Put My Dog To Sleep

How's his back legs and front leg now?

 

Poor guy. Have you thought about getting a puppy? I have heard that puppies bring out new life in older dogs.

 

CANCEL THAT APPOINTMENT!

*weeps*

Man, that is a better Dog Story than any Jack London ever wrote or plagiarized - and I read 'em all!

My new Dog Story Top 3:

What's That Dog's Name That Discovered Eating Chocolate Glazed Donuts Is The Fountain Of Youth? (working title) - Glassman
The Call of the Wild - Jack London
White Fang - Jack London

 

I know what you mean, I was without a dog for ~10 years. Now that I have Bart I don't even like going to the store without him. Damn those puppy eyes!
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Is he in pain...?

 

Best wishes to your pal, but please be careful if you are feeding him chocolate:

Chocolate contains theobromine. A naturally occurring stimulant found in the cocoa bean, theobromine increases urination and affects the central nervous system as well as heart muscle. While amounts vary by type of chocolate, it's the theobromine that is poisonous to dogs.

Symptoms of Chocolate Dog Ingestion and Poisoning
You can recognize that your dog has eaten a toxic dose of chocolate from the symptoms. Within the first few hours, the evidence includes vomiting, diarrhea or hyperactivity. As time passes and there's increased absorption of the toxic substance, you'll see an increase in the dog's heart rate, which can cause arrhythmia, restlessness, hyperactivity, muscle twitching, increased urination or excessive panting.

This can lead to hyperthermia, muscle tremors, seizures, coma and even death.

 

Bill, glad to hear you're dog has a new lease on life.

The above statement is especially true for dark chocolate, milk chocolate is not as dangerous.

 

Well this is really uncanny timing. We had to put down our Irish Setter yesterday. She was 10 years old and on Friday night we notice that she seemed in discomfort but having previously had cases of bad gas we thought that was it but by Saturday lunch time knew something was seriously wrong and took her to the vet. Found that she had a twisted stomach. Only real choice was to have her put down. Doesn't make it any easier. Very sad time.

As a side note, she was an absolute glutton for chocolate. As soon as she heard the foil on the wrapper she would be sitting next to you with the puppy eyes. She could find chocolate in people luggage when they can to stay. A number of times we found her trying to sneak toblerones (long chocolate bar) through the dog door unsuccessfully. And one occasion she managed to unwrap a 1kg (2lb) block of chocolate out of a cardboard box and foil and finished it while we were out. And she never had any ill effects. So we figure that the chocolate poisoning is depended on the dog really.

As for your case. We had another irish setter when I was a child and my mother took her to be put down twice and my father once but everytime they got to the vet she was so active that they decided to keep her going and 2 months later she died in her sleep at home. It was only 2 months but any time you get is a bonus. As long as they aren't in too much pain and have lost interest.

 

Facts
http://www.talktothevet.com/ARTICLES/DOGS/chocolatetoxic.HTM

The good news is that it takes, on average, a fairly large amount of theobromine 100-150 mg/kg to cause a toxic reaction. Although there are variables to consider like the individual sensitivity, animal size and chocolate concentration.

On average,
Milk chocolate contains 44 mg of theobromine per oz.
Semisweet chocolate contains 150mg/oz.
Baker's chocolate 390mg/oz.

Using a dose of 100 mg/kg as the toxic dose it comes out roughly as:
1 ounce per 1 pound of body weight for Milk chocolate
1 ounce per 3 pounds of body weight for Semisweet chocolate
1 ounce per 9 pounds of body weight for Baker's chocolate.

So, for example, 2 oz. of Baker's chocolate can cause great risk to an 15 lb. dog. Yet, 2 oz. of Milk chocolate usually will only cause digestive problems.

 

My girlfriends min pin attacked a bag of Herseys Kisses while we were away. Next day he had a bad case of "glittery" diarrhea......

 

We have 2 cats, the Vet has told us about a hundred times that Cats are extremely allergic to chocolate and is 'usually' fatal. I don't know about dogs, but if anyone is considering giving chocolate to a CAT, please check it out first.

 

I love dogs and can tell by your story that you love your dog Gable. I have a friend who had a similar situation with her dog, Rebel, had been ill and had an unexplained period of activity and good health. She went through with her plans and still regrets it 3 years later. She remembers that she killed her dog who had had a turn for the better and wonders what would have happened if she had not intervened. If your last thoughts are of Gable happy and healthy, and enjoying chocolate doughnuts (where can I get some, they must be phenominal?) then that is how you will remember him... and then you took him to the vet and intervened....
By the way, have you ever found out what is wrong with your dog to be having these problems with is legs, or is it under the general statement of "old age." If you don't have a good diagnosis, I have found many vets are quick to give that label when there is a treatable problem. For what my opinion is worth, I hope Gable continues to enjoy his period of health as long as he can have it with his best buddy. All the best wishes....

 

As long as he is doing well let him be and have his fun.

Their is a pill called Rymadil (sp?) that works very well for bad joints and issues for dogs I used to give my Bulldog.

 

Went through this with Henry, our cat. He would wane, and then get a new life. As long as the fella ain't in pain, let 'em live. Putting Henry down when he finally couldn't continue was the hardest thing I ever did, emotionally.

 

My cat got into some choclate a few years ago and he didnt get sick at all. Maybe I just have a super healthy cat

 

The vet and the cat books 'all' say chocolate is lethal in cats because of one of the enzymes........

 

Well, I'm just glad you and Gable decided to give it a whirl. What don't kill ya only makes ya stronger, aye?