A que punto se tiene que "dormir" a un perro?

Question

Mi perro tiene 13 años. La vida normal de este tipo de perro es 12 años. El es feliz y aparentemente no tiene dolores, pero está perdiendo mucho peso. Creo que tiene cancer. Honestamente, yo no sé si voy a ir al veterinario o no. Yo estoy seguro que el veterinario iría a dar un solución triste. Hay algún consejo allí?

My dog is 13 years old. The normal life of this type of dog is 12 years. He is happy and apparently does not have any pain, but he is losing a lot of weight. I think he has cancer. Honestly, I do not know whether to go to the vet or not. I am sure that the vet will have a sad solution. Is there any advice out there?

Francis, allow me to change the title, I thought you were going to kill a dog...or the dog was going to kill somebody...was not clear at all. - 00494d19, Nov 11, 2009

I guess "dormir" es un poco mas simpático que matar. Gracias - 00515f39, Nov 11, 2009

Answer 1

My advice is to take your dog to the veterinarian for a checkup. Perhaps the vet will find something to treat or tell you that your dog is fine. As others have commented, there are many reasons for weight loss. The problem could be something as simple as a tape worm. No matter what the vet finds, if he's happy, let him enjoy life. Take him for walks, feed him table scraps and cuddle on the coach (the privileges of seniority).

I have put two dogs to sleep, in both cases because the dogs were so weak and uncomfortable that it was clearly more humane than to let them suffer. When the time comes, you will know.

Our spaniel, whom we recently euthanized at age 15, was ecstatic about walks until the last few weeks of her life. Even in the final weeks, she enjoyed our company and liked lounging around. We put her to sleep when she suddenly became too weak and ill to walk (though she made superhuman efforts). We had been taking her to the vet for months for allergies. In the end, the diagnosis was lymphoma. The decision to euthanize her was excruciatingly painful.

See the vet. It may be nothing. Regardless, as long as your dog is happy, there is no reason for any sad solutions.

Good advice. Thanks. - 00515f39, Nov 12, 2009

Answer 2

Please make no mistake, I am not qualified to give veterinary advice. I can only share from my own experiences and informal knowledge.

Normal dogs can lose as much as 10% of their weight in old age. If there are no big changes in bowel habits or eating habits and he seems like he's just the same old dog, cancer is probably not the problem. If he has a regular vet, try calling them or any reputable local vet or animal shelter and just going over his symptoms. You may just need to change his diet to stop the weight loss and still enjoy more time with a healthy happy pet.

If you like, I can double check with our shelter staff or shelter vet and see what they have to say about it. I'd probably be able to get back to you tomorrow. I would just need to know his breed and about how much weight he has lost and the length of time that he has lost it in. An approximation would be fine.

Answer 3

Hola mortimer,

Estoy triste escuchar sobre tu perro. Voluntario en un refugio de animales. No sé todo acerca de los perros, pero haré lo que pueda para ayudar.

I´ll just continue in English, because this is getting beyond me...Loosing weight in advanced age for a dog is not unusual. Has the weight loss been very sudden or gradual?

You said that he is happy, has his demeanor changed in any way with the weight loss?

Is he eating and going to the bathroom as he normally would? If he is not eating normally, check for any sour smells on his breath (I know a dog's breath doesn't normally smell too good, but the sour smell will be obvious.) The bad smell might indicate dental problems. If there is no smell, do his teeth look normal? Has he lost many teeth? Are there any loose teeth?

Thanks for your comments. Apart from the fact that he is suddenly losing a lot of weight, he is eating the same amount as all his life. I would like him to "die in his sleep" as that seems more humane that going to a vet. But as animals don't speak,... - 00515f39, Nov 11, 2009

I need to back up and ask, what breed is your dog? Do you know how much he weighed before and about how much weight he has lost? - aloshek, Nov 11, 2009

Answer 4

Es difícil porque los perros generalmente no se muere en su sueño .... Los viven hasta que no puede ponerse de pie y no puede comer. Yo digo que viva todo el tiempo que pueda, sin necesidad de asistencia. Creo que a veces simplemente ponen triste y darse cuenta de que es hora de irse.

I am sure this has errors because I'm exhausted and going to sleep now. - jeezzle, Nov 11, 2009

Thanks for your comments. - 00515f39, Nov 11, 2009

Answer 5

Thanks for joining the thread, Mutski, I know you loved that dog.

Did you know, everybody, that Mutski was actually the name of the dog? well, you can see Mutski was very special

Answer 6

Oh, Francis, I'm so sorry to hear this!

I think you should have him checked out by a vet because, although he's old, there may be a simple solution such as a different diet.

My thoughts and prayers go out to you.

Thanks Marianne. - 00515f39, Nov 11, 2009

Answer 7

Tal vez no tenga cáncer. Hay muchas razones por las que una persona, perro o gato podría perder peso. Traelo al veterinaria para averigur la causa. Perhaps it's a much less serious condition that there is an easier fix for. I hope so! Espero que se mejore tu perrito.

Muchas gracias Dandi. - 00515f39, Nov 11, 2009