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Cost to put the old dog to sleep?

The Menagerie
#1

I know this may be regional, but wanted to get a best guess estimate for an 80lb dog.

I’ve been watching him for a year or so knowing that his time was coming. His hind end has lost a lot of muscle tone over the last year and the last 4 months has been a major loss of cooridination. I was hoping that I would know it was time by his attitude, but his body has given up before his happy go lucky outlook on life.

I plan on takin him in on Monday morning. I just wanted to have an idea before I took him.

Thanks in advance.

#2

I’m so sorry about your dog, but you should just call your vet and ask. I’m sure it varies hugely depending on your area of the country. Your vet may offer a payment plan or all sorts of different options including separate cremation.

#3

I don’t have any information of use to you (as mentioned, I think it varies so much that you are probably best off just asking your vet), but just wanted to say I am so sorry you are facing this decision. My best to you at this difficult time.

#4

Just had to do this today :frowning:
It was $160 - we didn’t request his remains.
We are in a relatively well off area of NJ.

#5

We are in central VA. We will most likely bury the dog on our land. I know we won’t cremate.

Our 11 year old son is going to be heart broken. “Woodie” is 12 years old. We have been trying to prepare him for a while that “Woodie” is having a hard time getting around and how we felt like we were blessed to have a mild winter with no ice or snow to speak of.

To The Max, I am so sorry for your loss. They do become part of the family.

#6

Im so sorry that you have to do this, but good for you for knowing that this is what your dog needs.

Cost will vary based on several factors. Emergency clinics will cost more than a general practice clinic during regular working hours.

Think if you want the ashes back, if you do, there is often an extra cost associated with private cremation as the provider charges the hospital more for privates. Special and customized urns also will cost more, as do clay pawprints.

Where I am, a large dog euthanasia with private cremation will cost around $600, where a communal cremation will be closer to a total bill of $300 (including exam fees). There are many clinics that will offer these services at a “no charge” (other than cremation costs) rate for long term clients, or clients who have had their pet hospitalized with them.

That said, I dont know any vet who would refuse a euthanasia based on finances. If one simply couldnt afford it, all our vets would do what was needed. However the option of private cremation would not be available.

#7

I paid $120 10 days ago for a mobile small animal vet to come out and put my dog to sleep in our bed. A friend dug a grave next to that of my dream horse (d. 11,22,'02), and we buried him together about an hour after the euthanasia. I’ve left instructions for whatever is left of me (I’ve donated my body to science) to be spread over the same spot.

#8

[QUOTE=fish;6549024]
I paid $120 10 days ago for a mobile small animal vet to come out and put my dog to sleep in our bed. A friend dug a grave next to that of my dream horse (d. 11,22,'02), and we buried him together about an hour after the euthanasia. I’ve left instructions for whatever is left of me (I’ve donated my body to science) to be spread over the same spot.[/QUOTE]

Beautiful. Wish we could all have that dream spot where our loved ones could be together forever.

#9

PA here. There was an article in our paper recently re: a local vet who does in-home euthanasia exclusively. I believe the cost for a scheduled visit was somewhere around $150, for euth only-- cremation services were extra.

We had our cat PTS at our vet’s office earlier this year, and the cost was over $200-- euth only, no cremation (we buried her at home).

I wish I’d have known about the in-home services sooner… not just because it’s cheaper, but I really hate the thought of bringing our pets to the vet’s office for the final visit, since they all get extra-stressed at the vet’s… I’m so thankful there are some vets out there who are willing to do the in-home option. (I put the home-visit vet’s contact info into my phone for when it’s needed… much as I dread that thought. :()

Jingles for you during this difficult time…

#10

My equine vet came to our farm to aide our beloved dog jackson toward his passing. She was here about an hour and thirty minutes. We did it softly and easily, talked our way thru it and even had our 4 yr old pup watch. This was the best of the best as far as letting go of Jackson. She charged me ZERO.
I believe it was her pleasure to help us with this, knowing that she has done many of our ponies in the past. For the ponies she usually charges about $250. and all but one was a “come now, we are in trouble and need to get this done” The oldsters can turn on you quickly and I never let them suffer for even a few minutes more than necessary. She lives a mile away!! Bless her.

#11

Our vet charged us $70. We brought the dog to the vet and he came out to the truck to do it. Make sure you pay in advance before they do anything so that once it is done you can just leave. You will not want to talk once it is over. No matter how much it hurts stay with your dog and hold him until he falls asleep so that the last face he sees is yours.

We put our lab, Virginia, down and then brought her home and buried her in the yard wrapped in her blanket. It was very peaceful as we held her in the back of the Suburban, the vet gave her a shot in her foot and she fell asleep. It was very quick.

I am so sorry that the time has come for your dog. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.

#12

$70 to have our Aussie PTS this spring. Vet came out to my car, where he was resting comfortably, her tech climbed in with him (rear of Forester SUV) and they worked together, with me holding his head and telling him how sorry I was and how much I love him.

Costs will vary, some even do it for free. Your equine vet might even come out to do it, as well as some mobile small animal vets. That is a peaceful, calm setting.

#13

Depends a lot on the vet and the circumstances.

With my vet, for an established client and you either take the body or do not want the ashes back, there was no charge.
Other options would have a charge and for a regular client you can call a week or so later to pay if necessary.

One of the reasons I keep a good relationship with my vet and do the routine stuff there rather than saving a few bucks at local shot clinics.

#14

I do all my shots etc with the vet, it was between $100 and $ 200 to put our cat to sleep. State (or maybe county) law prohibits burial, cremation is required.
I can’t find a euthanasia vet who will come to the house, and I’m not far from NYC. Some are so specialized, they only come to certain sections of Manhattan.

#15

I’m so sorry

I put my 75 lb lab down at the beginning of August in Upstate NY and the cost was $400 to put down and a private cremation.

#16

Our vet came to our home. We held our dear Buster on our laps until he passed. It was very quick. She charged us about $100-$125. We had a funeral for him and buried him up on “Paws Hill” where all of our pets are buried.

#17

I’ve paid 165. at one vets with sedation, cremation and I get remains, to 250 for the same at another vet.
Many local humane societ’es charge much lower. Here it is 30.00 for HS euths. No creamation.

#18

Thanks so much for all the replies. He is such a happier camper, but I know that this is the best decision for him.

We live on 80 acres and the 3 dogs are not kenneled, although we have one. They sleep on the front porch or in the dog houses within sight of the front door.

They greet us in the morning by peering in our windows that are almost floor to ceiling and staring patiently until someone moves…Then the whining for breakfast begins.

They are there to greet you when you pull in the drive and are there to “ask” how you day was as soon as you open the door.

He could probably stick around longer if he were kenneled, but he would HATE life.

So I will make the call first thing in the morning, then take him with me to the barn to meet the farrier and then off to the vet. He will be SO excited to go for a car ride and go to the barn and get a chance to chew on some hoof bits.

Here are some photos of Woodie. He was wearing a harness so I could help him up the steps at the beach cottage and the steps to get down to and back up from the sound.

The old man cooling off in the sound.

The whole crew enjoying some swim time.

#19

I’ve already talked to my vet about in-home for our old Big Fuzzy Dog. If it’s not an emergency, I don’t think I can face bringing him in to the office. :no:

#20

Well, none of mine hate going to the vet’s. They drag me into the office and are soooo happy.

I took the little black lab in to get her shots just this past week. We are working on listening to ME, no matter the distractions.

We did several walk/heel and stop and sit before we got in the door to the vets. Once we entered I made her sit at the door since she was trying to DRAG me to the receptionist (all 57 lbs of her). So she sat and sang to the receptionist about how much she really wanted to come see her, but just couldn’t. Of course the receptionist was cooing over her, so was hard to tell pups to sush. I figured we had done well to not try and break the sit.

Just really not looking forward to telling my 11 year old son… We have had several discussions to prep him for the TIME, but it seemed to him to be in the future…well its here…Ugggh

When he cried the first we talked about it, I told him I know it was tough, but we could have them and be really happy and enjoy 12 years and some unhappy days, or never have them at all. Which was best? He said having them, but loosing them was no fun.

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