My Dog needs Surgery for her Spine Opinions Please?

Question

My beloved Shasta has a Stage 4 spinal Injury (stage 5 is paralyzed). Chiropractor cannot help her Vet says she needs a neurospecialist and the specialist says she has a 50/50 chance surgery will make her any better. Best case she will always have limitations in her activities

She is in pain and on meds for the pain but they make her nauseous and groggy. She spends most of her day in her bed and is still very uncomfortable.

Surgery will be $4500 + and no assurance of life quality improving, she could end up paralyzed anyway. The Specialist is 5 hours away and will need her to followup 2 or 3 times requiring a long winding car ride after surgery.

My only other choice is to do the alternative which makes me ill but I need to think of her.

I don't need a lot of callous comments If all you are going to say is shoot it don't waste your time or mine.
I am looking for some honest caring opinions from Animal lovers.
I am struggling with this and need some feedback HELP

Actually cost is not reallly the issue. I am thinking more about her quality of life. She was an active dog that loved playing ball and playing with her sisters (I have more than one from the same litter).

With some sacrifices I can make this happen but not at the sacrifice of causing her to enjoy life less. Has anybody been through this with their dog?

Answer 1

I recognise this is a very difficult decision to make.

If money is not an object, you need to weigh up the effect surgery will have on your dog versus the improvement it will make to her quality of life. It's very important to discuss this thoroughly with a vet, preferably the spinal specialist. S/he will be able to give you the best idea of what sort of life your dog will be looking at. What kind of limits will their be on her activites? Will this be very hard for her (i.e was she a very active dog before the spinal trouble)? Can the specialist guarantee she will no longer be in pain?

Quality of life is generally based on level of pain, ability to feed and toilet oneself, general happiness and comparison with the quality of life previous to the problem - if life is going to be hugely different or you feel she would no longer be happy, this would be a considerable decline in quality of life.

How old is your dog? Is it worth putting her through all this - will it give her significantly longer life of decent quality? If it was my dog and she was old I don't think I would go ahead with anything that could not guarantee an extended life of decent quality. I know it'd be the worse thing for you to have her put to sleep, but at the end of the day if you know you've done what was right by her and only her, you'll be able to rest easy in the end. I'm not saying yes put her to sleep - just then when making your decision you need to focus on what you think she would want and put your own feelings aside - which is very hard to do with a beloved pet.

Chalice

Answer 2

I'm sorry you are in this position.

Definitely she cannot continue as she is, if the pain is that bad.

One of my girls had stage 5 and was in incredible pain. Normally I would work with a paralyzed dog, and have brought dogs back from severe spinal injuries, but in they weren't in pain like Mouse was. The vet didn't consider her a good candidate for surgery, so I had to let her go to the bridge.

I guess it just comes down to can you afford the surgery and the time and travel that would be involved. Knowing that there's a 50% chance that it would be wasted. If you have the money and time to spare, then I'd say go for it, I'd rather try and fail than not try. But if the reality is that you can't really afford than much for something that's iffy, you need to release her from her pain.

At the time Mouse was hurt, I couldn't have afforded it, much as I would have wanted to. In fact, that's what made me decided to change my job and financial habits, determined that I never again wanted to have to make a treatment decision based on cost. I'm still not in a position where money is not an issue, but I'm working on it.

Answer 3

Dog Back Surgery

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
My Dog needs Surgery for her Spine Opinions Please?
My beloved Shasta has a Stage 4 spinal Injury (stage 5 is paralyzed). Chiropractor cannot help her Vet says she needs a neurospecialist and the specialist says she has a 50/50 chance surgery will make her any better. Best case she will always have limitations in her activities

She is in pain and...

Answer 5

Unfortunately, I am gonna have to say you (and your beloved dog) will need to end it. that is A LOT of money and only a 50/50 chance of it working, and even the vet said it will not work totally, from what you said your baby will still be in pain, the surgery is just adding on some more painful years to your babies life. I know it is tough to even think about putting a baby down, I am personally regretting when the time comes for my older ones to go, but your baby will be better off, and all dogs go to heaven remember that. try having a close friend or even a family member go with you when you do it if you decide to put down, they can be there for support. And you might want to schedule a few days off from work as well.

Answer 6

I can't even imagine what you are going through. You need to think of what her quality of life will be if you go through with the operation. Would it really be any better? Or would it just prolong the inevitable? I know that it's a hard decision, no matter what. I would hate to have to make that decision if this were my dog. I guess you really just need to weigh the pros and cons and do what in truly right for your dog. I'm sorry, I wish I could be more help!

Answer 7

I had a dog with a very bad back. I looked into and had Gold Bead Implants done. My girl was not paralyzed at the time. She was able, after this , to go completely off the pain meds. There is a lot on the net about this procedure, so do some research on it.
I went to Dr. Durkes in Marion, Indiana. He's the best for this!

Answer 8

That is quite a lot to think about. In the end it is up to you. Do you think you can afford the surgery? If so, personally I would try it anyway because predictions are just guesses essentially and it may just cure it, that 50% works both ways. The time spent on the road would be worthwhile if it all worked out in the end wouldn't it?

Answer 9

Since there is no guarantee of quality of life after the surgery and that she is in pain, I think the kindest and most loving thing you can do for Shasta is to give her a painless and easy passing through euthanasia with your vet. If there was a better guarantee as to the results, I would say go ahead with the surgery despite the costs. Since that does not seem to be the case, I think surgery in her conditon, from what you have told us, would only cause more pain and discomfort.

I recently faced a similiar situation in which I myself had to choose "the alternative" instead of having my cat suffer needlessly. I know what you mean, it made me ill to think about it too. What I did when I was weighing the decision to put him to sleep or to continue treatment was to ask him, (my cat) what he thought. I told him to "tell me" when he was ready to go. And one day, sure enough he told me in his own way. There's a look in their eyes and a feeling you get when they are trying to tell you it is time, I've heard this from many owners facing the same decision. It is a terribly difficult, heart-wrenching decision, and even more difficult to be there when it is carried through. But you do need to think of her and what she needs. As difficult it is to make the decision and to be there, (and I urge you to be there...she will need you!), it is part of being a good, responsible pet owner. I can tell you love her very much already by the careful thought you are putting into this very important decision.

I hope you reach a decision that you are comfortable with. Peace.

Answer 10

its a hard decision to make. she is in pain now and the surgery gives no assurance or improvement. one consideration is how old is she? my cat was recently put down because the alternative was diagnostic tests and surgery and the posibility of cancer. he was very old for a cat. also depends on the breed of dog. it could make her miserable to end up not being able to move about. some dogs need activity. if the dog is young take the chance if you are able to make that much of a sacrifice for her. if she is old then consider that maybe what would be best for her would be for her to be put down.