[msdaisey]

Am still dealing with glaucoma in an older Chessie bitch. Repeated the laser surgery today, and have racked up at least a $6K bill to save the vision in her only remaining eye.

She is the sweetest girl around, looks/runs like she's 6-7, and has not been fazed by any of the procedures so far. I am rationalizing this because she has done so much for us for so many years.

Help me rationalize . .

Sondra

 

[jeff t.]

It's only money. If you can swing it, and it gives her a quality of life you both can enjoy, why not?

Jeff

 

[HuntinDawg]

Only you can say what the right thing is. If she is special to you, I wouldn't find it shocking to spend that kind of money to help her have quality of life. I shudder to think what I wouldn't have spent to help my old dog if I could have helped him.

I hope you get some peace with your decisions.

 

[DRAKEHAVEN]

Money.....it's a tool, like a gun it can be used to do good or it can be used to do harm.
Long after it's gone, or while it is owed, and worked to be paid back.
What will stick with you is what you did with it. Did you do Good ?

I have regretted alot of things in my life, NEVER once, have I regretted any money I spent on my animals well being.

Money can be replaced, memories can not.
________
vaporizer affiliates

 

[Mark Littlejohn]

Older, like she's 14 - 15? I'd need to think about it.

Does the $6k take food out of your children's mouth or cause you to skip a couple of mortgage payments?

Or, is the $6k something you can handle without too much burden?

The tragedy would be if this is pocket change and you didn't do it, or if you had to choose between treating the dog or feeding the kids. (Even then, I'd find a way to do both! Maybe come clean with your vet and ask if you can work something out.)

Just MH,impoverished,O regards,

Mark

 

[pupaloo]

Quality of life is what's important-for her and for you.

If the money is enabling her to have a good quality of life, it is well-spent if you can afford it without resentment.

If you look at her and see her vet bill first-if you are starting to feel like you are spending the money because you have to, not because you want to-then you need to look at that.

There is no right or wrong answer here-just what will give you the best memories. Be true to that.

 

[msdaisey]

Older, like she's 14 - 15? I'd need to think about it.

Does the $6k take food out of your children's mouth or cause you to skip a couple of mortgage payments?

Or, is the $6k something you can handle without too much burden?

The tragedy would be if this is pocket change and you didn't do it, or if you had to choose between treating the dog or feeding the kids. (Even then, I'd find a way to do both! Maybe come clean with your vet and ask if you can work something out.)

Just MH,impoverished,O regards,

Mark

She's 12, I have no kids (except the ones I teach), am not going to skip out on any bills at all to do this, but I am looking at the fact that I may be postponing the inevitable - even the 'cures' do not last forever. I am just hoping they last long enough for her!

Don't need to come clean with the opthamologist for anything - he's installing a shunt as we speak. Just don't want to put us all through this if it's not going to work, and looking for some support.

 

[K G]

Here's the thing....

These talented animals give us their all without expecting very much in return. The "return" that we commit to them is to care for them as long as we have them, whatever their needs may be.

You are bidding to improve her quality of life. Period. End of story. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Surgeries like this hold no guarantees save one: you have made the effort expected of you as an owner to do your best by your animals. It's people like you who strengthen the bonds of ownership and commitment given by us all.

Bravo, Sondra.....bravo! :wink:

kg

 

[Miriam Wade]

Sondra-

I never once limited Kate & Bailey's vet expenses as they got older. Ultrasounds, x-rays, medications-whatever it took to keep them happy & healthy was a priority. My house could look a whole nicer if I hadn't put the $ into them, but things are things. I'd have given anything I own to buy a few more years for both of them. What you drive or what you wear or live in-the tangible stuff-is cold comfort compared to the love and loyalty of a dog. I'll take a walk in the woods w/ an old dog over a trip to a shopping mall any day.

If you are making that dog happy-it's worth whatever you spend and besides- that why Kennel Boy puts in the long hours he does-hehehe :wink:

M

 

[Mark Littlejohn]

If your vet is telling you that the procedure is doable, her prognosis is good and this does not create a financial burden, then there is no reason not to do everything you can for her.

I've always been told and found it to be true that you will know when it's time for that final decision. From what you've described here, this doesn't sound like that time.

Good luck with your girl. May you and she enjoy each other's companionship for years to come! No way to put a price on that.

 

[Andy Carlson]

For what it's worth, I would do the same for one of mine. You do what you can.

I wish you both all the very best!

Andy

 

[Julie R.]

Sondra,
Here's hoping the surgery works! About now I could use the $10,000 I used to save my retired foxhunter. And he is a gelded, $500 racetrack reject, who got the equine version of torsion a few years ago, but I don't regret spending it. "Puffin'" suggests the following glaucoma treatment for your CBR...

 

[lablover]

Go ahead and spend the 6K on your dog. If you don't you will only waste it on more dog training stuff, and you already have at least 1 of everything. :lol:

Your dog has given you it's all for so many years. Now it needs your help to improve the quality of life for her remaining years; and this will improve YOUR quality of life.

Same with Dooey just having a TPLO procedure and subsequent rehab. It ain't cheap, but you just have to do it for them.

Good Luck!!

 

[Aussie]

Bit late now Ms Daisey :wink: , as you have already spent the bucks for the second time.

Long suffering and I, had a labrador with skin allergies. We spent a huge amount of money, in the hope of......not so much gaining a (impossible) cure, but trying to maintain quality of life.

Their life........and depending on the health issue, is in our hands, so to speak. $$$......well, if you have it, spend it.

 

[msdaisey]

Thanks, all.

Had to redo the laser surgery yesterday, which still did not get what was needed, so late last night they installed a shunt in her eye will will allow fluids to move.

She still has vision, so we're still playing the game. They are frustrated, too, because she's not being 'normal.'

But, then again, she IS a Chessie - her way or no way :wink: :lol: .

Sondra

 

[JusticeDog]

Re: worth it

Money.....it's a tool, like a gun it can be used to do good or it can be used to do harm.
Long after it's gone, or while it is owed, and worked to be paid back.
What will stick with you is what you did with it. Did you do Good ?

I have regretted alot of things in my life, NEVER once, have I regretted any money I spent on my animals well being.

Money can be replaced, memories can not.

Well said, Drakehaven. It's your money to spend as you see fit. I worked for four years to ward off spontaneous glaucoma following the luxation of both lenses in my old cocker spaniel. My first performance dog. I knew that glaucoma can be quite painful, and like yourself, wanted her to have the best quality of life while she remained with me on earth. I never regretted the $$ I spent. And, I always knew that if I hadn't spent the money, I would be forever questioning myself and kicking myself.

It bought my peace of mind, as well.

 

[Guest]

Thanks, all.

Had to redo the laser surgery yesterday, which still did not get what was needed, so late last night they installed a shunt in her eye will will allow fluids to move.

She still has vision, so we're still playing the game. They are frustrated, too, because she's not being 'normal.'

But, then again, she IS a Chessie - her way or no way :wink: :lol: .

Sondra

To me, the only money not well-spent is something that will 99% not enhance the life of your dog... Like investing in chemotherapy when the vet says it won't help your dog...

We were talking about it yesterday coming home from training. I'd probably sell a kidney to take care of whatever any of my dogs need. It wouldn't be so difficult if they could talk and tell us what they feel and what they want to do... But they don't ask to be in the position and I think we, as their stewards, owe it to maintain their quality life in whatever way is fair.

On that note, a lot of dogs do very well once they lose their sight and it's not the end of the workd in many cases. You just have to be careful...

I'm sure you could drag some birds around for her to scent once the surgeries no longer work.

The other issue is anesthesia in an older dog and whether her health can handle multiple surgeries, etc. Do they anesthetize for it or is it just local and some sedative?

-K

 

[MDbaydog]

Sondra,
Good luck with your girl and I hope all turns out well and she gets back to normal soon.

A note to Julie R. I hope you don't have any plans to show your dogs that you have in the above picture. Even though they are nice looking dogs, as you probably already know a black coat is a disqualifaction, especially the one one the right that looks like he/she would rather be swimming instead of getting her picture taken.

Flip

 

[msdaisey]

The other issue is anesthesia in an older dog and whether her health can handle multiple surgeries, etc. Do they anesthetize for it or is it just local and some sedative?

-K

Luckily, her health is better than a lot of younger dogs. I asked the same thing, and they were chuckling last night - she was up and about and trying to get on the counter to eat a bowl of cat food she'd found. This was when most dogs would have still been groggy and out of it because they do use anesthesia! She is an amazing animal as far as her age is concerned. She does not look/act/feel 12. I just hope this keeps up.

Her health is part of their motivation, too, because there is nothing else wrong with her.