Sick Pug...need help in making a decision.

I have had a Pug since 1997. He was a birthday present from my parents. I love him very much. He has been with me for some very rough times.

I also have a different dog-ownership views than some people. I will not allow a dog to suffer, but I also will not go thousands of dollars in debt to save one, b/c ultimately, they do not have a long life expectancy.

My Pug, will be 12 years old in March. He is 26 lbs which is morbidly obese. I had him neutered against my better judgement when he was two years old and within 4 months he doubled in weight and has been that way ever since. I tried to cut back his food, but the dog became violent...to me, it wasn't worth it if he was starving.

About a year ago, the dog developed a "Hack"...we originally thought he was a victim of his own fur...I am in nursing school, and there is no doubt in my mind that this dog has Congestive Heart Failure...the signs are no different in a canine than it is in a human, other than vital signs, which I researched.

Today, I came home, and when this dog moves even a little, he has a horrible hack. The problem is that his left atrium is getting backed up with his blood into his lungs, and this is leaking and is causing congestion...thus the hack...I was able to get a sample of sputum, and it was pink, which is a classic sign.

Some things...you don't need a vet for.

Because this dog is so bad today...if he lays down, he is fine, but he will never be the same again. I can't tell the dog to lay down, nor can he understand the benefit of rest, b/c all he wants to be, is a dog.

I happen to know that what happens when CHF pts die, many times they end up drowning in their own secretions...to me, this would be a horrible death.

I am wondering if I need to take the dog this weekend to get him put to sleep. He is alert and fine, other than he can't hardly move without hacking.

This is a hard decision, but I am afraid my dog is crossing the threshold into suffering.

Congestive Heart Failure can also bring, just like in a human, pain from angina (chest pain), from the heart not getting enough oxygen...there is no way to assess this in a dog....so my other concern, is that this dog may be in pain from time to time and we don't know that he is.

[Team Chloe]

I am sorry you are having to make this choice. I believe you already know the correct answer! Our pets/companions deserve the best from us. They give their best to us. They live much shorter lives than we do and we are faced with making choices about their life. I believe many people go to extraordinary means to keep their companions around for their own enjoyment, because of our emotional attachment, without consideration as to the animals actual health, pain and longevity.

I believe in treating a pet that has a good prognosis for many years with no or very minimal discomfort. However, if the pup is at the end of his days, we need to do what is right.

You will be in our thoughts and prayers as you make this choice.

Dave, Erin, Ginger and Chloe!

[Tinka's mom]

Maryshome8, I to am saddened to hear about your loved pet. It is a very hard decision to make, but like 'Team Chloe' stated sometimes will let our animals suffer (unintentionaly of course),try keep them alive just because we can't stand to let them go. We need to understand animals view life different than us. They accept life and death as it is.. A time to live and a time to die. I do believe in treating an animal and I know I would do anything in my power to keep Tinka or any of my other animals alive... But when suffering and pain can't be stopped we must take a deep breath and do what is right for them, ( even though it feels like the worst thing ever to us.) Just be with your loved pet when the time has come and they will love you even more for being with them through the end.
Bless you and your decision
Suzy and Tinka

[LoveOurLabradors]

I'm so sorry you're at the point that we all dread as loving and responsible pet owners. Last year, we had to make that decision for 2 beloved old labs (almost 13 and 14) merely 6 weeks apart. It is absolutely heart wrenching and the grief is intense to lose such a dear member of the family, but there is comfort in feeling confident that you did the right and loving thing for them and they aren't suffering anymore. I suspect that's why you wrote to others on this board to help feel confident in your difficult decision so I hope what you're finding here so well stated by Tinka and Chloe's families has helped.

Knowing the "when" is the big question that it sounds like you're dealing with. I heard some good advice when we lost our first dog to kidney disease -- that one should decide what is "quality of life" and when the animal is no longer showing that, you know it's time. For us, all our dogs have made it an easier decision since each stopped eating and had quick downhills that were clearly not recoverable. We were able to see the "I've had enough" look in there eyes. For your pug, "enough" may be when he can't walk without the fluid hack that must be uncomfortable. My only regret has been some of our dogs suffered for an extra day while I tried to come to terms and take care of logistical decisions. So I think you're wise in anticipating suffering before your pug is clearly in distress.

There are a lot of great resources on the internet that you might want to look through -- they help with some of the decisions you'll need to make including the "when" decision. For example, we chose to be with our dogs and have the vet come to our house. We also pre-sedated our 2nd & 3rd dogs so we could say the emotional goodbyes without stressing them -- our 1st dog was terrified because of our tears and it's a horrible memory, which is why many people choose not to stay during the procedure. The pet loss websites also have great ideas for dealing with the grief -- we've had family memorial services and written tributes to help with our closure. See sites like http://www.pet-loss.net/ and http://www.petloss.com/.

Good luck to you in this difficult time deciding the right time to give a dignified and humane end to your pug's CHF.

[Ms. Talladega]

Wow...if there is 1 thing that complete strangers connect with one another, this is it. The tears are deep in understanding.

Convincing our selves of the "when" is the process of something like no other.

I agree, I think you already know the answer and our tears feel your pain. For if it is 2 years or 17 years their life goes before ours. The price we have to pay for the amazing amount of devotion and commitment they give us.

We can carry a higher level of peace in retrospect when we know they were not in pain.

It is going to be okay and we are all here for you.

Team Talla Dega

I appreciate the responses.

I just know this dog has to be in some degree of pain. They are animals, and they shrug off minor pain but it doesn't mean he's comfortable.

It's hard because all he wants to do is come to you, sit with you, he wags his tail, his mind is 100% alert. I am hoping he can last just a few more days. I am in school and have exams and I would like to do it when I can devote a whole morning to him....give him a really good bath, a good meal, just love on him, take a few final pictures. Just so he'll know how much I care about him and how much I loved him and was glad he was a part of my life.

I have a Chiahuahua that loves him dearly and follows him around. The pug is his protector....and he even cries when the pug is outside or away from him for very long and he's the first thing the Chiahuahua looks for in the morning when he gets out of his crate (the Chiahuahua will pee on things at night if we don't crate him).

I knew his health was taking a downturn, but I thought it would be his legs, not his heart. I moved his bed near a register in the house to keep it warmer and he likes that better.

<sigh> I have never had to put a dog down before, so this is going to be hard.

[Labpaw]

Can you have a vet examine him, maybe provide a diuretic that can give him some good quality life that isn't going to heorics?

I realize this would only be a temporary fix, if he is in CHF. I am sorry for you and your furry friend. I hope whatever the outcome, it is peaceful. Thinking of you.