Judy26
Pearl Clutcher
MOTFY Bitchy Nursemaid
Posts: 2,971 
Location: NW PA
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Post by Judy26 on Jun 3, 2015 20:15:29 GMT
Our beagle girl Lucy has had swollen eyes for the past 3 days. We thought it was an allergy but yesterday took her to the local vet to be sure. He put her on a steroid and said to check back in a week.
This morning she was agitated and acted like she was in pain so DH drove her 2 hours to a specialist in Pittsburgh. They diagnosed her with quick onset glaucoma. She has had a severe seizure disorder and low quality kidney function since birth which could have triggered the glaucoma. They were able to lower the pressure somewhat but we need to take her back in a week to see if she has any vision left. The prognosis is not good.
if she has no vision they will have to remove both eyes. Between the blindness, the seizures which are not controllable and her kidney situation we are wondering if her quality of life would be worth the stress and pain of major surgery.
Our kids (young adults) are in favor of doing everything we can. DH and I are on the fence. The cost of surgery and lifelong medications is quite high, also. So I am wondering what you all might do if you were in a similar position. It's breaking my heart because the outcome either way is sad.
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caangel
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,675
Location: So Cal
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Post by caangel on Jun 3, 2015 20:24:32 GMT
I'm so sorry you have to deal with this. So sad.  |
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Post by thatmarie on Jun 3, 2015 20:27:09 GMT
My sisters dog just went through this. Had eyes removed etc. After all that he went into kidney failure and they had to put him down anyway. I think the glaucoma medication is bad for the kidneys. I am taking my dog in soon for the same issues. His symptoms are not as bad but I am still so worried. Both are the same terrier breed but her dog was 15 and mine is 6
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Post by marysue63 on Jun 3, 2015 20:27:45 GMT
First off - I read the title as "Dog with guacamole" lol
I really don't think anyone is going to be able to answer that question for you. It is such a personal decision and without having a relationship with the dog it's next to impossible.
From a practical side it would make sense to put the dog down, unless you are Bill Gates and can absorb the cost of the care.
But from an emotional side, it brings tears to my eyes just to think about losing my sweet little dog.
The only advice I can offer is to pray about it and hope that you find an answer. May peace be with you and your family.
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scrapaddie
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,090
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Post by scrapaddie on Jun 3, 2015 20:39:07 GMT
No one can make this decision for you. We don't know what your dogs quality-of-life is now we don't know the emotions we don't even know the age of the dog. This is a decision that has to be made in love by a loving person, And cannot be made by random person on the message board. Having been in that position several times, I do not envy you.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 6, 2024 23:30:23 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2015 20:59:07 GMT
You didn't mention her age, but she definitely has her share of medical problems no matter what her age.
I don't know that I can give you advice, but I will tell you that my personal philosophy was that there was a line that I wouldn't cross in terms of treatment based on quality of life, cost, etc. I didn't know what that line was, but I knew that I would when I got there.
We had to have our chocolate lab put down in January. We knew it was coming, but it was crystal clear when he crossed the line.
As a side note, we had an at home vet come to the house, give him a tranquilizer, and then give us some time with him before he administered the final shot. It was a very comforting way - for us and our dog - to end his life. And I think our dog knew. He was not a tailwagger at all (despite being a lab) but when the vet gave him the tranquilizer shot, he immediately wagged his tail.
Best of luck with whatever you decide. Something tells me that your young adult children have never had to face this issue themselves and don't realize that the right decision is sometimes the hardest one.
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Post by papersilly on Jun 3, 2015 21:01:03 GMT
No one can make this decision for you. We don't know what your dogs quality-of-life is now we don't know the emotions we don't even know the age of the dog. This is a decision that has to be made in love by a loving person, And cannot be made by random person on the message board. Having been in that position several times, I do not envy you. very well said! our dog had the same thing and most difficult BUT most humane thing to do was let him go. that is truly a decision you have to make for yourself because you are most familiar with your situation. it is not an arbitrary decision that should be made from a consensus of opinions from people who know nothing more than what we read on your post. good luck to you guys. |
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gsquaredmom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,092
Jun 26, 2014 17:43:22 GMT
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Post by gsquaredmom on Jun 3, 2015 21:02:01 GMT
Is the dog in pain? If it was my dog in pain, I would strongly consider ending the suffering. It is an unfortunate part of loving a pet. How old is the dog? If older, I would consider it more strongly. Younger, harder decision and a lifelong pain possibility would be a strong influence. Quality of life without pain? I would talk to the vet. Sounds like that dog has an awful lot going on and I would want to have a realistic picture of life after surgery.
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Post by christine58 on Jun 3, 2015 21:02:42 GMT
Blind with seizures and other issues---my choice would be clear. I'd be making an appointment with the vet. That's no quality of life...
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Post by PepsiGal on Jun 3, 2015 21:08:31 GMT
Do what is best for the dog. This is the most horrible decision to be made in life. We had two golden up until last August and thank God....God made the decision for us. Our other golden is 11 and is in good health (at the present). Prayers and thoughts go out to you at this time.
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Post by heartcat on Jun 3, 2015 21:15:57 GMT
I am so very sorry that you are facing this, and your Lucy as well. {{Hugs}}
My personal philosophy is that I think too often people approach a pet's medical care the way they would their own. Animals live in the moment. They do not have the same understanding of their own mortality that people do. People can, and do, go to extraordinary lengths, and endure great pain with the thought that they will extend their lives. People are able to handle 'bad days' because they have the knowledge that tomorrow, or next week, might/will be better.
Animals do not have that same ability. They know only how they feel 'now'. If they hurt now, or are scared now, that is their life. They are not able to think that yesterday was not too bad and tomorrow might not be too bad, to help them get through today. They do not understand that putting up with discomfort or confusion or fear for a time will enable them to extend their lives and spend more time with the people and things they care about.
For me, if extending a pet's life is going to cause them to live with discomfort and confusion, that is probably more for 'me' than it is for them. If there is no hope that a pet will ever have a 'normal' life, but will always be plagued by health issues that they will have to deal with the repercussions of, I believe it is kinder to let them go.
Cost is a factor too, of course. But I would spend a significant amount of money to 'cure' a pet (or to have a good chance to do so) if it meant they would be able to live a mostly normal life after a recuperative period. But I would not spend even a small amount to keep a pet living with health issues that would be constant/recurrent. Because as much as I would understand and think it was worth it, I do not believe an animal would know.
Many previously sighted or able bodied animals adapt fine to becoming blind, losing limbs, etc. as long as they are essentially healthy after the crisis has passed. I think to have an animal lose its sight and still have to battle health issues for the rest of its life is much different though. I think in the former case, that is a decision that is best for the animal. I think in the latter case that many times it is a decision that is best for the owner, because it is so hard to let go.
I think that whatever you decide to do, if it comes out of love, it is the right thing to do for Lucy. Only you know her. Only you and your vet know the actual minute details of the prognosis.
I do believe though that 'extraordinary measures' on behalf of a pet is not always what is best for them. I think we need to remember that they are animals and that we have to be careful of humanizing them. The steps we would take to extend a life of a human being, who can understand and participate in that decision, do not always apply to a beloved pet. Our understanding is not the same as theirs. Sometimes it is kinder to let a pet go, than to require that it live with extended pain and confusion, especially when there is no chance that they will ever be able to live a life that does not require constant medical intervention.
{{Hugs}}
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Post by eebud on Jun 3, 2015 21:30:41 GMT
My dachshund Bud had many of the same issues your dog has. However, his going blind was not glaucoma and he was not in pain and never had to have his eyes removed. He went blind very suddenly when he was 5. Later in life, he also had seizures but his were mostly controlled with medication. He would still have some small seizures but didn't have any more grand mal seizures once he was on phenobarbital. He also had liver issues but they were issues that could never be diagnosed as to what was going on. His blood counts were always through the roof and the vet initially thought he was having liver failure............many times. Even with all of that, he had a very good quality of life. He loved going to the lake and running on the beach (one of the few places he would really run after he went blind), he loved riding on the golf cart, he loved hanging out with us, he was a very happy dog. He is the one who told us when it was time to say goodbye. He was 13 1/2. If he had not had quality of life, I would have had to make the hard decision because I know that is what was best for Bud. It really didn't matter how bad it was going to hurt me. I always knew I had to do what was best for Bud. I suspect that you will know what is best for your pup once you have all the facts of what is going on. Putting your pup through a major surgery may not be right for your Lucy. Letting Lucy remain in pain is also not right for Lucy. It is so very hard to say goodbye to our furry family members but it is up to us to know when it is the right time. Bud told me. Lucy just might tell you too.
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Post by Woobster on Jun 3, 2015 22:08:00 GMT
For me, it would depend upon a couple of things.
1) Would the surgery end her pain? My BIL had to have his dog's eyes removed for glaucoma about a year ago. The dog was 4 years old and has done remarkably well post surgery. She did not have any other health issues and no longer has to deal with her eye pain. If the surgery would eliminate your dog's pain, then I would definitely consider it.
2) Are you able to afford the cost? I am one of those "crazy dog ladies" that would do just about anything for my dogs. However, I know I also have to be realistic when it comes to cost and the age of the pet. (I have a 12 year old that I would probably not spend huge amounts of money on.)
I do not envy your position. Your beagle looks like a beautiful little thing... I wish you peace in your decision.
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Post by Basket1lady on Jun 3, 2015 22:19:47 GMT
I would not put a dog down because it was blind. With care, they can adapt quite well. I know there are Peas with blind dogs and I'm sure they would be happy to share tips on training a blind dog to get around. A dog's sense of smell and hearing is so much better than ours and I've heard positive stories about how well they adapt.
The question you have to ask yourself is the quality of life question. Will Lucy still be in pain? Can meds manage that pain? Can you afford those meds? Do the seizures prevent her from enjoying her life? Are there meds that you try as a means of controlling the seizures?
We had a golden lab who had a reaction to a lyme vaccine. She developed horrible arthritis overnight and was on various meds of increasing strength for over 7 years. But the meds did give her an excellent quality of life. The last 4 years, the meds, food, dr visits, etc were the equivalent of a car payment. A nice car car payment. I don't regret for a minute that we chose to extend her life. She was the sweetest dog ever and I still miss her 3 years later. But that was the right decision for our family and for Sandy.
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Post by Skypea on Jun 3, 2015 23:24:57 GMT
one of my dogs lost her sight and hearing - but she knew my touch. She didn't get her wings until she quit eating.
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Post by Zee on Jun 3, 2015 23:28:55 GMT
With the seizure disorder and poor kidney function, I would not put her through surgery to remove her eyes. It is your choice but that seems kind of cruel to me, just to keep her alive a while longer. It's ok to say goodbye. Hugs to you,I know how hard this decision can be.
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Post by mirabelleswalker on Jun 3, 2015 23:30:51 GMT
I'm sorry you find yourself in this position. This is a decision only you can make. You may find the HHHHHMM Scale helpful. It is a quality of life assessment. I hope it helps. link |
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