Yesterday we had to have our 7 year old Pit Bull euthanized because of various health problems. He had heartworms (which we knew about (long story), but anyway, he had serious other problems as well, and no doubt it was the best thing for him. I was wondering though, does anybody know if vets are more apt to "put down" pit bulls more than other dog breeds?
Also, does anybody know if vets are required to report to anyone when they "put down" an animal, and if so, to whom do they report it?
2006-09-27 04:37:09 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
I just want to clarify the heartworm situation-He was on heartworm preventative for along time, and then through a series of unfortunate family events,(divorce, dog custody issues, etc) he was not given his treatment. That seems selfish I know, but wasn't in my control at the time) When the dust settled, we took him to the vet, and he tested positive. The vet told us that he had probably fairly recently become infected, and due to the dog's age ( he was 6 at the time) and activity level, that treatment could be just as dangerous to his health as the heartworms. So we decided at that time to not treat the heartworm infection, and let him live as long as he could be happy without having to be cooped up in a kennel for months and then maybe die anyway from the treatment.
2006-09-27 05:16:43 · update #1
I am sorry to hear about your dog. It seems as though you must have loved him dearly.
I think it depends on the vet. They could recomend to owners of certain breeds to euthanize for treatable issues or not encourage treatment for treatable illnesses. I think most vets are pretty un biased toward breeds. I am sure they see owners and pets alke that they don't care for individually- but not the whole breed. At least I hope so!!
2006-09-27 04:45:45 · answer #1 · answered by rottymom02 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Whether a vet would be more likely to put a pit bull down than other dogs is likely dependent on that particular vet. They have their biases, just like everyone else.
If he had other serious issues, than that may have been the best thing for him. However, heartworm alone is not a reason to put a dog down, especially if he's not had it for long. And as for the treatment being hard on the dog and expensive, I know of many rescue organizations who are now treating HW+ dogs by simply putting them on the monthly medication to prevent new worms and letting the old ones die off. There may be some damage, but still a better chance for the dog than euthanasia.
Prevention is always better, however.
2006-09-27 07:29:18 · answer #2 · answered by DaBasset - BYBs kill dogs 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless there is serious and obvious neglect, vets do not report euthanasia to anyone. Most vets nowadays are not more "apt" to euthanize pit bulls, however there always are ones that support the breed-specific legislation.
Additionally, I think we need to address the fact that your dog was prematurely put to death because of heartworm infestation. All pet owners need to have their dogs and cats (depending on your area) on heartworm prevention, such as Heartguard. Most healthy dogs can be treated succsessfully for heartworm, however this treatment can go into the thousands of dollars. Be a responsible pet owner and make sure your dog is on heartworm prevention, as well as flea/tick control. The cost of these preventative treatments is far les than the emotional and financial loss you will almost certainly have to endure.
2006-09-27 04:54:09 · answer #3 · answered by Sarah H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A vet does have to keep records of control subatances he uses.
I am not sure if euthanaisia solution is one of those or not.
I do not know that they have to report to any body of dogs they put down.
Your dog was put down at your request and so there would be one agency that they needed to tell. The only time would be when it was court ordered or something like that.
Pitt bulls could be euthanized more often becasue many places have regulations about them not being adopted out if they have been brought into the shelter system. Vets put down many animals and I know here in my are a pitt bulls are not the most common one. There are not so many here there are more of other breeds than Pitts so they are not the most often put down here. But in areas where you have more it would seem that more were put down. Just becasue of the numbers of them as pets.
I would hope that vets would recognise that it is not bad dogs but bad owners. There are very few dogs who are truely viscious enough to need euthanasia but there are some.
2006-09-27 05:31:43 · answer #4 · answered by tlctreecare 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
vets are required to keep a log of all controlled drugs used, which includes the drugs used for euthanasia, and the drug log is evaluated regularly by auditors. As for your first question, the vets i know don't euthanise a pet unless the owner requests it for health reasons, but strays are a different story. Unfortunatly, pitbulls have a bad reputation, and if a vet were to adopt out an aggressive dog, they would be ultimatly responsible if that dog were to attack someone else or another animal. It is for this reason that shelters don't adopt out pits, rottweilers, german sheperds, chows, or several other breeds that have more aggressive personalities. Unfortunatly, this means that many sweet and innocent dogs are put to sleep because a few idiots trained a few dogs to be mean and agressive.
2006-09-27 04:48:27 · answer #5 · answered by tismy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my opinion vets aren't any more apt to put down pit bulls than any other breed. I am not sure about your other question but if they were to report anyone it would probably be to the ASPCA
So sorry about your dog!!!
2006-09-27 04:41:00 · answer #6 · answered by Jemma 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know the AVMA has something set up, but I don't know alot about it in regards to reporting it.
On the line of vets being more inclined to "put down" pit bulls more than other dogs, I don't know. It depends on the vet. My vet that I worked for was a huge Pit Bull fan, had one with him and his family, and he was not apt to put down any dog unless it was absoultely nessicary.
Sorry about your dog.
2006-09-27 04:42:10 · answer #7 · answered by Krazee about my pets! 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
-A good conscientious Vet will only put down a dog only if it
is necessary- Vets are like people Doctors
they are there to help......the only time they put an animal down is if its the last resort.
no idea about reporting.
2006-09-27 04:47:25 · answer #8 · answered by whisper 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
vets dont care what breed they have to put down if there sick its up to the owner to put a pet down a vet doesnt tell the owner to put the pet down and second they dont report anyone that puts there pet down
2006-09-27 04:46:02 · answer #9 · answered by jettalady 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋