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

[eyer]

It's. a. dog.

 

[1HF]

I would see how he takes the bed rest the next four weeks, and then take into consideration the additional time he'd have to rest after the surgery.
It's a tough call, and I don't have much helpful advice.. I'm just here to offer support and air hugs.

 

[Que]

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.

Some disorders require two pairs of the same gene. If your breeding population has a lot of the gene in it, it makes sense to go outside of it. A lot of modern incidence of genetic disorders in dogs is directly the result of selective breeding where the family lines were too close for too many generations.

Rare conditions have become more common than they would have been.

I scanned the study and what is missing is a population of deliberately crossbred dogs whose parents were purebreds of known parentage.

Comparing purebreds to backyard mutts who might well have a shared father from the neighborhood is not a controlled study.

 

[Wildling]

Some disorders require two pairs of the same gene. If your breeding population has a lot of the gene in it, it makes sense to go outside of it. A lot of modern incidence of genetic disorders in dogs is directly the result of selective breeding where the family lines were too close for too many generations.

Rare conditions have become more common than they would have been.

How many mutts do you know whose parents were tested for genetic disorders of any kind?

I own a mutt, got nothing against mixed breeds. But you are getting a genetic crapshoot and I hate this idea people have that mutts are healthier. Its not the truth and based on a premise that doesn't really hold up.

If you want health guarantees - get a well bred, pure breed dog from a responsible breeder who has had its breeding stock tested for genetic disorders possible in the breed. Don't buy a mutt.

 

[sr71plt]

What's the quality-of-life prognoses for the dog if the surgery is done? Will another family member have to be sacrificed to scrape up the money (or won't you be able to feed the dog after you've scraped the money together)? Whenever I've taken on a pet, I made the same commitment I made when I added a child. I'd probably let a dog go that was going to have a low-quality of life regardless faster than I would a child--but that's largely because of the separate laws involved.

 

[ms_ann_thrope]

How many mutts do you know whose parents were tested for genetic disorders of any kind?

I own a mutt, got nothing against mixed breeds. But you are getting a genetic crapshoot and I hate this idea people have that mutts are healthier. Its not the truth and based on a premise that doesn't really hold up.

If you want health guarantees - get a well bred, pure breed dog from a responsible breeder who has had its breeding stock tested for genetic disorders possible in the breed. Don't buy a mutt.

You're like a genetics savant.

 

[Que]

How many mutts do you know whose parents were tested for genetic disorders of any kind?

I own a mutt, got nothing against mixed breeds. But you are getting a genetic crapshoot and I hate this idea people have that mutts are healthier. Its not the truth and based on a premise that doesn't really hold up.

If you want health guarantees - get a well bred, pure breed dog from a responsible breeder who has had its breeding stock tested for genetic disorders possible in the breed. Don't buy a mutt.

Agreed. I have no idea how well the Dog genome is mapped, do we have actual markers for most known disorders?

I added above as you were responding, as well. I still say a purebred Lab and a purebred Shepard cross all other factors being equal is a healthier dog then breeding that lab with another lab. Nature favors the genetically diverse, I think.

It's. a. dog.

You. lack. empathy.

 

[Wildling]

You're like a genetics savant.

Oh, how adorable.

 

[BotanyBoy]

I'd toss a stack on the table and tell them to make it happenz.

 

[~Haze~]

What's the quality-of-life prognoses for the dog if the surgery is done? Will another family member have to be sacrificed to scrape up the money (or won't you be able to feed the dog after you've scraped the money together)? Whenever I've taken on a pet, I made the same commitment I made when I added a child. I'd probably let a dog go that was going to have a low-quality of life regardless faster than I would a child--but that's largely because of the separate laws involved.

The prognosis is good. That is to say that the neurosurgeon feels confident that the dog will return to 100%. But it's a lot of cake. I'd have to make some sever sacrifices to my lifestyle to get it done. I know this should make me sy - don't do it but he is my dog. He spends all day, everyday with me.

Just having him at the vet for the day made it feel weird. Mainly because it feels empty with them not being there.

 

[warrior queen]

Whatever you decide for this pet..... make sure you have Pet Insurance for the next one, and then you won't have this dilemma.

 

[dg]

I was recently posed with the concept of spending 3k to keep my dog alive for perhaps a year. She was older, 12 at the time, and otherwise in good health. Ultimately I had the means to save her life and that was the route I took. I'm not sure what I would have done in the event that I wasn't able to afford it or would have had to make personal sacrifices. A dog can be more a part of a family for some people than others realize.

Ultimately you have to think about what the money means to you. 9000 is a lot more than I spent, but you are looking at many more years potentially.

This is a very tough decision and heart breaking to read about.

 

[Killswitch]

I'd toss a stack on the table and tell them to make it happenz.

Yeah but not everyone has the ability to do that.

 

[Que]

I'd toss a stack on the table and tell them to make it happenz.

Because the amount versus cash flow is doable? Because a valued well trained dog might be worth about that?

Or just sentimental?

I could see a well-trained guard or search and rescue dog being worth $9,000 to breed, feed and train, but I'd want 10+ or more years out of it.

If the dog was happy, not in pain, but no longer a service-capable dog, would you spend that much to get them back online and working?

Emotionally, I would want to have the money to do it. Practically, I would see it as a loss.

 

[riverrunt]

as hard as it must be that is alot of money, ohhh I feel so bad for you good luck on your choice

 

[ms_ann_thrope]

My dad was the toughest man I've known and I asked him after his last dog died if he was going to get another and he said he didn't think he could emotionally handle losing another dog. Still, he would laugh at anyone spending 9k on a dog, a good Poland China boar maybe.

 

[Skiddles2014]

Say goodbye.

 

[Stewart_Pidd]

it comes down to how much relief you can offer vs how much you can afford...not an easy choice bro!

Stew

 

[fluttertongue]

That's such a lot of money, and the dog doesn't understand why there's pain, why he needs to be immobile, why he can't go outside. If/when it comes to it, I don't think I will put my dog through that. Try not to let potential feelings of guilt influence your very difficult decision. Good luck.

 

[pointless]

god, i have no idea. sympathy i got in spades, but... ah, fuck it. i just have no idea.

 

[BotanyBoy]

It's. a. dog.

Making it worth more than most humans, like you, ya fucking piece of shit.

Some disorders require two pairs of the same gene. If your breeding population has a lot of the gene in it, it makes sense to go outside of it.

Such as?

A lot of modern incidence of genetic disorders in dogs is directly the result of selective breeding where the family lines were too close for too many generations.

Rare conditions have become more common than they would have been.

No....you can inbreed healthy genetics for a long fucking time and not have problems in a multitude of organisms, even humans. You can make it so much so that introducing new genetics into a healthy but long inbreed line can almost assuredly result in semi if not totally fucked up offspring.

I scanned the study and what is missing is a population of deliberately crossbred dogs whose parents were purebreds of known parentage.

Comparing purebreds to backyard mutts who might well have a shared father from the neighborhood is not a controlled study.

LOL "pure" vs mutts is about as controlled as it gets bubba.....because they are all...ALL inbred wolves. Except the Chihuahua....some controversy and some pretty strong evidence that they are of fox lineage.

Fennec fox
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRuo1mo2UX5YCjxTwM0vql852fmRComycwqPQh1mSq_Jqc2oVP_

Chihuahua
http://img1.findthebest.com/sites/default/files/465/media/images/Chihuahua_911579.jpg

I still say a purebred Lab and a purebred Shepard cross all other factors being equal is a healthier dog then breeding that lab with another lab.

Based upon what?

Nature favors the genetically diverse, I think..

Last I checked pretty much the entire community of modern biology would disagree with that and more than likely say something along the lines of "Populations with the correct (for their environment) homozygous traits or dominant heterozygous traits for success are the ones that nature favors."

But we aren't talking about what nature favors we are talking about what man favors.

The problem is in the selective breeding, because humans don't breed pets for health...they breed for cute and friendly.

I did have this huge piece written out but I got of the biology lecture because it's unimportant...selective breeding isn't a bad concept...it's wildly successful actually in a number of organisms that weren't bred for cute n' cuddly but constitution, vigor and production. Inbred as a fuckin Texas trailer park and kicking their wild cousins ass's for it from chickens to bananas.

So....sorry if I don't take your say at face value but I'm going to need to see about 25-30 years of modern biology turned up on it's head before I buy the whole lab/Shepard F1 hybrid > standard 'pure breed' lab....cuz they are all inbred as fuck.

 

[Que]

Making it worth more than most humans, like you, ya fucking piece of shit.



Such as?



No....you can inbreed healthy genetics for a long fucking time and not have problems in a multitude of organisms, even humans. You can make it so much so that introducing new genetics into a long inbreed line can almost assuredly result in semi if not totally fucked up offspring.



LOL "pure" vs mutts is about as controlled as it gets bubba.....because they are all...ALL inbred wolves. Except the Chihuahua....strong controversy and evidence that they are of fox lineage.



Based upon what?



Last I checked pretty much the entire community of modern biology would disagree with that and more than likely say something along the lines of "Populations with the correct (for their environment) homozygous traits or dominant heterozygous traits for success are the ones that nature favors."

But we aren't talking about what nature favors we are talking about what man favors.

The problem is in the selective breeding, because humans don't breed pets for health...they breed for cute and friendly.

I did have this huge piece written out but I got of the biology lecture because it's unimportant...selective breeding isn't a bad concept...it's wildly successful actually in a number of organisms that weren't bred for cute n' cuddly but constitution, vigor and production. Inbred as a fuckin Texas trailer park and kicking their wild cousins ass's for it from chickens to bananas.

So....sorry if I don't take your say at face value but I'm going to need to see about 25-30 years of modern biology turned up on it's head before I buy the whole lab/Shepard F1 hybrid > standard 'pure breed' lab....cuz they are all inbred as fuck.

That makes sense.

What about genetic testing. Do we actually have good information for dogs in the 20+ disorders listed in the study?

If so, could you not simply test puppies and see which ones ought to be neutered?

 

[BotanyBoy]

That makes sense.

What about genetic testing. Do we actually have good information for dogs in the 20+ disorders listed in the study?

I'm not sure what they have available on those...I'm sure some good info on some not so much on others.

If so, could you not simply test puppies and see which ones ought to be neutered?

You could but I'm willing to bet 99.99999% of breeders out there don't give a shit....they just want the money or the blue ribbon.

Cost me a few hundred bucks to get a basic mas spec on plant samples....a DNA map? thousands bro...thousands. Dog breeders aren't coughing that up..fucked up dog? Snap it's neck, toss it and get that bitch knocked up again. Or even worse they use it as bait.

People are fucking scum....

Which is why I have never bought a quadrupedal pet...just adopted friendly strays.

 

[Paendragon]

My cat needed a $6,000 procedure. I applied for Care Credit, which is basically a credit card for medical, and paid it down.

It was tough, though.

 

[dolf]

personally? I would put the animal to sleep.

not just because of the money, but because years of niggling back pain would suck. animals don't show pain until it's very unpleasant (a basic survival instinct, not to show weakness), so they always look better than they really are. a 7y/o dog agreeing to bed rest must be in a fair amount of pain.

and from around 7, with that size dog, it's all going to be downhill from there. this will be the first of the injuries/illnesses that start to creep in. and if one disc is bad, how long do the others have?

I go for the good death option every time.