I don't know what to do

I have a Teacup Yorkie who is 8 years old, was always playful and just a very loving dog. When I got her she was 12wks old. Unfortunately, my ex-boyfriend didn't do the research prior to getting her and I believe she came from a puppy mill. Since I've had her, she has had a few things wrong with her.

1) collapsed trachea
2) epilepsy - and is on Phenobarbitol 2x a day for life - but still suffers from seizures from time to time - some more violent than others
3) dry eye
4) cataracts
5) weak bladder

DH and I had to spend $2000 a week before our wedding - which is when she started having seizures. There was talk of liver shunts - which thankfully she didn't have. She has to have to have her blood levels checked every 6mths and has to be on Pheno for the rest of her life. She gained a lot of weight while on this medication but since then has lost a lot. A while back she had 5 seizures back to back and I thought they were going to kill her. Thank GOD she was ok.

Since then, she has developed cataracts that set in VERY quickly - almost overnight it seemed. I never noticed them forming in her eyes, but noticed she began bumping into things and took her to an eye doctor who confirmed she had them in both eyes. The fee for the surgery was just a little short of 5k and is not guaranteed that they won't come back. We cannot afford to do this now. I was laid off and am on unemployment, and although I will be starting a new job come July, we have 6mths of bills to catch up on, amongst other expenses. I was told she could live with them, but they may be painful - since they cause pressure on the eyes. I've seen her try to maneuver her way around and to be honest it is very sad. I cry every day - because I can't believe this is happening. She is not the same dog she used to be - for obvious reasons. She's lost a TREMENDOUS amount of weight and only sleeps/eats, and I'm wondering if this is due to depression or another issue. In order for her to go to the bathroom outside, we have to place her outside because she has fallen down the steps out front and doesn't know where she is. Otherwise, she will go in the house, because she can't see. I know she has to be depressed because she can't see, but she also looks very frail.

We are taking her to the vet again this week to have her blood levels checked, and try to find out the cause is for the weightloss. We also are going to discuss possibly having her put down. I have NEVER been in this position, and don't know if I will be able to handle it, or if I will be able to go through with it. She was/is the first daughter I had and the thought of ending her life is breaking me up inside.

I honestly don't know what to do, and am asking for a little guidance - not flaming please. This has been a rough time for me, and I really need any helpful advice you may have to offer.

Thanks for listening.

Re: I don't know what to do

I'm very sorry you are facing a decision like this. I wish you strength to make the right decision for your family.

Is there anything they can do to relieve the pain of the cataracts besides surgery? I'll never forget watching a Cesar Milan show where a woman had a dog that was blind. The dog would attack anyone who tried to pick it up, fear based aggression.

What Cesar says (and although I don't believe in everything he says, this makes sense to me) is that dogs have no use for pity. They don't pity themselves or feel badly if they have a disability. They accept their reality and the issues they have are generally because of the energy and treatment they are being given by others.

What I'm saying is, with the blind dogs I've known, it has not dampened their spirit. My 'surrogate' dog growing up (bf's dog) formed cataracts in her old age also. Although she did have some adjusting to do, they made it as easy on her as possible and she was still the same dog. She still knew the sound of my voice and loved me the same.

My dog gets "emo" when he's sick but I do think it's more borne out of feeling 'off' than being depressed. I would consider more what pain she's in than how she feels about her disability.

I am not in your position so I can not assume to know what to do. Based solely on what you've said, I would make her as comfortable and pain free as possible and give her as much enjoyment as you can.

Re: I don't know what to do

With such an expensive surgery the first thing I would do is get a second opinion.

I really don't know what else to say but I'm sorry you are in such a difficult position.

Re: I don't know what to do

I agree with the advice given by greenfreak.

I'm sorry that you are faced with this difficult decision. If it were me, I would do anything I can.

Re: I don't know what to do

Thanks ladies. I really appreciate your advice. I'm so anxious to go to the vet. I have a TON of questions to ask.

Re: I don't know what to do

(Sorry in advance this is long!)

I'm so sorry you're going through this. I had a dog that had seizures all the time growing up... and she would roll around, come out of them and be okay. That was before they even recommended seizure medicine, so of course your dog's seizures may be worse and I know how scary it is but unless your vet said so I don't think of them as life threatening?

Now for the cataracts issue... my dogs both developed them and lived with them okay, they weren't completely blind or anything but I knew they were in there. My friend's dog recently had the cataract removal surgery and it was successful, the dog is doing way better.

I understand with cataracts they come with age so I think I would ask the vet how likely it is that they WOULD come back, and what type of lifespan your dog could expect with the surgery - I know generally smaller dogs have longer lifespans but not sure about with the health problems your dog has.

And honestly, this may not be what you want to hear but I think I would just get the surgery and deal with the financial burden. I understand you have a family and responsibilities to them. But I don't think I could look back down the road and be okay with not doing everything in my power to help my dog because she is my whole world. I mean, $5K is kinda like the equivalent of 2 vacations when all is said and done, I think I would just give up as many luxuries as I could, charge it and take the money from wherever else I could in my life. They have that care credit thing for pets that can make it more manageable too.

If you find that you do have to put the dog down, then realize you did everything you could while preserving your dog's quality of life. I don't mean to offer my suggestion as criticizing you in any way if you do decide to put her down, it's a decision you and your family have to make, but you can't get her back so I try to limit that decision to when there is absolutely no other choice and it's the best thing for the pet. And I've had three pets put down, and two now that I hope I never have to again. Even with knowing it's the best thing for your pet when they're suffering, there's tons of guilt and pain involved that I would have paid anything to avoid feeling.

Sending prayers your way with whatever decision you make, hopefully the vet can recommend a more feasible option for you!

Re: I don't know what to do

Re: I don't know what to do

That's a very tough situation. I don't know what advice to give, but I will say that unless she is suffering I would not put her down. Even blind, she could still lead a quality life. Sorry, I know that's not much help. Sending you lots of and for your little one.

Re: I don't know what to do

I had (and am having) some major issues with my big guy Bruno.
My vet pretty much suggested I put him down in January when he was still 7.
I faxed the info to another vet and they said nothing could be done for the mass in his stomach which was huge.
I took him to a surgeon and she redid the sono, took the same tests and suggested a different prescription food than what he was already on.
She hoped the change in food may push out the mass which she thought was fat deposits because of his previous script food.
Bruno is still with us and is back to his crazy self.
I don't know for how much longer this will work but he's had an awesome 5 months past when my vet was giving up.
So what I'm saying is, if you're not willing to give up, DON'T!
It may be a regret you'll have to live with forever.
As for her sight, if they can relieve pain in any other way maybe that would be a good option.
Did you try leaving a pad down in the same spot everyday for her to go to the bathroom indoors?
Once you put some pee on it she'll surely find it by smelling.
They also have diapers that you could put a pad in.
Whatever you choose, I wish you the strength you need to make it through .

Re: I don't know what to do

As far as the seizures, have you had her heart looked at? My dog had what I thought were seizures and it turned out to be syncope episodes due to heart disease. My regular vet said it was a seizure but it wasn't until I took her to a cardiologist vet that we found it was not seizures after all, but heart related and there were meds for it. when you mentioned them happening once back to back, it reminds me of syncope. Also they sleep a lot with heart disease. Just thought I would throw this all out there. Sorry for all you are going through.

Message edited 6/21/2009 2:34:36 PM.

Re: I don't know what to do

Any news?