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Post Info TOPIC: the decision to euthanize a pet - UPDATE - SHE'S DOING BETTER!
alb


Marc Jacobs

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the decision to euthanize a pet - UPDATE - SHE'S DOING BETTER!
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i am so upset right now and thought i'd come here for advice.  our little dashhound is so sick.  she has been in the veterinary icu since sunday with what they think is aspiration pneumonia.  she is currently on oxygen and not doing better.  every time they try to take her off of oxygen, she gets worse and they have to put her back on oxygen.  eventually we will have to stop the oxygen treatment b/c we cannot afford to continue it indefinitely.  it has already cost us about $4K at about $1,000 every 12 hours.  it just breaks my heart to have to make this decision.  i think we are going to try for a couple more days and then if it still doesn't work maybe before we euthanize her do one more test that is somewhat risky but, if she makes it through, will tell us if there is another treatment option.  

okay, i just needed to write this out to help me process it - but i would love to hear from anyone who has had to make this heartwrenching decision.  am i doing the right thing?  this is so hard!  

UPDATE - thanks everyone for the kind words!  it really helped to read all of these posts and about the experiences of others who have gone through it.  yesterday was such an awful day, but you guys helped!  the good news is that she has been without oxygen since yesterday afternoon.  her O2 saturation levels are still a bit low (94%) but she is stable and they are thinking about discharging her home today!  yay!  so no tough euthenasia decision after all (at least so far).  i am so relieved!  i'll post another update when she is home and this is all over! 

-- Edited by alb on Thursday 2nd of July 2009 07:49:54 AM

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wetbandit42


Marc Jacobs

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the decision to euthanize a pet
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I don't have any advice. The only animal I ever had put to sleep was my rat who had a tumor. But I just wanted to say I'm so sorry you're going through this. Having your pet get that sick is a terrible thing to see.

You and your litte dachsie are in my thoughts. I hope she recovers! Hugs (( ))

-- Edited by wetbandit42 on Wednesday 1st of July 2009 11:48:14 AM

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Tati


Chanel

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I'm SO sorry you are going through this! I can't imagine! smile.gif
I have never had to go through this, so I'm not sure if my opinion matters to you. But yesterday my little dog was taken and I couldn't stop crying and I can't stop thinking about her! I dont know who has her, if shes being taking care of, if shes not being treated right, etc.! I just think that deep down you must know that your dog is suffering and though it's a hard decision, it might be the right decision to let her go. Knowing you tried your best and knowing she will no longer suffer and just be "asleep" forever, just knowing where she is, will help you. sorry. I cant help but wish I knew where my dog is! I'm sorry for bringing my drama in here.
I'm so sorry again that your are going through this. I LOVE my cats and dogs SO much and I can't think of how I'm going to deal when their "time" comes. I"M SO Sorry. (im crying now) my heart is hurting too cuz my issue with my dog and now to know what you are going through. why do pets have to die before us? all they give their whole life is love, they should live longer than us..........

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alb


Marc Jacobs

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thanks, girls. tati - i'm sorry to hear about your situation. are you sure someone took her? i really hope you get her back. losing a pet is so hard - i've been crying all day. we are going to visit her in the icu in a few minutes. not sure if that will be a good idea or make things harder. . .

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Hermes

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Oh alb, I'm so sorry.  I teared up reading this.  My heart really goes out to you because we have a doxie too and I don't know what I'd do in your situation.  I just wanted to give you hugs and tell you that I hope she recovers.  Btw, how old is she and do you know what caused this? smile.gif

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Tati


Chanel

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WTHECK! I dont know how a smily face got on my post above! my computer is going slow....didn't feel like wasting time "editing" it

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Hermes

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Tati wrote:

WTHECK! I dont know how a smily face got on my post above! my computer is going slow....didn't feel like wasting time "editing" it


LOL the same thing happened in my post too!

 



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XtinaStyles


Marc Jacobs

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Oh boy what a heavy subject. Is there a possibility that with some meds if she continues on with the oxygen she can get better and eventually heal?

My mom and brother made the decision to euthanize our family dog, Heidi (a pug) shortly after I moved out. Heidi wasn't that old but she had lost most of her vision, had trouble moving around, was no longer playful and had very weird eating habits with vomiting. Mom would ask me about euthanizing her and I refused, but knowing that none of us could afford to pay for surgery or even XRays, they put her down without telling me. I will never forget it, or maybe even forgive it, it remains a hole in my heart but I've tried to move on.

As long as you know that you've done your best at making her feel better you're making the right decision.

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Boots


Gucci

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I had to put my cat to sleep a few years ago and it was simply the hardest decision I have ever had to make in my life. I completely understand, alb, and am so sorry that you and your family are going through this.

What helped me ultimately make the choice was that I realized that I was only thinking about myself when I put off making it. My cat, Christopher, had the feline version of HIV and was suffering by the end. I had done daily treatments with him for a few months and it was fine because these treatments improved his life and made him comfortable. But there came a time when these treatments weren't enough and he needed me to be strong and help end his suffering.

I made the decision and spent the night before just holding him on my lap and crying. The next day was awful (I won't sugar coat it for you, your heart will break.) The vet was a wonderful woman who did what she could to make it easier on me as well as Christopher. I hope that you have a vet like her.

I guess what I'm trying to tell you is that you have to be strong enough and love your pet enough to put his or her well being before your own emotions. If the treatments help your pet's life be better, that's wonderful. If they are just a means to prolong your time with him or her and it's solely for your benefit, well, that's when you have to take a step back and really think about what is best for your pet.

Again, I'm so sorry, alb. If you need to PM me or want to talk, please know I'm here if you need me.

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gingembre1


Kate Spade

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Alb - I completely sympathize with you. I've had to put quite a few pets down over the years, and it never gets easier. When I had to put my childhood cat down (I had him for 20 + years), I think I had a harder time than when my grandparents died. We ended up having the vet make a house visit so that he could die at home, in his comfortable place, surrounded by everyone who loved him. I can still remember very vividly looking into his eyes as they put him down. I'm glad that I was there with him in his final moments.

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Suasoria


Chanel

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(((((Hugs)))) to you and Tati too. It is no small thing to watch a pet go through something like this.

I had a kitty in veterinary ICU for a while (she recovered). It was so intensely stressful for her and us too. All I can really add is I'd consider how your pup feels being there, scared and missing her family. I think when/if the time comes I'd want to do exactly what Gingembre said - house call, at home, with her people.

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Kincali


Dooney & Bourke

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RE: the decision to euthanize a pet - UPDATE - SHE'S DOING BETTER!
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Yay for the little girl coming home:)

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Hermes

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so happy to hear that, alb!  I had a dog in the hospital for an extended period with intravenous feeding (the theory was he may have gotten a hold of a mouse that had been poisoned - was living in a rental at the time)  anyway, he pulled through and was just fine.  I'm so glad to hear your dog is turning the corner!

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XtinaStyles


Marc Jacobs

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YAY I'm glad you stuck it out and she is getting better!

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Boots


Gucci

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I'm so glad for you and your family! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you all.

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alb


Marc Jacobs

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Thanks all - for the first time, since sunday, the doctor said she was doing "really well" and also used the words "dramatic" and remarkable" to describe her recovery.  she should be coming home at 2:30 this afternoon.  i'm so relieved!

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Tati


Chanel

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OMGOSH!!!!
I'm SO happy for you!!!!!!! and your doggie too!

SPoil her! wink.gif

-- Edited by Tati on Thursday 2nd of July 2009 12:26:52 PM

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alb


Marc Jacobs

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i totally want to spoil her!  i'm thinking about baking something.  anyone know of any doggie recipes?  

any word on your dog?  i really hope you find her, tati!

-- Edited by alb on Thursday 2nd of July 2009 12:32:05 PM

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Suasoria


Chanel

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Congratulations! What great news.

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Hermes

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oh alb, I'm so happy and relieved for you and your little doxie!!  hooray!  how old is she, and do they know what caused this to begin with?

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