Would you ever euthanize a pet that had medical issues that were not terminal

[Anonymous]

Assume elderly (10+ years) and the pet had a good life but had slowed down a lot, and is now having regular medical issues that require vet visits. We’ve looked for more economical vets but every visit is $200 or more plus meds.

As my pet ages and with a job loss in our family, I’m just not sure I can afford all of the medical care that will likely be encouraged to prolong his life, and I don’t want to go into debt.

Flame away, and no, I’m not providing more details.

[Anonymous]

Yep. A good last day and a gentle death is a reasonable end in those circumstances. Some people who apparently have more money than common sense will act like you need to bankrupt yourself dragging your pet(s) to years worth of expensive vet visits until they simply can't live anymore. From my perspective, that's cruelty. Most pets know when you're stressed and upset, especially pets you've had for a long time. The pet doesn't want to upset you, and your stress will have a negative impact on the pet's life. It's always better to let them go a little too soon vs. a little too late. Putting a pet down when they're starting to fall apart, but still themselves, is appropriate, especially when your finances aren't going to afford any major medical interventions anyway.

Trying to rehome a senior pet with health issues is also cruel. They're hard to place, and they'll wonder why they get kicked out of their family. Maybe you know a neighbor, friend, or family member who would want to take your pet, but most people don't. Better to take your pet out for whatever would constitute a really great day, and then have a vet come to your home and euthanize them. Keep it as low-stress as possible, and stay with your pet to the end.

[Anonymous]

God no I would not.

[Anonymous]

If the pet has a low quality of life because of those medical issues, then yes.

[Anonymous]

Yes OP, I would, particularly with an older pet with expensive medical issues. Most of us can not afford that now and the animal's quality of life is going down.

I have a friend who bankrupted herself trying to keep her elderly pets alive. It's not a great way to live..

[Anonymous]

I had a basset hound who got out and twisted and broke a leg, the leg had to be taken off and then she was a tri-pawed for several years. No problem.

But then at about 9 she was trying to chase another dog up and down stair and slipped and broke the other leg. I didn't see how the recovery process would go with no front legs in our house and our other dogs and I just had to let her go. I cried and didn't want to, but I did.

[Anonymous]

Only if you would do the same for parents or your children or spouse. You'd do that, right?

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t but I know some people would. If it was strictly financial I would work with my vet to explore some of the resources out there to help people with their pets.

[Anonymous]

My late elderly mom who lived in NYC at the time once spent 6K trying to keep her cat with a brain tumor alive for another year or so because it was her "best friend"

She was also sort off losing her mind, though, it it was also a persian cat and by the time it finally died in her apartment it was all matted and one of the eyes was bulging.

Afterwards she was apparently taking taxis from rescue to rescue in Manhattan trying to adopt another cat but no one would do it. Finally one rescue used her name & list of references to call someone to come get her because they thought she shouldn't be wandering alone in the state she was in.

It was very very very sad

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Only if you would do the same for parents or your children or spouse. You'd do that, right?

You're nuts. A miserable animal doesn't know that you are trying to help it, or that they will have a longer life if they endure dialysis or whatever. They just know they are miserable.

[Anonymous]

The expense would have to be astronomical before I would ever consider it. I have pet insurance so hopefully I won't be in this position. I would give up a lot of things before I'd euthanize my pets for financial reasons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Only if you would do the same for parents or your children or spouse. You'd do that, right?

You're nuts. A miserable animal doesn't know that you are trying to help it, or that they will have a longer life if they endure dialysis or whatever. They just know they are miserable.

However you want to rationalize your abject cruelty, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Only if you would do the same for parents or your children or spouse. You'd do that, right?

You're nuts. A miserable animal doesn't know that you are trying to help it, or that they will have a longer life if they endure dialysis or whatever. They just know they are miserable.

However you want to rationalize your abject cruelty, OP.

Putting an old sick pet back into the shelter system is cruel.

[Anonymous]

you do what you HAVE to do but that sounds awfully cruel... almost inhumanely cruel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:you do what you HAVE to do but that sounds awfully cruel... almost inhumanely cruel.

I know! How could one part with one of their half dozen fur babies!!!