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Help![Help] My 8m old Lab is going to be put to sleep, what meal would make her happiest? (self.dogs)

Pimmert が 投稿

Our vet and orthopedist diagnosed our 8month year old Labrador. Our dog has hip dysplasia and fragmented coronoid process on her front paws. The hip dysplasia is in a late stage which makes it all worse. Since we can't afford the incredibly expensive surgery, and it not giving us assurance she'll be as happy as she was, the vet and orthopedist gave us the advice to let her be put to sleep.

She suffers when she is not on painkillers, but when she is on them it looks like shes just a normal beautiful dog. This is her

To give her a last few great days I want to give her some great food which would really make her happy. Her insides work perfectly fine and she's as healthy as can be on that part.

What would you advice for giving her as amazing last meal(s)? What does your Labrador or other dog really love and wont make her sick? I'm willing to cook an entire 5 star dinner for the dog if I have to.

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[–]Restless_Andromeda [スコア非表示]  (1子コメント)

I'm sorry so many people aren't really answering your question. Working in the vet medical field, I understand how hard this decision is for you. I also trust that what you say is true, that you've spoken with many vets and this is the best option for her. It sounds like her condition is more advanced than most of the people posting are willing to accept. I also completely understand that sometimes money is an obstacle even when you wish it wasn't. You have to consider what is best for your puppy AND your family, and sometimes an extremely expensive surgery with lasting side affects isn't it.

The best advice I could give you is to feed her most favorite food. You know your dog better than anybody, including what she enjoys eating. So if you've ever offered her a food she seemed to particularly enjoy then go with that. Try some new ones in small quantities so she doesn't get an upset stomach. My dog really loved eggs so he got a lot of those in his last days. If there are any easy games she likes playing then spend some time on those. Honestly anything will make her happy. That's the best thing about dogs. I wish you lots of luck with your girl and would like to express my sympathy for your family during this time.

[–]Pimmert[S] [スコア非表示]  (0子コメント)

Your kind words overwhelm me, I had a though day coming to realizing we can't help our dog in the way we at home would want. But heartwarming words like yours make things a lot better.

The small quantities seemed mentioned by other too, I will experiment with bits of other suggestions and just see how she reacts! Will definitely try an egg too. Thank you kindly!

[–]potatocharlie [スコア非表示]  (1子コメント)

I'm so sorry you have to go through this at such a young age. She truly is a beautiful dog.

When my golden was fighting (and slowly losing) the battle against leukemia, my family spoiled him rotten. We cooked unseasoned steak, chicken, and even salmon. He loved peanut butter, so we gave an almost unreasonable amount. I'd recommend getting "doggy butter" or any other unsweetened peanut butter if you choose to do this. He also got fresh vegetables and fruits as treats throughout the day.

You know your dog best. I'm sure whatever you choose will make her the happiest girl in the world.

[–]Pimmert[S] [スコア非表示]  (0子コメント)

Thank you and I will definitely try those things! You're very kind.

[–]Pablois4Alfie the smooth collie [スコア非表示]  (1子コメント)

I'm so sorry. For a dog to have both elbow ( fragmented coronoid process) & hip dysplasia is terrible. A dog can cope with one or the other but having severe, progressive joint problems in all four legs seriously limits the options. Hip replacements exist but there's no similar cure for ED. I completely understand that euthanasia isn't being considered lightly and that you are doing best for your dog.

When I had to put my grand smooth collie boy, Pablo, to sleep, I made an egg & sardine omelette that morning and fed it to him bit by bit as they inserted the catheter and sedated him. It was gross & oily but he loved it.

For my old lady collie, Lucy, I fried a hamburger patty an hour beforehand so that it was fresh and warm as I fed it to her at the vets. I timed it well so that she was woofing down the final bit when she collapsed on her side.

Both had all sorts of delicacies the day before and the morning before they were put down.

The last words my collies hear are that they are the best, I loved and would never forget them

[–]Pimmert[S] [スコア非表示]  (0子コメント)

I'm sorry you had to experience the loss of both dogs. It seems like you coped very well with it and you sound like an owner who any dog would love to have! I might try some of your tips for food! I genuinely appreciate your supportive words.

[–]Mbwapuppy [スコア非表示]  (2子コメント)

Sorry for your horrible situation.
I think the ‘won’t make her sick’ part is really important. So I’d keep the proportion of unfamiliar food small—a bit of steak mixed in with dog food rather than an entire steak as dinner, and so on. It'll make her just as happy without risking tummy upset.

[–]Pimmert[S] [スコア非表示]  (1子コメント)

Great advice! Thank you, I will try this out with her

[–]Mbwapuppy [スコア非表示]  (0子コメント)

When my very first dog was declining, we dusted all her meals with v expensive Parmesan cheese. It didn’t upset her stomach (a little goes a long way) and she loved it. She loved watching us grate the stuff onto her bowl, too.

[–]chanconchan [スコア非表示]  (0子コメント)

I'm really sorry! When mine had to be put to sleep, I gave him a whole roasted chicken. Just give your pup the meal he's always enjoyed the most.

[–]Horsedogs_humanGambit: Rhodesian Ridgeback [スコア非表示]  (0子コメント)

I am so sorry that this has happened to you and your dog. I had a similar thing happen with a dog we adopted from a rescue.
Our dog also had behavioural issues, and we found the food he couldn't resist was hot KFC fries when he was nervous. We may have purchased him some KFC chicken and chips and stripped the meat from the bones and given him a feed of that with some fries. It was on his last day, so we were not too worried about any gut issues.
The other thing he always wanted to do, but we wouldn't let him, was chase the seagulls at the beach. So on the way to the vets we went to the beach, parked up close to were the seagulls congregated and walked towards them and let him go (it's an off leash beach) he checked back with us a few times then blasted off and chased them for about 150m. The look on his face was worth it and the rush was only just wearing off when we got to the vets - so he didn't really get sore to the point of limping from it. The vet thought it was great - we did ask them what painkillers we could load him with that day so that he could have that one last chase, and it wouldn't effect the drugs that they needed to use.

[–]TheChudlowOpal - Australian Cattle Dog [スコア非表示]  (0子コメント)

I've made steaks, grilled chicken, and salmon for my dog on special occasions, and while she loves them... it's not her favorite.

Her favorite ends up being whatever junk food potato chip, PB&J sandwich, french fry, or whatever food object I happen to be eating at any given time. So, instead of making 5 Star Menu items for her, I just sit down and share my lunch with her (grilled cheese with ham the other day) - breaking off a bite for her, then a bite for me so on and so forth. I tell her what I'm thinking, scratch behind her ears, gives kisses on her head... She leans into me, listens, and knows that she's loved.

[–]diantheOrion and Elune - Samoyeds [スコア非表示]  (1子コメント)

I'm so sorry you are going through this :(

HD definitely has an inherited component, I would ask her breeder if the parents were ever X-Rayed before being bred and tell the breeder about your pup's diagnosis. If the breeder has any decency they will X-Ray the parents and even if both parents have good hips they will not use that pairing again.

As for meal suggestions, my dogs love raw steak, it's their favorite thing ever and something we use as a very special treat for special occasions. Dogs with healthy digestive systems have no trouble digesting raw meat so it shouldn't cause any issues.

There are also quite a few home made dog cookie recipes you can try, ice the cookie with no sugar added peanut butter to make it extra tasty for her :)

[–]Pimmert[S] [スコア非表示]  (0子コメント)

We are definitely going to have contact with the breeder again. It's been quite the shock for us at home, so we didn't come to it yet. And I will for sure look into your suggestions! Thanks a lot!

[–]kingsleymanor [スコア非表示]  (1子コメント)

Sorry for your situation, OP, and for some of the rude/wildly presumptuous comments here. That is terribly unlucky, but given that your pup has both of those concurrent conditions I would do the same in your position. Good luck.

[–]court67N. American Water Shepherds [スコア非表示]  (12子コメント)

I'm sorry, I'm usually not the person to recommend rethinking these kind of decisions, but... euthanizing an otherwise healthy puppy because of hip dysplasia?! Seriously, your vet recommended that?

I ask because my 11 month old puppy was diagnosed with hip dysplasia last month. It doesn't sound as severe as your dog's but no one has even begun to recommend euthanasia. That just sounds so, so extreme. There are many different treatment options too! Not just a $5k surgery.

[–]monstersopranoGwen: Golden | Saoirse: GSP [スコア非表示]  (4子コメント)

This is going to get me downvoted but this is actually common practice in Germany (I can't speak for the Netherlands, where OP is from), where it's considered cruel to keep an animal with such severe defects alive. German breeding programs typically demand hip and elbow x-rays once the dog is a year old in order to evaluate their breeding stock and grade the joints. Anything below a certain grade is often recommended to be euthanized.

I get that people love nothing more than to tout miraculous surgical recovery stories in pets, but the reality is that it's often financially ruinous for the owners and most pets don't have that much improvement post surgery and rehab. I'm sure OP, their vet AND THEIR ORTHOPEDIC VETERINARY SPECIALIST are recommending what is best for OP's dog in particular because it sounds like the dog is in agony if the condition is that severe at eight months old.

OP, I'm so very sorry you're going through this. My heart absolutely breaks for you. Take your girl swimming or to her favorite places. Hamburgers are often a big hit with pups. I'm so sorry.

[–]Pimmert[S] [スコア非表示]  (0子コメント)

I think you're hitting the nail on the head with what you say. And it is quite severe for an eight month old dog as we were told.

Thank you for the suggestion btw! I almost forgot she is insane about swimming and absolutely loves water. Your words are very kind an really appreciated!

[–]court67N. American Water Shepherds [スコア非表示]  (2子コメント)

Euthanizing breeding stock and euthanizing a pet are different. I expressed my concern because I'm going through a similar situation with my pup and have had the input of two general practitioner vets and three orthopedic surgeons now. No one has mentioned euthanasia, surgery is fairly cheap (a total hip replacement is not always necessary), and many rescues are willing to take on dogs with HD. This comment was sent before realizing OP is not in the US where things may be different. Just speaking to my experience, and out of shock of euthanizing a dog that is so young, and such a popular breed, for something that is not usually life-ending.

[–]monstersopranoGwen: Golden | Saoirse: GSP [スコア非表示]  (0子コメント)

This goes for all pet dogs from breeding programs, regardless of whether they are breeding/show quality or pets. Surgery is not as cheap as you'd make it out to be, especially depending on where you're at geographically - take a tooth removal for instance. Middle of nowhere vet? Maybe $350. Downtown Chicago? $800. Bay Area? At LEAST $1000, even quotes up to $2500.

Your case of HD appears relatively mild compared to OP's dog's. They've clearly been through the wringer already. I'm not a fan of people in this sub immediately jumping at OP for making a hard, awful decision that they've clearly discussed with their vets by coming at them with suggestions of rescues. They did not ask for rescues. They asked for what they could do to make their best friend happy.

[–]Horsedogs_humanGambit: Rhodesian Ridgeback [スコア非表示]  (0子コメント)

Your dog obviously has a currently low level case. If the OPs dog is anything like my rescue was, it's hips will be almost dislocating when it lies down. It is heart breaking when you can hear the hips "popping" every time the dog tries to stand or lie down. It was his tendons/ligaments stretching over the bones as they stopped his hips dislocating. The dog groaned in pain if he wasn't heavily medicated. The only fix was a hip replacement. The OP is doing the best by their dog. Maybe you shouldn't be so judgemental when you have no idea of the case.

[–]Pimmert[S] [スコア非表示]  (5子コメント)

It will cost at least 10k. It is extreme, but according to the people who looked into it it's the only way to have her not suffer to much. We can see her be in pain when she moves around without painkillers and it's apparently in her DNA and will only get worse.

[–]diantheOrion and Elune - Samoyeds [スコア非表示]  (0子コメント)

There are varying degrees of hip dysplasia, if a dog's hips look like this the dog will be in a terrible amount of pain. Pain medication will have to be constantly increased to maintain the same amount of pain relief which will eventually affect kidneys and liver.

If surgery is the only option for OP's dog and he can't afford it then putting the dog down is the humane thing to do and no doubt the OP is already heartbroken about it.

[–]Horsedogs_humanGambit: Rhodesian Ridgeback [スコア非表示]  (1子コメント)

OP, I'm so sorry to see you have had so many ignorant comments from the "we do it this way in the US, so everyone should do it our way" mob.
You're doing the best by your dog, I wish you all the best in the next few days. It hurts like hell for us, but you are doing the best by your dog, which is what really matters.

[–]Pimmert[S] [スコア非表示]  (0子コメント)

I don't mind it, everyone has different opinions everywhere and I could have explained some things a bit better in my post. But, my main case was the situation of the family and finding a way to make my dog be as happy as she can be before she leaves us! Thank you for your kindness!

[–]stormeegedonMud Retriever [スコア非表示]  (32子コメント)

You have an incredibly young, high in demand family dog. Is there any reason you aren't surrendering her to a rescue who could rehome her in the blink of an eye? There are many people out there that would be willing to take on a dog with HD and afford the surgery. Hell, some rescues will pay for part of it when adopted out. I'm just a little baffled why euthanasia is being put on the table before rehoming to someone who can get her the surgery and provide her with a long, healthy life?

[–]Pimmert[S] [スコア非表示]  (22子コメント)

Her surgery would cost us more than 10,000 euros. According to our vet she would have to be operated in Italy to get a new hip. That being the first step, many others operations will come. I am not one to give up, but there aren't many people that have a huge sum like that lying around. I don't know the further exact details, only what my parents told me. I trust our vet and the orthopedist.

[–]thatkoets [スコア非表示]  (0子コメント)

You can start a go fund me account!

[–]Pablois4Alfie the smooth collie [スコア非表示]  (8子コメント)

This dog has fragmented coronoid processes which is elbow dysplasia.

In order for the best outcome for hip replacement, the dog must have a good, sound front end to take the stress of the non-working back. This dog doesn't.

Sometimes people have to look at the dog's likelihood of a pain free life. OP's dog is a gorgeous, beautiful dog who at just 8 months already has diagnosis of serious limb deformities in all four legs.

I'm pretty sure the recommendation of euthanasia wasn't tossed around lightly in this case. It's sad and horrible to think about putting down a such a wonderful young dog but, given the info about his problems, I can see why that option is on the table and why it might be the kindest option.

[–]je_taime [スコア非表示]  (0子コメント)

OP presented it as surgical options the parents couldn't afford, so the vet and orthopedist gave euthanasia as an option among options. We don't really know that the specialist told the parents that the surgeries weren't worth it in this case.

[–]stormeegedonMud Retriever [スコア非表示]  (6子コメント)

OP presented it as surgery being a viable option, as per the vets and surgeons they are working with. I do not think it is unreasonable to believe that surgery is an option for a good quality of life, given the medical professionals being worked with presented it as such.

[–]Pablois4Alfie the smooth collie [スコア非表示]  (5子コメント)

Maybe it's the way I'm reading it but it seems that HD surgery was an option that was not recommended by the vets. Given that OP is from Europe, this could be a language interpretation issue.

[–]stormeegedonMud Retriever [スコア非表示]  (4子コメント)

Since we can't afford the incredibly expensive surgery

This kinda gave me the assumption that surgery was on the table and it was a "surgery or life time of pain, your choice" situation.

[–]Pimmert[S] [スコア非表示]  (1子コメント)

Well, the specialist being the orthopedist didn't really recommended operation. It was the vet who said that we could try such, I guess I could have wrote my post a bit better, but in the end it was about the current shitty situation we as a family are in. And how I can make the dog happy with a simple thing like food. I get your thought though!

[–]stormeegedonMud Retriever [スコア非表示]  (0子コメント)

That's more relevant information! But in the end, it is you and your family's decision. You have some options to look into, as well as discussing what other options might be available with the orthopedic surgeon, but in the end, you do what's best for your dog, as sad as it may be.

[–]Pablois4Alfie the smooth collie [スコア非表示]  (1子コメント)

I read up on Fragmented Coronoid Process and I'm surprised that HD surgery was even considered:

"Fragmented Coronoid Process treatment: If the joint is not treated surgically, degenerative changes will rapidly develop and the dog will suffer from chronic pain. Surgical treatment of FCP should be performed as soon as possible after diagnosis to minimize the development of degenerative joint disease.

In all cases, some degree of arthritis will develop in the elbow joint, but with surgical treatment, the arthritis will usually be less severe and there will be less pain involved. Medical treatment such as joint protective supplements and/or anti-inflammatory medications will usually be recommended to delay progression of degenerative joint disease.

The aim of treatment and rehabilitation is to minimize the degree of arthritis that develops, and to maintain a good quality of life for your dog."

"The prognosis is guarded since dogs with fragmented coronoid process invariably develop varying degrees of osteoarthrosis of the elbow joint despite conservative or surgical treatment. "

This poor dog. In terms of joint health, he's royally screwed.

[–]Pimmert[S] [スコア非表示]  (0子コメント)

Exactly what you are saying is what we have heard from the vets. It's insane to think a young and happy dog full of life ventures into living with a lot of pain on such early age. Apparently it's not even that uncommon too, poor dogs.

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