Valmary wants Glynne’s advice on the best time to put her dog down - she is 18 years old and is getting cataracts, but she still has a good quality of life.
Question
Hi Glynne,
I have an 18year old maltese poodle. She still eats, plays with our yorkie of 1yrs old and barks when she hears strange noises. Everyone is telling me to put her down already. I can see that she now struggles to get up sometimes, but once she is moving, she is active. Also it seems as if she is getting cataracts, but she can still see and hear. Do you think it is time to make that dreaded decision of putting her down? I am confused and I suppose do not want her to go yet, but I do not want her to suffer either. I need advice please!!!
Hi Valmary
Absolutely not!
You will know for sure when she has no quality of life or she is in constant pain which will be the right time to put her down.
18 is an excellent age and if she battles to get up … help her!
Even I need a hand sometimes but thank goodness my family aren’t thinking of putting me to sleep … or at least I don’t think they are?!
A big pat for the grand old lady, from me
Glynne
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2 Responses to “Q&A - Time to put my dog down?”
December 8th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Hi Valmary
Please don’t put her down. She had still a few good years in front of her - specially its only the cataracts. We only put our Maltese (18½ years) a few years back down - but he couldn’t see, walk, eat and was disorientated after an epileptic attack. I’ll tell you we all cry for weeks on end. It’s not easy to take your dog. In the end we did, but he was cremated and we had his ashes - I couldn’t let him go - I felt he was like a child - and must come back home!
Please keep you lovely Maltese - they are such lovely dogs.
December 8th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
I agree with Glynne. As long as she has the will to live - help her along. My Pekenese lost her sight completely as she aged and she adjusted very well. Dogs are much more resilient than humans are. There’s also arthritis medication that i use on my bulldog on the days that he really struggles. You’ll know in your heart when the time is right and you will do what’s best for her.