This is a copy and paste job from another forum. It took me about an hour to type it, so I don't feel bad about the copy and paste.

"In case you do not know, Fred_G is my dog's name. Fred G Dog. I have had Fred for around 13 years. Fred was diagnosed with hip displaisia when he was a puppy. That vet said put him down. I found a new vet. Yesterday, Fred was chasing rabbits in the yard! Today, he can barely walk. I am taking him to the vet Monday.

This has happened every few years, just never this bad. Usually an aspirin every 4 hours would have him fixed up in half a day. His back legs just don't work right. I know what the end result is going to be one day. I just hope it is not anytime soon. Hopefully the vet can help my mutt out, and get him back to chasing animals for a few more years!

When I look into his eyes, his mind is still sharp. But I see something else, confusion or pain, I am not sure. I may have a very hard decision to make Monday. Or I might get lucky and some drugs will help the dog.

Well, thanks for letting me post this, it has taken a long time to type. Damn hard to see what you are typing at times."

Damn, now Fred can't seem to stand up. This is not looking good. Well, I talked to the boss, and I have Monday off to take care of the dog. How I am going to get a 60#mutt in the truck, well, I will figure it out in the morning.

Eric

The most important thing to do is weigh your want of a companion against your companion's quality of life. If you can keep your friend around and he can have a few more good years, great. If you can't provide that, it is crucial that you look at the situation objectively.

Harley was so huge for an Akita that he had some of the inevitable joint problems, but we put him on supplements which really made a difference for about 18 months. In the end it was he who made the final decision which spared me from doing so.

I imagine you've already found alot of info already, but here's a link. Hip Dysplasia in Dogs: Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention

A total hip replacement on one leg is about $2400, lasts 20 years, and 95% of cases requires no further treatment. Hard to justify sometimes though.

I feel for you man. I had my dog since I was 3yrs old and he was my best friend until I was 18. He had extreme arthritis. One day he wouldnt come back inside and we found him shaking with pain, his back had broken. The next day we had to put him to rest, and say goodbye to my best friend.

Cherish the moments you have with him, if things aren't looking good try to think of how you would feel in his position. My heart goes out to you in your time of need.

I know what you're going through. Both of our Dalmatians are going to be 14 in May and having problems walking. This may sound cruel but I hope when it's their time we come down in the morning to find they died in their sleep. We had to put their mother down when she was only 7 years old (cancer) and I would really prefer not to have to do that again. However, if they get to the point where their quality of life is so bad that I can't justify keeping them alive it is something I will do.

Ya, that really suck bad fred G, I feel for ya. I think BA gave some good advice there. My dogs are my kids. I'll say a prayer for you and your companion bro.

My step-father's favorite cat, Phil used to whine alot at night. We thought it was just he was lonely. Unfortunately, when we decided to consult the vet about it, he told us it was liver disease, and my step-father was forced to put Phil down then and there. Better you cherish your borrowed time knowing it is, I guess.

Man, now I'm sad.

Hope your dog is ok in the end.

I feel for you dude.

Hope the old fella is ok.

We picked up a couple of Guinea Pigs on saturday, and having just back from the vet today found one of them has an incurable lung infection.

Its crazy how choked i got after only having the poor little fella for a couple of days but it just f'ing sucks that he never even got a chance at a decent life.


Mark

My heart goes out to you fellow. I have had to put down three dogs, each one had lived a great 13 years. God they traveled with me from the US to Europe to South America & back. We sailed each time rather than flying because of their size. Because of the way I lived they were with me 24/7 so they became not a part of my life but a part of me.
No way to describe my grief at losing each one. I was like a zombie for months every time. Hope you don't have to soon go through something like this yourself. So gut wrenching sad.
God bless.

I know how you feel Fred G. My german shepard is working on 12 years and has a degenerative lower spine and he has a very difficult time getting around these days as well. He has a regiment of drugs and such that keep him going day to day, but my family and I keep a close eye on him so that we can let him go quietly before his pain gets too much. It's hard I know, but you have my simpathies. God bless you and your trusty companion.

Update on Fred_G. It was looking very bad this morning. He had not moved from where he laid down last night. Well, we are back from the vet. In addition to his hip problem, he has arthritis in his hips and probably spine, and a few other problems. He got a shot of Cortisone, some pain pills, and some pills for arthritis.

He should more or less back to his old self in a day or so. Thanks for the kind posts and advice. The vet thinks that with some medication, he should have a few years of quality life left.

Thanks.

Eric

GREAT news! Very happy for both of you.

I'm also glad to hear Fred will be OK. We had to put my cat B. down last
week. He had cancer. We go to the pound every other day trying to find
another kitten we can live with for 10 to 14 years. I would take all of them
but my husband says 1 at a time. We will know our Baby when we see
him. I just love watching a kitten grow up, there so crazy. He will be a
indoor cat so have to declaw the poor baby. They hate that.

Hello Fred_G glad to hear that your dog is doing a lots better, i was talking to a friend of mine who has raised alot dogs for the better part of 30 years and she told me there our two places she would highly recommend you should contact and you should talk to them about Fred and describe what is wrong with Fred and they would help you out, they will give you a idea what can be done with meds or other procedures to help Fred live a longer life.

The first place she highly recommends first to contact. BIOPET INC.-NZYMES.COM here is there Toll Free # (877)-816-6500

The second place is Pets4Life.com, hopefully these place will help you out and maybe give Fred a new lease on life for along time.

Well if you can find a way to control the pain you could always
make a cart to hold his back end up and allow him to roll around.
You'll also have to keep him fenced up when he's not being supered.
My brother-in-law's brother made one years ago for his dog that
was hit by a car and broke it's back. He took it to the vet and they
paid big money to keep him alive. Then he took a kid's tricycle and
more or less build the cart out of it. That dog lived another 10 years
and was always a Happy Camper :-)
All it takes is some modding skills if you can control his pain :-)

I agree with slaymate. I'm sure people in wheelchairs wouldn't want to be "put down". I'm all for euthenasia when their quality of life is just in the dumper.

Quote: Originally Posted by Slider I agree with slaymate. I'm sure people in wheelchairs wouldn't want to be "put down". I'm all for euthenasia when their quality of life is just in the dumper.

I'm really surprised. But I don't think I've ever noticed you around here before.
You've got the rep points, not sure where I've been. Glad to make your acquaintance :-)

Quote: Originally Posted by Slaymate I'm really surprised. But I don't think I've ever noticed you around here before. You've got the rep points, not sure where I've been. Glad to make your acquaintance :-)

Slider refinished the floors when PimpRig.com moved out of the old building near the hills to the new one downtown. Rewired the electrical as well so we had power when we did the switch with all them boxes.

sorry to hear that about your dog, my first dog lived to be 18 and died chasing some birds, it never had any health problems execpt the normal stuff that comes from old age.


If you think your dog is in that much pain maybe its time you let it go, and in a few months get a new puppy or something, it will be hard but it may be better for the dog