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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To have my dog put down?

52 replies

GiveMeVegemite · 20/07/2013 16:08

My dog has spent the past 4 weeks in antibiotics and anti inflammatories due to a lump in her neck, which has a big pussing open wound on the surface. The lump has decreased in size, but she is in a LOT of pain and the wound is not healing. So far we have spent £300 on drugs to try and make her better. She has also lost about 10 kilos!

We took her to the vet this morning and now they are saying she needs surgery, blood work, biopsie, anaesthetic etc which will cost another £1000 due to the difficult location of the lump and that they probably won't be able to remove it all due to nerves and arteries and she will probably need another operation, and definitely need one if it is cancerous.

Our dilemma is, she was booked to be rehomed next week, but obviously no new owner is going to fork out the bill for this and we are going back to Australia, hence the reason she was being rehomed! So basically my husband wants to have her out down, but I'm not sure I can live with the guilt, without trying to get her better first.

What would you do?

OP posts:
WineNot · 20/07/2013 16:10

Honestly? If she'd been in pain and losing weight for weeks, I'd have had her PTS already, regardless of rehoming.

Original poster
GiveMeVegemite · 20/07/2013 16:11

What is PTS?

OP posts:
Original poster
GiveMeVegemite · 20/07/2013 16:12

She has been to the vet every weekend for the past 4 weeks with us trying to get her better....

OP posts:
OldLadyKnowsNothing · 20/07/2013 16:12

Sorry, I agree with dh. Poor animal is suffering now, can't be rehomed (and rehoming when she's ill would be no kindness either) and presumably can't go with you.

Arcticspill · 20/07/2013 16:12

Unless you are going to postpone the move I don't see you have a choice except to have her put down. How old is she? I wouldn't feel guilty about it. It doesn't sound a straightforward op at all and here are no guarantees she will recover.

OldLadyKnowsNothing · 20/07/2013 16:12

PTS = put to sleep

Whothefuckfarted · 20/07/2013 16:13

I would have had insurance.. but I guess that's no good for your current situation.

How old is the dog? If it's a young dog I think to put it down in these circumstances is very very very unreasonable. That's putting it politely..

I have been in your situation with a stray cat I took in. He'd been with me a month when he ended up with an infection. A serious one. 50/50 chance according to the vet. I couldn't look the poor thing in the eye and say, 'well I can't afford it, so you're going to have to die'

I put the £900 quid bill on my credit card. He's still here happy as larry 6 years later.

If you don't have the money I understand, it's a very difficult situation.

Cheddars · 20/07/2013 16:15

Have you asked the vet's opinion? How old is the dog?

Original poster
GiveMeVegemite · 20/07/2013 16:16

She is 7 years old. We really don't have the money, otherwise we would have paid to take her with us to Oz. I just feel so terrible, but she is in so much pain I think putting her down might be the best option :(

OP posts:
VirgoGrr · 20/07/2013 16:18

If the vet understands your position, can they do blood tests etc first to give you an idea of whether she might have a fighting chance or indicate something more serious? That wouldn't be a big outlay and would probably make you feel better about the decision if you have a bit more information.

Original poster
GiveMeVegemite · 20/07/2013 16:18

One vet said that to operate would be too risky to even try, given the location of the lump and if the antibiotics don't work then we need to prepare for the worst (they aren't working). The other vet said she would try and operate, but couldn't guarantee how much, if any of the lump she would be able to remove, she might just do a biopsy....

OP posts:
GobblersKnob · 20/07/2013 16:19

With you moving it makes it more difficult, but I faced a very similar situation with a pet rat recently, large infected lump on his neck, which just would not respond to antibiotics alone, he had the op, it cost me a LOT of money, he lived for another five months, but then five months is a long time to a rat.

I don't know what to say, I don't see how you can put an animal down that is curable, sorry.

OldLadyKnowsNothing · 20/07/2013 16:22

With one vet saying the lump is inoperable, and the other uncertain, I don't think the dog is curable.

crashdoll · 20/07/2013 16:22

Regardless of you moving, it sounds like your poor dog is already suffering and very unwell. I know it's hard but it sounds like the best thing to do is let her be put to sleep. Sad

Whothefuckfarted · 20/07/2013 16:23

Gobbler

That's exactly how I felt with the stray cat I took in, I just couldn't have him put to sleep when I knew there was a chance he would be okay.

If the chance of survival is less than 50% for the dog then I can see how putting him down would seem the best option.

Ask the vets straight for percentages. If only for your own peace of mind.

Poor doggy :(

VirgoGrr · 20/07/2013 16:23

You do have to take into account that you cannot explain to an animal why they are suffering, sometimes it is the kindest option.
My dog developed leukaemia and the vet advised that they just can't expose an animal to that level of treatment as it just isn't fair on them. If there's an indication of cancer that isn't readily removable, I think I'd probably say it might be for the best.

throckenholt · 20/07/2013 16:26

I think you have given it a good shot - it hasn't mended with 4 weeks treatment and she is not well (losing 10Kg is a lot - and likely to be more than just an inflamed lump).

Don't put her through any more (even if you could afford it) :(

Sparrowlegs248 · 20/07/2013 18:24

There are worse things for a dog to go through than being pts. You cannot be certain of her future, and can't afford a treatment. It will be worse for you (guilt) than her. As a final kindness have the vet come to your home. Your dog can sit on you while they give her an injection and she will go to sleep. No different than a general anesthetic (for her). It is heartbreaking to lose a pet in any circumstances and i really feel for you and your dog.

poachedeggs · 20/07/2013 18:37

You've clearly thrown everything possible at this condition and are at last resort stage. She is suffering. The prognosis is guarded. And dogs have no concept of the future so euthanasia is not a welfare concern for her.

Some people feel that where there's life, there's hope. But for a sentient animal whose quality of life is poor and for whom treatment will involve invasive, painful and potentially unsuccessful surgery, 'putting a potentially curable animal down' is an ethical consideration, not a welfare argument. Dogs don't give a toss about ethics, but they can certainly experience deteriorating welfare.

I'm a vet BTW.

Original poster
GiveMeVegemite · 20/07/2013 19:29

Thanks so much for all your responses. I am absolutely heartbroken at the though of putting her down. I have decided to use another weeks worth of antibiotics and anti inflammatories, clinging to the hope that they might help, but I know I am clutching at straws. If there is still no improvement by next weekend then I will get the opinion of both vets again and then probably put her down if they are still saying the prognosis isn't good, even if they do operate.

I am 29 weeks pregnant so trying not to get too hormonal and upset about it all :(

OP posts:
WaitMonkey · 20/07/2013 19:32

Poor doggy. Hopefully the weeks extra medicine will help.

HaPPy8 · 20/07/2013 19:36

I would still try and get her re-homed. There may be someone willing to take her on. Poor dog.

Arcticspill · 20/07/2013 22:28

Listen to the vet who has posted above ! Let her go and on not account send her to strangers while she is sick, deteriorating and likely to cost them a lot.

Original poster
GiveMeVegemite · 21/07/2013 09:56

I would never let her be rehomed in the state she is in, I know she wouldn't have a chance with anyone else and at least she is comfortable here. I'll give it another week and then decide whether to do the operation or not. Fingers crossed she improves a bit. Thanks for all your comments. I was expecting to get slated, but you have all been really helpful and kind.

OP posts:
annabanana84 · 21/07/2013 10:21

Aww sweetie, I'm so sorry you're going through this.
Sometimes we have to think about the animal rather than our own feelings which can override what we really should do for the best.
I was in the same predicament with my 15 year old Yorkie. He was blind and almost deaf, and a lump had appeared on the side of his snout. It wouldv'e been £2000 to find out what it was and treat it, but it was obvious he was in pain, and if I would've subjected him to more operations and treatment, it would have been even more stressful and painful for the lad, so we made the decision to have him put to sleep and oh my god, I thought my heart was going to literally break. It was terrible, but he was no longer in pain and went at a time where he had enjoyed his life and we had lots of happy memories with him, rather than have memories of him in pain and suffering as he may have done. Time is a healer, and now I smile when I remember him instead of feeling sad. Please don't put him through further pain, and then the stress of him being rehomed. Let him go while life is still good for him. Let him go and jump over the clouds and run for miles, and one day, you will meet again.