Heartbreaking decision time - dog related.... - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

AdvisorGuy · #16 07-28-2008, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BENZ-LGB

I had to make a similar decision a few years back with my beloved Akita. If you are looking for support to NOT have the surgery done, then you have MY SUPPORT.

These are hard times and when money is short sometimes you have to m,ake tough decisions.

Let me offer you another perspective that will help you with your deicison (maybe).

If we were living 100 years ago and your beloved dog was a farm dog, you would take him out back and personally put him out of his misery. The only thing that has changed is that now vets can perform certain procedures - at a cost.

Before you decide one way or the otehr, have you looked around for vets that perform this work free of charge or for a reduced cost? You may waant to check at the local shelter for a referral.

Ultimately, however, if the only way to perform the procedure is to go deeper into debt then perhaps now is the time to say good bye to your dog.

good luck. I know this is not easy.

I'm not looking for support to NOT do it. I'm really taking his well being into consideration. If this is something that is going to cause him long term pain, I can't be selfish and put him thru it. If this is something he can recover from - I've become aware that it will take quite some time to recover, I'll do it. If not, then I have to make the harder of the 2 decisions...

We'll see what the second vet has to say on Saturday.....

aklim · #17 07-28-2008, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BENZ-LGB

Ultimately, however, if the only way to perform the procedure is to go deeper into debt then perhaps now is the time to say good bye to your dog.

To some of us, our dog are like our kids. How far would YOU go for one of your children? Would you go into debt if it were your child? While I would not go into debt for somebody else's child, I have and will again go into debt or sell what I need to for my own kids.

450slcguy · #18 07-28-2008, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

I have and will again go into debt or sell what I need to for my own kids.

You really do love your dogs. That's a good thing.

AdvisorGuy · #19 07-28-2008, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

To some of us, our dog are like our kids. How far would YOU go for one of your children? Would you go into debt if it were your child? While I would not go into debt for somebody else's child, I have and will again go into debt or sell what I need to for my own kids.

Exactly, and no disparities being cast to the poster of that. I understand that point of view. No matter what my situation is, basically starting life over at 40, I couldn't just say "It's too much. How much is the needle ?" The last 4 years of my life have been hell, to say the least. Watching my mom deteriorate in front of my eyes was enough. Harry was my therapist, my councilor, my best friend among friends of 20+ years. He was my glimmer of hope and better things to come more than he'd ever comprehend. He was my "cheer up buddy" when no one else was around. I can't throw in the towel when he's in need yet I can't be selfish in trying to keep him around if he's not going to be a "dog" afterwards....

kip Foss · #20 07-28-2008, 07:46 PM

I had a beautiful German Rotweiler, not the overblown US model, that got cancer of the right fore leg at 7 years old. The vet said that I could take her to MD Anderson Cancer Clinic in Houston and see what they could do. He mentioned that a few months before he had had a Rotweiler from a near by town that had the same problem. They had gone to Houston, spent $4k, and still had to put the dog down after a few months.

I had gotten Zira from a German friend in Dubai and as much as I loved her I decided to put her down. It was like scrapping a car just because the front tire was bad. One, I didn't have $4k to spend on her, and two, I was not going to put her through that kind of pain and suffering on the slim chance that she would recover. I had her put down two days after Christmas. I have put down many dogs and cats in my life but she was the hardest. But, by the same token, I was not going to let her suffer because of my own selfishness.

She had had 7 good years with my family and we had had the same with her. There is no good reason to let her suffer. We should be so kind to our elders.

CSchmidt · #21 07-28-2008, 07:48 PM

In NC, NC State has a vet school and will sometimes provide vet services for very discounted rates. A number of folks have had dogs and horses worked on there.

Years ago we had a 7 year old Golden that "blew out her knee". Two of the three attachments were gone ( not the ACL but the other ligament and the knee attachment). It was about $1000 for the surgery. They gave her pain killer the first day, then aspirin and gradually increasing walking the next. No time off. She recovered and lived another 8 years.

Best of luck, pets really do become part of the family.

Chuck

t walgamuth · #22 07-28-2008, 08:34 PM

I have more of a farm ethic when it comes to animals.

If I had a dog needing such an operation at an advanced age I believe I would put them down and get a puppy.

I don't however have a dog, I have a rabbit. I know a rabbit is nothing compared to a dog for companionship and love, and if we had a dog my mrs and my youngest daughter who is not out of the nest would have a say in the matter too, so I might not get to make the call.

Only you can make the call for your loved one.

Tom W

Frank X. Morris · #23 07-28-2008, 08:46 PM

Howdy AdvisorGuy,
Here is something that helped me get through finacially when one of my dogs broke a leg. It's called "Care Credit". I got in on an introduction promo. 0% interest with a min. amount paid each month. I picked the plan that worked for me. You might ask the vet if they have it. Disclaimer: I have no financial interest in this. Just something that worked for me. Good luck with the dog.

pawoSD · #24 07-28-2008, 08:55 PM

In our case, my (soon to be) wife and I have a 12+ year old cockerspaniel/shih tzu (little guy) and an almost 13 year old beagle mutt. The cockerspaniel is still pretty healthy and active (amazingly active)....but if he gets sick or hurts himself that will have to be the end, as we could never afford any medical work for either of them....not even if it was $300-400. The beagle has recently started having some mental issues where she'll sit and stare at the sky....and then she'll bite the fence....all weird stuff, she's normally a docile and pretty quiet dog. She also has pretty bad arthritis in the rear legs and sometimes limps. We know that if either of them develop a significant issue they will have to be put down.

Even if we did have the money I don't think I'd feel right spending thousands to do medical work on a dog who may only live another 1-2 years. I would get a new puppy like Tom said. Many dogs out there need homes, every one of them would appreciate one.

AdvisorGuy · #25 07-28-2008, 09:04 PM

Thanks. I'll look into it. The vet we're going to Saturday sounds promising. Fingers crossed..

Couple of pics from a gtg at High Point State Park in Jersey last fall..

Gone gray in the chin like me..

BodhiBenz1987 · #26 07-28-2008, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

To some of us, our dog are like our kids. How far would YOU go for one of your children? Would you go into debt if it were your child? While I would not go into debt for somebody else's child, I have and will again go into debt or sell what I need to for my own kids.

I'm with aklim on this one. My cat is like my kid. That, I am sure, will be the case for any other cats or dogs I own in my lifetime. I am fortunate to have reasonable means to afford expensive procedures in the event of major mishap, but even if I wasn't, I'd sell things or go into debt for the chance to help my cat, who many days is the best friend I have.

That said, I wouldn't look down on someone who had to make the decision not to have the surgery. I can't put myself in someone else's shoes, and it really comes down to measuring what you can afford and what you think you and your dog will get out of it. Personally, I'd be asking myself one question: What will my pet get out of this? If you think he can get some high-quality, happy time -- even if it isn't a very long time -- maybe it's worth it. I doubt you will look back in ten years and think "I should not have spent that money."

So my advice: 1) Don't ever listen to the person that told you "it's just a dog." That's stupid. 2) See if you can get a real honest answer from your vet and maybe some other dog owners who have been through this about the quality of life your dog will have. You want to make sure this surgery has a good chance of giving him a very happy extension to his life. 3) Find out if you can get a payment plan from the vet ... some are willing to set up a financing situation for those who may have trouble coming up with that big pile of money at once.

Good luck with whatever road you take. I'm sure either way your dog knows you love him.

aklim · #27 07-29-2008, 12:07 AM

I would recommend the 2nd procedure since it is longer lasting. You don't want to have make this decision again, do you? Do it once, do it right and don't look back. Been there with this one and done that. Didn't look back.

BTW the drug is Rimydil

Gurkha · #28 07-29-2008, 07:43 AM

I have four, oldest is the mother, she is around 13, she has gone deaf, has cataract but still is cheerful as ever, sometimes she slows down and gets weak on her knees, her husband is around 12 and 2 kids around 11, we are truly dreading the day when we have to see them go one by one and that day is not far for the mother. You do what your heart tells you to do, thats all and good luck to you and Harry.

wbrian63 · #29 07-29-2008, 07:57 AM

I don't know if it's a possible solution, but you might contact the College of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M University in College Station, TX.

I've heard of people getting low/no cost work done there. I'd think that the procedure your pup is up for is sufficiently rare that it might provide a good teaching exercise for the orthopedic department of the vet school.

Would mean a drive, but I'd think that all post-operative checkups and rehab could still be done locally in Arlington.

After many years of dogless existence, I adopted a real mutt of a dog in 2007 and that little cur turned into a 70# (and hopefully almost done growing) dog that I dearly love. He gets up with me at 4:30 every morning. Has a red rubber ball that's his #2 friend (I'm #1) - plays with that in earnest for about 5 minutes while I'm brushing my teeth. He's a real hoot to watch with that ball. He's working on a technique where he tosses it over his back with a flick of his head and catches it on the other side before it hits the floor. 5 minutes of that and he's back horizontal on the floor right behind me - out like a light until I move...

Spending big $$$ on a dog for surgery like this HAS to have one two-part question, which likely cannot be answered with complete certainty.

What will the quality of life for the dog be like after the surgery, and what is the life expectancy of the dog after the surgery?

In my opinion - you MUST divorce your feelings when asking this question. Do what's best for the DOG and the rest will take care of itself.

If it's a young dog, otherwise healthy, with many years available to it (and you) afterwards, then find a way to get the work done.

I question the logic/sanity of folks who spend big $$ on a pet that has a 1-2 year life expectancy beyond the surgery. Major surgery takes lots of healing time, and just like with older humans, there's a real chance that the pet never regains the level of health they had before the operation. Why put a 15 year old dog through the rigors of major surgery, just to watch them partially recover and then continue to decline until their death? I've seen it happen far to many times.

Your buddy is 10 years old. Prior to this, he was running and playing as a puppy. Seems likely that he's got a good bit of life left after this and a reasonable chance of recovery back to the level he enjoyed before the injuries.

Do contact Texas A&M - they're a highly-regarded school for Doctors of Veterinary Medicine. Might mean a bit of a drive from Arlington, but even with gas prices as they are, it could be a lot cheaper tha some of the options you're exploring.

My best to you and to your buddy. Hope all works out the best for him, and for you.

dannym · #30 07-29-2008, 08:32 AM

I had a dog about 20 years ago that got run over by a car. 2 weeks in an animal hospital and roughly 4k later I got her back. She was about a year old then and lived at least another 10 years.
My girlfriend just spent $500 on her cat.

I have 2 cats that used to belong to my deceased brother. If they required thousands of dollars in medical bills I would put them down.
I would not spend thousands of dollars on a dog again either, though I never regreted the decision.

I'm not totally unsympathetic to my pets, I think now I'm more realistic. I just don't see spending that kind of money on an animal, especially an older one.
I would be a sad day for sure but I wouldn't regret putting a pet down either.

Danny