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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 387
 
| Last night my 15Yr old Australian shepherd was ran over and dislocated and fractured his hip, The vets tried to put it back in, but he requires surgery.
The cost isnt apart of the factor, he owes us nothing, amazing cattle dog and loving family member!
He is deaf, which is why he was ran over and in good health other wise, but the vet told us it will be a long year of recovery and may not be able to use that hip, because of his arthritis he has already.
We are having a hard time trying to make the right decision for him so he is comfortable... |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1182
Location: Do I hear Banjos? |
Honestly...it would be a very tough surgery and recovery for one of that age. I don't think I would put my 14 year old through it if something like that happened to him. It's just so darn hard to let them go. But sometimes...we have to consider their quality of life and make the choice that hurts us...but relieves them of their hurt. Best of luck to your pup whatever you decide.
I worry about this happening to our old guy too. He is deaf also (or sure seems to be) and he cant move quick.
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 387
| This is Butch
 (butch.jpg)
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1182
Location: Do I hear Banjos? | Awww...he is so handsome! I know the choice you are facing is such a tough one. Just try to make your choice For HIM. Because I know you want to keep him with you for many years to come. And we can't just choose based on what we need or want in cases like this.
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7268
 
| I have no advice but he is BEAUTIFUL. Prayers to you. |
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 Expert
Posts: 3815
Location: The best kept secret in TX | Had the same thing happen to our older dog as well. We were told by the vet that even if they put it back in it would only come out again and that surgery is the same thing as just waiting for the hip to form a false joint. He suggested to keep her as comfortable as possible and we were told to give her a few meds to keep the pain down. My vet said the hip will form a false joint and she will be able to walk on it every now and again but after a dog over 50 pounds dislocated a hip, they are never the same. He said that after her hip forms a false joint with scar tissue to start using lubrisyn to keep it "lubricated". He said there was no reason to put her down unless we absolutely felt the need to. It's been about 4 weeks. She is no longer in pain and is RUNNING on her back leg every now and again when she sees my truck pull in.
So my question for you is,
Do you think your loving family member will have a great quality of life if you were to do the surgery?
Do you think Butch still has a few years left to cuddle and give kisses?
If so, keep him. It's ok to be "selfish" and keep your friend around. If after you decide to do the surgery, you notice a list of other health issues arise because of the hip then reconsider having him put to sleep.
I am so sorry you are in this position. It is a heart breaking decision either way. Prayers for you and for Butch.
ETA: We were also given the option for amputation. I would also get a secind opinion. I got two or three. Each of them said the same thing: She'll basically be a three legged dog either way you go. And since she had no health issues prior, she would recover just fine. We go back every week for check ups. Vet is very impressed with her progress as old as she is.
Edited by IRunOnFaith 2015-02-25 11:19 AM
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 Can You Hear Me Now?
Location: When you hit the middle of nowhere .. Keep driving | Lots of hugs and prayers. It's not easy.
My old German Shepherd developed bloat and twisted his spleen 3 years ago. We paid $5000 to have emergency surgery and save him (he was 8 when it happened) plus all the after costs. He was completely healthy otherwise. I had him 2 extra years until last spring when he jumped off the front porch and broke his back, he started getting deteriorating disks in his back last winter but still wanted to act like a puppy. If I look back on it all I would have done it all again, people thought I was crazy but he was family.
It depends on what you feel comfortable doing, he is a lot older and has arthritis already so recovery will be harder. Also your financial situation comes into play because there isn't just the surgery but all the aftercare that costs a lot. You love him and I am sure you will make the right decision, but only you can make it.   |
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  Northern Chocolate Queen
Posts: 16576
Location: ND | What a heartbreaker If it was my dog and my decison I would put him down. I won't allow myself to put my animals through a great deal of pain for my benefit. Their quality of life comes before my happiness. |
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Expert
Posts: 3815
Location: The best kept secret in TX |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 387
| I'm sorry I didn't explain much, too many tears to get through writing it.
They would be taking bone from his femur and putting it in his hip to keep it from dislocating, He has arthritis from just being a working dog all his life!!
He is a very happy and loving dog! soo loyal to our family! He was very active up till this point.
It will be a year of recovery, we dont know how hard the recovery will be on him, it could be hard, or he could be very comfortable!
I want him to have a great quality of live because he deserves it, but I also dont want to end his life short if there is that chance.
yes, im not ready to let him go, but I need to make a decision, he is in alot of pain, and its not fair for him right now.
Just this weekend I lost my 5yr old Border Collie to poison, so im having a hard time letting go of another family member.
Butch's Partner in crime, his sister from the litter was just diagnosed with Diabetes, we are giving her insulin twice a day for the past month, they have been together everyday for there entire lives. I dont think she will do well this loss. |
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 Firecracker Dog Lover
Posts: 3175
| zansbeunogal_2268 - 2015-02-25 9:20 AM I'm sorry I didn't explain much, too many tears to get through writing it. They would be taking bone from his femur and putting it in his hip to keep it from dislocating, He has arthritis from just being a working dog all his life!! He is a very happy and loving dog! soo loyal to our family! He was very active up till this point. It will be a year of recovery, we dont know how hard the recovery will be on him, it could be hard, or he could be very comfortable! I want him to have a great quality of live because he deserves it, but I also dont want to end his life short if there is that chance. yes, im not ready to let him go, but I need to make a decision, he is in alot of pain, and its not fair for him right now. Just this weekend I lost my 5yr old Border Collie to poison, so im having a hard time letting go of another family member. Butch's Partner in crime, his sister from the litter was just diagnosed with Diabetes, we are giving her insulin twice a day for the past month, they have been together everyday for there entire lives. I dont think she will do well this loss.
I always ask myself this - is this for me or for my dog? I've had to make this decision and it is NEVER easy, no matter what. Ultimately my decision came down to quality of life for my dog - vet said she'd never be able to run, jump, or play ball again. That right there was enough and I made the decision to put her down. For a 15-year old dog I know what I would do - but it's your decision. Sending comfort and hugs no matter your choice. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 387
| Update - we have decided to go ahead with the surgery, if we see that he is in too much discomfort afterwards then we know what we need to do.
They can't operate till tomorrow so just going to keep him comfortable with meds till then.
Thank you so much for all your kind words! |
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 The One
Posts: 7998
Location: South Georgia | zansbeunogal_2268 - 2015-02-25 2:36 PM Update - we have decided to go ahead with the surgery, if we see that he is in too much discomfort afterwards then we know what we need to do. They can't operate till tomorrow so just going to keep him comfortable with meds till then. Thank you so much for all your kind words!
This is what I would do as well. You never know until you try. If you try and it doesn't seem fair to him, then that is your last resort. Im sorry. I know how much we love our pets. |
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Good Ole Boys just Fine with Me
Posts: 2869
Location: SE Missouri | prayers |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 320
Location: Dubuque,IA | Remember vets are not always right. Dec 2012 our aussie has always had bad teeth and we took her to the vet we trusted the most because of a swollen mouth. He decided to do sugery to remove the affected teeth and called my husband and said in the xrays the dog had no lower jawbonee from cancer and wanted to know if we wanted to wake the dog up or just put her to sleep. It hit us hard and we saidd no she was not in that bad of health. Here it is 2+ years later and she is still healthy and fine!!! |
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Can You Hear Me Now?
Location: When you hit the middle of nowhere .. Keep driving | horsegirl - 2015-02-25 1:37 PM
zansbeunogal_2268 - 2015-02-25 2:36 PM Update - we have decided to go ahead with the surgery, if we see that he is in too much discomfort afterwards then we know what we need to do. They can't operate till tomorrow so just going to keep him comfortable with meds till then. Thank you so much for all your kind words!
This is what I would do as well. You never know until you try. If you try and it doesn't seem fair to him, then that is your last resort. Im sorry. I know how much we love our pets.
When my old boy went in for surgery his red blood count was scary low because it was all affected by the spleen and blood was being trapped. I think it was only like a 35 when a normal dogs was a couple hundred (can't remember the exact amount). They gave him about a 15% chance of living through the surgery and it was most likely he would bleed out on the table. I took the chance and got to wake to my 4 legged best friends cold nose for 2 more years. I will keep your family in my thoughts |
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 Cute Little Imp
Posts: 2747
Location: N Texas | I think you made the right decision. If I were in that position, I would go through with surgery was well, as long as the dog was healthy and active beforehand. If my dog is already going downhill and in poor health, I would most likely opt to put it down. I like to at least try, so I'm not stuck with wondering "what if". |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1074
| Our friend had a lab break her hip. They had the option to pin it, but the vet recommending letting it heal on it's own. She can get around well and isn't in pain. She still has a good quality of life, so it was a good decision for them. The surgery would've been too much for her. |
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 Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | Praying all goes well.. I would have tried as well. after if hes having uncontrolled pain you can let him go.. prayers |
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 Veteran
Posts: 149
Location: Mississippi | I don't know if this could be an option for you but you might try a dog Willchare. They have some that just help support the older arthritic guys. http://www.handicappedpets.com/adjustable-dog-wheelchairs I'm looking into them for my older guy to help when the weather is cold. |
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