[Silent Void]

A discussion arose on another forum about this dog:

Someone suggested that we shouldn't make prostheses for pets and that we should just euthanize an animal like this.

I found this very ignorant and reminiscent of another discussion on another forum I belong to where a poster said she felt that animals should only be kept for labor.

I would never euthanize this dog. He/she looks happy and healthy and loved to me.

What's your opinion?

[Pikku Myy]

NO Way

[lynn P.]

No reason to euthanize a dog like this. My next door neighbor is a vet and she adopted a customers Dashund who became paralyzed - they had a device made with wheels on the back and sat her back end into it. She was happy walking around like that outside. As long as they're happy let them live.

[Harley47]

Absolutely not. The dog is obviously cared for to have a device like that. No reason to end its life, as it is not suffering.

What is the argument for, Silent? I can't imagine what it would be...barring perhaps natural selection (which is a callous argument) or the possibility of the dog getting out and being at a disadvantage.

Never! Special needs pets need even more love than other pets! I'd love this dog to pieces!

[Silent Void]

A poster in another forum just felt that we shouldn't take care of animals the way we take care of people, although she wouldn't say why.

I was stunned.

[Yoda]

I think you have to consider what quality of life an animal will have to decide if euthanasia is appropriate. I had to euthanize one of my animals - my beloved Aust cattle dog, Snoopy.

[lizardlady]

As a pet parent who has spent tons of money and put HOURS of time into caring for pets with special needs the decision to euthanize is very personal and individual. For me the factors that come into play are - first and foremost will the animals suffer? If they will then it's time to let go. Then I consider whether I can provide the care they need. I once had a horse who needed treatment every hour around the clock for NINE months. I was able to provide that for her. My life circumstances would not allow that now. I also have to consider if I can afford to pay for the care they require. I HATE having to consider that, but that's reality.

In the case of the pooch in the photo she looks alert and comfortable. If the people who care for/about her could afford her prosthetic, why put her down?

Silent Void, when I hear someone say we should put that kind of care into an animal I wonder what kind of care they provide the humans in their life.

[Harley47]

Originally Posted by Yoda

I think you have to consider what quality of life an animal will have to decide if euthanasia is appropriate. I had to euthanize one of my animals - my beloved Aust cattle dog, Snoopy.

I'm so sorry. I can certainly empathize...my family has had 3 animals put down so far. All got to be ripe old ages...just the aging process with larger breed dogs tends to be brutal.

[-jimi-]

Totally depending on the happiness of the animal. Is it still a happy dog most of the time, why should it have to die? I sometimes take care of a sort of special needs dog, she has her unhappy moments but mostly she is happy. It would be different if she appeared sad and suffering.

The animal is not suffering. Its special needs are being met.

No, I would not euthanize.

Different situation, within the past couple of years my husband and I have had two of our own cats, Tuffy and Tiger, put to sleep. In both cases they were old and ill with conditions that could not be reversed. Tuffy had survived a stroke, but then she went into kidney failure. We treated her on medication for a while, but when she began dripping bloody urine, we knew it was time for her to go.

Last December we took Tiger to the vet for what we thought was only diarrhea. The examination showed she had congestive heart failure, and this was the reason she spent most of her time sitting in a closet. She didn't have the energy or the cardiovascular capacity to walk across a room in one go. Her gums were white because she wasn't getting oxygen. The vet said there wasn't much point in treating diarrhea, when she wasn't going to last much longer anyway. Obviously it was time for her to go too.

Those things were never going to get better. This dog is being accommodated.

[Maven]

I agree, it's about the happiness of the animal. If the animal adjusts to a prosthesis okay and it seems happy, then by all means, let it live! Euthanasia is only for when a pet is suffering and there's no reasonable path to happiness. I would gladly take in a special needs pet!

[Nicks_Nose]

Originally Posted by Silent Void

A poster in another forum just felt that we shouldn't take care of animals the way we take care of people, although she wouldn't say why.

I was stunned.

Why should a poster with such an opinion be worth your time? If you don't agree with the person, they are not worth your stress hun.

Coming in late on this...but my vet mentioned dogs coming in with carts who couldn't walk otherwise, but were still happy with life and not suffering. All animals who are not in pain and are happy deserve a chance at life, just sometimes it takes a special person to take care of an animal with special needs.

[BlessedRhiannon]

I think it really depends. If this dog had come in as a rescue and needed thousands of dollars of vet care, and a special foster home and a special adopter...yes, I'd probably euthanize. It comes down to logistics...I could help one dog or 10. I've had to make that choice many times, and it sucks every single time. When I do make that choice, I'm the one to hold that dog as it's euthanized, and I cry over it and then I go home and hold my dogs tightly and cry some more.

However, if the dog is in a home where the owner is willing to cover the vet bills, is prepared for the extra care the dog needs, and able to give the dog an excellent quality of life, then there's no real reason for the dog to be euthanized. But, that owner should constantly be assessing quality of life for the dog, and not just keeping it alive because they can. If the dog has no quality of life, then it's time to let it go. If the dog is otherwise healthy and happy, then that's great.

[Maven]

BlessedRhiannon, I understand your logic. I want to save every dog, but it's not always possible. I would sell my stuff to save my dog if I had one. But if a dog can't have a happy life, then it deserves a peaceful way to leave this world (and I hope there's a Heaven and all animals go to it).

I know taking care of a special needs pet can be challenging, but if I ever have the honor of having one of these special creatures in my care, I will do my best to make sure my pet is happy and healthy, and most of all, loved.

BlessedRhiannon has a point about whether it's a rescue dog or one that already has a loving home and people who can give it what it needs. This one appears to be in the second category, and that's why I say there is no need for euthanasia. There are some who would say euthanize, in any case, if an animal has special needs. I am not one of those who would say that.

Sometimes while watching an Animal Cops show on Animal Planet, I hug my cats and tell them they're never going to be on one of those shows.

[Pandoren]

I agree with everyone else. It is an individual decision based on circumstance and whether or not the animal is or will suffer... My rabbit Bandit had a spine disorder and on her last day went downhill so fast she was effectively paralysed in her lower half. She was in such distress and her condition couldn't be treated that I did have her put to sleep (worst decision I've ever had to make ). Something like this... no way would that have ever worked for her. Something like a wheelchair wouldn't be the right kind of movement for a rabbit and having it strapped to her would have greatly upset her. Animals can be amazingly hardy and adaptable though.

In answer to the original question- if I was that dog's owner, I don't know what decision I would have made at the time the legs were lost. Would I have the money for prosthetics? What was the vet's advice? Would prosthetics even have been mentioned? How distressed did the dog seem? Would I have the dog put to sleep now? Obviously one photo doesn't tell a full story, but if the dog is happy and has quality of life, definitely not.

And as a last word... during a debate, the argument for euthanasia in these cases can be put across in a civil and explanatory way, but there are some people (and it seems a few of you have met a couple) whose opinions aren't worth the time of day. There are some people in the world who would put a dog to sleep for being ugly.

[seeker1950]

I have a 12 year old female dachshund I rescued just last year. She was partially blind when I took her from the rescue facility of over 100 dogs. She had been used for breeding. What a sweet dog she is, but now she is totally blind, bumping into walls, etc. She's "housebroken," but does not go out into the yard to relieve herself. She goes on my deck! Other than the blindness, she seems totally healthy. She loves to eat, and truly loves, I mean LOVES being in bed with me, giving me lots of licks! She is ruining my deck, and I know some people would consider putting such a dog down. I will not...at least until other health issues arise. I am not one to take to extremes saving an animal, primarily because I can't afford to do so. I'll sacrifice the deck!

No way! As long as the little dude is otherwise healthy, happy, has a good quality life, is not suffering, and is blessed with a loving, caring family, not in a million years. Not in a million and one years.

[Hellion]

Certainly not! I would put an animal out of its misery if I had to, but I don't think a dog needs to be put down for missing limbs when accomodations should be made...I also don't think my cat should be put down because of his cognitive difficulties...I am sure its unpleasant for him at times but he still likes being alive I am quite sure.

Not exactly the same topic but last night I heard of a puppy that was found having been trapped in a car that was towed for 4 weeks. I was glad to hear the authorities are tracking down the owner to charge them with pet neglect for not having done something about the dog being in the car. I don't know I have always felt one should treat their pets as family and give them the best care possible.

[Maven]

Hellion, I just read about that puppy a few minutes ago. I hope there's justice, but I'm glad the puppy will be ok. I feel the same as you...lots of love and the best care.

[dkl1994]

To me euthanizeing a pet dosn't matter what it is, is the same as physician assisted suicide they are a part of your life just like anyone else you care about.

[liveforfish]

Everyone will have opinions in this life. Not everyone will agree.