The form I had to sign this morning for a surgical procedure for my dog required me to indicate if I wanted the staff to administer CPR if her heart stopped. Because of her age, I checked “no.”
Have you ever been asked this question about one of your pets? If so, what did you decide?
Thank you.
Yes, a few years ago my very old dog was declining and I knew the end was close. He collapsed in the back yard and we took him to the emergency vet (it was a Sunday and the regular vet wasn’t open). We were asked about resuscitation and/or extraordinary measures versus normal procedures and palliative care to keep him from being in pain, and we chose normal/palliative. He didn’t make it and we were sad that he was gone but did not regret the way it happened. He’d had a very good and long life, and he wasn’t in pain at the end.
Every time they have to be put out for a procedure. Mr. B usually says yes go ahead and save them. The only time we said no was when our dog had spinal surgery. He was already 10 with 3 years of life left (large GSD), and we decided that no heroics would be needed since he only had a 20% chance of recovery anyway. He used every little bit of that chance!!!
One of our dogs had a procedure to remove a large fatty tumor on her neck - she was only 6 at the time, and otherwise very healthy. We checked “yes” to treat her if necessary, and were told later that while she was “out” her heart stopped beating, and in the split second before they were ready to treat her, it started beating again. She lived with us another 6 years before the tumor recurred, and we had it removed again - this time we checked "no because of her age. She recovered fully and enjoyed almost 3 more great years with us.
Age and overall health play a lot into the decision making process - I recall discussing this with DH and we were both in agreement that the decision is about what’s best for them, and not about us. When we think of it in those terms, we know we made the right decision each time.
Any decision I make for them is what I consider would be in their best interest not mine.
If it is time for them to go i let them go no matter how much it hurts.
I’ve never been asked that, at least not that I recall.
My answer would depend on the general state of health, prognosis, and age.