Knowing when to let go

[djhogdogger]

This is somewhat of a rant...

 I am so upset with a vet right now. I have an elderly aunt who lives alone and is on a VERY fixed income. She has a chihuahua that she raised from a little pup that is her constant companion. The dog is 15 years old now. Its nearly blind, has bad arthritis and hip problems, almost no teeth.

 The dog now has an infection of the female organs. HER STUPID VET TOLD HER THAT THE DOG NEEDS TO HAVE AN OPERATION TO BE SPAYED THAT WILL COST 330 DOLLARS!!!!

 I may be wrong but I REALLY think that her vet is being unethical. I want to drive to Orange Tx and give this vet a piece of my mind. That dog should be put down! Period!!!

 My aunt is so upset about the dog, who is like a child to her that she is borrowing the money to have the surgery done! I feel so bad for her because I know how attatched she is to the dog. But any responsible vet would tell her the truth, the dog needs to be put to sleep! I feel like this vet is taking advantage of her. The dog probably wont survive a surgery.

Sorry for the rant. I just think this is WRONG! I blame the vet for giving her false hopes and taking her money! Not to mention what they are fixing to put the poor dog through.

 

[canitosmomma]

AMEN! Enough said.

[djhogdogger]

 I just got off the phone with my mom, and she said that the vet told my aunt that the dog has a 30% chance of surviving the surgery and that some that they have done only lived for one week after the surgery. Then they told her that at least she was giving the dog a chance by letting them do the surgery! IMO, they are preying on the emtions of an old lady just to make a dollar!  All of that being said, they are still taking her money and doing the surgery! 

 REALLY? WHO THE HELL ARE THESE PEOPLE?!   UNETHICAL!!!!! 

[firemedic]

I agree with you Dinah,....shame this is happening to your aunt. Unfortunately there are vets out there that don't share our love for our dogs,....but seem to love the dollar instead. Can you talk to your aunt about this or maybe your Mom talk to her? It may be that she won't listen at all, but you might try though. Bless her heart.....she shouldn't have to go through all this torment.

[djhogdogger]

I agree with you Dinah,....shame this is happening to your aunt. Unfortunately there are vets out there that don't share our love for our dogs,....but seem to love the dollar instead. Can you talk to your aunt about this or maybe your Mom talk to her? It may be that she won't listen at all, but you might try though. Bless her heart.....she shouldn't have to go through all this torment.

My mom and aunt are very close so my mom has been trying to talk to her all morning. She won't listen. I can understand why. She is alone and this dog has been her constant companion for 15 years. Its like a child to her. She is taking this all very hard. I feel so bad for her. The vet kept the dog to do the surgery today. They told her that they would call her and let her know if the dog survives. The reason for the surgery is that the dog has some sort of infection. With her age and health, and an infection, Im pretty sure that the dog will not survive the surgery. But they are still going to get their 330 dollars for it.

[SCHitemHard]

thats real sad mrs dinah. maybe a middle aged dog will be best for her through this time

[djhogdogger]

thats real sad mrs dinah. maybe a middle aged dog will be best for her through this time

If her dog doesn't survive, I think that you are right. Of course she may need some time first.

[magnuml]

That Vet sounds like he does his job for the wrong reason.  Thats a Shame.

[SCHitemHard]

well i know its a rant but my prayers are with her

[East tx hog hunter]

Very sad that some vets don't practice by the oath they took when becoming a vet!

[lcboarstoppers]

BUT     if the dog makes it then it will all be worth it!!!!!!!!! we are not in her position if its truly like her kid she will do anything just as we would....just my though???

[RyanTBH]

Dinah, you made me sit and actually think what I would do to keep my T-Girl safe and alive... and at 18, I don't think that if she needed a surgery I'd get it no matter the condition she is in. Instead of enjoying the final days of her life she would be miserable and probably make you feel the same way. Having a dog go through a serious surgery takes a lot out of you, so just think about what the dog has to go through, and not just phisically but mentally. and thats JMO... I can relate though, because my T-Girl's day will probably be soon enough too. She should live and let God... 

[halfbreed]

i would call every and any body that has anything to do with the licenensing of a vet and complain . i would call the bbb and file a complaint . this is not only wrong but unethical on so many levels it ain't real . vets now days wanna have all the props that doctors have you know the country clubs and fancy cars and trophy wives . that it's got to the point they will do anything to get them . sorry for your aunts troubles .

[Moon]

sound to me that the vet is just being to honiest which is what i like and went through w my 13yr old bulldog  rather than gripping about the vet remember she has the final say so and there is a thing called a second oppinion and as much as we love they are pets not kids

[halfbreed]

I'M SORRY GUESS I AM JUST USED TO GOOD VETS THAT WOULD NEVER HAVE EVEN SUGGESTED SPAYING A 15 YEAR OLD BITCH DOG TO AN ELDERLY WOMAN MOST THAN LIKELY KNOWING THAT SHE WOULD OPT FOR THE SURGERY .  oh heck sorry wasn't yelling just forgot the cap locks were on . and as you can tell i am not very fond of the new age veteranary code of ethics .

[djhogdogger]

I'M SORRY GUESS I AM JUST USED TO GOOD VETS THAT WOULD NEVER HAVE EVEN SUGGESTED SPAYING A 15 YEAR OLD BITCH DOG TO AN ELDERLY WOMAN MOST THAN LIKELY KNOWING THAT SHE WOULD OPT FOR THE SURGERY .  oh heck sorry wasn't yelling just forgot the cap locks were on . and as you can tell i am not very fond of the new age veteranary code of ethics .

 



I agree. I think that the vet is using my aunts emotions to make a buck instead of doing what's best for the dog. The vet that we use would not even consider doing a surgery like that to a small dog that old and in poor health. But then, our vet cares more about the quality of life the dog would have over the owners emotions. I don't blame my aunt for not being able to see the big picture because her emotions won't allow her to. But I think that this is where a good vet should step up and do what's right. They can't force her to put the dog down but they could refuse to do the surgery and explain to her why.

[Amokabs]

The old country vet is gone, or a very rare bird, at the least. In the 70's through the 80's, i worked for a fantastic vet. He was active in the state veterinary ass. Had common sense, treated animals well and people with respect, and knew how to diagnose any problem, and fix any thing broke. Now, vets are shot givers and pill pushers. Most have new clinics which means high overhead, which gets passed to the consumer, us. Rarely do vets take call anymore, you are supposed to take your pet to the EMERGANCY CLINIC where they charge you it seems double for any services provided. And any problems are referred to SPECIALISTS who,, seem to charge you double for their services.
I always try to find an older vet, in a clinic that he's been in for a long time. But , not too many left that will suggest the BEST things for you and your animal. They must have classes in veterinary school now on how to try to make animal owners feel guilty as opposed to just putting animals down that need to be put down. Heck, half the time, u take a animal in to be put down, you know that critter better 'n anyone,,, and the vet will just about try to talk you out of it or guilt u out of it. But if you took care of it yourself and the wrong folks found out, they'd try to arrest u for animal cruelty, it's a racket!  Sorry, i've said enough

[MrsLouisianaHogDog]

Dinah:

Did they diagnose her with Pyometra? If so......that's gonna be VERY hard for an elderly dog to survive regardless.

I've worked for vets for 14yrs....I understand exactley where you're coming from on your viewpoint. 

[RL]

My thoughts get all knotted up on this topic.  I don't see the need to keep a dog alive and in misery just for my inability to let go.  Then the emotions of when I had to have mine put down flood me.  Logic leaves.

[djhogdogger]

Dinah:

Did they diagnose her with Pyometra? If so......that's gonna be VERY hard for an elderly dog to survive regardless.

I've worked for vets for 14yrs....I understand exactley where you're coming from on your viewpoint. 

j

I was only told that it was some sort of infection and the vet said that she needed to be spayed. My mother was relaying info to me via phone. I will try to get some more info.