A tough question

toad67

So most of you have probably seen my thread about my buddy going down hill, and thanks for your prayers. My question is when a person is put into a spot to try to extend a pets life thru medical support that is costly, and with no guarantees, are you selfish if you could afford it, not easily though, ($2K or more) but choose not to do it because of the less than 50/50 out come, and the possible crappy quality of life that you will be extending, or would you roll the dice? Not thinking real clear right now since it was such a shock in the last 16 hours, but hopefully you can understand my question....

skicat

Not to sound callous or make light of how important your buddy is to you, but growing up in farm country I have developed a very practical view on these type of decisions. I would make sure the animal was not suffering but I don't extend the same level of care as for humans. The decision is entirely yours as nobody can do the math better than you yourself and I'll be the first to admit it is a purely emotional decision for most people. I wish you the best during this painful time.

dav1965

My dog Storm a black lab was 14 and i let her out of the house to go to the bathroom and our deck and backyard is fenced in. Storm dug out and went exploring.

When she came home she had an open compound fracture in her front leg. My wife and i both loved that dog. I talked my wife into getting her leg fixed.

Over 3,000 dollars later Storm died from an infection. We did not have the money to spend this way but she was my friend. She hung out with me during the day when i had nothing to do.

My wife and i decided to put her to sleep and i held her in my arms when she passed away. We should have never spent the money on her.

Don McManus

It is a tough question. A 10 year old lab has only a few years left, and he is obviously in distress now. Absent odds better than 50/50, and even if he survives a potentially distress remainder of his life, there is no shame in putting him down.

You may want to see how he progresses over the next week with medication, but if it becomes apparent that all you are doing is prolonging his suffering, the answer then becomes obvious.

We had to put down an Australian Shepard around 25 years ago. Rufus was diagnosed with an auto-immune problem that resulted in a very painful reaction where internal tissue joined with external tissue. A rigorous steroid program (about $ 4,500.00 per year at the time) would keep the symptoms suppressed, but they would come out for a couple of months a year and were, as noted, excruciatingly painful.

After much soul searching, I took Rufus in and held his paw as they put him down. Still brings tears to my eyes, but I know in my heart it was the right thing to do.

SCOUT5

Generally we know when we get them our dogs are going to pass before we do. Yes, we take care of things along the way. But big events like this should be thought about before we decide to get the dog. I wouldn't spend that on one of my dogs, but that is me and I'm not you.

With that being said. If your dog's white count is 86000+, I doubt the chances for survival are as good as 50/50. The dog is septic. High normal for a dog is 17000. If one of my patient's had a white 5x+ normal I would be calling the family and if appropriate their priest.

11b6r

A man smarter than I will ever be observed that part of the problems in this world is that pets do not last long enough, and people last too long.

Arby

I have spent many hundreds of dollars , perhaps even thousands, over the last 40 years on numerous dogs. If I had the money and the treatment would result in the pet's survival and a quality life , I spent the money, but there were limits for my decisions.

Like, how much quality time was I buying and the age of the pet...Would the expenditure result in a cure or just put the issue off a few months...Most importantly, is the decision in the best interest of the pet.

The decision is always a tough one and I feel for you.

mogley98

It's your money but as noted perhaps the best thing you can do for your pal is let him go.

Mark G

Toad,

Here are 2 scenarios that I/we have been thru.

We had a 7 year old Beagle. She never had any extroidinary health issues. One day my wife noticed that she was hardly eating. We watched her close and found that when she did eat that she would throw up. We took her to the vet and they said she probably had a blockage and they could soften it up and get it moving. At 4:30 that day they called and said "you need to pick her up and take her to the emergency vet hospital or she's going to die". We took her to the hospital and they kept her overnight. She passed away the next morning. Total bill from the 2 vets was $4,000.00.

Our 15 year old lab/spaniel mix was bleeding from the mouth. Examination found bone cancer in her jaw. Doctors laid out a menu of items that they wanted to do. $6,000.00 total. The vet grew up on a farm. She understood the practical matter of putting a lot of money into a 15 year old dog. We had the cancer removed and that was it. She was back to her old self for 7 months when she passed away. Total bill was $1,800.00. I am comforted by the fact that I did all that was practical to try to save my dogs.

Nothing wrong with being practical. It can tear at the heart. Always remember that they will live in your heart forever.

204targetman

I had a family member put himself in a bad financial hole trying to save his lab. I know he loved the dog. but I just don't get it. the dog ended up being put down anyway. he is still paying the bills. animals are animals. they are not human beings, and were never intended to be treated as such. boy, I know that's unpopular. but it needs to be said. I grew up on a farm. when an animal was in bad shape. you put it down.

He Dog

Only you can make that decision, you are the only one that has to live with it. I had a cat with $6500 in medical, and lost her. I would have written another check the same size to have had 5 more healthy years of rubbing her tummy. Congestive heart failure said that was not to be. We brought her home spent one really good day with her and said goodbye. You will know when the time is right for both of you.

84Bravo1

I am very sorry to hear of your situation Todd.

I had to put my rescue Bassett Hound down, after 5 days of sleeping on the floor, arm around him.

Rear leg paralysis, not able to control bowels.

He was his same goofy self, gentle and craving love the whole time.

On the 5th day I put him down. (Had the Vet do it.)


It was excrutiatingly difficult. I cried like a baby.

Still miss my goofy little Buddy.


Sometimes, it is just time to let go.

(Again,) Sorry to hear you are having to go through this with your loved one.

You will make the right decision.


-Ken-