How far would you go with treating your dog?

How far would you go with treating your dog that has a long-term medical condition that will never get better? I know nearly everybody would say ‘as much as it takes’, but in reality is that always possible?

As stated in a previous post, my Boxer, Benson, has a degenerative condition in his spine. He has two vertebrate at the base of his neck that have fused together and two more vertebrate near his tail that rub together.

Since discovering the condition some months ago, we have had a dozen x-rays taken, been to the vets loads of times, tried all sorts of medicine (now settled on PLT & Synoquin), just tried acupuncture, changed his diet to extremely expensive food, purchased a magnetic collar, purchased an infra red bed…the list goes on and on.

The vet now wants him to go for an MRI scan so that they can determine whether he may need surgery on his spine some time in the future.

I’m a school caretaker, I do not earn vast sums of money. Currently, every single penny I have spare is being spent on my dog. He is insured with Direct Line, but they are being very slow in repaying me and are challenging some of the treatments. I’ve also spoken to a friend who works in insurance, and she thinks Direct Line will not allow me to renew my policy when it runs out in August. Even if they do, she thinks the premium will be ridiculously high, or there will be clause stating they will not insure his back.

So far I have spent £1,100 on Benson’s condition and to date have received £320 back from Direct Line. In August I will be on my own, with the prospect of an MRI scan and possible surgery looming, not to mention the money I’ll be spending on drugs, treatments etc.

At what point do you say enough? I love him to bits, but what if the money dries up? My parents have offered me money, as have a couple of friends, plus I’m considering taking out a personal loan just for his treatment. You wouldn’t believe what a strain on a marriage this can be. My wife and I just fight and argue about the dog everyday.


If I put him through surgery, would I be doing that for me or for him? Would it be a greater act of loyalty to let him go instead of putting through all that? Or maybe he could just live his life quietly at home, plodding around the garden and school grounds like he is currently? Surgery on the spine doesn’t sound very nice if you ask me.

I guess this is the risk you take when you adopt a rescue dog with no known history.

Difficult situation. Firstly ask Direct Line whether they would cover the cost of an MRI scan and surgery and get their response in writing. If they will, subject to the usual excesses etc, then I'd say have the scan done and reassess from there.
However, I would weigh up the long term prognosis versus quality of life.
To me quality is far more important than a long life so I'd base my decision on that.
However, if after the scan they said that this operation would guarantee a pain free rest of life then I'd do it. If not then I'd make my decision following the quality of life rule of mine.
Becky

Oh this is ringing a little to close to home

I told the Vet yesterday I would not consider spinal surgery on my dog. He looked at me for a long moment and then nodded his head and said OK. She is on PLT, having hydro and chiropractic work. Her condition is somthing they feel she has had from birth but has been aggrivated by a trauma or somthing.

She is 9 years old and I just don't feel it is fair to put her through the stress and recovery period that it is going to take.

I love this dog SO much - she means the world to me in so many ways - she is that 1 in a million who just feels like an extension of me. My mum always jokes that it is not the dog that gets seperation anxiety but me
Becasue of that and becasue I know how much she hates vets (and she has such a low pain threshold) I just can't put her through that.

I am sure you will make the right choice for your situation, but you are not alone. In the end you have to look at what quality of life the dog is going to have and for how long.

I really feel for you in your situation.

I agree with Mahooli you need to speak to DL first and see if they are willing to pay.. you need to see what the limit is on your insurance, and get your vet also involved ..


An MRI scan will cost you around 1500 give or take, I have not long had one on Bandit and it cost 1400....

Where I had it done (Chester gates Referral Hospital) they deal with the cost directly with the insurers.. hence YOU dont have to stand out of the money.

Then I would have to look at the quality of life after the OP. if the operation is going to fix the problem , albeit with ongoing medication for the rest of his life.. I would not hesitate.

But if you are asking me, I would sell my soul to pay for my dogs treatment.

But I understand that for many , cost will have to take presidence.



If your insurance is up for renewal in August, I would hurry the op along get it done now, and then at least you know when they hike the premium up , you can allow it to lapse..

As for insurance companies, I am with Tesco, and I am impressed with their service... over £ 3000 worth of treatment was paid on the nail..within a wk of sending my claim forms in, I got a cheque.. along with then settling the MRI scan..in full within the same time limit.

but you will have to be aware, no matter who you insure with in the future, you will not get cover for his back.

Best of luck with whatever the future holds xxxxxx

For me an MRI scan was a step too far TBH and I refused it and switched vets. I found one who believed in treating for quality of life. My dog has spondylosis, but it turned out to be the common one, not spondylosis deformans (is that what your dog has?) So we were lucky, and my boy is still pottering about here aged nearly 15.
Could you not take advice from another vet? Usually vets give you more than one option, based on how far you want to go with invasive procedures.
There is an Insurance Doctor in one of the Dog Magazines who might be able to chase Direct Line up for you.
Best wishes to you and your dog (and the OH!)

I agree with the advice given one step at a time and think of quality of life.

I've faced this situation twice once with insurance once without.

First time was 25 years ago with a Boxer with a heart complaint there was surgery but it was in early stages and only available in England. We decided to go with medication and let him live as normal a life as possible. He was diagnosed at under a year and for about another year he was on no medication then on gradually increasing doses. When it got to the point that he was on medication and could do nothing no walks not evwen able to go out in the car we let him go at 3 1/2

His brother had a milder form and lived until 12 on no medication and did agility

Other time was with Braid the dog in my avatar. At just over 3 he was doing well in agility and obedience fit and active. After training he looked a bit stiff in 24 hours his back legs were paralysed. I had insurance and was referred to a specialist who did various tests including a myleogram. Two discs in his spine had ruptured and severed his spinal cord there was an op but it had no guarantees a 6 month total cage rest recovery period and he might have had to be put down any way. What clinched it for me was the vet said that he would worry that such an active dog would not cope with the enforced rest and might end up with a total change in temperament. I adored that dog but couldn't put him through that so he was pts.

Whatever you decide I know you will do what's best for Benson

Thinking of you

joey had epilepsy, which has no cure. he was on medication but we felt we could put him through no more after four years of it all. he really had no life, those last few weeks. for about two hours in each day he was himself. and those were inbetween fits, where he licked my hand.

i really feel for you- this is a hard situation and direct line are making the whole experience much harder than it should be. i went with joe to the end, but because my dads a vet he got the med free (and joe was the vet surgery dog, a litle mascot of hope cause he was a rescue ) when you take on a rescue dog, you take on unknown illnesses/conditions. joey had epilepsy and hip dysplacia, as well as a partially paralyzed left side.
im not sure what to do, i just hope it all gets better and i know those words are useless sorry

((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))

hard one and a topic close to home

sam hd a stroke.... she had a £1500 scan which we paid upfrount and got back months later....she was only 9 - anyhow - months of physio etc later she still wasnt right - she could have been operated on - but tbh w would have been doing that for us.......she was pts later that day when we were told our final options -and i do not regret that decision for a minute

i also had a horse (ok not a dog but its still relevent) we spent in excess of £10,000... (yes.. ten thousand pounds) on a massive injury on his leg.... 2 years later he waasnt getting better and i was just waiting for him to do seomthing else and be put to sleep as i couldnt afford anymore - i was ruined financially and emotionally - he was put to sleep last summer - and i still havent got my finances back on track....... (there were other reasons for putting him to sleep but money was a big factor in this)



we all love our animals - but my reasoning in particular with my horse for putting him to sleep was that - animals have no concept of tomorow - its only our conscience and us that do...... put yourself in their shoes - if you dont think they would want to be here.... if you do then look at your finances - that may be the deciding factor over anything....

we now are facing the same with our eldest dog... thats 3 animals in a year we stand to loose....all of them mean so much to me... but always do whats right by them - and dont listen to anyone trying to talk you out of it

xx

For me, quality of life is the key.

My late pei RIP had an incurable (sp) disease, all his organs were failing and he was being kept alive with drugs, steriods etc. I would have taken it as far as I could providing he had a good quality of life, which he did until he developed a blood clot in his face, the vet told us he could keep him alive until he gave up on his own but he would spend the rest of his (short) life at the surgery and would never be able to come home, we decided enough was enough and that to do that would be selfish and not fair on him, there was no quality of life left for him so we made the very difficult and heartbreaking decision to let him go. He was 2 months away from his 4th birthday.

He almost bankrupt us but had there been something they could have done for him, money wouldnt have been an issue and we would have found it somehow.

I think you need to find out exactly what surgery would mean for him and what quality of life he would have after the op, you obviously love your dog very much and you will know in your heart when enough is enough.

I would def get on to the insurance company and find out where you stand.

Good luck!