Terrible Person to Rehome a Dog That Needs Back Surgery?

[Anonymous]

We have a six year old dachshund that is starting to display back pain symptoms over the last week. Two years ago, it started off the same way and she ended up needing back surgery to the tune of $5000. Half of that was for the diagnostic MRI.
We love our dog, but I don’t know if we can afford to go through this again only two years later. I am 6 1/2 months pregnant with my second. After the first surgery, we agreed we wouldn’t do it again (hoping to never make that choice- 10% recurrence rate) but the options were basically surgery, long term pain meds, or put her down. I feel like it’s cruel to put her down for back pain that IS fixable but crueler just to keep her alive and suffering. And then what if she needs ANOTHER surgery?!
I also feel like her quality of life stinks right now with us- with an 18 month old, another on the way she gets no attention like she used to.
I guess my only alternative I’ve come up with is giving her up to a rescue that will be able to put her through surgery and find her a better, more chill home.
Am I terrible for considering that?

[Anonymous]

A rescue won’t be able to afford the surgery either. If you give her up, she’ll probably be put down.

[Anonymous]

Why do you think she needs surgery again? She probably just needs some Rimadyl for her back pain. Doxies, Beagles, and Bassets are all prone to this back pain. Take her to the vet.

I have a beagle and a basset and they both have to take back pain meds from time to time due to their long backs. Just get a script for the Rimadyl and she'll be fine in a day or two.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A rescue won’t be able to afford the surgery either. If you give her up, she’ll probably be put down.

Interesting. I would think they would decline to accept her as a rescue instead of accept her and put her down. I mean, most of these rescues tout being a way to keep dogs out of kill shelters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do you think she needs surgery again? She probably just needs some Rimadyl for her back pain. Doxies, Beagles, and Bassets are all prone to this back pain. Take her to the vet.

I have a beagle and a basset and they both have to take back pain meds from time to time due to their long backs. Just get a script for the Rimadyl and she'll be fine in a day or two.

Well, to be fair I don’t know yet. I am taking her in on Tuesday. I just have paranoia that she will because this is how back surgery number one all started (which, was totally justified, I saw the MRI and the immediate relief). So yes, waiting on vet’s opinion, and would for sure try meds first no matter what. But again the diagnostic MRI was about 2500 and at that point I’m not sure we would be able to swing that.

[Anonymous]

Can you take her to another state for surgery?

My sister had back surgery on her beagle a little over a decade ago in the midwest. It was $2000 all in, not $5000.

[Anonymous]

No downside to trying a course of meds. You may have crushed into unnecessary surgery for a chronic condition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A rescue won’t be able to afford the surgery either. If you give her up, she’ll probably be put down.

Interesting. I would think they would decline to accept her as a rescue instead of accept her and put her down. I mean, most of these rescues tout being a way to keep dogs out of kill shelters.

A reputable rescue very well may not accept at all given the challenges of adopting her out, and if they do, it won’t be with the plan of putting her down. But they won’t pay for the surgery, they will only put her on medication. Maybe she’ll be incredibly lucky and will be adopted by someone who is willing to pay for recurring $5k surgeries, but more likely they either adopt her out to someone who will keep her on medication and eventually put her down when that’s not enough anymore, or won’t be able to adopt her out at all given her medical history and will have to put her down.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

I would put her down before I would put her through the distress of going to a rescue home then possibly a home where she may be mistreated.
There is nothing wrong with humane euthanisia

[Anonymous]

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....

[Anonymous]

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

[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.

I wouldn’t call 5k every 2 years “inconvenient.” It is a real expense we have sprung for once but cannot afford to do again. Yes, it breaks my heart to put a price on my dog’s life but the reality is we can’t afford it. Looking for the best option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can you take her to another state for surgery?

My sister had back surgery on her beagle a little over a decade ago in the midwest. It was $2000 all in, not $5000.

Really good idea and I forgot about this possibility!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I wouldn’t call 5k every 2 years “inconvenient.” It is a real expense we have sprung for once but cannot afford to do again. Yes, it breaks my heart to put a price on my dog’s life but the reality is we can’t afford it. Looking for the best option.

It’s not an inconvenience. I couldn’t afford to do that once! Don’t feel bad.