Dog Euthanasia:One morning, my friend Inge had gone down the stairs and had her old dog Bora in her bed. She seemed to be sleeping profoundly, but unfortunately, Bora had died during the night. Ron, a Siberian Husky, was old and gravely sick. One day he woke up his owner to have him come down to the basement with him and once he reached the basement, poor Jeff died. All owners would like the opportunity to say farewell to their dogs. We wish for our old friends to pass away in peace and in a familiar environment. Unfortunately, there will usually be a terminal disease that a dog cannot resist, and this will cause the owner to take a decisive action. That decision will always be a difficult one, since we never lose hope for our old companions. The majority of owners I know do not regret sacrificing their dogs; just that it takes time to gain the courage to make the scary decision.You should try and discuss the following questions with your veterinarian: - What do you predict will happen to my dog?
- Is he going through any pain or is he still enjoying his life?
 - Have I made the right preparations and taken the right precautions for my dog?
- Do all the members of my family agree to sacrifice our old dog?
If you and your veterinarian agree that it is best to put your dog to sleep, do not doubt yourself. You are not killing your dog. It is your right and duty to make the best decision for him. Take in mind that your dog only lives in the present. He does not recall the past as well, and does not trust the future. It is now when he feels bad and suffers. Your dog cannot remember the exact moments you had together to use them as comfort. When a dog dies, there is the possibility of relieving the pain by acquiring another dog. If you decide to further share your life with another dog, do not give up in finding a successor. Your new dog will be completely different from your old one, but he will become the same type of friend your old dog used to be. Keep in mind that you are not being disloyal to your old canine friend if you acquire a new dog. When Does our Dog need Geriatric Attention? Since the aging process varies among dogs, the moment that dogs need geriatric attention is different. The following table suggests when you should remind your veterinarian that your dog is getting old. Weight (kg) | Age (years) | Less than 25 | 9 | Between 25 and 45 | 7 | More than 45 | 6 |
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A good veterinarian will take care of your dog from the day he is born till the day he passes away. Common diseases in old dogs are:- Anemia
 - Renal Failure
- Cancer
- Cataracts
- Cardiovascular Diseases
- Degenerative Diseases of the Bones
- Prostate Diseases
- Dental Diseases
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Urinary Failure
- Obesity
- Conjunctivitis
Older Dog Care |
