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If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

The doghouse

Special needs dog re homing. (Long,sorry)

20 replies

QuincyMincemeat · 14/12/2015 16:45

Hi. We've struggled for 3 years with our lurchers epilepsy. He's on pheno and libromide. He has 3-4 fits per month and his recoveries are becoming more and more distressing.He has huge blood sugar drop and will eat through doors and metal bin to get to food. After his latest seizure he went for my mum and ripped her bag, coat and grabbed her scarf round he neck and pulled. She was terrified. He's normally the calmest, kindest, beautiful dog.
It's getting to the point where we can't leave him in case he has a seizure and destroys more of the house, and of course the aggression that's emerging is not good.

We've got 2 choices: add in 2 more medications which we can neither afford to do or want to and they can't guarantee he'd never have another seizure.
2nd choice: have him PTS.

I wonder if there's a 3rd choice: re homing him with someone who specialises in dogs with epilepsy?

Does anyone know if this is a possibility?

OP posts:

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BertrandRussell · 14/12/2015 16:49

He sounds utterly miserable. And now he's dangerous as well. I'm sorry, but you should have him PTS and soon. For his good.

LeaLeander · 14/12/2015 16:51

How old is the dog?

At least try contacting some rescue groups for advice. Poor creature.

QuincyMincemeat · 14/12/2015 16:55

He's 5, nearly 6.

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QuincyMincemeat · 14/12/2015 16:57

I'm googling special needs rescues but not coming up with much. Just thought someone on here might know.

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mrslaughan · 14/12/2015 16:58

I am sorry - but I really think your only option is PTS. As awful as it is for us, it should be painless and peaceful for him.
We had a cat with epilepsy who would come around from a fit and attack you, that is slightly easier to deal with than a dog........I just don't see a rescue as an option, and I can't imagine anything more awful for a dog that has been loved and lived in a family home to be relegated to living in kennels for the rest of its life.

BertrandRussell · 14/12/2015 16:59

And think how he's feel being re homed- just one more confusing thing in his life.

flanjabelle · 14/12/2015 17:00

I think you should put the poor thing out of his misery. That is no life for him, please don't try to rehome him, he will just end up in kennels. You need to let him go op.

orangepudding · 14/12/2015 17:02

I agree that having him pts would be the kindest thing.

LyndaNotLinda · 14/12/2015 17:03

I think PTS is the only answer. He must be so scared and upset at his behaviour.

I'm so sorry - how awful for you all :(

QuincyMincemeat · 14/12/2015 17:03

I know. He would hate being in kennels. This is so difficult. The vet also thinks he might be in pain after seizures too as he clamps onto things (chairs, dining table etc) and won't release.

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wallywobbles · 14/12/2015 17:06

I cannot see a better ending than having him PTS to be honest. You can do it very sympathetically, at home with you all cuddling him. When I did this it was the last time I cried. It was so much better than the alternatives. The idea is so much grimmer than the reality.

QuincyMincemeat · 14/12/2015 17:07

Thanks for your kind words. It's very useful to have another perspective. We've been living like this for 3 years and have really normalised a lot of it. When you tell people what's going on they're shocked at what we've all had to deal with. Our poor darling boy. My heart's breaking.

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SconeForAStroll · 14/12/2015 17:16

Quincy, you are the very best kind of dog owner.

I had to make the decision for my darling SconeDog earlier this year, and although I know it was right, and that it was a release for him, my heart still broke. And still does quite regularly.

But we have that ability to say, time is not always a friend to our beloved companions. We can put an end to their sadness and confusion. I think it would be kindest to let him go.

elastamum · 14/12/2015 17:24

I think the kind thing to do would be to PTS. You should take comfort in the knowledge that a dog lives in the present and doesn't experience the world like we do, so he wont be thinking or what he might do tomorrow, or what he did last week, he will either be well and happy or unwell and scared. Much kinder to PTS on a good day than wait for a bad day or big crisis when he hurts someone.

It will be heart breaking, but you will be doing the right thing for him.

QuincyMincemeat · 14/12/2015 17:28

Thank you Scone and Elasta. I have been thinking 'what has to happen' before we take action. I have 7 yo ds and would never forgive myself if something happened to him.

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Floralnomad · 14/12/2015 18:10

If you can stretch to it I'd try a month or so on the new medication to see if it works and if that fails PTS .

LyndaNotLinda · 14/12/2015 18:15

But Floral they can't afford the 2 more meds

QuincyMincemeat · 14/12/2015 18:20

It would be a stretch to afford it. I don't really want him on 4 types of meds and the associated stress they'll put on his body (liver especially)

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YeOldeTrout · 14/12/2015 18:43

Maybe see if this book gives you ideas. My epileptic lurcher.

Booboostwo · 14/12/2015 19:41

I would seriously consider PTS.

If you can't bring yourself to do it see if there isn't an FB group for owners of epileptic dogs. Talk to them, they will have a good idea about what is involved in taking care of a special needs dog and there may be someone who is able to rehome him.

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