To put dog down if I can’t afford the vet

[Difficuldecisions]

my situation is, I am estranged from my family so I can’t ask for help. PDSA and other pet charities don’t cover my area. I have checked.
She is 7. I have had her since I was 13. I am 19 now. Parents didn’t believe in insurance. And whilst I was still under age she developed collapsing trachea, and also needed a 3k operation on one knee for luxating patella. She has also been to the vet for eye issues and stomach issues over her life time that she needed injections for, including digestive issues. So it was pointless me getting insurance because of the number of pre existing conditions.
She has now dislocated one of her knees again. And I have no way of affording that not even on a payment plan.
She is in pain but is still herself. I don’t know if I should ask to have her put down.

I'm not sure what the answer is, hopefully someone with good advice will comment but I would look at every possible option before considering having them put down. Could you speak to some charities about rehoming? Or even look at a go fund me? Personally this is one i would donate to for a friend

Seems a shame, and I'm not even sure any vet would do this, but she does seem to have a lot of health issues, so it's a question of quality of life now. The vet may agree with euthanasia, because her quality of life is not good with all her ailments.

I don’t own pets and know little about them. I just wanted to send you some hugs. Age 19 is so young to be estranged from your family. I am sorry you are alone and I hope you have some other support and role models in your life. X

I think if she's ill and you've no way of paying for treatment then putting her down is probably kinder than rehoming. You would always wonder how she had ended up and there's no guarantee the new owners would be willing to pay for her care either or would give her a good home. It's a very sad situation though and my heart goes out to you. It's a lot of money and I think a lot of people couldn't just pay out like that.

By a dislocated knee what do you mean? A luxating patella or a cruciate rupture? Some partial cruciate tears can be healed with strict rest and analgesia. It’s a long slog but might be an option.

Otherwise you could consider rehoming or discussing euthanasia with a vet. After all, a deceased animal cannot be in pain or suffer

Seems a bit extreme putting her down but I understand. Maybe speak to some local rescues for advice. Vets may let you set up payment plans to pay over time. Interest free credit card?

I would try a go fund me first. My niece did one for her cat and a lot of people donated. I am sorry you are facing this decision. You could also speak to an animal rescue for advice.

French Bulldog at all?

She sounds like a really poorly dog that has had a tough time of it.
I strongly disbelieve in allowing dogs to suffer especially if it's because our lack of means.
Even if she were to have the op, recovery, especially on a dog with other issues is absolutely brutal and requires weeks and weeks of crate rest and expensive rehab.
In your situation I'd Put To Sleep.
There are charities that may help; FLOOF for example, but only if you surrender the dog. I can't see this being in the dogs best interests though with that age and medical history.

Even pts cost me nearly £400!

I agree with the others, do whatever you can first to avoid having the dog put to sleep. Go Fund Me, asking the local rescues for help, etc.

Have you tried the Blue Cross? You should call them for advice.

Failing that, the vet may be able to offer a payment plan.

I think you should have a chat with the vet and explain your circumstances. They might think that the dislocation is likely to be the first in a long line of problems with the leg or and that it would kinder to let the dog go. Or they might feel that the dog is perfectly healthy otherwise and might be willing to do an extended payment plan that would suit your budget.

Or, there might be a Dog’s Trust or animal sanctuary in your area who would be able to cover the vets bills and look to rehome them. A massive loss for you, but they’d thoroughly vet any new owners to make sure they were responsible and could be trusted.

Either way, you’re being really brave and a really responsible owner by putting the welfare of the dog first. It’s a horrible situation to be in; I hope you find the right solution.

Gosh, I'm sorry, you must be heartbroken having to make a decision like this.
I wouldn't judge you for having her put to sleep. That's an option you need to discuss with the vet. She's not a healthy dog and sometimes you need to act with kindness.

@Difficuldecisions massive squishes.

1. so you don’t have main animal charities in your area - find a local community group online and ask if anyone knows of anything. Maybe explain your situation. You can use anonymous function to avoid the dickheads that will possibly give you grief.
2. ask vets if they know of anything local animal support charities.
3. our local independent dog charities have in the past fundraised to help animals (and owners) out.
4. you’ve tried so hard to be a responsible owner. If nothing else works. If there is no independent charities etc - then you are not a bad person nor does it mean you love her any less if you have her out down.

I would PTS too OP.

Even if you could find a way to pay, what would you do next time something happened and they needed treatment?

It is absolutely not the wrong thing to do. You are ensuring your pet is safe from future pain and not forever wondering what has happened to them if you have rehomed.

I am sorry you are going through this.

Just seen you said LP in the OP so assume the same in the other leg. Depending on the grade you can sometimes mange with physio etc but these are costly. I understood that she had been treated for her other ailments in the past (hence why insurance not viable). Is she in otherwise good health?

I wouldn't put her to sleep but would try everything to rehome her. Her health isn't that unusual for a 7 year old dog and she's not old by any means

Can you contribute financially to any rescue that can take her ?

Blue Cross take dogs in for fostering and cover vet bills. Is there one near you? They might be able to collect?

yes, if you can't afford to treat her put her down, and soon. It's very cruel to leave your pet in pain.

Speak to the vet. Be honest about your circumstances and they will explain the treatment options available to you within your budget or discuss alternatives with you.

I don’t understand why you would put to sleep rather than rehome or apply for a loan? I would beg, steal or borrow.

I'm so sorry that you are facing this possibility.

Is there any local pet charities that might help.

Maybe surrender her to a pound.

Me too. Loan or credit card. I understand the lack of insurance initially wasn't your fault, but I'd rather be in debt than have a dog PTS instead of treating.

As a 13 year old can’t buy a dog, and dogs count as property- do you actually own this dog or does the family member who bought the dog officially own him?

who is the microchip registered to etc.

A vet may well refuse to PTS without the consent from the person registered as owner on the microchip.

Im sorry as well, but given your dogs history, PTS does sound like the best option.

PTS is an option to consider. We tend to attach human thoughts and emotions to our pets but remember, at the end of the day it's an animal, it doesn't understand the past / future in the way we do. She's not reminiscing about the 7 great years you shared, or thinking about missing you in a future version of life... she's living in the now and if that now is signifucant pain it's unkind to prolong it, just to spare yourself sadness.

Who would take on a dog with an untreated dislocated knee? Also, not everyone is eligible for loans and credit cards. Perhaps the OP is unemployed or is a student.