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.

Bless you. You’ve been so brave just to come on here. I hope you find the answers you need and please don’t listen to those, telling you to get into debt or that you don’t love your dog. You’re being as responsible as you can be and hopefully your dog can live with the injury and be treated with painkillers. If they prescribe paracetamol, you can just get the human ones from the chemist (you have to say it’s for you otherwise the chemist will refuse to sell it to you) and give her the correct dosage for example.

Are there any breed specific charities that can help e.g. F.L.O.O.F, Schnauzerfest, Spaniel Aid

OP, talk to your vet about your dogs quality of life. If it is going to be poor, put it down. If it isn’t, try rehoming. Your vet will understand and guide you through the situation. Don’t be afraid to talk to them. This is a heartbreaking situation and I really feel for you. X

I also echo what pp have said - do not get into debt over vet bills, even if someone is willingly to lend the money to someone so young!

@Difficuldecisions "PDSA and other pet charities don't cover my area." So you also don't have a local Blue Cross, RSPCA, or Dogs Trust?

I’ve never felt the need to comment on one of these threads before, but how on earth do you think talking to someone, who is clearly facing a dilemma about the best way forward, about ‘killing’ their pet is helpful? Especially someone who doesn’t appear to have a large support network to get them through a tough decision.

Are you for fucking real?????
I hope you live with the nastiness of your words forever and they HAUNT YOU.😡

Wow, that’s bloody harsh.

@Difficuldecisions I have sent you a private message with some very specific advise, please please do not take to heart some of the very nasty comments in this thread. Some folk shouldn't be allowed on the internet without a responsible adult supervising them!

Please don’t tell a marginalised, alone, isolated, estranged 19 yo to get into debt. It’s wildly irresponsible.

You can choose what you would do for your pet, but humans actually are important and the poor OP didn’t buy the dog as an adult and make choices about the insurance and care. She’s taking responsibility but isn’t responsible for what’s happening.

She had no concept of what that needle was about to do.
It was the right thing.
DO NOT feel guilt for your pet.
Look after your own long term sanity

I've been in the room to have 4 cats put down and watched one die naturally
natural was the worst by far

Hopefully one of these links can help

https://www.dogstrusthopeproject.org.uk/owners/other-free-and-low-cost-vet-care-options-#:~:text=The%20RSPCA%20can%20provide%20veterinary,it%20offers%20vet%20financial%20assistance.

the dogs trust also run a small
emergency fund which you could apply for some money.

depending on the breed there may be breed specific rehoming organisations, at least you will know someone that understands the breed and the health issues could foster the dog until they are rehomed.

what a heartbreaking situation for you, sending so much love x

Yes, you will when the time is right. It is a wonderful thing but it is a responsibility too.

The PDSA will provide vet treatment for people who can't afford it.

I'm so sorry. What a terrible dilemma. 😥

You're very young to be up for this kind of expense so it is unfair your parents aren't meeting the expenses for the dog they originally bought. It doesn't mean you don't love your dog or aren't a good pet owner, just because you don't have the money to pay for expensive treatment.

Your dog sounds like a smaller breed and at 7y is quite young which may mean there's an adoption market for her, even with her health issues. Someone with the finances to look after her might well adopt her and take very good care of her. I have several friends who've taken on small dogs with similar issues. I'd talk to your vet in the first instance to know what the cost/ prognosis would be and then a local pet rehoming charity. The vet might even be able to refer you to one.

For me this would be the kindest option to your dog.

Please try all other options first. A beloved pet can have allsorts of problems but with the right treatment can thrive, like with humans.

I'm sorry you're in this situation, reach out for help, valid pet rehoming sites, gofundme, anything.

Please xx

What breed is she? Small breeds with luxating patella may be manageable with pain killers, there's lots of options. Also check out animaltrust.org.uk

I don’t think suggesting an interest free credit card is the right thing for a 19 year old.

they aren’t interest free forever and by making minimum monthly payments she won’t clear the balance before the interest free period ends. This is how the cycle of debt starts

I’ll turn this round for you. You are in a fairly powerful position. Nowadays - and I speak from personal family and friend experiences - many pet owners spend hundreds, if not thousands of pounds (regardless of insurance) keeping beloved animals alive, when the reality that those who are not so emotionally attached can see - is that the time to say goodbye has arrived (often passed) and that keeping the poor creature alive has become as much about sparing themselves from heartbreak for a little longer as much as providing comfort for their pet. You don’t have that luxury/dilemma. Your dog, I wish you’d told us her name, from what you’ve told us has had an up and down time of it. And now something else has happened which you’re not in a position to remedy. Buckle up for this bit … it’s a dog ! OK, now breathe again. She’s unwell, she’s not going to get much better, if at all any time soon. And she’s loved you unconditionally for her whole life, as I’m sure you have loved her in return. So , do the most loving thing that you can do for her right now. Let her go. I’m sure an understanding vet will help you through what has to be done. But remember, be brave, be with her. The last thing she must see as she sleeps peacefully and painlessly away - is your face. Then you can weep. Oh yes, your heart will be broken, but you’ve acted through love. And although it won’t feel like it, in doing so, you’ve become a stronger woman. And then you can look back and remember all those doggy fun times through your teenage years. Best wishes.

You've got enough on your plate as it is op, please don't put yourself into debt for this x it's ok to pts if it's best all round. You need to think about yourself in this too.

A lot of pounds pts after 7 days. Added stress for the dog.
Try go fund me.

I tried "go fund me" for human.
Do not waste your time.
Take control

Have you had the conversation with your vets? I know a few vets and vet nurses who've taken in animals whose owners were in a similar position to you, and either kept them themselves after treatment or rehomed them. I'm sorry you're in this position, it must be so hard x

Please explain?

As mentioned up thread, my dog insurance has just rocketed up to just under £200 per month with a claim limit of £5k. So I would be paying over £2k to get back a maximum of £5K.

I have cancelled the insurance.

There is definitely something criminal about this situation but it sure as fuck isn't me!