Terrible Person to Rehome a Dog That Needs Back Surgery?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, you are a terrible person for considering putting down or giving your dog away because she is no longer convenient to your life.

Your knee jerk post is wrong. And you know it.

For most situations, there are valid arguments for and against surgery or euthanasia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, you are a terrible person for considering putting down or giving your dog away because she is no longer convenient to your life.

This post is unnecessary and cruel.

For most people in this country, spending thousands of dollars on a dog is an extravagant luxury at best and an extreme hardship/sacrifice/impossibility in most cases.

Putting the dog down is a kind and reasonable alternative to having him suffer or become paralyzed.

Don't let your craziness regarding dogs color your logic or compassion for the hard decisions people need to make for their pets.

[Anonymous]

I feel that OP is looking to provoke, since she knows full well that some posters on the Pet forum are adamantly against giving up one's pet, and she hasn't even received a prognosis and treatment options from the vet.

OP, all this is a bit premature.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I feel that OP is looking to provoke, since she knows full well that some posters on the Pet forum are adamantly against giving up one's pet, and she hasn't even received a prognosis and treatment options from the vet.

OP, all this is a bit premature.

No.

It sounds like OP is looking for advice and is getting a couple of good suggestions.

She just has to filter out the crazy dog before humans posters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, you are a terrible person for considering putting down or giving your dog away because she is no longer convenient to your life.

+10,000.

[Anonymous]

You know DCUM. Only very, very rich people should have houses, pets, or children, because they could unexpectedly become much more expensive than you ever anticipated, and that's your fault for not being prepared.

Or maybe, real life means hard choices. OP, I would also put her down before giving her up to someone who might do it anyway. At the very least, let her last moments be with those she knows and loves. I would also try the meds first, though. Why not?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I feel that OP is looking to provoke, since she knows full well that some posters on the Pet forum are adamantly against giving up one's pet, and she hasn't even received a prognosis and treatment options from the vet.

OP, all this is a bit premature.

Lol no, I assure you I am not. Having been down this road before, with similar symptoms, is what’s causing me to unfortunately start thinking ahead. When we did the surgery the first time (agin, 5k, not exactly a drop in the bucket) it all happened within 48 hrs of her initial symptoms. We were told there was 90% chance it wouldn’t happen again. Obviously, that 10% is not predictable.

This is not saying “hey, my dog is acting weird, should I give it away?”

I will try meds first no matter what. But again the reality is we can’t do the surgery again. And yes, I obviously need to go to the vet for any of that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most rescues are all-volunteer and operate on shoestring budgets. $5000 would help a lot of healthy dogs.Even if a rescue accepts the dog you have no control of what happens next. If indeed expensive surgery is needed and the rescue feels the prognosis is not good they could just put her on medication or decide to euthanize. And if the issue is resolved and someone adopts her they could decline expensive treatments or medications later and put the dog down.
Get a second and third opinion for your dog. There is a well-reputed place in Richmond called Helping Hands that does surgeries for much less than regular vet places in this area.

No longer in the DC area but used to live right down the road from Helping Hands!!! I think someone mentioned doing something out of state. I may look into Veternarian Schools- I think Clemson has one- maybe that would be an option. At 6.5 months pregnant not ideal but....

Clemson does not have a vet school. Where are you? If you are in SC the closest vet schools are NCState in Raleigh or Goeorgia in Athens.

And I agree most back problems get better with rest and pain medicine, they certainly don't all need surgery.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most rescues are all-volunteer and operate on shoestring budgets. $5000 would help a lot of healthy dogs.Even if a rescue accepts the dog you have no control of what happens next. If indeed expensive surgery is needed and the rescue feels the prognosis is not good they could just put her on medication or decide to euthanize. And if the issue is resolved and someone adopts her they could decline expensive treatments or medications later and put the dog down.
Get a second and third opinion for your dog. There is a well-reputed place in Richmond called Helping Hands that does surgeries for much less than regular vet places in this area.

No longer in the DC area but used to live right down the road from Helping Hands!!! I think someone mentioned doing something out of state. I may look into Veternarian Schools- I think Clemson has one- maybe that would be an option. At 6.5 months pregnant not ideal but....

Clemson does not have a vet school. Where are you? If you are in SC the closest vet schools are NCState in Raleigh or Goeorgia in Athens.

And I agree most back problems get better with rest and pain medicine, they certainly don't all need surgery.

I’m in a South Carolina so those options, esp N.C. State may be doable.
I have her on crate rest through the weekend.
Obviously this is an emotional decision, too! I love my dog. A lot.

I think I’m def learning that meds/rest may help (last time it wasn’t really presented as a real option- it was surgery now or put her down.

[Anonymous]

Crate rest can work miracles in many cases. Hang in there--likely drugs and rest will bring your dog back

If it ends up requiring surgery, then I personally think euthanasia is the right choice over rehoming. $5k can save 50 healthy dogs.

[Anonymous]

We thought we might have the same issue (Doxie who had surgery going close to down again). Crate rest and meds was the ticket. And major changes in routine - crated when we are not home so can’t jump on things. Vet managed it with strict crate rets for a month and he is fine. His brother went down a year later (so frustrating) and then had surgery. We have vowed we can’t do surgery for either dog again. We have not looked into it but is wheelchair and option?

[Anonymous]

We thought we might have the same issue (Doxie who had surgery going close to down again). Crate rest and meds was the ticket. And major changes in routine - crated when we are not home so can’t jump on things. Vet managed it with strict crate rets for a month and he is fine. His brother went down a year later (so frustrating) and then had surgery. We have vowed we can’t do surgery for either dog again. We have not looked into it but is wheelchair and option?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most rescues are all-volunteer and operate on shoestring budgets. $5000 would help a lot of healthy dogs.Even if a rescue accepts the dog you have no control of what happens next. If indeed expensive surgery is needed and the rescue feels the prognosis is not good they could just put her on medication or decide to euthanize. And if the issue is resolved and someone adopts her they could decline expensive treatments or medications later and put the dog down.
Get a second and third opinion for your dog. There is a well-reputed place in Richmond called Helping Hands that does surgeries for much less than regular vet places in this area.

No longer in the DC area but used to live right down the road from Helping Hands!!! I think someone mentioned doing something out of state. I may look into Veternarian Schools- I think Clemson has one- maybe that would be an option. At 6.5 months pregnant not ideal but....

Clemson does not have a vet school. Where are you? If you are in SC the closest vet schools are NCState in Raleigh or Goeorgia in Athens.

And I agree most back problems get better with rest and pain medicine, they certainly don't all need surgery.

I’m in a South Carolina so those options, esp N.C. State may be doable.
I have her on crate rest through the weekend.
Obviously this is an emotional decision, too! I love my dog. A lot.

I think I’m def learning that meds/rest may help (last time it wasn’t really presented as a real option- it was surgery now or put her down.

Always get a couple of opinions if someone is insisting on surgery. There might be less drastic options. However if there is no choice and you cannot afford it it is okay to let her go peacefully, rather than the stress of rehoming.

[Anonymous]

Blue ridge vet in purceville Virginia does MRIs for about half the price of places in NOVA. My dog had an MRI there a couple months ago and I was happy with them. Cost was about $1300

[Anonymous]

Ideally you would’ve purchased pet insurance after that first surgery . It would’ve helped the cost. I can’t help you with your choice.