My dog needs a $9,000 operation. What would you do?

[~Haze~]

I have a 7 year old full bred German Shepherd that was imported from Germany as a puppy.


He has a blown out disk in his spine and needs surgery by a dog neurosurgeon. I already had a consult and ran tests and X-rays which cost my $1,200. That is not part of the $9,000 estimate.

He's in good health otherwise. I would hate to have to put him down. He is 7 and could very well live to 12 or more.

If it is your dog, what do you do?

And no, I don't have 9 grand handy to get this done.

 

[Amber_Gris]

Is he in pain?

 

[MNGuy]

As difficult as it is, put him down.

 

[LadyFunkenstein]

Can you afford the surgery?

 

[Wildling]

I'd put my dog down. She's a very active dog and dogs do not understand the need for rest and recovery - even getting her to stay quiet for a week or so after her spay was a fairly major issue.

On top of that, while financially $9000 is something I could do, I don't think I would spend that much. It sounds cold, I guess. I love my pets but I have limits on the money I feel comfortable spending to prolong their lives.

I'd definitely be worrying about success rates and quality of life issues, too. Is the surgery going to 100% fix the issue? Can they handle the recovery? Can you afford it, and do you want to afford it?

 

[neci]

you can either afford it or you can't. pure bread shepherds have so many health problems. it's a hard call, but it's one that's actually pretty simple. i'm sorry. mixed breeds don't have all the genetic issues caused by selective breeding, just as a future FYI.

 

[Saint Peter]

I had a beautiful black lab that developed bone cancer. I did not have the money but I made it work. She had a couple of good years after that.

Looking back I should have put her down. Her pain and suffering through the procedures and treatments were not trivial. Annie was incredibly patient and tolerant of the pain. She felt my love until the last day.

I am sorry you are in this position.

Best wishes for you and your family.

 

[someoneyouknow]

I have a 7 year old full bred German Shepherd that was imported from Germany as a puppy.


He has a blown out disk in his spine and needs surgery by a dog neurosurgeon. I already had a consult and ran tests and X-rays which cost my $1,200. That is not part of the $9,000 estimate.

He's in good health otherwise. I would hate to have to put him down. He is 7 and could very well live to 12 or more.

If it is your dog, what do you do?

And no, I don't have 9 grand handy to get this done.

Check to see if there are any animal organizations that might be able to help out with the bills or, in true internet fashion, post online asking for donations. Make sure to put pictures of your loved on so people know who will be helped.

 

[phrodeau]

Check with the other dogs in the area for their opinions.

 

[Amy_K]

If your dog is in pain, I think the best thing is to put them down. I don't think I could stand seeing my dog suffer, and would want her to stop suffering rather than let her linger.

 

[~Haze~]

Is he in pain?

Well, the short answer.... Yes. But he's not in That much pain.

Right now, I am trying to see if he can build up some scar tissue between his nerves and his spine. I am able to do this because he is not in a tremendous amount of pain. He can stand on his own but it hurts a little.

So for now, I have to keep him immobile to see if he can build up that scar tissue.

For the next 4 weeks, I have to keep him entirely immobile and on pain meds. I'm on day 2 and he's handling it okay.

Basically, he is on bed rest for the next month. If that doesn't work....

As difficult as it is, put him down.

It's soo hard to even think that but if this rest and care doesn't work, I have to consider this.

Can you afford the surgery?

I don't know. I don't think so but I might be able to swing it but it would kill me financially. I guess, I am trying to say... I can't afford it but I could go into hock. Possibly.

 

[Wildling]

you can either afford it or you can't. pure bread shepherds have so many health problems. it's a hard call, but it's one that's actually pretty simple. i'm sorry. mixed breeds don't have all the genetic issues caused by selective breeding, just as a future FYI.

This is a load of garbage. Mixed breeds can inherit whatever health problems their parents might have had or been genetically predisposed to.

Some reading for you. While in some cases, certain genetically linked disorders are slightly more common in purebred dogs the key to dealing with this lies in less indiscriminate breeding - more genetic testing and breeding of select individuals free from disorders, not in creating more random mutts or supporting backyard breeding.

 

[Amber_Gris]

Well, the short answer.... Yes. But he's not in That much pain.

Right now, I am trying to see if he can build up some scar tissue between his nerves and his spine. I am able to do this because he is not in a tremendous amount of pain. He can stand on his own but it hurts a little.

So for now, I have to keep him immobile to see if he can build up that scar tissue.

For the next 4 weeks, I have to keep him entirely immobile and on pain meds. I'm on day 2 and he's handling it okay.

Basically, he is on bed rest for the next month. If that doesn't work....






It's soo hard to even think that but if this rest and care doesn't work, I have to consider this.



I don't know. I don't think so but I might be able to swing it but it would kill me financially. I guess, I am trying to say... I can't afford it but I could go into hock. Possibly.

Very few living organisms would choose euthanasia. I put a dog down not long ago and it was one of the worst experiences I've had to endure. I wouldn't spend 9k though. You'll know when it's time.

 

[Emmcee20]

They get to be part of the family and the money is less of an issue. With a possible 5 years to gain it could be worth it if you can afford it.

 

[~Haze~]

I'd put my dog down. She's a very active dog and dogs do not understand the need for rest and recovery - even getting her to stay quiet for a week or so after her spay was a fairly major issue.

On top of that, while financially $9000 is something I could do, I don't think I would spend that much. It sounds cold, I guess. I love my pets but I have limits on the money I feel comfortable spending to prolong their lives.

I'd definitely be worrying about success rates and quality of life issues, too. Is the surgery going to 100% fix the issue? Can they handle the recovery? Can you afford it, and do you want to afford it?

I can relate entirely to everything you're saying. He is 7 and while that is not old, it's not young either.

So, even if I spend the $9,000 and he gets better, he might only have as little as a year left.

Average life span for a GS is 9 years. That means half live less than 9.

So, if I could swing it, on any other object, it would be irresponsible to spend that much on it. But it's not just an object.

Oh, and I've done that before! My Last dog, I spent $4,000 on an operation and had to put him down 2 months later for an entirely unrelated issue.

 

[doctor_insanus]

I'm sorry about your dog. I hope the pain is manageable. The thought of putting down a pet is gut-wrenching, but the thought of them in pain is even worse.

Hoping for the best, for both of you.

 

[~Haze~]

They get to be part of the family and the money is less of an issue. With a possible 5 years to gain it could be worth it if you can afford it.

That's the thing. If it was 3 or 4 k it wouldn't be an issue. $9,000... Which is probably going to be closer to $10,000, plus the $1,200-1,500 I already spent this weekend and it adds up to more than I should consider spending.

 

[~Haze~]

This is a load of garbage. Mixed breeds can inherit whatever health problems their parents might have had or been genetically predisposed to.

Some reading for you. While in some cases, certain genetically linked disorders are slightly more common in purebred dogs the key to dealing with this lies in less indiscriminate breeding - more genetic testing and breeding of select individuals free from disorders, not in creating more random mutts or supporting backyard breeding.

You're absolutely correct. Good and responsible breeding can eliminate or at least minimize genetic problems.

Leo comes from a strong line and he was an expensive dog. As I said, he was imported from Germany and he was imported to be a work dog.

 

[Killswitch]

If I had some guarantees from the surgeon I'd do what I had too.

 

[quietlylooking]

It's a hard situation to be in, and there is no easy answer. I've been there. Sometimes it helps to have a heart-to-heart with your vet, or talk to another vet.

Don't make a decision for your dog based on whether you will feel guilty if you don't do it.

Consider how many animals a donation of $9000 to your local shelter could save.

If you decide to do it, realize your dog won't live forever, but feel good about the decision: it was your decision, and loving a pet is not a crime, quite the opposite. But don't tell people how much you spent. It's horrible to hear people second guess an incredibly private decision.

 

[~Haze~]

It's a hard situation to be in, and there is no easy answer. I've been there. Sometimes it helps to have a heart-to-heart with your vet, or talk to another vet.

Don't make a decision for your dog based on whether you will feel guilty if you don't do it.

Consider how many animals a donation of $9000 to your local shelter could save.

If you decide to do it, realize your dog won't live forever, but feel good about the decision: it was your decision, and loving a pet is not a crime, quite the opposite. But don't tell people how much you spent. It's horrible to hear people second guess an incredibly private decision.

I absolutely agree with everything you mentioned. It's great advice and I would never mention cost of the surgery with anyone. There are some things you just don't talk about and money is one of them. People react very strangely to other people's money. Great point.

 

[thør]

If I had some guarantees from the surgeon I'd do what I had too.

No surgeon can give those.

They can do their very best and they can give you what they think are the odds...

But no guarantees.

 

[Wildling]

I can relate entirely to everything you're saying. He is 7 and while that is not old, it's not young either.

So, even if I spend the $9,000 and he gets better, he might only have as little as a year left.

Average life span for a GS is 9 years. That means half live less than 9.

So, if I could swing it, on any other object, it would be irresponsible to spend that much on it. But it's not just an object.

Oh, and I've done that before! My Last dog, I spent $4,000 on an operation and had to put him down 2 months later for an entirely unrelated issue.

Its a crappy situation to be in for sure. Animals sure do worm their way into your heart and make it hard to be logical!

 

[neci]

This is a load of garbage. Mixed breeds can inherit whatever health problems their parents might have had or been genetically predisposed to.

Some reading for you. While in some cases, certain genetically linked disorders are slightly more common in purebred dogs the key to dealing with this lies in less indiscriminate breeding - more genetic testing and breeding of select individuals free from disorders, not in creating more random mutts or supporting backyard breeding.

thank you for the information. every shepherd my parents has ever had ended up with genetic diseases, so that's where my views must have been skewed. i never advocated creating more random mutts and have never supported backyard breeding. my dog is a rescue from the pound, and when he passes, that's where i plan on going again.

 

[Que]

I have a 7 year old full bred German Shepherd that was imported from Germany as a puppy.


He has a blown out disk in his spine and needs surgery by a dog neurosurgeon. I already had a consult and ran tests and X-rays which cost my $1,200. That is not part of the $9,000 estimate.

He's in good health otherwise. I would hate to have to put him down. He is 7 and could very well live to 12 or more.

If it is your dog, what do you do?

And no, I don't have 9 grand handy to get this done.

Tough one. I once spent $900 on a child's kitten we had had for a week. It died. I had to do it for the love of the child, but financially it made no sense.

A 7 year old pet is family. This is a tough one.

We had a Shepard when I was a teen. Her father had been imported from Germany to try and breed out hip-diplacia that is pretty common in American AKC lines. She was the runt which is how we got her $50 with champion lines. She was a bit of a mess. Her back swayed, we always assumed hip problems, but she was cheerful and in no apparent discomfort.

With your dog, I would love him, keep him comfortable and if it came down to it I get him some wheels if eventually necessary.