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.

A loan of that amount is unlikely to be affordable or even available to a 19-year-old with no family support. And a dog that needs hundreds, possibly thousands, of pounds worth of veterinary treatment is unlikely to be easy to rehome.

If she’s suffering and any treatment given wouldn’t really give her a quality of life. Then the best option for her is to be PTS.

Say goodbye and have the dog put to sleep.

Have a good think about whether your relationship with your family is repairable. 19 is very young to have no support.

Whilst I agree that this is the fault of the estranged parents, we have absolutely no idea why there is estrangement, and there may well be reasons that said estrangement is essential for the OP's mental health or safety.

I'm sorry you feel that way. You sound like someone who loves their pet very much and just wants the best for them in the circumstances you are in. You have been there for your pet when she has needed you and given her a good life.

Big hugs to you OP - however long we have our dogs for it's never long enough. You sound very sensible and mature. If you decide to go down the PTS route remember he will know nothing but love up until the time he knows nothing.

I'm shocked at the prices people are talking about for euthanasia. We had to have our oldest dog (lab cross) PTS in January and it cost £ 100.00. We didn't want the ashes back but they cut a lock of his hair and took a foot print in clay and with ink for my daughter.

I’m sorry to hear about your circumstances, OP, you don’t deserve to be dealing with this at 19 years old. You sound very mature and like you’re trying your best.

Ignore the comments telling you what to do with a judgemental tone. I’m not in your situation but would just speak to the vet and tell them that you cannot afford any more treatment for the dog. Sometimes when you love someone or something, you have to make a hard choice. it doesn’t mean you love them any less. Hopefully they can rehome her for you, if she can cope with the illness.

I would definitely not do any kind of loan or finance plan. I would really really really avoid getting into debt. There are charities to help with this kind of thing just getting in touch and explain your circumstances and I’m sure they’ll be really kind to you and understanding.

I’m on my own with a child, but I’m in my 30s. Being without a family, a mum a cousin a friend, is hard. I don’t think I would’ve been as strong as you are at 19. Wishing you the very best. ❤️

I'm really sorry you are going through this.

Your options are,

Get credit (card or from your vet). Have you explained your situation to your vet? Some will help by reducing costs and allowing a payment plan

Surrender the animal to a charity who may or may not PTS.

Try crowdfunding. I have seen very successful cases on Reddit/Facebook etc.

Put the animal to sleep.

Ok; I'm guessing she is a brachycephalic breed, like a Pug, or a French Bulldog?
I have owned and worked for a large UK Pug charity (PDWRA) and am very familiar with what you are describing. Please don't have your dog put to sleep. A luxating patella is fixable and very common.
If it is a Pug, please feel free to DM me and I can possibly help-any other breed, contact the breed specific UK rescue and see whether they can help you.

Agree 100%

Really tough decision OP especially for someone so young with no support.

Be kind to yourself.

What is breed is it? Please contact the breed rescue. Each one has one I think and they have regional co-ordintors and volunteers who will pick up your dog and take it to a foster, And offer to give her up/surrender her. They take on poorly dogs, get them right, pay the vet bills and rehome. Please give your dog this chance. Look on facebook for the right groups. They will be sensitive to your circumstances. Do this for the dog, but also for you so you don;t feel guilt. You shouldnt have been put in this positive, but it is still salavagable for you and your dog.

'position'

Exactly this. I am thankfully in a good financial position with pet insurance but I absolutely would not go into debt for a pet. I certainly wouldn’t advise a young person who is already struggling to put themselves into debt for a pet. It may sound heartless but my well being and that of my family takes priority over that of a dog. PTS or re-home if you can.

Car insurance and dog insurance do different things. It's illegal to drive a car without third party insurance, but you don't have to have insurance to cover damage to your own car.

Pet insurance (as we're talking about here) is to cover vets bills. There's a few reasons people don't have health insurance for their pets. In the OPs case, even if she did have insurance, it wouldn't cover her as it's a pre-existing condition. Plus, if the insurance does cover you, you still have to pay an excess, which increases after your dog reaches a certain age. Pet insurance is more akin to travel insurance.

OP, please don't take out any loans you can't afford. Don't go into debt for this.

My cats are not and never have been insured.
I self insure.
And if the proposed bill is insane and the outcome too uncertain
I do as I did two years ago
and have my beloved companion put to sleep to save more pain.

Don't be daft - as her young age the OP won't have any credit history and even if she did somehow manage to get credit, it wouldn't be very much.

It's a tough decision @Difficuldecisions. I wish you well x

Not sure where you are but many small, local rescues would hopefully advise you on the options.

Barney's Small Breed rescue for example sometimes gave dogs with health issues on long term foster.

Lots of people have to surrender their dog due to health costs sadly.

This
From the Royal College Of Veterinary Surgeons

Im not convinced you’d get a vet to agree to euthanise

Where are you based op? Some charities do help out vet fees. I know some near me (Yorkshire). Could you ask the vet if they know of charities who could help.

Ask the vet how much it will cost and what the prognosis is. Look at all your options. It’s not clear if you’ve actually explored insurance. It may be an option, if needed?www.gocompare.com/pet-insurance/pre-existing-medical-conditions/

A 7yr old dog that has had this many health issues? Poor breeding or breed specific problems. What is future prognosis?
I would definitely talk to my vet about if PTS was the kindest option.
I'm sorry that you are faced with this decision as your dog has obviously been there with you for a large part of your life.

Totally agree with the above ^^ Contact the breed rescue. Odds are that they will be able to help.

Is it a breed well known for being poorly bred OP? Like a Frenchie that may have a very short life span anyway? If so I'd have her put down as it's probably the kindest thing. If it's a terrier or something that could easily live till 14 and has just had a bit of a run of bad luck then I'd try really hard to find a rescue that could take her first.

OP I worked in an animal rescue centre for 10 years and only left fairly recently.

Unfortunately all rescues have limited funds and so have to put thoughtful consideration into which animals they take in for rehoming.

I sadly would never have taken your dog in for rehoming. The health issues your dog has would have to be disclosed to any new owner and would likely put them off. Sadly people looking for a new dog think 7 years is ancient so what’s the point? Which is wrong of course, but it’s 90% of peoples reactions even if they themselves are 85! & of course the rescue would have to treat the current issues your dog has so would have to weigh up if it would be a sensible use of limited funds.

As a side note, anyone saying these are normal issues for a 7 year old dog…no they absolutely are not. For a horribly breed French bulldog (or similar) they are common, but they are not “normal”.

I think your best bet is a Go Fund Me as well as discussing options with your vet that aren’t expensive surgery (if there are any). Failing that PTS is not a bad option.

I am so very sorry that you are having to deal with something so heavy, on your own, at 19 years old. There are people who could afford this surgery who would still chose PTS at this point as the dog has been through a lot already.