your hurt dog and vet prices UPDATE
My four year old dauther's yellow lab Got hit by a truck last night and has both front legs broke, and a broke hip. She is a heathy 4 year old and a real babysiter that is only a few steps away from my dauther at all times. Should I put her to sleep ,
or pay a vet $3000 to fix her. Thanks for your input
UPDATE
Just got back from the vet again and turns out only one front leg is broke the other leg and hip are dislocated. Things look better now so she goes in surgery monday morning. Thanks to everyone for your input.
or pay a vet $3000 to fix her. Thanks for your input
UPDATE
Just got back from the vet again and turns out only one front leg is broke the other leg and hip are dislocated. Things look better now so she goes in surgery monday morning. Thanks to everyone for your input.
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Only you can make that decision but, whatever you do, your daughter will never forget. You can always replace the money but never the love of a child and her dog. 0 -
I will always "fix" my dog if the fixing is permanent. In otherwords I don't do "tests and testing". If the Vet can "do an operation" and the dog can heal to live normal - YES!
In my opinion there is no more love you can get than from a "family pet".
Cost is a relative thing.....If you have it spend it. That is what it is there for. The only limit I have on spending on my dogs is what I have available. (I keep one CC open for vet emergencies)
MOST IMPORTANT.....ask your daughter (is she old enough to understand death or suffering?)
Well, this is my opinion thanks for listening.0 -
She's a member of the
family.Do whatever has to be
done in your
power to keep her healthy.
(One can always make more money
if that's an issue).0 -
I guess I'm just cold, because $3000 dollars is a rediculous amount to pay for a dog unexpectingly. I guess I have a different view of dogs then most people on this board though. A dog is more a tool then a friend to me. I take care of them and treat them well, however I'll not go broke or strain myself finacially for one. I personally don't have that kind of cash to toss around yet. 0 -
quote:One can always make more money
if that's an issue).
rong..
A lot of ppl DONT have the cash, nor do they have credit cards....A lot of vets want the bill paid in full or at least half before even beginning to do the surgery....
Aand also there is the recovery time....Broken hip, 2 broken front legs,...how in the world is she/he going to get around without help?..there are always more vet visits and bills....What about the chance the bones dont heal properly and have to be done again?..or infection?....These things MUST be taken into consideration when making the decision...I have known a 3000 dollar surgery to total over 12,000 when it was all over...
24fan...
You do what you think is best... ask the vet a lot of questions, and then make the decision....0 -
I can see your point and all
issues have to be taken into
consideration.My reply to the post
is what I would do, not
necessarily what others would
do.Should of made that clear.
rong0 -
Ouch.
I have been put in a similar situation, although not this serious. Our cocker spaniel blew out a knee when he was nine. The vet wanted to do surgery, it would have cost a little over $2,000 to do the work. Oscar was my hunting buddy, he fiercely protected me, etc.
Saying that, I couldn't see putting $2,000 into a nine year old dog. We didn't put him down then, he lived to be just shy of 13, and the knee actually healed in about six months.
But, I can relate to the situation nonetheless.
Here's how I'd look at it -- and I'd ask some questions of the vet:
1. Would your dog be healthy at the end of this, or will she be in constant pain for the rest of her life?
2. Does this increase the chances of dysplasia (sp) down the road? If so, how quickly will that accellerate the chances of it coming?
3. What sort of work will YOU (because your kid isn't going to do it) have to do daily, how many times daily, etc. to help your dog rehab?
4. Can you afford it? Seriously, this is very important. Yes, the dog is a member of the family, but if $3000 (make sure this is the TOTAL amount, including follow-up visits, etc.) is going to put the rest of your family in financial straits, then the right choice is to put the dog down.
I know that last one sounds cruel on the surface. I know it does. However, it is a realistic consideration.
If you put down your dog, your daughter is going to be heartbroken. She's probably going to blame you. She might even "hate" you for a bit. This will pass, and more quickly than you will imagine.
Man, my heart goes out to you.0 -
While I agree with everyone else on this, I'll throw my 2 cents in.
Dogs and other family pets are beloved members of your family. You should do what it takes, WITHIN REASON, to keep them healthy and close to you at all times. I agree with Kodiak, 3 grand is a LOT of money for a dog. If you have the money and it is easy to come by for you, by all means, go ahead with the procedure. But, if you're like 95% of the households in America, dropping 3 grand at the drop of a hat to save a pet is hard and in some cases not possible. I personally would not risk my family's financial well being for a pet. If it won't put you in a strain, then go for it.
Whatever you do, it's a tough, tough decision. I'm sure you'll make the right one.
Sorry for your predicament. Best of luck.0 -
I am very sorry about your pet. That's a lot of money and most people can't spend that much on a dog.
My first dog had many problems relating to legs and hips. I figure we spent about $8,000 on surgeries and medications in the last 5 years of her life. I'd spend it again to have her back. She had to leave us in 2004 and I have not gotten over it.0 -
Whatever you decide is the right decision. It is you pet.
Sorry for the tough decision you are faced with.0 -
I paid $1,000 for a broken leg on Iowa a few years ago. With one broken leg, it was incredible hard on the dog. The itching, the tearing out the cotton packing and cast, and the cone on his head were all VERY hard on a dog. Plus he pissed on himself a few times when under stress of a cast and cone. I can't imagine how he would have managed the recover with 2 broken legs and a hip.
BTW, Iowa, a little blue heeler, jumped the fence and was kicking a big brown labs butt. I got out there and picked him up while he was in the neighbors yard. I threw him back over the fence, back into our yard. He landed wrong and broke the leg. Being that I contributed to the accident, I kind of had to pay the vet bill.0 -
Well, you cant replace a good dog. ever. Ive got a golden retriever thats just started having some hip pains. We know he needs put down, and I understand that too
If you broke your legs, and a hip, how would you like it? Not much, ill tell you now, that dog is going to be in ALOT of pain. Your daughter will hate you but explain it to her that its for the better, that hes hurting, he wont hurt any more after, ect ect
I say put him down, simply for all the pain he is in - he was a good dog but will he be able to after the surgery, recovery time, ect?0 -
How did the dog get hit? Was she running loose in traffic? Dogs should be on a leash, when exposed to traffic.
A few weeks ago, some IDIOT was walking his dog without a leash. The dog ran out under my truck. He didn't have the vet option, he just had to get a shovel. His comment, "It was bound to happen sooner or later." I wanted to get out and beat some sense into this IDIOT, for being SO irresponsible.
As for your dilemma, only you can decide if it's affordable/worth it. For some, that amount of $$$ just isn't an option. Will paying it be taking food off your table, or just delay your next gun purchase?
Learning to deal with the loss of a pet/family member is part of growing up. Some kids have to learn about it sooner, rather than later.0 -
..Sorry to hear that you have to make such a decision. Cathy and I have discussed just how far we would go to save a pet. We never settled on a dollar figure, but I'm pretty sure we'd not spend over $500. Many years ago, "Spud" was hit by a car, and we spent $300 to have his shattered jaw set and wired shut. We were just married, and couldn't afford it, but we went ahead. Turned out he was brain damaged and had to be killed anyway.
..I may sound cold, but I've shed more tears over dogs than I have people. I simply have to set my priorities and adjust my perspective. It's a highly individual decision. Best to you.0 -
I'd put him down.
Your daughter is 4 - not an adult. She most likely looks at your dog as more of a toy than a buddy. I would tell her that the injuries the animal suffered were so bad that the dog had to be put down, and that that was the kindest thing you humans could do for him.
It may very well be.
I would also get her a new dog immediately, that didn't look anything like the injured one. She will delight in the new puppy, and the pain of the previous dog's loss will quickly go away.
With all the kids and pets I've had, and living in the country, my family has seen that animals sometimes need to be put down, for their own best interests. In the last 30 years we've lost - one way or another - nine animals we all loved, including numerous cats, three dogs and three horses.
If she learns that loss is a part of living, it will give her a more healthy and realistic view of life.
I don't think the money should be the issue, unless it puts a hardship on your family. If repaired the animal will likely suffer the rest of it's life.
This can give you the opportunity to discuss with your daughter the relative values of human versus animal life.
I'm glad it isn't me making the decision.
Doug
* edited for - guess what - spelling0 -
Well said Doug. 0 -
[8D]--You're a wise man Doug--
----JIMBO0 -
I'm not going to weight in on one side or the other. My advice is to make a decision and do it...
The dog was hit last night. Every minute you delay making a decision is another minute she has to lay suffering
If you think you need to put her down, do it. If you want surgery, get it done immediately. You owe her that much at least....
Let us know how things turn out0 -
Thank you.
I was just speaking from my heart.
Doug0 -
Glad to here the news.....I hope she has many more years with your family 0 -
Good news, Friend.
Will they give you long term pain killers for her ??
That brings to mind the concept of a dog that's a junky.
Doug0
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