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.

Firstly insurance isn't always cost effective. We have never had it and the amount we have paid out for vet bills over the years is less than insurance would have been. Plus once the dog has a condition they often exclude it from future payouts.

Secondly it's not fair to leave a dog in pain so PTS might be what is best for a dog that has already suffered.

I wouldn’t. I’d think first of the very young OP, who has no family support and is doing her best. Be at peace with whatever you decide, OP. I hope you have some good people around you in real life

You’re not being unreasonable about your capacity to care for your dog but I think you could explore other options, like a charity or rehoming her. I appreciate that is likely easier said than done but I think you’ll feel better for exploring other options before putting her to sleep.

Plus once the dog has a condition they often exclude it from future payouts

Good insurance doesn’t. My DDog developed a condition when she was in her older years. It required vet appointments and meds. All of that was covered by my insurance with me paying a tiny percentage of the total cost. When the insurance was renewed each year, they carried on covering her for that condition.

I know insurance isn’t cheap, but it’s worth it IMO. You’re paying for peace of mind. Yes, maybe your dog will never ever be ill and you’ve ‘wasted’ the money, but maybe your dog will be like a friend’s dog, who wasn’t insured, and developed a very rare condition, had to be taken by pet ambulance to a specialist vet, and, all in all, cost thousands of pounds some years ago.

Sounds like a French Bulldog. I have that breed and these are typical things that occur. We had her insured until the beginning of the year, but the monthly premium jumped from just over £100 a month to just under £200 a month. £80 hike. It is because she is now 10. Max vet fee claim limited to £5k. Just not financially viable.

So OP, insurance isn't necessarily your friend as a dog ages, especially certain breeds.

I am so sorry for the situation you find yourself in. I can only echo what other people have said - go talk to your vet and see what they suggest.

I could understand a decision to PTS if it was financially unviable. This is unfortunately the downside of pet ownership. It's very easy for anonymous people in their armchairs telling you THEY wouldn't hesitate to take out a £10K loan if the budgie fell off it's perch, but whether they actually would in real life, who knows. Don't worry about them, do what's right for you.

💐

Some breeds 7 is elderly.

Ask the vet your options, and what people do in this situation.

I will never get a pet again

It sounds like your dog is a smaller breed. I know a lot of chihuahuas have the knee and trachea issues.
There are small rescues who will take on dogs with health issues. They tend to do fundraising via Facebook. One I follow on Facebook is Silver Fox Rescue. They predominantly have small dogs and do a lot to care for the dogs that come in with health issues. I'd try reaching out to someone like that if you go down the rehoming route. Sorry you're in this situation.

That’s extortionate! Our vets were lovely, came to the house and we got her ashes back for £120, it was a few years ago though.

I would PTS as it sounds like you dog has many recurring conditions and will be in pain alot and be a money pit. Many dogs don't live that long and you've done a brilliant job looking after the dog in your circumstances. If you get a dog in future, get one which is not a breed prone to bad health.

It's always better to be too early than too late where PTS is concerned.

You might, when you are older and a bit more financially secure.

I am sorry you have discovered the flip side of having a pet so young. I do feel for you.

Dogs very expensive, many people have change in circumstance which means can’t afford.

Never is a long time.
You are young. You have decades and decades ahead of you.
It is heartbreaking to be having to make this decision, but, in time, your situation will change. And one day you might be able to offer a loving and stable home to a pet.

This is awful. It should be illegal to have a dog without insurance, like car insurance.
Op get back in touch with your estranged parents and ask them to pay as this is all their fault. Or contact your local rehoming place.

In ten years time you may feel very differently.

This dog will never be "well"
Specific breed dogs are not natural creatures - humans bred them to be strange shapes and bloodlines.
Let this one go and in time the right one that adult you wants will turn up.

You are far too young to saddle yourself with a debt for treatment that may not even work. The dog is suffering, let it go peacefully and get on with your life.

I think lots of times that we can make our beloved pets miserable by our desire to ‘stick them back together’. There’s a reason that wolves in the wild don’t go around with wheels on, for example.
In this situation, I wouldn’t feel guilty about PTS.

Vet nurse here. Luxating patellae aren’t necessarily a ‘must do’ operation. Many small breeds live fine without the operation doing. The issue is if it’s causing her significant pain then you might need to speak to a vet about keeping her comfortable that way. I would say it’s completely unreasonable to put a dog down that has the health conditions you’ve listed personally. I’d look into rehoming options etc: some may take your dog in with their issues. Or alternatively, as a pp has suggested try crowdfunding. I’m sorry if this seems harsh but it seems as though you haven’t looked into enough alternative funding options but equally I have to state euthanasia is always a treatment option. I know it’s not always palatable but it is our responsibility to keep our pets out of pain and if we cannot do that then euthanasia is always an option so I guess I’m saying the fact you’ve recognised that is a good thing but please make sure you’ve exhausted all other options first. Good luck.

Uh huh... Well, fortunely for you it sounds like you didn't have to put yourself in debt at that age to the tune of thousands you couldn't afford. Bit hollow really to say you would have, as you didn't have to 🙄

is there any other treatment they can offer?

Try Dogs Trust and RSPCA first , they might be able to help.
Im so sorry, this is really hard for you.

She’s supposed to set herself and the dog up for homelessness, duh! 🙄

So sorry to read this.

No suggestions, but I had to have my elderly lab PTS - such a hard decision .

Chat to the vet and explain the situation

x

1. apart from a charity, of which spaces are very limited, no one is going to want to take on a dog with known long term health issues.
2. shes 19 and estranged from her family already. I can’t imagine she has a huge network to ‘beg borrow and steal’ from.

hugs op x