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McKBrew · 10-01-2007, 12:32 AM

Our kids have been begging us for a dog for quite awhile. So finally we get a dog, free, American Eskimo breed. This was on Monday. This dog is about a year old, housetrained, and seems really nice. Very calm and gentle. The original owner cared for the dog, but worked long hours and couldn't give her enough attention.

Monday night the SWMBO gives the dog a bath and notices a large lump on her abdomen. We take her to the vet on Tuesday and he thinks it might be a possible hernia, but has to explore to find out. Since he is going out of town in two weeks and doesn't seem overly concerned, we decide to keep an eye on things.

Friday night the lump is noticeably bigger. We take her to a 24hour vet clinic. They determine that the lump is infected and is an abcess requiring surgery. (About 2000 dollars worth of surgery). Now the dog has only been with us for a few days, but has bonded with the entire family. I was probably the most reluctant, but even i liked this dog. The surgery proceeds. We leave the vet at about 1AM and were planning on calling in the morning for an update. Vet calls us at 6:30AM and the surgery is over, but the dog is going into cardiac arrest and dying.

So a bit later my wife calls the original owners who offer to come pick up the dog and bury her on their property. The guy also says that he will pay the vet bill which ends up only being about 1000, because she didn't survive. The kids and us are upset most of the day, and they made a little shrine for the dog where her food and water dish used to be.

It's amazing how much of an impact an animal can make in a short time. Wish the dog would have made it, regardless of the cost.

Has anybody else been in a similar situation, willing to spend whatever it takes to keep your pet alive? I can only imagine how much more difficult it would be, if she had lived with us for a few years.

Professor Frink · 10-01-2007, 12:35 AM

I'm sorry to hear that. I definitely understand how you can build such a bond to your pet, even very quickly. I don't think I could put a price tag on how much I would spend for my pets.

**olllllo** · 10-01-2007, 12:38 AM

We've spent quite a bit on our pooch, but fortunately we were never in a position like you were.

However heartbreaking your story is, I take solace in knowing that your next dog will be in a great home.

rdwj · 10-01-2007, 12:57 AM

My dog just had a $600 surgery to remove a cyst on his leg. I love him to death and would do just about anything for him as long as his quality of life remains good. I'm really sorry to hear about your dog. That's really a tough situation.

Beerrific · 10-01-2007, 12:58 AM

McKBrew sorry to hear about your loss.

When SWMBO and I moved into together we got a new pup. We were told she had a heart murmur when we got her and in most cases this is a thing that never ends up being a problem. When she was about 6 months old, we noticed that she was getting large around the mid section....she was retaining fluid from her failing heart. We took her for x-rays and to a specialist. There was nothing we could do short of open heart surgery (hard on a dog, near impossible on a pup). We spent a few thousand dollars on her...not to keep her alive but to keep her comfortable and pain free until it was time. We had her 'drained' twice, but when she started retaining fluid in the legs and couldn't lie down, we had to have her put to sleep. That was about a year ago. I have lost a few pets in the past but this one was particularly tough.

Effie 3/23/06-10/18/06

eriktlupus · 10-01-2007, 01:15 AM

in the spring of 2004 m family lost the first dog we had together to a congenital liver defect, to small to process waste from bloodstream. i've never cried longer or harder in my lifewhen doc said that there wasn't much to be done

capcrnch · 10-01-2007, 02:35 AM

I have a friend that has a black lab with thousands (literally 5k+) into leg/muscle surgeries. It sounds crazy to think of doing that, but I would have done it in a second.

Maybe its because SWMBO and I don't have human kids, but these beasts ARE our kids. As I sit and type, my lab is laying next to me asleep, with her head resting on my leg. I love that and would do anything to keep my buddy with me.

eriktlupus · 10-01-2007, 02:48 AM

labs are a great dog they'll love a whole family unconditionally.

my avatar is my 3 yr old male Shadow

capcrnch · 10-01-2007, 02:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eriktlupus

labs are a great dog they'll love a whole family unconditionally.

my avatar is my 3 yr old male Shadow

This is my 8 year old black lab mix...

And my yella lab.
She's my buddy. So loving, so playful, so much fun. SO incredibly loyal too.

**DraconianHand** · 10-01-2007, 03:05 AM

My bulldog, Meathead, had a luxating patella ($1000 to correct) and has epilepsy ($1000 so far for testing and meds). The meds for his epilepsy (and thyroid, almost forgot that one) are moderately priced, but he will be on them for the rest of his life.

Of course he isn't a pound puppy, so I had to pay a premium to a breeder just for the privilege of owning him.

Is it worth it?

Every damn penny.

It doesn't take long for an animal to work its way into your heart and they always take a piece of it with them when they leave. It's gonna crush me when it is time for Meathead to go. Sorry about your losses.