Our dog wasn't eatting. We took him to the vet had blood work done his belly Ruben was high. We took him to a specialist to have ultra sound and xray. Our dogs liver is small intestine are inflamed lungs clear. Specialist said looks like cancer. He could do a biopsy to determine exact cancer but that's $700.00. We don't the funds to do that. My question today he's not eatting again and throwing up. When do I know it's time to put him down? I don't want him to suffer. He's 8yrs old lab shepard. Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Male | 8 years and 4 months old | 71 lbs

My Senior Dog Has Cancer & Suffers: When to Put Him Down?

My 11 y.o. Beagle, Sam, was diagnosed with a bone tumor on his jaw. He is on gabapentin but wouldn't eat last night. I tried several times but he never got his pill. He ate and took a pill this AM. He is in pain. He didn't sleep all night. With this

Hi there! Thanks for letting us take care of you today! Sorry to hear about Sam. I definitely know where you are coming from as I mostly see cancer patients. What I usually tell my clients is that the time to consider humane euthanasia is when they stop being themselves. For example, when they stop doing 3 out of their 5 favorite things (eating, playing, or whatever these are), it is time to let them go without suffering. Of course this is if not considering treating the cancer. There are always palliative medications you could consider like pain control medications such as Tramadol and NSAIDs to be added to the gabapentin just from a palliative standpoint to try to make Sam feel better in the meantime. Sorry you are going through a rough time.

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Health & Wellbeing

I'm confused my dog A 14 year old Labrador retriever has soft tissue sarcoma and its spread to the bone he had the lump mostly removed but as it was in the mouth by and artery they couldn't remove all of it they also said he has an infection in his m

Thank you for submitting your question regarding your dog. I am sorry to hear about his diagnosis. The antibiotics will likely help provide him some comfort for a period of time. Pain medications will help as well. However, the cancer is a terminal diagnosis. When discussing quality of life, I want the patient to still be having more good days than bad days. The patient needs to be able to eat and drink adequately as well as having enough mobility to get around comfortably. Finally, I want the dog to still have some joy in his life. When these needs are no longer able to be met, then it is time to consider euthanasia. I hope this information provide you some objective criteria. Again, I am sorry for your situation.

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Health & Wellbeing

My dog has lymthatic cancer his lumps are really big,when will we know when he needs to b put to sleep dont want him to suffer

Hi and thanks for using Boop by Petco! Sorry to hear about Louie. I'm so sorry that you and him are going through this. I usually tell clients that once he stops eating, drinking, develops difficulty breathing, becomes severely lethargic, etc. it's time to start thinking about euthanasia to prevent suffering. So those are the guidelines I suggest. Again, I'm so sorry you are going through this. I wish you the best in the coming days. Remember, this is the hardest thing that humans will go through in this life. Follow your heart. Louie will tell you when he's ready. God Bless

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Health & Wellbeing

Our dog, Kenya (11), has cancer. She has black lumps, like warts everywhere. She has a large fatty tumor at the sternum, and an egg size tumor on the outside of the front leg just below the knee. 5 months ago, our vet said to put her down. We treat

I'm sorry Kenya has cancer! I work for a home euthanasia service, so I face this question from my clients frequently. I recommend looking at her quality of life. Make a list of five things she loves to do, and when she is no longer doing at least two of them, then her quality of life has declined to the point where euthanasia should be considered. Best of luck, I hope this helps.

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Health & Wellbeing

I'm not sure if my dog's life is worth living. He sometimes pees to bed when he is sleeping. He has always had problems with his mouth (I mean "good kind of tumors", bad teeth and he has some kind of genetic disease in his gums. We have been treatin

Oh no, I'm so sorry that Santeri is so sick! I work for a home euthanasia service, so I face this question all the time with my clients. I suggest making a list of five things Santeri loved to do. If he's not doing at least two of them, then his quality of life has decreased to a point where humane euthanasia should be considered. It's always a hard decision to make, but if he has a poor quality of life, letting him go peacefully would be a great kindness. If you'd like to discuss this further, I'd be happy to consult with you. Just click the "consult online" button under my answer. Otherwise, I hope my answer helps and I'm sorry you are facing this issue :-(

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Health & Wellbeing

Ben, a 12 year old lab. diagnosed with anal tumor protruding from rectum. Horrible smell coming from the area. Vet said he's in pain but does not act like it. recommended surgery, but cannot afford cost and no biopsy done. He eats and drinks (dri

I'm sorry Ben has an anal tumor! Your vet is right that he will be pain, even if he doesn't act like it. Dogs can be very stoic about pain, and he is also showing you he is in pain from his arthritis based on the fact that he moves around slowly and can't get up stairs well. It's a hard choice to make as to when it's time to say goodbye to a beloved pet. I work for a home euthanasia company, so I face this question all the time with my clients. I recommend making a list of five things Ben loved to do. When he's not doing at least two of them, then his quality of life has declined to a point when humane euthanasia should be considered. Also consider his quality of life if he starts having trouble passing feces due to the size and location of the tumor. In the meantime, I would discuss giving him pain meds with your vet. This may improve his quality of life in terms of getting around and help with the pain from the tumor. If you'd like to discuss things further with me, you can

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Health & Wellbeing

My dog has cancer. He is still eating and drinking and going to the bathroom etc..but he is struggling on the steps (which we limit) and in the heat, which is expected. Everyone I know tells me something different. I don’t know what to do. How does o

This can be a very difficult decision, especially with stoic (or stubborn) dogs. As long as he is eating, drinking and behaving normally otherwise, he may be fine. Signs of pain or discomfort include lethargy, loss of appetite, panting, drooling, lameness or walking "hunched". Whining is typically the last thing dogs do when in pain. If you haven't already, discuss palliative care with your veterinarian. Keep track of Chopper's "good" days and "bad" days. When the bad days outnumber the good ones, it may be time. I am sorry you are facing this decision. It is always one of the most difficult decisions for a pet parent and a veterinary professional to make.

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Health & Wellbeing

I am going through a very hard time at the moment with my senior German shepherd, Ben. He struggles with arthritis and hip dysplasia and has slowed down a lot recently. I know it might be coming to the time where I have to make a difficult decision f

I am so sorry Ben is having such a hard time! It's so hard when you get close to the time to say goodbye to beloved pet, especially since we are never ready to let them go. I work for a home euthanasia service, so I face this question a lot with my clients. I recommend looking at the animal's quality of life and making a list of five things the animal loves to do. If they are no longer doing at least two of them, then their quality of life has declined to a point where euthanasia should be considered. I wouldn't wait until Friday for Ben to be seen. I would have him seen sooner, and discuss with the vet if a different mediation may help his symptoms, such as Rimadyl, or a combination of medications such as Rimadyl and Tramadol. If your vet doesn't think those are viable medications for him, then I would consider letting him go peacefully and without further pain. I'm so sorry you are in the position, I know how hard it is and how much you must be hurting :-(

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Health & Wellbeing

hi i have a 14 year old Labrador dog female she cannot stand up on her back legs she is eating as normal i found her is my garden this afternoon where she must of been all night she waddled for 2 minutes on her own but was very out of breath so i br

Oh no, poor Lucky! You did exactly the right thing by bringing her into the vet, but she sounds very ill at the moment. If she is suffering from cancer, it may have spread to her spine and lungs prevent her from being able to stand and cause her to be very out of breath. This may not be something you want to hear, but Lucky may have reached a point where her quality of life has declined to where euthanasia should be considered. I work for a home euthanasia company, so I face these kinds of issues with my clients at all times. Even though she is eating, it's not a good life for her if she can't move, and letting her go peacefully may be the best option. If you'd like to discuss this further with me, I'd be happy to consult with you. Just click the "consult online" button under my answer. Otherwise, I would seriously examine her quality of life at this point in time. I'm sorry you are going through this :-(

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Health & Wellbeing

My dog has cancer and is experiencing some pain. Would like advice on his pain and if anything could help him also on how I will know if he needs to be put to sleep. I don't want him to suffer but I don't want him to be put down too soon. He has iss

I'm so sorry Ghost has cancer and you are going through this, it's very hard! I work for a home euthanasia service, so I face these questions with my clients all the time. I would speak with his vet about pain medication. He can be put onto a pain management protocol that could make him feel better, and increase his quality of life. You can also talk to your vet about the possible use of laxative on him, which may make it easier for him to pass feces. Having these medications on board can help significantly improve him quality of life for a period of time so that you can have more time with him before having to let him go. I would have him seen by a vet today or tomorrow to speak about these issues. When it comes to saying goodbye, I tell my clients to make a list of five things their dogs loves to do. When they aren't doing at least two of them, then their quality of life has declined to a point where euthanasia should be considered. It's very important to take his quality of

Updated on September 24th, 2025

My senior dog has cancer and is suffering. When should I put him down?

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Related Answers from Veterinarians

My senior dog has cancer and is suffering. When should I put him down?

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Related Answers from Veterinarians

Related Questions

My 11 y.o. Beagle, Sam, was diagnosed with a bone tumor on his jaw. He is on gabapentin but wouldn't eat last night. I tried several times but he never got his pill. He ate and took a pill this AM. He is in pain. He didn't sleep all night. With this

I'm confused my dog A 14 year old Labrador retriever has soft tissue sarcoma and its spread to the bone he had the lump mostly removed but as it was in the mouth by and artery they couldn't remove all of it they also said he has an infection in his m

My dog has lymthatic cancer his lumps are really big,when will we know when he needs to b put to sleep dont want him to suffer

Our dog, Kenya (11), has cancer. She has black lumps, like warts everywhere. She has a large fatty tumor at the sternum, and an egg size tumor on the outside of the front leg just below the knee. 5 months ago, our vet said to put her down. We treat

I'm not sure if my dog's life is worth living. He sometimes pees to bed when he is sleeping. He has always had problems with his mouth (I mean "good kind of tumors", bad teeth and he has some kind of genetic disease in his gums. We have been treatin

Ben, a 12 year old lab. diagnosed with anal tumor protruding from rectum. Horrible smell coming from the area. Vet said he's in pain but does not act like it. recommended surgery, but cannot afford cost and no biopsy done. He eats and drinks (dri

My dog has cancer. He is still eating and drinking and going to the bathroom etc..but he is struggling on the steps (which we limit) and in the heat, which is expected. Everyone I know tells me something different. I don’t know what to do. How does o

I am going through a very hard time at the moment with my senior German shepherd, Ben. He struggles with arthritis and hip dysplasia and has slowed down a lot recently. I know it might be coming to the time where I have to make a difficult decision f

hi i have a 14 year old Labrador dog female she cannot stand up on her back legs she is eating as normal i found her is my garden this afternoon where she must of been all night she waddled for 2 minutes on her own but was very out of breath so i br

My dog has cancer and is experiencing some pain. Would like advice on his pain and if anything could help him also on how I will know if he needs to be put to sleep. I don't want him to suffer but I don't want him to be put down too soon. He has iss

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