how much would you pay for surgery for your dog?

[MrsMonkeyMan2500]

If you follow this thread .. you can see that all of these dogs are purebred dogs.Each purebred dog has its own devastating diseases to content with ..What does that tell us as what we are doing and have been doing to these animals? Its not just dog. Its cats, horses ,cattle anything we strive to make bigger, badder, cuter.. and the list goes on..Sad..
I hope there is a better outcome in the future for all of these babies..

This is why I am a firm believer in getting rid of the AKC or any other kennel clubs as well. "Pure Bred" dogs have been bred into murky waters. There's incestual issues, the gene pools are getting smaller and no wonder they're prone to health issues. English Bulldogs are the best example I can think of. Not to mention the AKC and UKC do NOTHING to stop puppy mills at all because they make so much money from them. Meanwhile hundreds of thousands of dogs are euthanized each day.

[Bassoneer]

Here's the latest - no surgery.  I spoke with the #2 vet (internal specialist) today...she had been talking to one of the UT vets and they decided that Axl would not be able to handle the anesthesia so no surgery, no more tests.  They said he has end stage liver disease and there's no way to "fix" it.  180 degrees from where they started, but the more vets they talked to the less they wanted to do the big surgery.  They called in three more prescriptions today so we can try to get the fluids out of his abdomen, get him to eat, and make him feel better for a while.  They said he may have weeks or months with the drugs and an appropriate diet.  Axl goes from great to bad and if we can get him great most of the time we'll live that way for a while.  I won't let him suffer, but I want to keep him around as long as we can.  B

[TNWNGR]

Here's the latest - no surgery.  I spoke with the #2 vet (internal specialist) today...she had been talking to one of the UT vets and they decided that Axl would not be able to handle the anesthesia so no surgery, no more tests.  They said he has end stage liver disease and there's no way to "fix" it.  180 degrees from where they started, but the more vets they talked to the less they wanted to do the big surgery.  They called in three more prescriptions today so we can try to get the fluids out of his abdomen, get him to eat, and make him feel better for a while.  They said he may have weeks or months with the drugs and an appropriate diet.  Axl goes from great to bad and if we can get him great most of the time we'll live that way for a while.  I won't let him suffer, but I want to keep him around as long as we can.  B

 

That sucks, but really isn't a shock given the discussion and concern expressed here. For as much as we love our pets and bring them into our families they all to often leave us far to soon. Make the most of the time remaining and know when to let go and provide your pets final comfort.

[MrsMonkeyMan2500]

Here's the latest - no surgery. I spoke with the #2 vet (internal specialist) today...she had been talking to one of the UT vets and they decided that Axl would not be able to handle the anesthesia so no surgery, no more tests. They said he has end stage liver disease and there's no way to "fix" it. 180 degrees from where they started, but the more vets they talked to the less they wanted to do the big surgery. They called in three more prescriptions today so we can try to get the fluids out of his abdomen, get him to eat, and make him feel better for a while. They said he may have weeks or months with the drugs and an appropriate diet. Axl goes from great to bad and if we can get him great most of the time we'll live that way for a while. I won't let him suffer, but I want to keep him around as long as we can. B

I am really sorry to read this. This is basically where we are with Max. It's a horrible situation to be in. Just try your hardest to enjoy what you have left! We don't know how long with have with Max, and when it's time, we'll let him go. In the mean time we're going to party it up and snuggle him like crazy. Good luck with Axl!

[kieefer]

Our Husky at a year 1/2 old, ate part of a jacket. My son was in college in Cookeville and he was raising her.

Anyway, he/we spent $400. at the Vet up there, she got worse and he brought her home almost on deaths bed. We took her to Countryside Vet in MJ, Doctor Parsley cut her open and cleaned her out. $600. later she back to normal.

[Bassoneer]

We had to let Axl go this morning.  The vets told me that with these liver things they go down very fast but we weren't prepared for this.  We had just started some new meds but this morning he could barely get on the bed...stomach was all pushed out and full of fluid, loss of muscle down his back and even on his head.  He had no energy and just laid down and shook (vets said it was probably ammonia that couldn't get out).  My wife and I just couldn't watch him suffer, knowing the surgeons could not do anything else for him.  They said it was end stage liver disease.  I feel like a hole has been blown through my chest.  I've never cried so hard for a dog.  He was the biggest, strongest most beautiful dog we ever had and he was so young.  I fixed him some eggs early this morning (his favorite thing) and he got them down.  Then we went to the vet and my wife and I held his head and talked to him as he was put to sleep.  We still have his older sister Holly, but our home has a huge void that will never be filled.  

 

I want to thank all you folks who have discussed this with me on this forum.  I have never met most of you but you are family to me.  B

[Hozzie]

Very sorry to hear that. You did the right thing. You will see him again on the other side. Edited April 9, 2016 by Hozzie

[MrsMonkeyMan2500]

We had to let Axl go this morning. The vets told me that with these liver things they go down very fast but we weren't prepared for this. We had just started some new meds but this morning he could barely get on the bed...stomach was all pushed out and full of fluid, loss of muscle down his back and even on his head. He had no energy and just laid down and shook (vets said it was probably ammonia that couldn't get out). My wife and I just couldn't watch him suffer, knowing the surgeons could not do anything else for him. They said it was end stage liver disease. I feel like a hole has been blown through my chest. I've never cried so hard for a dog. He was the biggest, strongest most beautiful dog we ever had and he was so young. I fixed him some eggs early this morning (his favorite thing) and he got them down. Then we went to the vet and my wife and I held his head and talked to him as he was put to sleep. We still have his older sister Holly, but our home has a huge void that will never be filled.

I want to thank all you folks who have discussed this with me on this forum. I have never met most of you but you are family to me. B

I am so very, very sorry to read this. There is nothing harder in the world than going through what you did today. Just know that you did the best and kindest thing you could do for your friend. And that's the biggest and best thing you can ever do. A selfless act of love. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Max had the same fluid retention that you're talking about. Luckily my vet drained his bladder twice and the rest was reabsorbed during an overnight stay. She said if it happens again, we'll be in the same boat that you were.

[Bassoneer]

I am so very, very sorry to read this. There is nothing harder in the world than going through what you did today. Just know that you did the best and kindest thing you could do for your friend. And that's the biggest and best thing you can ever do. A selfless act of love. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Max had the same fluid retention that you're talking about. Luckily my vet drained his bladder twice and the rest was reabsorbed during an overnight stay. She said if it happens again, we'll be in the same boat that you were.

I'm glad they could relieve that pressure.  I appreciate your kind words more than you'll ever know.  Keep us posted on your Max.  B

[Dolomite`s Breezy]

So  so sorry to hear this..you knew it was time.Us humans have to crappy job of doing this over and over again.But without you, he still would be suffering.You did the right thing and take comfort in it..

[Peace]

I am so sorry for loss.

Those tears... that's just pure love - I know it was short, but it sounds like Axle had a lucky life - eggs & all.

[hipower]

I am so very sorry for you. I've been thru this as well, and I'm sure many of us here have also. This isn't meant to diminish your pain in any way, just letting you know we understand and are suffering with you.

 

I know there's a hole in your heart and life right now that we cannot mend nor make better. God Bless you and your family.

[Trekbike]

So sorry to hear about your loss of Axl.    

 

I debated whether to post this link or not.   I decided to go ahead since it helped me prepare when I read it just a few days before we had to put one of our dogs down recently.    Not sorry to say it made me cry like a baby.    It seems to do that to most dog lovers.   

 

The article was written by a guy name Benny Pointer and he wrote it from his dog's perspective.   The article is called "Yesterday was weird".   I posted this version of the link since the original was through FB and I know some folks don't have accounts.    

 

http://imgur.com/gallery/0oXDy

[Bassoneer]

So sorry to hear about your loss of Axl.    

 

I debated whether to post this link or not.   I decided to go ahead since it helped me prepare when I read it just a few days before we had to put one of our dogs down recently.    Not sorry to say it made me cry like a baby.    It seems to do that to most dog lovers.   

 

The article was written by a guy name Benny Pointer and he wrote it from his dog's perspective.   The article is called "Yesterday was weird".   I posted this version of the link since the original was through FB and I know some folks don't have accounts.    

 

http://imgur.com/gallery/0oXDy

Thanks - that was very good.  Cried again, but it was very good...

[DT INC.]

I'm very sorry for your loss my friend.

[ttocswob]

Once upon a time, Old Yeller was a Disney movie.

 

Times -  and priorities - have changed.

[MacGyver]

We had to let Axl go this morning.  The vets told me that with these liver things they go down very fast but we weren't prepared for this.  We had just started some new meds but this morning he could barely get on the bed...stomach was all pushed out and full of fluid, loss of muscle down his back and even on his head.  He had no energy and just laid down and shook (vets said it was probably ammonia that couldn't get out).  My wife and I just couldn't watch him suffer, knowing the surgeons could not do anything else for him.  They said it was end stage liver disease.  I feel like a hole has been blown through my chest.  I've never cried so hard for a dog.  He was the biggest, strongest most beautiful dog we ever had and he was so young.  I fixed him some eggs early this morning (his favorite thing) and he got them down.  Then we went to the vet and my wife and I held his head and talked to him as he was put to sleep.  We still have his older sister Holly, but our home has a huge void that will never be filled.  

 

I want to thank all you folks who have discussed this with me on this forum.  I have never met most of you but you are family to me.  B

 

Man, I'm sorry to hear that!  

[Spots]

I'm so sorry for your lose. We just spent $1200. Our little maltipoo got attacked in our yard. It tore a hole in her abdomen, and hurt her badly. So after a $250 vet ER visit at 1100 pm Saturday, then she went to the normal vet today. It was either put her down or emergency surgery. We opted for surgery to the tune of $1200. She has been our only baby for 8 years since we can't have children. It put me in more of a bind than I care to admit, but I would (and almost have) sell everything I owned to keep her alive and healthy

Sent from behind the anvil

[hipower]

So sorry to hear about your loss of Axl.    

 

I debated whether to post this link or not.   I decided to go ahead since it helped me prepare when I read it just a few days before we had to put one of our dogs down recently.    Not sorry to say it made me cry like a baby.    It seems to do that to most dog lovers.   

 

The article was written by a guy name Benny Pointer and he wrote it from his dog's perspective.   The article is called "Yesterday was weird".   I posted this version of the link since the original was through FB and I know some folks don't have accounts.    

 

http://imgur.com/gallery/0oXDy

 

Thank you. That was beautiful.

[TripleDigitRide]

Damn! I'm very sorry for your loss. It sounds like Axl was blessed with amazing parents. You and your wife will be in our thoughts.

[Obiwan]

I'm very sorry for you loss. While Axl is in a better place now (as people say), he is and will always be with you. There is something very special about that bond, the love, between a pet and a human.

 

We don't have kids, so our cats are like kids to us (currently two). We had to put three to sleep over the years (Ernie made it to almost 20), but none hit me as hard as my Minka two years ago (aggressive, large cell lymphoma at age 11). I was a wreck for a week, but found solace. Nothing is worse than seeing a loved one suffer like that. I would have done and paid anything if it could have saved her. While it was a tough decision, it was the right one. But she'll always be with us. The memories may fog a bit over time, but that love, that special bond you feel, will always be there and remind you of your special friend.

 

May you manage your grief quickly and find solace soon. 

[dawgdoc]

Sorry to hear about Axl.  Although it all happened rapidly, in retrospect, it may have been for the best for him.  It could have been worse if he had surgery and the associated pain, inflammation, and cost and still ended up in the same condition.  One of the most important things that a surgeon does is knowing when not to do surgery.

 

I have had owners agonize of whether they should have pursued some treatment and whether it would have made a difference.  In your case, the weight of that type of decision was lifted from you.  Although not the outcome you wanted, at least you don't have to second guess if you could have done anything different.  It might be a small solace, but it is good to think about what he didn't have to experience in his last days.