We have a 14 year old small dog. He's been with us through marriage, moves and children. All things that have stressed him out - he hates new people and new places. and he's always been on the edge of potty trained. He'll go for months with no problems but get stressed and start peeing in the house.
3 years ago we found out he had a lump on his bladder so cant crate him (holding urine makes the problem worse/potentially fatal over time). He's ruined a few rugs but we've managed. He has arthritis in his knees so going upstairs or out for walks are both difficult for him. 6 months ago he started having seizures so we are medicating him for those. A month ago he had an 'event' when we were out of town. When we picked him up he was blind, whimpering, circling, putting his head in corners. Just sad and awful. We said our goodbyes and I drove him to the emergency vet sure they would put him down. They gave him a steroid and he made a miraculous recovery. But. since we stopped the steroid he is getting less stable. He's circling, he sleeps most of the time. I'm home all day so I let him out at least 6 or 8 times a day but he poops in the house at least twice a day. It used to be occasionally and in a particular spot, but now its just wherever he is. Like he's confused. But he seems generally happy - just tired/lethargic. I can't tell what is age, what is the phenobarbital (for the seizures), and what is not feeling well. I think he feels okay? He's actually less cranky/snippy than he used to be.
We discussed with the vet and it seems likely that he has a series of tumors. She could keep him on the steroid for as long as it works and then we could put him down. But, we're moving across the country in a few weeks. If we were staying we would ride this out a while longer. But I know the move will upset him and, I have a million things I also have to manage (2 kids, new house, new jobs, etc) so it can't just be about his adjustment.
I'm really struggling, but I'm wondering if the kindest thing I can do for him is to put him down before we go? Is dragging a terminally ill pet on a stressful move just cruel? (fwiw, we have no choice and cannot delay the move)
would love perspective from people who have put beloved animals down 'at the right time'
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from Pets https://www.reddit.com/r/Pets/comments/ob2ls2/when_to_put_a_pet_down/
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