I need advice pleeeeeeease and it's URGENT.

[JR0579]

Hello all,

I'd like to make it clear that I am looking for advice and only advice .... nothing else. Here is my issue :

I have a 3-year old male and a 2-year old female GSD. I have had the male for 3 years and the female for 18 months. The male at the age of 1 year was diagnosed with EPI, a pancreatic malfunction that requires medication for life. His medication is costing me on average about $100 / month. The female was fine until 2 days ago when I noticed that she was limping. I took her to the vet who examined her and suspected either a hip dysplasia or a raptured ligament or both. She will need either a surgery or a life-time mediaction.
The surgery will cost around $2500 for one hip and the medication which is glucosamine is about $60 every 45-50 days.

The disaster is I have been without a job for almost a year and a half and I have a debt of $25,000 and counting. In short, it has been tough for me as it is without 2 sick dogs. There is no way I can give up the male.He means too much to me and my wife. I can't do it.

The female is soooooooooo affectionate and attached to me. She follows me like my shadow no matter who is around or how many people try getting her attention. In short, I am her world.

I am torn between 2 options :

1. Keep her with the financial difficulties and burden I have.
OR
2. Give her up to a humane society and leave her to her fate. Every time I consider this option, I swear to God, I cry like a kid. Because my wife doesn't like her, she thinks that this is the only option we have.

Can someone pleeeeeeeease help me make a decision.

Thx in advance

 

[Zoom]

Can you contact GSD rescue? They can either help you out or at the last resort, make sure she gets the care she needs and then is placed with a good home.

Is your vet not willing to negotiate with you? Can you offer to clean kennels to help work off the debt?

 

[JR0579]

Can you contact GSD rescue? They can either help you out or at the last resort, make sure she gets the care she needs and then is placed with a good home.

Is your vet not willing to negotiate with you? Can you offer to clean kennels to help work off the debt?

I tried GSD rescue. They don't take dogs surrendered by owners. Only abandoned or abused dogs. As for the other suggestions ... I have tried to get a job .... any job .... gas station, convenience stores, coffe shops .... you name it I tried it. Nothing seems to be coming my way. Besides, I am back in school full-time studying to get a job. With the course I am in, I barely have time to sleep.

 

[Buddy'sParents]

Hi JR! I wish it was under happier circumstances that you were stopping by.

If I understand correctly.. you said either a surgery OR lifetime medication? I am confused by this?

Does your wife work?

Will your vet take payments?

How "cool" is your local Humane Society with taking in dogs that need medical care?

 

[Zoom]

What I mean is, will your vet let your labor off the debt?

We've got a few members there in Ontario, they might be able to point you in a helpful direction.

And is it absolutely confirmed it's HD? Has your vet taken x-rays yet? If it's just a mild grade, putting her on some human glucosamine/chondroitin supplements like what you can get at Costco, with an extra pain reliever for the "bad" days and you can keep her in a good quality of life for a very long time.

 

[JR0579]

What I mean is, will your vet let your labor off the debt?

We've got a few members there in Ontario, they might be able to point you in a helpful direction.

And is it absolutely confirmed it's HD? Has your vet taken x-rays yet? If it's just a mild grade, putting her on some human glucosamine/chondroitin supplements like what you can get at Costco, with an extra pain reliever for the "bad" days and you can keep her in a good quality of life for a very long time.

Zoom , I don't owe the vet anything. I pay as I go with him. My debt is basically the cost of living, a mortgage and car loan for almost 18 months without a job.

No it is not confirmed that it is HD. The vet hasn't taken any X-rays.
For the X-ray, I have to pay $400 .... can't do it. I have already ordered a product called GLC1000 for dogs ... they use the GLC2000 for horses and I hear it's a good product. I'll try it and see how it works.

Can you connect me with those you know in Ontario. I am willing to send you my info. if you want.

 

[Buddy'sParents]

Maybe you are worrying too much if there have been no x-rays?

 

[goldiefur]

I would not get rid of her if you can avoid it. It sounds like you really love her and she is attached to you. I made a bad decision a few years ago on a dog and I regret it every day of my life. If you feel like it will come back to haunt you don't do it. See how things go with her before you make a drastic decision like I did.

 

[AGonzalez]

Hi there, I'm pretty close to Ontario (about 30 minutes from Kingston or so) I'll look around up here in NY and see if there's anything I can find that might be helpful.
If worst comes to worst there are some GSD rescues up here that will probably be able to help, they are in Upstate NY. I wouldn't freak yet until there's x-rays done to confirm the HD though, it could be something as simple as she slipped and fell and is getting over it, did the vet suggest any painkillers and to see what happens if you let her rest up?

 

[elegy]

i don't know if either of these groups could help you but i'd check out their websites

http://www.oslf.org/
http://www.imom.org/

 

[powerpuffgrl]

wow, i can't help you on this but i'm very sorry for the situation you are in. hopefully w/ the help of the great people on the board you will get the help you need. hope all turns out well for you & your dog.

 

[Dekka]

Hey I am in Ontario, there are rescues that would take her. How long are you in school for? Can you find anyone to take her for a while?

 

[mrose_s]

First thing I thought on glucosimine. We have 4 dogs on it. Bought a big tub of about 400 capsules for $30. That woudl last you over a year if you were giving her one a day.
The surgery will (hopefully) be a one off.

 

[LauraLeigh]

I am in Ontario as well, where are you in Ontario? You can PM if you like... I may know some people in our area if you are close.

 

[JR0579]

Hello all,

Thanks to all of you for taking the time to respond to my post and for the supportive responses. I can't bring myself to make the decision to give her up. I have been thinking about it and I just don't want to make a hasty decision.

Now what is confusing and driving me crazy is that the limping is not continuous. She plays with Roy for about 15 minutes and starts limping for about 30minutes and then she's back to normal for hours. When I take her out to do her thing, she runs back and forth like a thoroughbred .... jumps and chases birds
Is there an explanation for this ?

I did some research and found this product :
Glucosamine and chondroitin with MSM
Would this help ? If yes, what dose should she get ?

 

[vanillasugar]

Since there have been no x-rays, it's hard to tell what you're facing. You'd probably feel terrible if you gave her up and it was something you could have managed.

Some vets (especially if you have a good relationship with them) will take payment plans, or the like.

Whereabouts are you in Ontario?

 

[JR0579]

Since there have been no x-rays, it's hard to tell what you're facing. You'd probably feel terrible if you gave her up and it was something you could have managed.

Some vets (especially if you have a good relationship with them) will take payment plans, or the like.

Whereabouts are you in Ontario?

Hello vanillasugar,

I am in Mississauga in the GTA area. This is the 3rd vet I deal with. The issue is most of the diagnoses are "maybes". Nothing confirmed.

 

[smkie]

keep calling around. THere may be a vet out there that is willing to help. I was in your shoes just a few weeks ago but zoom was able to hook me up with a more then understanding vet. I feel your pain, and i am terribly sorry.

 

[bubbatd]

I'm so sorry for you and your lovely dogs !!! Hope that you can work things out ! Wish I could help !