My dog is ill and very aggressive. Need advice.

[Anonymous]

My 7 year old dog has been very sick for two weeks. The vet is running continual blood tests and has narrowed it down to autoimmune, tick-borne disease, or cancer. The dog needs 15 pills a day that have some awful side effects.

He loses control of his bladder frequently. He wets his bedding or whatever he's sleeping on. He needs to go outside every hour and drinks a massive amount of water. When we're not home, we use towels and pads and leave 4 bowls of water. It's 2-3 loads of laundry every day. At night we take turns walking him outside. Neither of us has slept in 2 weeks.

I know this is temporary and we're managing, but the other side effect is aggression. He's bitten my husband's hand, causing bruising and swelling. He attacked me last night and sent me to the emergency room. I'm torn up pretty good. We have a toddler at home and I'm 8 months pregnant. We are keeping the dog far away from the toddler, but I still worry. I can't hire help because he'll hurt them.

This dog is my family, my love. I don't know if it's sleep deprivation or pain from my injuries, but I'm considering having him put down. We're just unequipped to deal with this type of sickness, and he's a danger to us and my child. My husband is absolutely against that. He says we don't give up on our family. He's willing to keep the dog in the laundry room for the rest of his life separated by a baby gate. I'm not sure what's the right thing to do. I love that dog.

The vet said it was going to be awhile to determine the nature of the illness and stabilize his red and white blood cells. In about 5 weeks, I'm going to have a C-Section and newborn. We'll have relatives in the house, and it'll fall to my husband to take care of me, the baby, the toddler, the dog, and our guests. It's not realistic and dangerous for all. Late last night I hatched a plan to have the vet call my husband and tell him it's terminal cancer. But I'm not sure I can do that; it's too deceptive and I respect my husband too much to lie like that.

I'm too tired and in pain and upset to think clearly. What are my options? Please be kind.

[Anonymous]

I don't think you have any other choice but to put your dog down. I'm sorry.

[Anonymous]

You absolutely need to get that dog out of your house!

[Anonymous]

If its temporary, then find a kennel that can take care of him? Otherwise, you will need to get him put down.

[Anonymous]

Can you leave the dog at the vet until they figure out the issue? The dog is obviously in pain and acting out. I wouldn't put him down for this temporary behavior.

[Anonymous]

Sorry op. Any of the 3 possible diagnoses don't sound like they can be easily treated so I don't think putting him down would be unreasonable in your situation. While I understand not wanting to give up on him, it's also important to think about your dog's quality of life. Is he happy? Or is he miserable from all the treatments and side effects? Personally if I was miserable, I would not want someone prolonging my misery, so I would put him down.

[Anonymous]

If you have the funds, board your dog with the vet until its figured out.

Have you talked to your vet about the behavior? Another option would be to keep your dog on a light sedative and muzzled.

[Anonymous]

I would pu the dog down.
If your can't do that maybe talk to the vet about a sedative or
If money isn't a big concern maybe talk to your vet about having the dog stay at the vet's office.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I will ask the vet for a cost estimate for boarding him at the hospital.

I don't think a kennel will work because he needs a great deal of care and I don't want to be sued when he inevitable bites an employee.

Do you think a sedative will make him more confused and vicious? He seems to attack us when it's time to go outside and he doesn't want to go.

[Anonymous]

Has he been tested for thyroid and Cushings? The massive water intake is symptom of the latter . Hypothyroidism can cause aggression but that is probably stemming from his other issues now.

[Anonymous]

I am so sorry. You must be so confused and upset, and your dog must be so uncomfortable as well.

I'd talk to your vet very frankly, if you trust them. Ask what the likelihood is that your dog is going to get better. Ask if there are meds that you can give him, until he gets better, if you think you want to hold out.

[Anonymous]

This must be hard for the dog as well. If it truly is one of these major issues. I think you should put him down, it's humane.
Plus you have now two little ones to focus on. What if by some accident the dog gets out and hurts one of them? Are you okay with even a 1% chance of that?
You love your dog, I think letting him not suffer like this if it's the best option is what you have to do.

[Anonymous]

So sorry OP, I agree with PPs to see about boarding him at a medical facility. You're 8 months pregnant, this is not the time to be stressed or being attacked by your dog. I don't think you should put him down without at least knowing the results of the tests, you'll always wonder if he could have been treated and saved but you've got to get him out of the house before he seriously injures someone or himself. Best of luck, I'm sure this is extremely difficult!

[Anonymous]

OP here. I'm not opposed to euthanasia, particularly if whatever this illness is has relapses. However my husband is not having it. If you are suggesting putting the dog down, keep in mind my vote is only 50%. I will not do this without my family 100% on board. I don't have the words or the conviction to argue though. Any ideas on what to say?

[Anonymous]

I really think you need to go *with your dh* to the vet and ask your vet to lay it on the line in terms of health prognosis and behavior prognosis. In the meantime, you need to have the dog out of the house. He may not be in his right mind, but clearly he is a danger to your family because of his medical issues. If the dog bites you or your dh again -- or God forbid your toddler -- how is your husband going to feel then?

Whether or not it is time to put your dog to sleep, it is past time to have the dog cared for by professionals until you are at a point when it is more clear what the prognosis is and what the options are.

Also the idea of penning your dog in the laundry room for the rest of his life is terrible. That is not showing concern for the dog's welfare but prioritizing your husband's inability to make a decision over the dog's actual welfare.