AIBU to consider putting dog down?

How old is she ? Have you thought about setting up a go fund me page to help pay for vets fees. Friends and family may help.

I’d get a second? third? specialist opinion, OP. The fact they haven’t even tried steroids wouldn’t fill me with confidence at all. I think there’s more than likely an answer to what your DDog’s condition is. I wouldn’t want to PTS until I was damn sure I knew what it was and the prognosis.

Our neighbours had a cat that looked like something out of a horror film. It had hardly any fur and a lot of large suppurating wounds. They were going to put it to sleep, but by chance a locum vet saw it, diagnosed an allergy (I want to say it was to flea saliva, but I might be misremembering - point is that it was a rare reaction and the poor cat was hypersensitive) and the cat was given medication and looked completely normal after a few months.

So, I would keep PTS on the table, but just get some more investigation from elsewhere before making that very final decision. Not only does that give your dog a chance of being helped, but I think it would make the decision easier for you if it needed to be done.

An 8 year old dog at that. Dog would be so upset at going into kennels etc it would be cruel.

I really believe that pet insurance alongside shows like supervet have really messed up our relationship with animal care. I hear constant stories of elderly animals put through intensive treatment or animals having big scans at the first sign of an issue or animals having lifelong treatment with low quality of life. It wouldn’t of happened before because vets would not suggest £11k worth of treatment outside of things like a bad accident on a young animal where full recovery was possible.

your dog is in pain and sad. She cannot consent to have more operations and other painful treatments. Maybe give all the things like diet and air freshener a try if you haven’t but after that I’d put her to sleep poor thing .

For what life @Sorrentino ?

More painful and stressful surgeries? More endless vet treatment which she already hates? Stinking sores that keep getting infected and are probably painful? Would you choose that? Because I know I wouldn't.

You would be more upset than her.

She won’t know it is happening. They can even do it in your home.

I would like to think I would make the same decision but it is so hard I’m not confident I would be as responsible and unselfish as you.

I don’t think you said the breed of your dear dog? . Some people think 8 isn’t old but it is, some dogs’ life expectancy is less. The condition sounds absolutely horrendous. Poor poor dog. I love dogs, I’m surrounded by 3 sleeping woofers, but I would pts. And you shouldn’t let this experience stop you having another dog in future, maybe a healthy mutt from a shelter, when it feels right. 💐

Trying to re-home a dog who's already had thousands spent on a condition without resolution? Really?

Sorry, just saw in a later post your pup has already seen a specialist. I would ask them if they're able to refer you to anyone else more specialised or potentially a veterinary university - they sometimes take unusual cases as case studies and will treat free of charge.

is it worth speaking to a shelter to see if she can be re-homed instead of being put to sleep? It sounds like she has a lovely personality and is loving her life still even if the sores are making her uncomfortable. I'd speak to the Dog's Trust to see whether they can offer an alternative which isn't 'final'.

Has your dog seen a dermatologist or specialist, or is it just your regular vet? A specialist vet is much more likely to be able to diagnosis a condition as well as formulate a treatment plan that actually works. My local vets suggested a certain treatment for my 8 year old staffy, or to put her down. We self referred to North Downs Specialist Referrals, saw a specialist vet and she had a completely different course of treatment which hadn't been offered by our vets (in fact, they hadn't heard of it) which put her condition into remission. I appreciate you've already had a significant financial outlay, however I highly recommend even just a consult with a specialist before making the final decision to have her put down.

I would see a specialist vet. One that specialised in dermatological issues.

It's a hard decision. I've put two dogs down in my time. It was amongst the two most difficult things I've ever had to do.

Both dogs walked into the vets. It's the biggest responsibility you have as an owner to judge when it is their time and their quality of life or outlook is not good.

I didn't analyse the decision for too long it was more instinct from owning my dogs for so long.

Absolutely heartbreaking. I'm sorry.

Yes, do ask. Steroids went out of fashion for a while and they do have some side effects but as a last resort they are definitely worth a go. You would want to give them alongside antibiotics initially, start at a higher dose of steroids and if they work, taper them down to the lowest effective dose. Sometimes that means every other day. Or every day.

Ah...didn't know that.

I think he's an orthopaedic surgeon not a dermatologist?

Euthanasia is fine in this scenario.

Pet insurance is hit and miss - you may well have ended up spending a lot anyway with excess, exclusions, raised premiums after the first year so I wouldn't worry too much about that.

Have you tried her on long term steroids? (There's a saying in the vet world that nothing should die without steroids). If not they are worth a go - cheap and cheerful.

If I wanted a last attempt at trying I'd find the money to visit Noel Fitzpatick and get his advice.

She's in pain, uncomfortable and clearly being driven around the bend with it all.

It's a kindness to let her sleep. I'd rather it be a day early than a day late.

I just want to send hugs!

I could have written this post last year 😭My little dog had almost tumour like lumps and towards the end, he just couldn't leave them alone. I spent a fortune at the vets for months.. steroids...pain killers... you name it, we tried it. I bought every lotion going off the internet to try and cure him.

He was still eating...still loving his walks but the quality of his live was being taken over by the constant licking/irritating of the lumps.

One day I just woke up and knew we had to PTS. It was the hardest thing I've ever done... but also the kindest for him. It's set me off just typing it 😢

I think you know deep down when the time is right 🐶

Have you tried her on a natural rearing/anti-inflammatory diet at all?
I personally wouldn't put her through any more operations but I would definitely try diet change first, if you haven't already, before euthanasia.

I would have the dog PTS, she sounds unhappy and miserable.

This!

It sounds like you have a few new options to explore, but it's not wrong to want to put an end to an animal suffering, no matter how much you love them.

Have you tried a specialist dermatologist? Maybe a referral is needed.

I don't know what area you are in but if it's the North West, I can highly recommend Chris Manning at Hillcrest Vets in Chorley. He is completely honest and is definitely not in it to make money out of people who can't afford it. My lab used to get terrible weeping sores in between his toes, I got told all sorts by other vets, grass seeds etc and got prescribed expensive creams that didn't work. Chris took one look and prescribed steroids, telling me the good news was that they were relatively cheap. They worked within a few days and he never got an infection again.