Euthanasia is a beautiful and selfless decision
Considering euthanasia can sometimes feel like a selfish decision. “I don’t want to euthanize her just because she’s hard to care for!” is something that I hear often from distraught pet owners. But every time I hear those words, I hear them coming from a family member who loves their dog deeply and is making a heart-wrenching decision in order to end their dog’s struggles. That is the opposite of selfish—it is selfless.
I remind families that you’re not choosing euthanasia because your sweet dog is hard to care for. Rather you realize that your dog’s life has grown so difficult that he or she is no longer happy. You don’t want to see your dog get any worse. So, you are choosing to provide your dear companion an escape from his or her mental and physical pain. You are focusing on your dog’s quality of life above all else, and (while it is incredibly difficult) that is a kind and beautiful decision.
How will you know if it’s time to euthanize your dog who is suffering from dementia?
Maintaining the human-animal bond should the most important goal at the end of any dog’s life. Dogs adore their human family more than anything else in their lives! So when they are unable to recognize their loved ones, or when the bond has been broken due to mutual stress, anxiety, and lack of sleep, the time has come to set them free from their struggles. Whenever the deep bond between human and dog is broken, there is no longer any quality of life. At that point, it may be the kindest decision to put down a dog.
It is incredibly difficult to consider euthanasia for your canine family member. But it is also incredibly difficult to watch him or her struggle through each day, confused, anxious, and exhausted. Caring for any dog at the end of his or her life is difficult. But perhaps caring for a dog with dementia is the most heart-wrenching.
You wish to be able to comfort your dog, but the old familiar comfort measures no longer work. And when your dog doesn’t even recognize you, your presence no longer brings the comfort it once did. You want to give your dog everything he or she needs, but your time and energy is spread thin.
This is very normal, and frustration is an expected response to a very stressful situation. But it often causes caregivers to feel isolated, lonely, and guilty. Giving up sleep, cleaning up after your dog many times every day, bathing him or her often, and having your beloved senior dog lash out at you in frustration and fear can leave you feeling overwhelmed and exhausted.
Your precious old dog needs an abundance of patience, love, and nursing care. That can be difficult to provide, even for the most loving and devoted person.
What is the treatment for dog dementia?
While there is no known cure for dog dementia, there are several options to treat this condition in our furry friends. Treatment includes prescription drugs, diet changes, life enrichment, supplements and surgery. We recommend to consult a vet first and foremost, to determine the best treatment options for you and your elderly dog.
Canine Dementia: everything you need to know about senility in dogs
Its no secret that as dogs age, they are susceptible to more health problems. If your pooch is displaying concerning behaviors such as disorientation or confusion, they might be suffering from canine dementia. Our Oakland vets explain.
Dog dementia, also known as Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD), is a cognitive disorder in dogs that causes similar symptoms to Alzheimers in humans. It’s a condition related to the aging of a dog’s brain, which leads to changes in behavior and primarily affects memory, learning, and comprehension.