I've had to put cats down, only after very serious illnesses. Now regret not doing it earlier.
Had an Italian Greyhound, which can live very long lives, but now she's gone. I got terribly ill in 2007, hospitalized for weeks, barely made it out alive. Had a friend take care of my dog for several months while I was hospitalized then a month or two recovering at home. I began to get my health back and brought the dog home. Not two months later she died. Nothing apparently wrong, took her in for a vet check and all was fine. She always checked on me about every two hours. I could be working in the yard, the kitchen or just being a plain old couch potato. She always had her favorite sleeping spots so I always know where she way. Having adjusted to the het checkups on me, I got worried when it reached about 3 to 3 1/2 hours, so went checking on her.
She had died quietly in her sleep, I was devastated, but she was way past saving. Pretty sad for me, but one of the best ways for her to go. No pain, no stress going to the vet, peaceful way to go.
It was very sad at the time, because I really needed a companion and she was gone. Finally got a Black Lab about a year ago and contrary to many opinions, it really does help to get another pet, just give it some time.
Back to your post, please don't let the dog suffer or keep it alive artificially. I know a man who had a cat with kidney failure. Every day for at least two years he injected the cat with fluids twice a day. These wern't little insulin injections like I used to take, but big syringes with 4-5 ounces of flud twice daily that had to be fairly painful.
Had another friend who loved her dogs, way past their time. No painkillers, no surgeries, just let them go on.The saddest part was she had a German Shepard whose hips were failing.She lived on the second floor of a house, garage, etc. below so the dogs were forced to climb stairs to ge into the home.With the German Shepard, could litterally hear the pelvic and thigh bones click and grind together, along with seeing the icredible pain the dog was in.
These may be extreme examples, but please don't let animals get to this stage. There may be easy cures, better medicines and treatments, but whatever you don't let them suffer. Animals are very stoic and may not net on how painful things really are. Please consult your vet and don't keep an animal around just because it make you comfortable, the animal itself may be incredibly uncomfortable and in a lot of pain, just now letting you know
Some things may be very minor, that's what your vet can take care of it. If it's worse, don't prolong things so that you get a few months or more of comfort while the animal suffers.
