Putting Dog Down: Vet Gouging Me?

Get a second opinion from another vet not a message board.

You explained why you made the decision and they still wanted to do the exam?

I’m sure he wants to make sure that she is truly in need of being put down. He probably doesn’t want to put down a dog doesn’t need to die

My vet didn't charge me anything to put my dog down. Don't know if that's normal everywhere.

When was the last time you took her in to a vet?

When I had to put my old friend down, they did it pretty much no questions asked. But I also had been going to the same vet for years and the vet and I had discussed it a few visits before it was really time.

So maybe the vet is just trying to make sure that the dog is actually near the end of life? If it’s a vet that has never seen your dog before, and your dog is not obviously in bad shape, she’s not going to just put the dog down cause you said so.

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It’s time to put my old shepherd down. But the veterinarian tells me he has to do a full physical examination before he will do it.

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To ensure that he agrees with your assessment that it's time to end the life of the animal. Some vets will not put an animal down unless they agree that medically it's the best option.

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Why on earth would he have to assess her health before he ends her life?

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I know losing a pet is tough, but vets don't want to put down dogs that can be saved. The vet wants to know if the dog has to be put down, and not rely on a non trained person telling him.

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When I decided
To put my Boston terrier down of 14 years I knew it was time. I called the vet and they told me to bring him in. I was really upset. I handed the lady my debit card, walked to the back, the vet looked at me and said I know it’s tough, but you’re doing the right thing. He did it while I held my little buddy. I walked out the room, signed my receipt, the lady handed me the card back, she said I’m really sorry, and I left.

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Man that brings it all back for me. My Boston had to be put down at age 14 too and it was maybe one of the toughest things I've ever gone through in my life. My wife and I were emotional wrecks for several weeks.

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Bullets are cheap

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It sounds cruel, but it's not. A big pile of hamburger out in her favorite spot in the yard and a .22 to the brainstem from behind is quick, painless, and the dog never knows anything's up or strange other than them getting delicious hamburger in the yard.

It's harder on you, though, if you can't handle doing what's necessary yourself and is absolutely not an option in a city.

If you can't or won't do it yourself, definitely have the vet come to you. At the very least, the dog won't have the stress of going to a place it hates.