If your dog had to get two legs amputated, would you pay for the procedure or get him/her put down?

Answer 1

You aren't giving enough information.

Would this dog be able to adapt without 2 legs? I have seen wheeled carts for handicapped dogs. I don't know if your dog would have the right temperament to adapt though.

You don't give the age of the dog. If he's already 15, the stress of the surgery itself may kill him. What are the odds he'll heal from surgery without big complications?

Money should not be the determining factor here. My dog is my responsibility, even when his needs are inconvenient or expensive. The real question is what is best for the dog.

Answer 2

Put down.
I had a friend that had a big golden retriever. Great big friendly dog. Loved to wrestle. She lived alone and when she would go to work, she'd put the (big) dog in an airline dog cage (all day long) until she got home. Eventually the dog's hind legs needed surgery. It was going to be $1500 per leg and be four months per leg for rehab. We all told her that the most logical and humane thing to do was put the dog down. $3000 and four to eight months of the dog not being able to walk or run would have made for a miserable life for the dog.

Answer 3

I would put the dog down. I work in an animal clinic and I see animals very happy with amputated limbs. However, it is my personal opinion that our pets are JUST pets.....we love them, but they are not people. The dog can't understand why they lost two legs. I would put the dog to sleep.

Answer 4

I think it depends on the individual dog. If the dog is getting older, it is less likely to bounce back from such major surgery and wouldn't be worth their suffering (and the money). However, if it's a younger dog in otherwise good health I'd say go for it. I've seen dogs live relatively normal, happy lives with only two legs.

Answer 5

It really depends apon how old the dog is and if the dog could handle that. I had a parilized dog so he had no use of his back legs. He went on to live a very happy like for another 7 years. Teddy went with us all over the place when we had to travel to a dog show. Even one at the hotel just loved him and could tell just by looking at him that he was a very happy dog. We got him a cart that way he could walk almost like a normal dog.

Answer 6

Some will say pay for op,because it is a family member,but in reality the age of the dog has to be taken into consideration,whats best for the animal,not your personal feelings,I vote to put it down and get a new puppy at your local shelter,possibly the same breed.

Answer 7

It would depend on the dog's overall health and my ability to care for it properly. I had one dog who had both knees surgically repaired in a year and quite a few people suggested putting him down instead. I was shocked because he was a happy, healthy dog that I adored. I made some sacrifices to get his surgery done and he made a complete recovery.

Answer 8

Its a difficult desicion but I would probably have the dog put down. Theres a lot of money and a lot of recovery time involved in an operation like that.

Answer 9

It depends on whether you want to spend the time and extra care it would take post surgery. You can get it done, but then you're gonna need a cart for him and help him do things he no longer can. If you are very dedicated go for it, it may be best to just put him down though. Tough choice, best of luck!

Answer 10

I would pay for the procedure because putting him down isn't fair. the dog might become an amputee but that doesn't mean it doesn't deserve not to live because it is different than other dogs. *they make wheelchairs for amputee animals so they can walk and keep on living their life*