Costly medical procedures vs. humane euthanization - Page 1

There seems to be a growing trend of people forking out large sums of cash for medical procedures for their dogs. Obviously, technology and advancements in the veterinary medicine have made it possible to treat conditions that 10 or 20 years ago were untreatable. However, it blows me away that people are spending this type of money to correct severe genetic issues, illness or accidents that a dog has been in even when the outcome for the dog isn't guaranteed to be sucessful.

 From personal experience, I know vets that recommend surgery and expensive drug treatment for dogs and will not even discuss or entertain the option of euthanization when there is an alternative available even if it's going to cost several thousands of dollars. We all want the best for our animals and I have no issue providing care for them, but I draw the line when it comes to certain things.

  I was recently made to feel like a horrible person and terrible owner by my vet when I wasn't willing to spend $2,500.00 on chemotherapy for my dog with Lymphoma. It was obviously very difficult to watch our dog fade away and we did give him medication to make his last few months as comfortable as possible, but I wasn't willing to spend thousands of dollars to prolong the inevitable. I understand that some people will do anything for their dogs and thats fine (I'm not being critical). However, has euthanizing a sick or crippled animal become such a horrible thing to do? Should it not be the owner who decides what is the best option?

When my dog was diagnosed with cancer, euthanization was definitely discussed, however, we went with treatment and I got a different dog back from surgery. She was more energetic and happier, and I got almost another year with my girl. I don't regret a single cent of the $3k spent to help her. Later when she relapsed and the prognosis was not hopeful, we took the other route.
It is a choice for the owner, but I don't see why one wouldn't take steps to help a family member if the prognosis is good.

I'm with you. I wouldn't spend a lot of money on treating a condition that is going to cause death, regardless. I would take that money and put some of it toward making the dog as comfortable as possible for its remaining days. I actually think it's rather cruel to prolong a life of pain and agony with medical "advancements" simply so you, the person, can have a bit longer with the dog. 

I also think a dog with a slurry of genetic problems is probably better off not going through treatment after treatment after treatment and should be humanely euth'd. Often, a bad genetic deck of cards is a bad deck, and they carry many problems, not just one or two. I cringe when I see these fundraiser/donation things set up for shelter dogs who are so miserable and sooo sick and will always be that way. I don't think that is right- let the poor animal die with some dignity. One was trying to raise money for a blind and deaf dog with a heart defect and 3 legs. I'm not kidding. What quality of life exists for that animal? How many healthy shelter dogs could eat with the money they put toward surgery to operate on that dog so it could linger another year? 

OTOH, there are people who don't think you should fix, say, an ACL if it costs several thousand dollars. The argument is that they could tear the other, cost more money, will be sore as they age, yada yada yada. Who among us ISN'T going to be a bit sore from old injuries as we age? Would an ex football player say he would rather be dead than live with his chronically sore knee for the rest of his life? I think if it's treatable and the dog's quality of life will be improved to a reasonable, decent quality of life, then by all means, if you can help the dog, do it. JMO.  

"has euthanizing a sick or crippled animal become such a horrible thing to do?"   no, just hard for many.

"Should it not be the owner who decides what is the best option?"   yes, the right vet will advise but then let the owner decide without the guilt trip.

I'm with a holistic vet because of this.
Experienced with holistic treatments myself, I would not pay expensive drugs, as I know for many illnesses, there is an affortable holistic option. Acupuncture, homeopathy, herbal treatments etc don't heal e.g. cancer but it makes their remaining time easier. If it's time to go, my holistic vet will not suggest expensive life prolonging therapies (which don't heal anyway).
For myself I only use holistic treatments for over 30 years.

But I agree, every dog owner has to be able to decide individually.

Veterinarians should be there to give you all your options and help you make the decision that is right for you. Dogs with lymphoma actually do very well with chemotherapy, though their average life expectancy is still going to be around a year. However, it is still your decision on what direction you want to go. Hopefully they gave you some pred to at least give him a few extra good weeks. Sorry for your loss.

It's your choice and that of no one on here. I respect that, it's what makes America, America - "freedom of choice"--there are very few freedoms left to us. I do sympathize with you because I've been forced to make that choice back in the early 80's when I was broke as a joke and had no other choice for a dog, and there was no treatment to stop his agony anyway.
It's the only time that I can remember crying in my entire life when he was taking his last minutes of life with his head in my lap, just as faithful and loving as he had always been.

I have a 15 month old that was born with what many said were some of the worst hips they'd ever seen. His first year of life was grueling and heartbreaking. He had severely downed pasterns by 15 wks but I got them back up by 22 wks. He had his first FHO at 6 months after dislodging his right hip bone. 6 months later we xrayed him again and the other hip was atrocious. At the same time, he was suffering through a minor bout of pano. My ortho vet said we should do the other FHO and he should be able to live a pain free life. Others (not vets) told me I should put him out of his misery. I was extremely torn between whether or not I was giving him a chance at life or prolonging his suffering because i loved him so much. I got a second opinion from another vet who agreed with my vet. I did the second FHO, the pano has passed, and my boy is like I've never seen him- running, playing, pain free and HAPPY. Decisions like this are never easy, and for those of us that don't breed or compete, it can be hard to decipher whether you're doing the right thing for the dog. The surgeries and meds in total cost me around $2500. Being able to see him run, jump, and play pain free for the first time in his life is absolutely priceless...

I've been at both ends of the spectrum, & the middle. When my 7 month old pup had an intersusseption, we paid nearly $4000.00 to save her. She healed, & is happy. The hardest thing I've done recently was to let my sweet girl Kali slip away, because I didn't want to torture her with treatments I couldn't explain to her, just because I didn't want to lose her. We treat my husband's girl for EPI. Each case is different, with different circumstances. No one should be made to feel guilty about the choice they make. Making a well considered choice is hard enough. I'm grateful I have a supportive vet. Condolences on your loss. jackie harris

Spend it and they will come.

Just as human health care has gone through the roof, so will veterinary costs.
Ordinary people are forced into bankruptcy everyday over medical bills for their family members.

My Vet pushes animal health insurance now.
It's only gonna get worst.

Sorry I just don't think no matter how much I would not want to say goodbye to my beloved pet, I am in no position to spend thousands of dollars on one of my dogs.

And I'd have no guilt or remorse over choosing a more viable option.

Moons.