Dog dilemma

[Rinaun]

Today I was talking to my family, and it seems like our 13 year old German Shepard, Greta, is going into the vet tomorrow. It may sound ordinary, but Greta was told her next checkup would probably be her last. Greta suffers from severe arthritis and hip displacement. She has been unable to get up by herself for almost a month and for a year before that she was moved from outside to inside since we realized she didn't have much longer and we wanted to make her comfortable for as long as we can.

Currently, I'm talking my parents into putting her down. Unfortunately, my dad wants to keep her until she passes away. Greta's day involves sitting, urinating inside at least once, and waking us up 5 times a night to go outside, stand on the lawn, then walk back in. I have no problem with this, since I'm up most of the night, but since I'm sometimes not up, my mom or dad constantly needs to get up at least 5-6 times a night for her. I have told my parents MANY times that the dog needs to be put down, because for a dog to be in that condition in my mind isn't right. Please take note the dog isn't living in bad conditions, just she can't do daily functions anymore.

Cliffs:

Dog is 13 years old; German Shepard, Arthritis, Hip Displacement.
Need help convincing my family dog needs to be put down
Physical health gotten alot worse since December.
Barely can stand on its own; need to be let out for nothing 5-6 times a night.

P.S.: This comes a week after we put our other dog down for mental issues (Dog was mentally unsound, mood swings x 10)
Please don't turn this topic into a "A dog is a commitment" thread either. Our animals have always been number one priority, but waking up 5-6 times every night for a year isn't something like feeding or walking the dog :/
P.P.S.: I suck at ranting

 

[RaiderJ]

I personally think it's cruel to keep an animal in that condition. She is probably in a lot of pain, but obviously can't express it.

Dogs ARE a commitment - and that means you have to put them down when it's time. I've had to put several down over the years, and it never gets easier. Part of loving the animal is knowing when to let go.

My two year old

The new pups

 

[Rinaun]

Originally posted by: RaiderJ
I personally think it's cruel to keep an animal in that condition. She is probably in a lot of pain, but obviously can't express it.

Dogs ARE a commitment - and that means you have to put them down when it's time. I've had to put several down over the years, and it never gets easier. Part of loving the animal is knowing when to let go.

My two year old

The new pups

Well, she probably Has been hurting, but we basically bought a spare futon mattress for her to lay on, and she has been getting a dose of pain killers every day.

Edit: When I wake up I'll take some photo's if my parents don't ninja take her in.

 

[compuwiz1]

Step up, be the man, do what needs to be done. The most important decisions in life, are not the easiest.

I've been there, and had to do that. It's not the deed, but the family you will have to deal with.

 

[MmmSkyscraper]

The dog shouldn't have to suffer because your dad doesn't want to let go. If he loves the dog, he should know what needs to be done.

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

Sorry to hear that. It's never easy to say good bye to a friend. But your parents need to see what's going on. A dog in that much pain needs to be let go. There's no possible way to feel good about it but sometimes it has to be done.

I got lucky... if you can call it that... my last dog was getting to that point where I was thinking it was time... and then, one night he jumped off the couch and landed wrong... broke his neck. It was over. I'm glad I never had to make that choice.

I wish your parents the best.

 

[Rinaun]

Originally posted by: compuwiz1
Step up, be the man, do what needs to be done. The most important decisions in life, are not the easiest.

I've been there, and had to do that. It's not the deed, but the family you will have to deal with.

Exactly. If I had it my way, I would of put her down long ago (When she first started to whine when getting up). It's not the issue of me, but my family.

 

[Whisper]

Our dog had very similar problems once she was ~13-14 years old. Seeing as how she was a very hyperactive animal her entire life, once she could no longer even lift herself up to a standing position, we knew it was time to put her down. Just looking at her, you could tell she was miserable.

As for convincing your family, I'm not so sure on that. Possibly spin it in a way that'll make it more personal for them. Ask if they'd truly enjoy life knowing that their every basic need required the attention of a handful of other individuals, etc. Not a guilt trip by any means, but an honest assessment of the quality of this animal's life given its current level of functioning.

 

[thedarkwolf]

My 10 year old shepherd has pretty bad hip dysplasia too. I was really expecting to have to put her down this winter but she is still getting around fine. She is weak in the backend and stumbles every now and again but she still runs around the yard and like an idiot jumps off my 4ft high back porch all the time. I won't let her get to the point she can't get up on her own.

 

[BUTCH1]

We had to put down our 12 1/2 yr. old Shepard a month ago, similar circumstances
she had a hard time just going out then one day she could not get up at all. We decided
right then and there that it was time, it's a gut-wrenching process to go through as dogs
truly are best freinds. My condolences for you and your family, try to keep in your heart
how great it was to have her for all that time and how you did your best to take care of
your friend....

 

[Rinaun]

I think your guy's responses kinda reassured my mom that she needs to be put down. She seemed pretty set on it before she went to sleep. I will post tomorrow with an update.

Thanks for the advice,

Rinaun

 

[Asha'man]

We had to do the same with our 12 year old shepherd some years ago.

As long as the dog is old and weak it is sort of OK, but when it's in pain as well it's well past time to put it down.
It is really hard to make the decision though.

 

[Skotty]

Anyone know the hip dysplasia rate in German Shepards? Seems it's extremely common. Unfortunate, given how superior the German Shepard is over most other dogs in terms of temperment, intelligence, and appearance. By far my favorite breed.

 

[Skotty]

Trying to find some rate info... I found this moderate study that's of interest: http://www.offa.org/advocatespring2003.pdf

Interesting that, at least from this study, hip dysplasia rates are high among all large dogs. Rates among German Shephards were higher than most others, though not significantly so. Strange I only ever hear about it in relation to Shepards.

 

[thedarkwolf]

My parents shepherd also has hip dysplasia so thats 100% so far for my family. Mine just came from some hack backyard breeder which I will never do again but my parent's came from a good breeder and they paid a good bit for him and still ended up with it. They were able to spend the $3k to get one of his hips replaced so he doesn't really have any problems. I couldn't afford it while mine was young enough to do it. I may just stick to mutts from now on. Both my mutts are healthy as can be.

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Put her down. At this point, she is only staying alive to be faithful to her masters, which she thinks is right. Are you an adult (I have no idea how old you are) If so, go get the dog put down--no sense in having the animal suffer like that.

 

[Rinaun]

Well, the vet called, and he's in emergency surgery on some other poor pet, so we have to wait till tomorrow. I tried finding a picture but I gotta scan it first.