Some dogs usually live to old age without so many diseases and injuries and die a peaceful and natural death.
Others are usually not so lucky and end up getting very many diseases that cause pain and suffering to a dog’s life.
This is where euthanasia can be considered if your dog is in too much pain and it is easier if they rest.
It is always advised to get all the information you can beforehand before you decide on the dog.
What is hip dysplasia?
This is a deformity on the hip that happens during a dog’s growth.
When growing up, the femur head (otherwise known as the thighbone) and the socket normally found on the pelvis must grow at the same rate.
For your puppy or dog, this uniform growth ends up not occurring hence causing looseness in the joint.
What causes it?
It is usually genetic and can be affected by the following factors:
- The dog’s diet
- The dog’s environment
- The growth rate of your dog
- Its muscle mass
- The dog’s hormones
It is important to note that when dealing with a puppy with hip dysplasia, it is mandatory to give them measured meals so that they have a lower risk of getting hip dysplasia.
When the puppies are fed such that they get overweight, their risk of getting the condition increases.
It is also more common in some dog breeds than others.
It tends to affect breeds with larger dogs such as Golden Retrievers and Bulldogs.
These dogs that can be at risk for hip dysplasia should be fed a special diet usually given to the large breeds of dogs to reduce the risks of hip dysplasia.
What are the symptoms to look for?
- There is usually weakness in the hind legs often accompanied by pain.
- The dog finds it hard to stand up when seated and may prefer not to stand or may become reluctant.
- Other dogs may not want to climb stairs because it is very uncomfortable for them.
Generally, any sort of pain when moving should be keenly checked out by a doctor.
This condition does allow your dog to live a long healthy life so it should not cause you to worry.
There is no cure, yes, but the treatments that are being used to treat your dog have been rendered effective and provide relief for your dog.
It is always advised to maintain a good diet for your dog and ensure they get proper exercise time regularly.
The condition may worsen in old age and your dog may show some signs of suffering that may be painful to watch and observe.
Below is a better explanation.
Here are some of the signs that may indicate your dog is suffering too much instead of enjoying life:
1. Your dog is undergoing chronic pain that is not controllable with medication. This is usually determined by your dog’s vet.
2. There are frequent diarrhea and vomiting which impacts negatively your dog’s health. Especially if your dog has already started visibly losing weight and is dehydrated.
3. Your dog is not eating unless they are forced which is also not a guarantee that they will eat.
4. He does not have the energy to move around and may soil himself regularly.
5. Your has become lethargic and lost all interest in anything and everything even his favorite activities to do.
6. He has difficulties when breathing.
7. He won’t be able to stand and often falls when he tries to.
Making the hard decision
When the decision is made for the good of your dog, it is important to get a proper chance to say goodbye.
If the owners have young children, they have to make proper arrangements on how to inform them.
It is advised to have a candid talk with your vet to ascertain that there is nothing you could have done for your dog.
And that Euthanasia was the only way to help your dog out of your misery.
Before the date is set, each family member needs to get time to pay their respect and say their goodbyes.
As written above, having children may require you to sit down and explain what it all means in a child-friendly manner.
So that even if they don’t understand fully, they will hopefully understand enough about the situation.
You should also discuss with a family whether you want to be there for the procedure.
For some, they may want to attend to be with their dogs during their final moments.
While for others, it may be too emotional for them.
The day of the procedure
Your vet should explain all there is to know about the procedure and you should feel free to ask about anything.
On the day of the procedure, it is advised to keep children off the place where the procedure is happening.
This is mainly because they might not be of age to understand what is happening.
The dog gets injected on the leg with a chemical that gently calms your dog and stops their heart rate slowly.
It is not painful but instead is a very calming way of ensuring they get laid to rest safely.
After that happens, it is possible to decide on whether to cremate or bury your dog.
If you choose to bury
it is advised to either do it in your compound, after checking and confirming there are no restrictions to doing such in your area.
It is also possible to look for a pet burial site where you could also bury your dog.
If you decide to cremate
the owners are usually asked whether they want to be there for the cremation process.
They also get to choose whether to keep the ashes or not to get them sent to them after the process.
Final Thoughts
From the above, it is important to keep an open mind when it comes to dog dysplasia and always seek veterinary counsel.
