Heartbreaking decision time - dog related.... - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

cscmc1 · #31 07-29-2008, 08:44 AM

AdvisorGuy -- thanks for the pics. That's a fine looking pooch; send him our best! Hope you can swing the surgery and that it's a success.

AdvisorGuy · #32 07-29-2008, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wbrian63

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.

Thanks for the wishes and suggestion. I just called the A&M Small Animal Hospital. There rate isn't much different. Over the phone, they're telling me $1800-$2300 per leg...

Zeus · #33 07-29-2008, 10:58 AM

AdvisorGuy - Feel your pain, been there. We had to put our family dog down, somewhat similar circumstances. He was about 10-11 yrs old. a giant breed (chuvatch) and had a tumor, was cancer. Vet said chances were about 50/50, plus it would costs several thousand for the op. We decided it was best to put him down. Money was tight for us back then.

The reality is that you could end up spending thousands on a dog that may only live a year or two more, that's if the operation goes well.

I don't think anyone would fault you if you put your dog down. He/she is already 10, how many years could a healthy dog expect? This sounds like major surgery and is a full recovery realistic at this stage?

Just trying to provide another perspective, as many have said, only you can make the call.

It's one of the hardest things I've ever done. My dad, brother and I brought him to the vet's, but only I was able to sit beside him and hold him as the vet gave him the injections. I held his head as he went to sleep, and I watched the heart monitor slow and flatline. I balled like a baby afterwards. Bloody hell, even writing this is hard. I grew up with that dog, he was family.

Good luck - you obviously care a great deal for your friend and I know you will make the right choice.

aklim · #34 07-29-2008, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeus

The reality is that you could end up spending thousands on a dog that may only live a year or two more, that's if the operation goes well.

My Pei's lifespan was supposed to be about 8-9 yrs based on her family history. Still kicking at 12. Pit Bull had to be put down at 13.5 although we thought that anything over 10 was asking a bit much.

BENZ-LGB · #35 07-29-2008, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdvisorGuy

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.....

AG, this is a difficult time for you. Sometimes when we are facing tough decisions we look for validation. I thought that was what you were looking for.

I am sorry if I misunderstood you.

Good luck in whatever decision you make for your animal companion.

pawoSD · #36 07-29-2008, 12:12 PM

Thats a nice looking cockerspaniel AdvisorGuy....this is what ours looks like....can see the resemblance....but so far I have yet to see another that looks like ours:

AdvisorGuy · #37 07-29-2008, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BENZ-LGB

AG, this is a difficult time for you. Sometimes when we are facing tough decisions we look for validation. I thought that was what you were looking for.

I am sorry if I misunderstood you.

Good luck in whatever decision you make for your animal companion.

Not a problem my friend. I was not offended. As much as I love the little bastid, $6000 is a hard nut to swallow. I hate myself for thinking that but it is a fact to face. I just hate that "He's just a dog and replaceable" feeling.

BENZ-LGB · #38 07-29-2008, 12:18 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 would take a bullet for any of my kids.

I would not, however, take a bullet for any of my animal companions.

I love animals and our home has often been used as a way station for rescued pets, dogs, cats, rabbits, rats...you get the idea.

Right now we have three rescue cats and one rescue rabbit. (By rescue I mean animals that have been rescued from a shelter and certain death).

And I have spent big bucks (in the thousands) for surgery to your current Akita. He was young and busted a knee while running around the yard like a chicken w/o a head.

No matter how much I love my animal companions in the final analysis they are animals and cannot ever be in the same level as humans. You are free to disagree (and I am willing to bet even money that you will disagree). That is your opinion and you are entitled to it.

AG is facing a difficult situation, I do not envy him. Been there, done that and even now, years after the fact, I still question whether I made the right decision to put down our first Akita (do a search for Akita or Pepper and you will see how much my loss hurt).

Only AG can make that decision and for whatever it is worth, I support his decision, whatever it may be.

Hey Aklim, are you like that nut-job in NY (Leona Hemsley) and put your dogs in your will?

aklim · #39 07-29-2008, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BENZ-LGB

No matter how much I love my animal companions in the final analysis they are animals and cannot ever be in the same level as humans.

You are free to disagree (and I am willing to bet even money that you will disagree).

AG is facing a difficult situation, I do not envy him. Been there, done that

Hey Aklim, are you like that nut-job in NY (Leona Hemsley) and put your dogs in your will?

Depends on the human. My wife? No. Anyone else? Yes and then some. IIRC, Chase Bank used to have the slogan "Chase, where the right relationship is everything.". Same here. It all depends on the relationship. Besides the wife and myself, my dogs are the next step down on the ladder.

You are right that I do disagree.

Been there, done that and will have to do it again and again as long as we have dogs.

Well, we don't have any others whom we want to give our worldly possessions so, yes. Again, where the right relationship is everything. Actually, if we both die at the same time, all our property and life insurance will go over to the one caring for our dogs that we have arranged. You certainly cannot take it with you, or at least I don't know how to. At least they won't do to me what Erik and Lyle did to their parents.

Edit: The person that will take care of our dogs for us if we both die at the same time DOES NOT KNOW what he gets so there is less chance he will arrange an accident for us.

Stoneseller · #40 07-29-2008, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

What is the love and devotion the dog gives you worth?

Anything it costs.

450slcguy · #41 07-29-2008, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BENZ-LGB

No matter how much I love my animal companions in the final analysis they are animals and cannot ever be in the same level as humans.

Depends on the human being. Some humans don't rise to the level of our beloved furry friends.

BENZ-LGB · #42 07-30-2008, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 450slcguy

Depends on the human being. Some humans don't rise to the level of our beloved furry friends.

Hmmmm. Let me think about that one.

I've prosecuted some individuals who, as you have written, rank well below any of my animal companions.

And, given a choice of saving the life of a lowly worm or saving the life of Kastro, I would definitely save teh life of the worm.

Yet, the Bible teaches us that even the most despicable human being has a soul worthy of redemption while an animal does not have a soul.

Tough call, very tough call.

aklim · #43 07-30-2008, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BENZ-LGB

And, given a choice of saving the life of a lowly worm or saving the life of Kastro, I would definitely save teh life of the worm.

Yet, the Bible teaches us that even the most despicable human being has a soul worthy of redemption while an animal does not have a soul.

Tough call, very tough call.

According you what you said, even Castro has a soul that is worthy of redemption, right? So you should save Castro over the worm if you are going to believe that bible. I guess since I don't and I don't know about a soul and even if I did, it has no value to me, I guess I will say it depends on the relationship.

I make it simple. It's all where a person stands in the grand scheme of things that matter to me. If I had to save one item from a burning building and the choices are my dogs or the wife, the wife wins out. My dogs or somebody else, my dogs win out. A friend of mine or a stranger, the friend wins out. 2 strangers? I save myself and not stick my neck out.

BENZ-LGB · #44 07-30-2008, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

According you what you said, even Castro has a soul that is worthy of redemption, right? So you should save Castro over the worm if you are going to believe that bible. I guess since I don't and I don't know about a soul and even if I did, it has no value to me, I guess I will say it depends on the relationship.

I make it simple. It's all where a person stands in the grand scheme of things that matter to me. If I had to save one item from a burning building and the choices are my dogs or the wife, the wife wins out. My dogs or somebody else, my dogs win out. A friend of mine or a stranger, the friend wins out. 2 strangers? I save myself and not stick my neck out.

You did not correctly read my message (then again I am not surprised). I wrote:

And, given a choice of saving the life of a lowly worm or saving the life of Kastro, I would definitely save the life of the worm.

All the scenarios that you describe above are fine and dandy until they are put to the test. Until the moment that you are faced with the scenarios that you described above, all your statements are just that, statements; untested statements at that.

aklim · #45 07-30-2008, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BENZ-LGB

You did not correctly read my message (then again I am not surprised). I wrote:

And, given a choice of saving the life of a lowly worm or saving the life of Kastro, I would definitely save the life of the worm.

All the scenarios that you describe above are fine and dandy until they are put to the test. Until the moment that you are faced with the scenarios that you described above, all your statements are just that, statements; untested statements at that.

I did read it.

You said you would save the life of a worm over Castro's, right? OTOH, you said

Quote:

Originally Posted by BENZ-LGB

Yet, the Bible teaches us that even the most despicable human being has a soul worthy of redemption while an animal does not have a soul.

. As such, I conclude that based on the bible teaching, the worm is not as worthy of your efforts as Castro since Castro has a soul worthy of redemption.

I have almost got hit by a car a few years back trying and being successful at saving my dog. Before that, when a nun drove off the road into a frozen lake, I just made a 911 call but wouldn't go onto the lake to save her since I wasn't going to stick my neck out for her because she wasn't worth it.