Should I really put my dog down just because I can't afford his treatment?

Question

I have a 3 year old Canaan Dog that was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) in November of 06. We put him on Prednisolone to help ease his pain. It was working great until he start having all these other problems from being on the Pred bc it lowers the body’s immune response. When he would get simple cold it would wipe him out or if he gets a simple cut and its not taken care of right away he gets a horrible infection and has to see the vet. We tired taking him off the pred but in that attempt i almost lost him in a matter of a couple hours. He went from happy healthy dog to couldn't move had seiziers and a temp of 106. I rushed him out to the vets and they couldn't get a heartbeat on him bc he was panting so fast. they immediately put him on an iv and a pred drip. there is another medicine i could put him on but its $10 a pill and he would need it 2x a day. The vet wants me to concider putting him down bc hes just going to get worst and there is nothing more i can do.

He hasn't had a bad day in almost 3 months. Hes like a puppy again but i did have to take him to the vet bc he must have stepped on something and his foot was all swollen but he wasn't acting like it was hurting him. but i knew it was infected so i took him up to the vet yesturday and total came out to be a whooping 129.64 bc he has to be one certine anitbiotic so they dont interact with the pred. then a about a month ago i took him up for a cold and he had to have the antibiotics plus some eye drop and then some sniezing med. and the grand total that day was 74 something. and vet called me to tell me that he has some sort of mites and he will need to be broght in for a bath once a week for 4 weeks the med for it is $33 and each bath is $35. he only has the mites bc of being on the pred. the vet said that the other med that is $10 a pill will not only keep away his pain like the pred does but there wont be any other problems bc it will boost his immune system insted of weeken it.

Answer 1

dogs have no concept of how long they should live. They only know quality of life, not quantity. If his quality isn't good, then the lovingest thing you could do is to help him end it..For him, not for you. If he didn't have you to love an nurture him, his life would have ended long ago.
Dogs never live long enough for us! We want to love and care for them forever, but they just can't fulfill that need for us. all we can do is fulfill their needs the best we can, and they will never expect more from us.
I hope this may be of help for you, as it is for me> http://www.la-spca.org/pet_loss/comfort/may_i_go.htm
All of the answers about finding him another home are well meaning, but not practical. Moving to another home, even if there were one to accept him, would stress your dog very much. You are the one he loves and trusts, and you are the one who has loved him since puppyhood. Moving would be such a stress on him that nothing would be gained..In his condition, he couldn't handle the anxiety of leaving you..He needs you to do what has to be done, in your lovingkindness.
as long as you are able to keep up with the treatments, and he isn't suffering, then just give him all of the quality life that you are able..
This veterinary care credit program may be of help to you> http://www.carecredit.com/ In the line that asks. "find a doctor near you', choose veterinarian.

Note: I hope you recieved my email about calling the holistic practioner, Marina Zacharias who's contact information is at naturalrearing.com

Answer 2

Let me put this in perspective. I spent 14 thousand dollars to buy my dog 6 months when she had osteosarcoma. Now, I could afford to spend that. But I can easily see that many people can't, and there were times in my life when I couldn't afford it either. And I knew going into the treatment that this wasn't going to cure her, it was just buying time. So if I couldn't afford that, I would have had her euthanized, since it's an incredibly painful cancer. But this isn't an easy answer to make. I have other pets, so whatever I do for one of them can't be so extreme that we all wind up homeless on the streets, or take food out of their mouths. Sometimes euthanasia is the best answer you can come up with. The question is how much you can spend and still afford everything else. I have been in a position in my life where spending a couple hundred on vet care would have been difficult, much less the thousands I spent on my dog. I do judge people who skip basic vet care. But forgoing some of the more expensive and exotic treatments? That I reserve judgment on.

Answer 3

This is really a question only you can answer.

I would do a *thorough* online search to see if there are organizations or people who could help you, either with alternative treatments or vet bills. Talk to your vet, his/her staff, and even other vets in the area. Go for a second or even third opinion. In other words, explore all options.

If everything comes back the same and you are left with a very ill dog on expensive medicine, then you have to decide what's best for you and your dog. Because of his illness and the medicine, the poor dog is like a person with AIDS or other immune failure diseases. His body is susceptible to disease that normally he'd fight off, but cannot because of his weakened immune system. With that in mind, he may not have much time anyway. But if you dog is otherwise healthy, barring some illnesses, and does well, then it's up to your conscience to decide of $20/day for pills vs. putting him down (which also costs $$), is what you really want to do.

For most pet owners, we allow our pet's to live until their quality of lives is lacking. When the poor dog is so ill that movement or eating is difficult or if the dog can't recognize people, then clearly the quality of life is missing. It's a heart-breaking decision, but one that has to be done. I don't know the severity of the illness in your dog, but it sounds like he's fine while he stays on medicine - it's really a cost issue. All I can say is that for me, I don't think I could put my dogs down simply because of expense.

I wish you the best in your decision.

Answer 4

First off, I'm so sorry. I know the pain you're in right now. Don't ever listen to someone who says, "It's just a dog" or someone who says, "Find someone who CAN afford it!".

If a vet is recommending that the dog be put down, it's got to be pretty bad. I'm with Bill on this one...the most loving thing you can do for your little buddy is to let him go before it gets worse.

It's not even a matter of funding... the meds would only help with the symptoms for a while. That particular medication is nasty. One of my dogs was on it for a while, and it upset her stomach and made her absolutely miserable.

I'm sure you'll do the right thing for you and your pup. My heart goes out to you. :(

Answer 5

It doesn't sound like it's a matter of not being able to afford his treatment, it sound like it's a quality of life issue.

If the vet is telling you that he's only going to get worse and there's nothing more you can do, that should give you an idea of what the future for your dog will be.

Deciding to put your pet to sleep is probably going to be one of the hardest decisions that you'll ever have to make, but one that eventually all pet owners will be faced with. And as much as it breaks your heart, sometimes it is the right thing to do.

Only you can make the decision if it's right for you. Talk to your vet, get your options, get all the information that you can. But ultimately, it comes down to quality of life and quantity of life. Your dog is relying on you to make the right decision for him.....and you will.

Prayers to you both.

Answer 6

Hi,
This is a very hard decision, I know coz I've had to make it myself more than once. There are veterinary surgeries that treat pets for donations, basically what the owners can afford. I don't know where you live, but the PDSA is one of such organizations. The main question is, is your dog having any decent quality of life left, and how old is he, as you might only be prolonging his suffering. Personally, I would get a second opinion from another vet, but if the answer is the same, than I would end his suffering.
Hope you can work it out.
Take care.
Kristel

Answer 7

I'm really sorry for your dog and yourself. That question has a clear cut answer, and deep down, you know what it is. This must be really tough for you, and losind you pal would be horrible, ican imagine, but he is in pain. You can't ignore that. It's easier to let him go now rather than later, bc then it will be harder. You can't afford the treatment either. It will be hard, but you've got to ease his suffering, so put him down and set his soul free. You'll be able to live with yourself knowing that you did the right thing and he will thank you with all your memories of you and your dog together. Good luck, i hope you see the way out...

Answer 8

Sorry to hear about your dog. I wouldn't put your dog down just because of the money. If the money is the only problem, I would find someplace that would take your dog and care for him or ask a family member for the money. However, it doesn't seem that money is the only problem. If your dog is in any kind of pain now, I would put him down. If your dog isn't in any pain right now, try the other medicine for awhile and see how he does and see how your money situation holds up... it the meantime you can think and pray about your situation. Sorry again, I recently had to put down a sick cat and several years ago a very sick old dog. I know its hard.

Answer 9

As hard as it is, if I were there talking to you as a friend and fellow dog lover, I would tell you to put the dog down. It sounds like his lupus is severe and that it would be the kindest thing for the dog. If you had unlimited funds it might be worth at least trying the new medicine, but it might also just prolong his discomfort.

I'm so sorry you are having to make this decision.

Answer 10

I think you must look at the dogs quality of life and yes, sadly, your money issues. It is a sad fact that even though we can do lots for our pets, we can't always afford to. That makes it even worse than not being able to treat them at all. I feel so bad for you-I am crying now. I have to say that if your dog is going downhill this fast you may have to PTS. Steriods for long term use, and in such a young dog, will likely give you a whole new set of problems. I think you have done all that you possibly can to improve his life and give him a quality of life that is worthwhile. I think your vet maybe right on this. I am very sorry.