Sick Dog...What would you do?

[erg153]

So I havn't had my dog to the vet this year for his check up yet but over the last couple months he has started to act a little funny... I have a 5 year old Bassett Hound (obviously sitting on the right with his wife) who is as happy as can be and allround a pretty good dog. The breed can be stubborn, which he is, and can also be tough to housebreak, which he wasn't. I had him broke by the time he was 10 weeks old.

Anyway, over the last couple months my wife and I noticed that he was having trouble finding his way outside to urinate. He would make his way to the back door but that was about as far as he would get before he had an accident. Typically, he would make a noise to be let out so I thought maybe I just wasn't hearing him or reading the signs he was trying to give me. We also noticed that he had an insatiable (sp?) thirst and seemed to be gaining weight. The dog has been on the same food and been given the same quantity throughout his adult life. Water bowl was always left full and the two could drink as they wished. Long story short all variables remain the same and yet he is having all of this trouble.

So I began to research and I immediately found an illness that seemed to match his symptoms with the exception of one. The illness is called Cushings Disease and the symptoms are Uncontrollable urination, strong thirst, pot bellied appearance and finally, loss of hair (we havn't noticed the last yet). The disease is caused by either a tumor on the Petuitary Gland (at the base of the brain) or the Adrenal Gland which could warrant removal via surgery.

Here's my issue. I'm 27, have a mortgage and two kids that are in daycare. Point being there isn't a whole lot left over at the end of the day when everything is paid and a deposit is made in to the savings account. I know, wah wah wah, but I'm trying to find a middle ground here. A woman that I work with went through the same thing with her dog and the initial diagnosis resulted in a vet bill of $2,200 and a $200/month prescription. Surgery to remove the affected adrenal gland in her dog was another $2k. I know when I took ownership of my animals that I was making a commitment to them to provide the best life possible but many things have changed in the last 5 years (house, two children) and I am between a rock and a hard place. So what would you do? Buck up, get him diagnosed properly and on medicine (which, by the way, hasn't been proven to extend the animal's life) or let the illness run it's course and keep him as comfortable as possible. Thanks for reading.

[Agitated88]

take him to the Vet and get a professional diagnosis versus what you found on the www. Although, there is a chance you figured it out...how can you make a decision until you know for sure? IMHO, he's a part of your family, I'd do whatever the Vet recommended. Good luck!

[erg153]

Agitated,

The diagnosis by a professional is a no-brainer. Appointment is already made!

[clt_capt]

My previous lab developed kidney failure later in life - some of the symptoms were very similar - especially the thirst. It is a very simple test for your vet.

We wound up giving her subcutaneous Fluids (IV) every other day for the better part of a year.

Please get him to the vet.

[Parapapam]

Take it a step at a time. As stated above, a couple hundred dollar vet bill is the mandatory first step. Then see what comes of it. It could just be a urinary track infection that you can cure with a $50 bottle of pills....

As much as I love my dog, there is a limit to what I would spend to cure him. But that limit is based on probability of a healthy recovery and my finances. For example I would not spend thousands of dollars to prolong a cancer filled life for a few months.... But I would spend $2,500 to remove a baseball from his belly. Agitated and clp_capt can vouche for that.

Finances are a personal matter and decision. But you do owe the animal a professional diagnosis.

Mike

[giantfan]

I understand how tight things can be. When my wife and I were first married I had a dog that was epileptic. The medicine our vet had him on was very expensive. We would not go food shopping for ourselves so we could buy his medicine. (thanks mom for letting us raid your fridge)

Your pets rely on you for their well being and you knew that going in.

Looks like they both could use a nail clipping too.

[Agitated88]

So I began to research and I immediately found an illness that seemed to match his symptoms with the exception of one.
So what would you do? Buck up, get him diagnosed properly and on medicine (which, by the way, hasn't been proven to extend the animal's life) or let the illness run it's course and keep him as comfortable as possible.

Agitated,

The diagnosis by a professional is a no-brainer. Appointment is already made!

erg153...not trying to ruffle feathers, but, in your initial post, you implied that taking your dog to the vet was a consideration, not a certainty. My suggestion was only in response to your post. But, as you say, the appointment is already made, good. Lets hope the diagnosis isn't as severe. Best of luck to both of you.

But I would spend $2,500 to remove a baseball from his belly. Agitated and clp_capt can vouche for that.
Finances are a personal matter and decision. But you do owe the animal a professional diagnosis.

Mike

Ole Chappy is worth every penny!!!

[kitebuz]

Look into pet health insurance - no joke. A buddy of mine got an american mastiff, was planning on getting the insurance (I think it is $29/month) for his dog, but before he could the dog popped a joint in his leg out at 5 months old. $1,500 tab, and it would have not cost anything had he signed up for the insurance.

I hate to say it, as I am not a big fan of needing insurance for everything, but vet bills have come to warrant it as a financial precaution.

[marine4003]

our chessy goes twice a year,once for shots once for check up..i call it preventative maintenance..spending the extra 200 saves in the long run, my philosophy is..if i cant afford to care for her..i don't deserve her..just sayin'

[erg153]

I couldn't agree more with the all of your statements and I appreciate the thoughts. Perhaps I should have refrased some of my original post. I will and am willing to do whatever is needed to a certain extent but as Parapapam said there is a limit.

Agitated...I read you loud and clear on your original comment and meant nothing by my reply. I was going to put a smiley face but I think they are kinda cheasy.

You're right Giantfan, although this picture is about two years old. The big one has to be sedated to have her nails clipped so we usually wait as long as possible.