Good thoughts for Austin (Outdoorschik)

Austin is doing horribly this morning. He can't get up again and hasn't moved in 12 hours. When he tries to get up with my encouragement, he screams in pain... We're making an appointment after school to put him down. This is so hard, but I have to accept that the emergency vet who was so good, told me I should be seeing improvement by now and if we weren't only spinal surgery would fix this, or that it could be a spinal tumor.

This s*cks, and I am so not good at this.

I can't find any words other than, I'm so sorry.  He's lived the life he should have all these years and many dogs never get that chance.  Rest easy in your mind that you and only you can release him from the pain. {{{{{Hugs}}}}} 

Exactly what Jackie said.  I'm so sorry you are going through this now.  We all know how hard it is.

I can only say how sorry I am. I'll be keeping both of you in my thoughts today. Be free of pain, Austin.

 I am so sorry ((((Hugs))))

I'm so sorry to read this.  You've given him a good life.  It stinks, but you are also giving him the gift of letting him go.  ((hugs))

Thanks everyone, we are so conflicted. After I posted, I gave him two tramadol to try and get him through the day so we could go to work and not ask an employee to do this very difficult thing, I had planned to have someone administer the norepinephrine painkiller injectable right before we got home so we could transport him pain free... when they kicked in though, he actually got up, got outside and ate breakfast. I truly don't know what to do ... I don't want to put him down too quickly, but I also want to respect him and not put him through undue pain if he won't get better. I don't know if he should need tramadol right now ... he's already on the weaning dose of pred, and on muscle relaxants. I called the vet and just said that I really don't know what to do and am waiting for a call back. it seemed so obvious this morning that it was the right thing with the night we had (he fell off his dog bed at one point and getting him back on, screaming in pain, was a nightmare), but then he got up and did everything I described with two tramadol, which makes me question ...

 I know that the e-vet said he should be showing improvement by now, and his previous owner came to see him this weekend and really didn't want him living on painkillers/doped up for the remainder of his life, feeling that wasn't fair to him or humane.

Oh gosh what a predicament to be in.  I'm so sorry...this is sooo hard.

I'm not sure what I would do....I AM sure that you will do what is best.   Talking to the vet and getting his/her suggestions will help.

For me though...my suggestion for you is to do what is in your heart...and don't put him down before you are totally ready to do that.   I say that because you don't want to think that maybe you made a mistake.  You know...when I put Bubblegum down I knew in my heart I did the right thing....and yet days after I think about what I might have tried....or done differently, and I still do kind of think that, and yet everything in her body was shutting down so I pretty much know I did the right thing for her.   So just be sure in your heart.

That said... you have given Austin such love....you can be in peace in your decision.

Thanks Dyan... admittedly, I am terrible at handling these things. I can care for a sick dog, but when it comes to objectively deciding what is right and taking my emotions and pain out of it, gosh I'm bad at that. When Snickers died, I've always wished I hadn't put her through so much and swore I'd never do that to a dog again. Today though, I'm really not sure... still waiting to hear back from the vet. My BF handles these things better, so it make come down to me asking him to decide without me.

outdoorschik

so it make come down to me asking him to decide without me.

That statement right there tells me that you already have your decision.

It really sounds like you want to do what is best for the dog. There is no getting around the emotional part of the entire thing, what to do, is it the right decision, etc. Those questions will always be there no matter what you decide. *hugs*

I'm so sorry you're having to go thru this. It's agonizing to have to make these types of decisions. I hope things will become clear enough to give you peace with whatever you decide.

I have to agree with his previous owner. I know from experience how hard it is, but sometimes the kindest thing to do is let them go.

Oh my Austin.  I'm sure mum will do what's best for you.  I know this is such an awefull spot to be in and a decision like that...well, I don't know if I'ld be able to do it myself.

I'll continue to say some prayers for you Austin and Tessy says to get better and fight it.

Sending some more healing vibes your way.

Johnny & Tessy

 I'm so sorry you're having to deal with this. I'll be praying for you and Austin.

Karen, I just wanted you to know that I'm thinking of both you & Austin.