My dog has lymes disease and he is very ill. He has trouble breathing, walking, eating, drinking, and he is very weak. We love him so much and we don't want him to die. We had him for 10 years. Should we let the vets put him to sleep? Or should we try to help him with medicines or a kind of surgery? Please try and help if you can. Thanks a bunch!
2007-10-02 11:40:54 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
First of all, get your vet's advice.
If it were me, I'd want to give the antibiotics a chance, if there isn't an improvement with those, then I'd make that hard choice to put him down. As far as I know, lyme disease is caused by a bacteria and they don't have a sugery to eliminate a bacteria from a body.
I'd guess that it might be too late for the medications to help that much. Dogs will put off showing symptoms of illness for as long as possible. This means your dog has probably had this disease for awhile now and it's starting to take over.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. I'll keep my fingers crossed for your dog, though. I'm sure you'll be able to decide what's best for your dog.
2007-10-02 12:02:16 · answer #1 · answered by larsor4 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What does the vet say? The one question I always ask a vet is If this was your pet what would you do? Of course you would need a good relationship with the vet.
You didn't say what the meds would do. Would it relieve the pain, and help with the rest of the symptoms?
I think before I put him down I would try with the meds to see if that would help.
Would he make it through the surgery? If he is in good enough health I might try that also.
This is such a tough decision for you guys to make and I am so sorry you have to. The only thing I can say is somehow you all will know when the time might be right to say good bye and put him down. Take care.
2007-10-02 19:00:50 · answer #2 · answered by doxie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It all depends on whether your vet thinks he can get your dog well again or not. I believe that it is the owners understanding of the pain and suffering that your dog has to endure that makes the decision , and will his life be better with treatment. These are the choices you have. 10 years is not a very old age for most dog's, But if he is very ill and he won't get better you are doing him a great disservice by prolonging that existence. I wish you the best, i've been there too.
2007-10-02 18:54:33 · answer #3 · answered by redd headd 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Becca,
I probably won't be much help here, as I don't know much about lyme diesease and how it affects dogs. What I do know is that he or she is probably a part of your family at this point, and I personally wouldn't recommend that you put him to sleep, I would try whatever I could medicine or surgery wise to keep him around, unless it would be a lost cause either way, in which case I cannot answer, but i'm sending positive thoughts your way.
2007-10-02 18:46:42 · answer #4 · answered by Jas 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Really, this is something only your family and vet can decide.
Sometimes it's better to let them go, if the treatment would be too painful and too much for a dog his age.
On the other hand, if he is healthy, and a breed that lives to 15 or more, then sure, try the treatment.
I hope it turns out OK for you and the dog.
2007-10-02 18:46:38 · answer #5 · answered by maxmom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well if he is suffering I would say for the best choice just to put him to sleep. I know it is awfully hard, I had a dog that had a similar situation, but he was suffering, and so we had to put him to sleep to get him out of his misery. If your dog is just suffering, that would be my best answer. Hope that helped.
2007-10-02 18:45:05 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋