Dog. Repair or Write off?
Discussion
carreauchompeur said:
I think the way the OP is written is terrible, I don't know if it's a failed attempt to lighten the subject but it doesn't sit well with me. Are you on the ASD spectrum at all?
Um. No officially. Senco i used to work with though would argue that i should be.Lighten the mood, be dispassionate, try and do the right thing. Yes.
carreauchompeur said:
.........
You COULD get the money ...
Yes.You COULD get the money ...
But we are precarious. We have and are reliant on a start up business. We have a mortage to pay, a toddler to provide for, our reserves are low and this makes you question large expenditures (which no mistake this is) a lot.
It is not simply a case of "I lub my dogs to ditz innit", it's a case of asking advice to try and make sure the right decision is made.
carreauchompeur said:
The second one? Well, that's harder. Dogs and leg operations are always tricky, especially on big, active ones. My mum has a lurcher who majorly injured her legs a while back, luckily she was insured so the first question wasn't an issue.
However, she hasn't really been right ever since and there's always an element where she has to hold herself back- A really active, incredibly fast (and stupid!) dog. If she had another injury, regardless of the insurance situation, we'd have to think really hard about whether it's kind to allow an active dog to continue a much diminshed existence.
Hence the question. She is a big, active, fast and really quite stupid dog. Who I happen to want to do the right thing for!However, she hasn't really been right ever since and there's always an element where she has to hold herself back- A really active, incredibly fast (and stupid!) dog. If she had another injury, regardless of the insurance situation, we'd have to think really hard about whether it's kind to allow an active dog to continue a much diminshed existence.
Even with insurance (which has been burnt to claim limit diagnosing: a diffent issue) what's the point if it is not going to return quality of life and only inflict more pain?
Karyn said:
Sorry you're in a bind, OP.
There's absolutely no question as to what I would do if it were my pooch (not that that helps you any!)...
I just hope you "give her a chance", as it were. Every operation has its risk and recovery time, but I don't think the vet will be purposely say that the chances of it being successful are good if they weren't, if you see what I mean?
I can understand that you're worried about inflicting pain and suffering on her through the operation and recovery, but... well, such is the way of life, sometimes. She won't complain, I promise you.
I'm pretty sure some of the animal charities offer support with cumbersome vet bills - do some research. It's only money. You'd put money over the life of your pet?
If the tables were turned and it was you with the injury that was through no fault of your own and has a good chance of being resolved, which way would you want the decision to go?
I know that ^^ the above is a very emotive way of putting it, but... well, it's an emotive subject, isn't it! You can't price unswerving devotion and loyalty the way you seem to be trying to - quantifiable amounts and investment returns... her life is so very much in your hands, as you've noted. £1700 for a long and happy life?
No question about it, from me. It's priceless.
Put her into rescue then. I am quite saddened that anyone would put a dog to sleep for a cruciate.
I can assure you that she will not be in a life of pain/suffering after a cruciate is replaced. My dog had two Ops done and she was a 60kg dog. It took us a bit of time to increase her exercise levels but that was that.
I can assure you that she will not be in a life of pain/suffering after a cruciate is replaced. My dog had two Ops done and she was a 60kg dog. It took us a bit of time to increase her exercise levels but that was that.
How much to take the leg off? Dogs can do alright on 3 legs.
I've had dogs for the last 15 years, current dog is 11 and starting to get a bit long in the tooth, you've got to be pragmatic about these things but putting a 2 year old dog down seems a bit of a waste, especially if he's a good 'un.
I've had dogs for the last 15 years, current dog is 11 and starting to get a bit long in the tooth, you've got to be pragmatic about these things but putting a 2 year old dog down seems a bit of a waste, especially if he's a good 'un.
otolith said:
Never having to face this sort of question is why I buy pet insurance - my question to the vet is always "what is in the animal's best interests?" not "what will it cost?". When people say they don't bother with insurance and will pay the bill, I wonder whether they would take this view:
or the OP's view. I hope the former.
We have insurance, its been used to its claim limit on 3 months of diagnosis, x-rays, potions, pills, referrals etc.or the OP's view. I hope the former.
Not happy about it, but that is the situation we're in.
Jasandjules said:
Put her into rescue then. I am quite saddened that anyone would put a dog to sleep for a cruciate.
I can assure you that she will not be in a life of pain/suffering after a cruciate is replaced. My dog had two Ops done and she was a 60kg dog. It took us a bit of time to increase her exercise levels but that was that.
this is useful, and answers the question rather than joining the good ol' classic ph witch hunt.I can assure you that she will not be in a life of pain/suffering after a cruciate is replaced. My dog had two Ops done and she was a 60kg dog. It took us a bit of time to increase her exercise levels but that was that.
Thank you.
She's 35kg so a good bit less than yours.
2 operations? right and left? (do you only get cruciates at the rear?)
scdan4 said:
this is useful, and answers the question rather than joining the good ol' classic ph witch hunt.
Thank you.
She's 35kg so a good bit less than yours.
2 operations? right and left? (do you only get cruciates at the rear?)
they are in all knees.... I had mine done and cost me a bit more than 1700... but I'm a human not a doggy Thank you.
She's 35kg so a good bit less than yours.
2 operations? right and left? (do you only get cruciates at the rear?)
My Rottie X Diesel cut his rear paw on a broken bottle (GRRRRR) in the woods, a proper deep gash and we feared it had gone through his tendons. Our vet advised us that an op to reset the tendon would have meant some time in a cast and numerous visits to the surgery and roughly £1K costs, luckily he hadn't damaged the tendon but we do have to watch him when it comes to play and we have to ensure his weight stays (25KGish) which is hard because he looks very thin to me.
Its very easy to be so sure of what you would do for your animal when you can afford to (I can't really, but would find a way).
Its very easy to be so sure of what you would do for your animal when you can afford to (I can't really, but would find a way).
I don't know how similar the physiologies are, but I know people who have done their ACLs skiing, had the op, and are skiing again. And another mate had a bad knee ligament injury which meant he needed an op which entailed DONOR ligament (yes, really) about a year ago. He & I were riding enduro bikes in Spain last weekend and will be skiing next month.
In other words, all things being equal, your vet's prognosis of a successful outcome all round is probably correct. Personally, whilst understanding your financial predicament, for me there would be no question; the dog would get the surgery. Notwithstanding your comments about the worth/value/availability of dogs in your youth, I don't really think you should be taking one on if you're not prepared to care for it "for better or worse". You've said she's a good 'un - and very importantly, good with your nipper; not all dogs are, especially rescues. The generally rosy picture you paint of the dog's behaviour and disposition should also be telling you something....
In other words, all things being equal, your vet's prognosis of a successful outcome all round is probably correct. Personally, whilst understanding your financial predicament, for me there would be no question; the dog would get the surgery. Notwithstanding your comments about the worth/value/availability of dogs in your youth, I don't really think you should be taking one on if you're not prepared to care for it "for better or worse". You've said she's a good 'un - and very importantly, good with your nipper; not all dogs are, especially rescues. The generally rosy picture you paint of the dog's behaviour and disposition should also be telling you something....
My cat did a similar thing when he dislocated his Elbow back in February and after the first vet messed up the operation relocating his elbow I was left with the choice of having his leg amputated (And paying nearly $5k AUD) or getting him put to sleep, I can honestly nearly a year on it was the best $5k i've ever spent and I still have my little friend, The cost is now irrelevant, 1700 GBP is a lot of money to find in one go but 6 months down the line you'll have totally forgotten about the cost.
scdan4 said:
2 operations? right and left? (do you only get cruciates at the rear?)
Yes. Back legs only. The first one went at 18mth the second at about 6 years. The recovery is incredible (the morning after her second op she was being led up the ramp into the boot of our car) and it is just a matter of increasing the length of time of the walk - we were doing 6*2 mins every day for a few weeks, then 6*3 mins, and so on.
We were told by the first vet that she could never go off lead and never go up or down even small inclines etc. The second vet was rather more expensive and rather more experienced and he said that was rubbish - she spent years off lead just ambling around and she could jump up and down small hills etc too though we did try to prevent her doing that.
But no pain, no arthritus (though we did also give her fish oils and glucosamine), no limping, no nothing. She acted like nothing had ever happened (she was always a lazy dog mind!).
essexplumber said:
z4chris99 said:
Yes, but the OP has no insurance
I would put the doggy to sleep and get another
Why get another if you couldn't afford to care for the 1st one? I would put the doggy to sleep and get another
take your X3 for example, if your turbo has gone bang, and you require a new engine which will (in this dogs case) cost 9 times the purchase price. would you go ahead? or scrap the X3 and get another?
z4chris99 said:
essexplumber said:
z4chris99 said:
Yes, but the OP has no insurance
I would put the doggy to sleep and get another
Why get another if you couldn't afford to care for the 1st one? I would put the doggy to sleep and get another
take your X3 for example, if your turbo has gone bang, and you require a new engine which will (in this dogs case) cost 9 times the purchase price. would you go ahead? or scrap the X3 and get another?
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