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Author Topic: Moral Dilema...  (Read 14126 times)

Offline bobcat

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Re: Moral Dilema...
« Reply #15 on: June 22, 2008, 12:26:41 PM »
I wouldn't feel right about my dog only being able to get around with a wheel attached. Just doesn't seem right and I don't think the dog would be happy either. If it were me I'd put the dog down. Sad, but I think the other option is sadder.

Offline MountainWalk

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Re: Moral Dilema...
« Reply #16 on: June 22, 2008, 01:09:54 PM »
after some thought,, i would not put the dog down. it may seem weird or foreign, but the dog prolly doesnt have some compunction about having wheels, and would prolly just learn to cope with it. animals are cool because they can adapt so easily to what humans think is a done deal. i just figured, that if it came down to me being shot or being in a wheel chair, id take the chair.. dogs dont feel sorry for their selves or situations. if they are near folks who love thm and care for them, thats all they ask
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Offline Head-shot

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Re: Moral Dilema...
« Reply #17 on: June 22, 2008, 05:11:09 PM »
have you had a consult with a board certified surgon, or just a general vet................there is a HUGE difference. my wife works in a surgical practice and the things they do are utterly amazing. I would get her on here right now for an opinion, but she is still in montana...........good luck.
That would be my suggestion as well. My folks had a couple dogs with arthritis and hip displasia. The local vet said there was nothing to be done, but they found a specialist somewhere that fixed the hips and did something to the arthritis that allowed the dog about 7 more years. I'm sure it was spendy but when it comes to a member of the family, the money can always be made again. Maybe rent a sling/wheelchair type thing if needed short term and get her to the people Highcountry suggested. :twocents:

Good luck.
Handle every stressful situation like a dog. If you can't eat it or destroy it, piss on it and walk away!

Offline popeshawnpaul

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Re: Moral Dilema...
« Reply #18 on: June 22, 2008, 06:14:29 PM »
I appreciate all the opinions, and I did want them because all I was getting from the vets and everyone was put her in wheels.  I was beginning to think I was crazy.  The problem with the wheels is they urinate/deficate on themselves and it is very messy and time consuming.  Not sure I'm up for that...

I took her home yesterday.  Turns out she had a blood clot in the spine and there isn't any surgery she needs.  Time will tell if she can recover.  She has improved over the last three days.  she is still partially paralyzed, but can move her back legs and tail a bit.  She can almost walk on the left leg but it's too weak at this point.  I have to take her out to go potty and do rehab with her 4-5 times a day.  My plan is to give her 2-3 weeks and see how she does.  If she can't walk on her own, my thought is to put her down.  If she can walk on her own, then I have a good house pet.  If she can regain her strength enough to run again, we are going grouse hunting in September.  She really has to reteach herself to walk again.  The brain doesn't tell the legs how to move.  I can tell she is frustrated but it is not painful.  She is in absolutely no pain.  So, it's hard work re-habbing her and I'll let you guys know how it is progressing. 

(p.s. - This is a personal subject.  I don't usually care to share personal stuff but I was very confused as I have never been in a situation like this and began to doubt what I was thinking.  It's good to get a few opinions.)

Offline boneaddict

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Re: Moral Dilema...
« Reply #19 on: June 22, 2008, 06:40:11 PM »
I Appreciate your openess with this matter and good thoughts everyone.  You are doing exactly what I would do at this point.  Good luck with her.

Offline jackelope

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Re: Moral Dilema...
« Reply #20 on: June 22, 2008, 08:41:16 PM »
my dog has a strained left rear cruciate cardial ligament and will need a surgery at some point to be fixed so i was told. every once in a while i can tell he's hurting, so i take him out to pee on a leash and don't let him run or use the stairs. this usually lasts a day or 2 then he is fine, back to normal for another few weeks or month or 2, then he is sore for a day or 2...blah blah blah. the limits i have to put on him and the little bit extra i have to do is time consuming  but i can't imagine what you're going through pope. i didn't really feel like commenting on this earlier but feel like you are making the right decision. you have a wife and little one who presumably love that dog very much too, and if she can't be a hunting dog but can live a happy life and make you and yours happy, then it is what it is....good call.
:fire.:

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Offline bucklucky

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Re: Moral Dilema...
« Reply #21 on: June 22, 2008, 11:06:14 PM »
Just curiouse if your Vet does any natural cure stuff with herbs and what not? My wife is  a Vet Tech and works at Scattercreek Vet clinic in Rochester. They do alot of herb type stuff that may help with your dog having a better chance at regaining the use of its legs. I use some things for incontinance that worked great, maybee there is a Local Vet up there that will try the herbal stuff? Could help. Good luck.

Offline jackelope

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Re: Moral Dilema...
« Reply #22 on: June 22, 2008, 11:09:07 PM »
i will second what charlie said for what it's worth. pope there's a great holistic vet in redmond if you want some info let me know.  i went on a recommendation from my hippie dad in NY and it worked out well. my dog is on some holistic meds daily.
:fire.:

" In today's instant gratification society, more and more pressure revolves around success and the measurement of one's prowess as a hunter by inches on a score chart or field photos produced on social media. Don't fall into the trap. Hunting is-and always will be- about the hunt, the adventure, the views, and time spent with close friends and family. " Ryan Hatfield

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Offline Intruder

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Re: Moral Dilema...
« Reply #23 on: June 23, 2008, 10:30:17 AM »
Keep us posted.... I'm sure hopin for the best for you, your family and the pooch!

Offline GoldTip

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Re: Moral Dilema...
« Reply #24 on: June 23, 2008, 11:14:56 AM »
Pope, I would be following the same track you are on right now if I were in your position.  But yeah, if she can't learn to even walk again, I'd probably put her down as well if it were my buddy Gage.  If it were my dog, seeing him in a cart with wheels would be more than I or he could stand I am sure.  Hope you at least end up with a house pet, that I could tolerate as well.
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Offline bucklucky

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Re: Moral Dilema...
« Reply #25 on: June 23, 2008, 12:34:54 PM »
Hey Pope, just curiouse as to what your dogs diet is? My wife and the Vet are looking into this to maybee find some different answers for ya. Never know what they may come up with.

Offline PacificNWhunter

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Re: Moral Dilema...
« Reply #26 on: June 23, 2008, 07:48:26 PM »
Man Pope, sorry to hear about your pup. Wish I had some advise for you. I was faced with a similar problem about 2 years ago. Gunner jumped off a retaining wall chasing another dog landed only to crumple up and start whining. Scooped him up and took him to the vet for X-ray. Come to find out he compressed a disk in his back and lost control of his back legs, they told me I could pay the 4500 bucks to have a surgery that may or may not work or wait a week or two to see if he would pull out of it. I had a million thoughts going through my head on what to do. I have had him since I was 16 and he is my best pal, all the sudden I'm having to basically play god. I decided to take him home and after about 3 days of holding him up to use the bathroom and eat, he started to gain a little sensation back into his back legs. About 2 weeks later he was able to stand and eventually was able to walk and now can run. He can't however jump into the truck or hunt for more then 2 hours or so before getting really sore. Personally I don't think I could have watched him live paralyzed and not be able to do what he loved to do. But it's a hard choice either way. Hope she gets better soon! Keep up posted.

Offline popeshawnpaul

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Re: Moral Dilema...
« Reply #27 on: June 24, 2008, 01:18:13 PM »
That's exactly the situation I was in PacificNWhunter.  Everyone thought I was crazy for not doing the $5200 back surgery that it turns out he didn't need because in my case it was a blood clot.  You did exactly what I am doing and I hope my dog recovers as much as yours...

It's nice to know other hunting dog owners have gone through this.  It's also nice to know I'm not crazy for making the decisions I have made thus far and that it is reasonable and rational to see if your dog can heal itself.  My purpose for this thread was not to garner sympathy, but rather to see if others with hunting dogs have had to make these tough decisions and whether the basis for my decisions are rooted in rational thought.  Thanks everyone.

Offline DeKuma

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Re: Moral Dilema...
« Reply #28 on: June 24, 2008, 01:39:54 PM »
It is not just hunting dog owners who have been faced with this decision.  As I said before, I have faith you will make the best choice possible for you and your dog, and no matter what that is, no one has a right to fault you.  You know the dog best, and yourself best.

I am pulling for you man!
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Offline Intruder

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Re: Moral Dilema...
« Reply #29 on: June 24, 2008, 01:58:17 PM »
My purpose for this thread was not to garner sympathy, but rather to see if others with hunting dogs have had to make these tough decisions and whether the basis for my decisions are rooted in rational thought.  Thanks everyone.

Faced a similiar deal w/ my dog 5 years ago.  He was 7 1/2 and diagnosed w/ cancer.  WSU, as I'm sure you're aware, has a great vet school so we decided to try chemo.  It was pricey but it seem like a reasonable choice based on his age, etc.  It ended up buying him almost a year.  If he would have been 10 or more years old I probably wouldn't have done it.  Access to top vet help was also a factor.  Always alot to consider in the end.  It's amazing though, cuz you'll know when it's time to say goodbye.  Trust your instincts.   

 


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