My 15 yo Brittany has a fast growing mass on her flank. Biopsy shows it's a sarcoma. Surgical consult cost $500 just for an xray. It will cost $2200 for cat scan just to determine if the surgeon would even consider resecting it. And if surgery is determined to be an option thousands of dollars more. If she was 5 or 6 or maybe even 8 or 9 I wouldn't question it and do whatever is necessary. But at 15 yo, and such a large tumor that the recovery from a Surgical procedure in and of itself would be so demanding of her. I've never had to put a dog down. How will I know when the right time is. How will I know I did the right thing. Right now she has a good appetite but seems restless especially at night. We have her on pain medications. When will I know??

Sorry to say it sounds like you already know. If your watching something your love in pain and agony it's time. Just did it for a friend and he was more sad to say he waited too long because he couldn't bring himself to do the act. While he watched her suffer

yep what turtledale said

You know the answer. Time to face it. Few things suck as bad as making that decision.

Ed, it's time. If it were me, I would knock out any and all pictures right now and to hold her and kiss her and tell her what a good dog she's been. Talk about all the good memories and give her a few more days of sleeping with you guys. You will see her take a turn and when that happens I would call one of your friends over to to take her out back or in a special outdoors place she loved. Don't take her to the vet, let her die with dignity in a place that she loves and will go out remembering. I would skin her out and get her tanned so you can always remember her. I will do the same thing for every dog I have until I die. In our grand illustrious life, the one constant is that all good things must come to an end at some place and some time. It's not easy, I had to hold my dog and watch her die of old age, and in that moment all the greatest memories flashed before my eyes as she was taking her last breath, I tried to feed a slice of turkey to make her better, but she wouldn't eat it. It's not easy any way you think about it, but the one thing I want you to do Ed, is you get another puppy as soon as possible, it will never replace Brittany, but it will help you guys a lot. Let us know Ed, and god bless you my friend.

Absolutely

The plantation I help at just went through the same thing with a Cocker. Smokey was fine until the tumor burst and he went downhill fast. He quit eating and started losing weight. Once the decision was made his “last day” was planned out. Those that knew and hunted over him were invited to say their last goodbyes and then a day of what he enjoyed through life was recreated. He went to the pond and swam. We got some release birds and got a couple of the older pointers and went to the horse pasture. Instead of him in the Jeep we walked him up and the manger flushed the quail and I shot. Smokey took the honors of retrieving while the pointers held point. He only lasted a couple of sets, but that nose was still there. Took a little getting him back seeing how he’s deaf, lol. After this was all over he got a bath and fed treats by hand and brought back inside where he spent the night with family.
The next morning he made his last ride. He was cremated and when we got the ashes back we went to the beginning of each course and spread a few ashes. The rest were dumped around his favorite pond. With permission from the owners we are getting a sign made and the pond will now officially be named for forever more “Smokey’s pond”.
Now this may sound overboard to some, but Smokey was the first Cocker at the plantation and the first used to retrieve. He was a “trial run” and didn’t disappoint. Luckily his bloodline lives on with a few cockers of his still being used.

I said all that to say this, give your “family member” the best “last day” and let those who know her come and say their goodbyes. I know it made me feel better rather than just hearing about it. It’s never easy, but it’s what needs done.

First thing I would do is find a cheaper vet. Around here a livestock vet will bring a portable machine to check a cow for a couple hundred and thats out of the office. Those pet hospitals are gougers

I can't believe a veterinarian would in good conscience even consider performing a surgery like that on a dog that old. Greed I guess.

Just went through this with my lab. The vet was very good and said Cody's quality of life after the surgery will diminish. She said when his breathing gets labored, and he can't get comfortable, you will know. Took him for his last walk with me in the woods had a venison steak breakfast with him and said my thanks and goodbye.

Awesome

Sounds like you already know what to do and trust me it will hurt but it is for the best. Don't want her to suffer.

when you know she is in pain , take care of it.

my German Shepard/mut was good to within a few weeks of the end going up and down stairs even slower and slower int he last few months, then lost bowl function. she was 14 a long life for any GSD and good for one that is mixed with something also.

it's hard but what's the point of expensive surgery and recovery to buy a year maybe less.

We went through a tough decision 4 years ago with a cancerous tumor in the hip and even with surgery he would use the use of that hind leg. We have a good friend who did a lot of procedures to save an older dog and after it was over he stated to me that "I was thinking way more about me and not the life the dog would have". I listened closely and chose the difficult route but one that I felt was best.

Bryce

Let put it this way. If I still have an appetite and I am not laying in my own urine and whatnot, and I am happy when someone comes to the door, I sure hope my family doesn't put me down yet. Now that i think about it, I am going to stop complaining about aches and pains just in case.
As far as, "How will you know?" goes. No person can tell you when. You will know. Your dog will too, and you will see it.
A lot of people are concerned with the pain their dog is going through. Dogs are domesticated wild animals. They deal with pain. It is just another part of the struggle of life.
Your dog will let you know. Listen to her.

Rough situation, I wish you the best.

Man I got teary eyed reading this, wish you the best and time will heal all wounds. I am on my first dog at age 57, we are literally hooked at the hip, she is 7 and I don't look
forward to going through what you are. All my friends say to be there with them, you are their best friend and they want you there to say your goodbye no matter how much
pain it causes you.

You have to decide

I truly appreciate everyone's comments and advice. My main struggle with this I think is two fold.
1. Am I doing everything I can for her?
2. Am I playing God by making the decision to end her life?
I know that no one can answer those questions for me. It's my own struggle to sort out. In addition there are others to consider and I will have to have a heart felt discussion with them and come up with a plan. Again, thank you all.