The vet said it will require a big surgery to remove it, where they have to cut through his pelvic bones to get to the tumor. the vet can't gurantee if the tumor will come back, or if it's spread to other parts of his body. It will be a very painful surgery for him. We are thinking of putting him to sleep because we can't bear to see him suffer through an intenseful painful surgery, with a high chance of it growing back. Are we doing the right thing? I feel incredibly sad at losing my precious dog, but I want to do what's best for him. Has anyone gone through similar situations?

Update:

Thanks for all the helpful responses. Everyone confirmed that I should put him to sleep. It's so painful I spend every waking moment crying. How does one deal with losing a beloved pet by putting him to sleep? The sadness is almost too much for me to bear. I can't imagine taking him to the vet and coming home without him forever!

RT 66 · Accepted Answer

Though it may hurt you emotionally, imagine what you are putting the animal through by trying to extend his life.  I have put a much beloved dog down due to extensive cancer.  I pulled her through the inital stages, however, when it was apparent she was in more pain and the procedures held no promise that her quality of life would be improved I held her in my lap while she was put down and stayed with her until she was gone.  I could have elected to let nature take its course and allowed the disease to do her in or allow the procedure and hope for the best and she could have died during the surgery.  It was the hardest decision of my life, but I honestly believe to end her suffering was in her best interest and a kindness rather than allow my love for her and wanting her with me force her to live a quality of life I know was causing her to suffer.

Check this link out and see if it helps.

http://www.indigo.org/rainbowbridge_ver2.html

ICU · Answer

Wow, this one hit home hard!  I lost my cat of 14 years to recurring tumors.  She quit her suffering seven years ago, when I had her put to rest.  The tumors were removed once, but came back, even worse, within a matter of a few short months.  The vet told me that they would just keep coming back and that further surgery would be futile, so I chose to put her out of her misery.  Unfortunately, I waited to make that decision until it just about killed her.  One morning, my cat tried to jump up on the bed, where she always slept, and the tumor burst.  She had to be rushed to the vet, where I was told her time had come, and agreed to have her put to sleep.  It was the hardest thing I've ever done.  It was as if she knew, and she went very peacefully that day.  Her picture is the only reminder I have of her now, but sometimes I feel like she's right here with me... even after all this time.  I couldn't have been able to watch her suffer anymore.  I let her go at the right time, and it's something we both just knew.  I know what you are going through.  What do you think your beloved dog would want at this point?  They have a way of letting us know if we'll only listen.  My heart goes out to you & prayers too!

Angela L · Answer

We recently were in a similar situation with our dog.   He had a tumor around his spleen which was eating into his bladder and making him pee blood.  Surgery was an option but it had a 75% chance of growing back and it would have been a horrific time for him.  He was basically beeding to death and in so much much pain.  It broke our hearts but we decided he had been through enough and we put him to sleep.  I held him the whole time and it was so peaceful (I was bawling).
It is never an easy decision and I feel for you.  Losing a pet like this is so hard but I believe it is part of being a good owner, knowing when to stop your friend suffering.

Anonymous · Answer

No one can answer this question for you.  It is never an easy thing to put an animal down but you need to ask yourself whether or not this animal would be better off out of pain.  

As humans we put so much emphasis on life above all else.  Anyone with a chronic or terminal disease in it's latter stages would probably disagree.  

Sorry you have to go through this.  Love your pup.  They love you.

bomchickaWAWA · Answer

do whats best for the dog. this is a really painful decison but why put him through so much pain. poor thing.

just keep praying and things will turn out as planned

god bless

pug.madness · Answer

i think it would be best to put you dog out of pain, its more about quality of life than quantity, your dog would be in soo much pain and theres no for sure chance it wont grow back

my condolences are with you

Anonymous · Answer

well it is best to put him down becuz the "family member" is going to be put through a lot of pain DURING the surgery but wat about after he will most likely be in a lot of pain  too so it is best
and yes i know its hard to put a pet down they have made such an impact in our lives that u never really forget them u just learn to live without them, i had to put a pet down becuz he got hit by a car and his jaw got split in half and made LITERALLY a crack in his mouth and went up into his sinus cavity and he would always be sneezing mucous up and it was a little nasty but i got used to it and so one day we had to put him down becuz he was in a lot of pain cuz his teeth started falling out so we put him down and we will miss him dearly but we learn to move on :(

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Would you put your pet to sleep?

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