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My fiance's dog
(who I've already adopted as my own 
)
Has been limping the last week, so I took her to the vet this morning. He said it was either hip dysplasia, arthritis or both. She is only 2 or 3 years old (and a really sweet great pyrnees). Needless to say, I cried most of the way home. Its over a hundred for the x rays, and then even after the x rays it isn't cureable, unless we pay several thousand dollars for surgery, that we dont have. So we can medicate her or put her down.
So tonight, 16 days before the wedding we are going to decide if we are going to put her down or try to give her supplements and see if that helps any. Just concerned because she is already eating and drinking way less than normal 
Awww ! That's so so sad. My dog just turned 2 this week and hip displaysia is one of my biggest fears. Good luck with the decision. Are you guys going on a long honeymoon? If so, I think it'd be really hard to leave a loved pet with someone for a while that isn't doing so hot...
Good luck and a big {{HUG}} from the hive!
i'm sorry to hear that! I wish I could offer some grat advice but all I have is sympathy…
Before you put her down, please call a rescue group. There are lots of vets and even groups who will loooovvveee to help you.
Can you talk to your vet to see if they offer any kind of payment plan or look into health insurance for him? I agree with MightySapphire, a dog that age can overcome hip displasia with the right treatment. Perhaps your local animal rescue league could offer some advice on how you could afford his treatment. He is so young, I would hate to think of having him put to sleep without exhausting every possible avenue of help. (((Hugs))) to you during this difficult time, I hope you & your FI can find the help you need for your dear dog.
PLEASE don't put the dog down!!!! Like Mighty said, this isn't a terminal illness. The decrease in eating is from the pain, but there are things you can do that. And I agree, check with a rescue who can help if it's something you can't afford.
Our lab developed hip displaysia after he was about 2 years old. Needles to say, we didn't want to return him to the breeder (even though that was part of the contract and our right). We medicated him with Rimadyl or Rimadol for the rest of his life. They're little tablets and he gobbles them like treats. Your dog won't run or play fetch or be overly rambunctious, but he's still a sweet puppy. We didn't pay for x-rays or anything of that sort. I definitely do not think this is something worth putting your dog down over but the fact that he's eating less might mean somethign else is up.
You need to do what is best for all parties involved. I had to put my first horse that I had had since I was 13 down when I couldn't afford the surgery. Whatever your decision is, make sure you research it well. Just as there are bad vets just trying to make a buck there are also bad rescues.
I'm so sorry you guys are going through this, especially right now. Having to see a member of your family in pain is heart wrenching. Good luck with whatever you decide!
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I agree to not put the dog down, its not terminal and he/she could still have a lot of years left. If you can't afford to keep him on pain meds for the rest of his life, give him to a no kill shelter who can. Getting pet insurance will work for future occurrences, but you won't be able to get it for this since you already know about it and it would be considered a pre existing condition.
Do not put the dog down...PLEASE.....there are treatments that can help the poor thing and if you can't afford it..someone out there can and would be willing to adopt the pup. My friend had a 14 yr old dog with cancer and they told her they would have to put her down and yada yada..and her dog ended up surviving 3 more years with supplements and the right home care..it is possible!! Her dog lived to be 17!! I know not all cases are the same-but there is hope and HELP out there..give the dog a chance..he deserves it.
There are many services out there available that are willing to help..do your research before even considering putting the dog down
Also-eating and drinking way less than normal..is by no means a sign that this dog should go down-my dog does that when a simple cold is coming on..get the dog the help he deserves!
Many vets have payment plans or use credit companies (like Capital One) that provide credit for vet care at 0% interest for a period of 1-2 years (meaning you have 1-2 years to pay it off before accruing interest).
A friend just used that credit to pay $1600 for her cat's hernia repair.
Spreading the cost of the sugery out over a period of years may make it a lot more feasible. Also- you will probably be getting some monetary gifts from your wedding that will help you make a down payment.
I do think you should get second and third opinions before putting the dog to sleep. You don't want to make such a painful and difficult decision without all the info.
I agree! Please don't put your dog down! See if you can go on a payment plan, as Rosychicklet suggested, or see if you can find someone else who has the money to take care of her.
Putting her to sleep shouldn't be the answer. She's still a good puppy, with a lot of years left!
I hadn't thought about seeing if a rescue group could help offset the costs. The vet we went to was a family friend, and he was already giving us a discount. So I don't think going somewhere would be cheaper or better for the dog.
Its also frustrating because she isn't a house dog, so its hard to keep tabs on her since she mostly wonders around the pastures. Now she stays within about 20 feet of the house.
I am cooking dinner tonight, so hopefully if I give her some 'people food' she will eat. Then there's the whole not drinking very much water that also concerns me. We have been giving her a little bit of aspirin (per vet) so I would think that would cut down the pain so she could eat.
Heaven knows I don't really want to put the dog down, I've still been crying over it (at work, which is real professional) we just can't honestly afford the surgery. Also looked into it more and its not a 100% fix. Just frustrated and I don't want the dog to be miserable either. Thats not fair to her. Hoping after talking with fiance we will at least try her on supplements for a month or so, but thats not a fix either. Her quality of life won't ever be the same.
We went through the same thing with our dog.
She doesn't have hip dysplasia but has a partial ccl tear. With the wedding expenses I can understand how difficult it can be for you to care for your pet. But there are medical ways to treat (either surgery- which I understand is pricey) or like you said pain management and R&R (rest and relaxation). So our dog is on a one month rest, and she is being given anti-inflammatory meds to relieve the inflammation and pain. But our dog isn't eating less. she still thinks she should be running after tennis balls!
Please don't consider putting your dog down before the wedding. you have so much on your mind, I am sure you are overwhelmed. Try to get a second opinion and try to make your dog as comfortable as possible in the meantime.
Actually the wedding cost aren't even playing into it. We are just having budget issues. The wedding is already paid for, which came out to less than $1000, mainly because I got my dress second hand and we are having a small wedding and small reception (that's only cake, punch and a few finger foods) at a friends house and backyard.
I guess we are just to the topic you don't ever want to have to discuss. How much are you willing to pay on vet bills if your pet is injured?
I'm willing to pay whatever I have to. My cats are part of my family.
My last cat was about 13, had a brain tumor, went blind and was a diabetic, and I gave that cat a pill everday, and gave her shots, everyday. I didn't put her to sleep until she was so weak she couldn't stand and wouldn't eat anything
Anything my pets need, I will pay for. I adopted them, and I won't put them down just because they get sick.
But, that's me.
That is so sad! I don't have much advice, but I also offer my sympathies. Hugs to you and your puppy!
I love my dog very much, but I definitely have a cut off of what I'm willing to pay. I'm not willing to risk financial ruin to keep her alive.
Also- I do think you need to take into account the dog's quality of life. If I was in your position (my dog is 4yo) I would probably be willing to pay up to $3000 for surgery if it could mean several more years of pain-free/minimal pain life. If it was a maintenance issue of purchasing drugs, I would do it if I could afford to. If I couldn't, I would probably try to have her adopted by someone who could.
My parents dog is a lab with arthritis and hip dysplasia. Surgery isn't an option because she's 14yo. But she is on anti-inflammatories. She's obviously stiff and has trouble getting up/laying down and on the stairs, but she still walks around outside and seems happy. So right now we aren't considering putting her to sleep. If it gets to the point that she can't walk on her own, then we will put her to sleep.
I wouldn't lose hope your your dog just yet. A few years ago my parents dog got pretty bad and could barely walk. Turned out that she had just exacerbated her arthritis- trying to play with my dog who is a decade younger! A few injections and a short course of steroids (anti-inflammatories) and some pain meds and she was functional (for a 12yo dog with hip dys) again in a week.
If your dog wanders about on her own, you don't know that she didn't just really overdo it chasing a deer or something and is now really sore and hurting. Some rest and some drugs might improve her condition dramatically.
If that's the case, it might just be a matter of not letting her out unattended all day and instead taking her for walks or playing with her so you can control her activity level. While it won't be the same life she's had, it's probably worth the change to be alive.
Talk to your FI, consider your options. Try pain meds and arthritis drugs for a month or two. If they work- great! If not, you have time to look at your finances andconsider your options- surgery, adoption, etc.
I'm not sure where you are located, but is there a veterinary school nearby? Sometime the vet schools have clinics that are cheaper than regular vets because they are teaching clinics for the students. That might be an option to lessen the cost of the surgery.
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To clarify everyone else's comments, a rescue group won't pay/help pay for your pet's surgery and then give the dog back to you... you'd have to surrender the dog to the group. Even so, putting the dog down, especially for a treatable condition, should be the absolute LAST option, after you've tried to go the rescue route.
I'm not sure where you're located, but here is the website for the National Great Pyrenees Rescue, which would be a good place to start: http://www.nationalpyr.org/
Good luck, and I'm so sorry this is happening to you right before your wedding.
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there are a lot of ways to deal with hip-dysplasia.
please do not put your dog down.
if you can not take care of it, you can turn it over to a rescue. you will surrender all rights. someone will adopt your dog, give it the treatment and he will become their forever dog.
however, if you are willing to find a way to finance the treatment, he can stay your forever dog.
There are exercises that can be done to help move his hips in ways to keep them strong. There is surgery, and maybe you need to just medicate for pain until you can afford the $2000 operation. Also, when he was purchased, as I am assuming he's a pure breed, was there a hip guarentee?If he is certified hip dysplasia free, then maybe the breeders should refund the payment or help with costs. And they should not rebred that pair of dogs because they will always throw dogs with this genetic disformity.
Perhaps, you could even do a funraiser for the dog. Forego wedding presents and people can donate to your vet to cover the cost. Set up dinners or bake sales until you have the cash.
we just want you to know there are ways to pay and to keep the dog healthy and in your life.
A pet is PART OF YOUR FAMILY.
I am honestly troubled by the header on your thread "I bid thee adieu" which says you're saying goodbye..
Despite your wedding being sixteen days away, your FI's dog is a family member now since you're marrying him and if money or all options ARE NOT EXHAUSTED FIRST, I would put all effort into saving this dog.
Wedding options to obtain funding is also a possible answer. I'd also leave maybe a jar at the wedding with a sign for donations for the family friend..MAYBE CHANGE YOUR REGISTRY and have all the attendees or relatives aware of this serious situation and how donations might (IN LIEU OF WEDDING GIFTS) might make a difference and save the life of your beloved family pet.
A pet is a responsibility. I have three dogs and a macaw. I love them AS FAMILY MEMBERS. I have also a very elderly large mastiff..who is getting stiffer these days..glucosamine and wholistic approach so far is all that's needed.
I have a very elderly mastiff who I will not put down unless he becomes wracked with excruciating pain as his life continues. I will do what I can and I will do it with a smile. He's given my son and I years of unconditional love and I owe him MY VERY BEST since he's given us his very best..
You've been given very good options. Very loving options. I suggest taking the bigger picture to heart...and do the RIGHT THING.
Bellenga - She already answered that. Their wedding cost $1000 and has already been paid for.
I changed my response to her..I think if it were me, and the wedding were already paid for, I'd either cancel a honeymoon (save the money) and do a minimoon, or I'd do the option I told her to..inform all relatives and guests and make the dog's medical bills THE WEDDING GIFT..
If fifty people give fifty dollars that equals $2500...see? This could be a GREAT alternative and I'm sure a loving and good vet would come up with a payment plan. My vet has done that once when my mastiff was injured when he was being boarded when we were on a vacation..(do not get me started on that boarding facility) and I had a 1200 bill when i returned..
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Btw..sending good thoughts and wishes to you and your FI and the sweet dog.
When there's a will, there can usually be a way!
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So...do you have some good ideas and have you brainstormed to find a way to work through this to help your sweet dog?
We're pulling for you! I'm sure there are plenty of other financially saavy or those with a veterinary background type bees who can lend plenty of good advice!
I like the idea of setting up a "fund" for your dog. It could help a LOT and people are very animal friendly.
I wish you could hear me breath in heavy in regards to how much $ you'd put towards your pets. Here's my story. I adopted my littest kitten, an exotic shorthair, from a "reputable" breeder. Turns out it was a kitten mill. A really bad one. I called the humane society and the police because my cat had poopy stuck to him all over the place. Yes, I still took him home. He purred the whole way, like he'd never seen love before. Rescue cat to every inch of the word! She was an awful crazy breeder. She answered the door in an electric blue halter with no bra on...and she totally needed one. Gross. Anyways, I had to cancel my check to her (not b/c i didn't want to pay, but because his medical bills were already more than the $300 I was paying her for him, and I wasn't going to pay her for a sick cat, duh) and endured threatening phone calls, amongst other crazy things. Her weirdo hoosier husband called to tell me the truth isn't in me and I work for the devil and they're coming for me. blah blah blah. So, it was already a huge headache before it turned into a financial issue. Well, poor baby had ear infections and also ringworm. Ringworm is SUPER expensive in cats. Especially when it spreads to you (i looked like someone attacked me with a cigar b/c i didn't know it was ringworm until i'd had it for a couple of months, oops) AND your other cat. My other cat was a very lovely long haired himalayan. We're talking medication daily, lime sulfur dips, shaving both my cats, ugh. Lots of TIME and money. Hours every week, I kid you not. I bought a steam cleaner too, amongst lots of professional ringworm cleaners to kill the spores. So, I borrowed money. My mom has a soft heart for animals. I was always crying. If i showed you pictures, it would break your heart I swear. Maybe $1500 later (low balling it!), and about 10 months later, I'm finally free of it. It's been a LOOOOOONG expensive battle. My FI's cousin actually had the gall to tell me my cat wasn't worth it and she would have put him down a long time ago, like around $500. Let me tell you, my FI was holding me down from climbing across the table and getting into a smack down right then and there. Oooo boy, man. Long story short, I don't mind paying a lot of money for my cats. They're like kids to me, but I'd reconsider if it resulted in me not being able to afford my bills and I would lose my house and stuff. There IS a line, you know? But I'd borrow from my parents and make it work as long as I could bear to, or until my cat was so sick it literally wouldn't be humane to keep her alive. I also have an incredible vet who has worked with me a lot. My vet bills halved when I chucked my old vet. My cats are FAMILY, and I'd regret the decision you are contemplating every moment of every day unless I KNEW beyond the shadow of a doubt that I'd done every single little thing in my power to save him.
That being said, my parents just put down our 10 year old lab. He had hip displaysia, cancer, tumors, and had gone deaf. They finally took him in to go sleepy forever when he couldn't even stand up or go to the bathroom anymore. You can't just pick up a 100 lb dog and take care of him very well.
Good luck with your decision, I hope you find a solution that allows your dog to continue his life that works within your means also. You have to find it in your heart to do the right thing, no matter what it may be.
I read this post the other day and couldn't post because I couldn't compose my thoughts enough to post what I wanted to say. I think that first and foremost, you need to think about the quality of a dog's life. If you can do everything possible (medication, pain management, surgery, etc), then you should consider putting a dog down. But ONLY then.
I don't think it is acceptable to put a dog down because you cannot afford treatment. AT ALL. I think that you if (or your fiance) chose to purchase or adopt a dog, you should do whatever possible to care for that animal. When you get an animal, should should have money, or set money aside to take care of that animal in the future. You should NEVER get a dog, assuming that the only costs associated with caring for an animal is food/water/shelter. Regular shots, vet trips, and unexpected situations should all be accounted for as well.
What concerns me the most is your attitude about this post. The title of your post is cute and funny, more fitting to saying goodbye to a few extra pounds before your wedding, or saying goodbye to the wedding invitations that you have just mailed out. Saying "I bid thee adieu" to your pet before putting him to sleep seems tasteless to me. And you don't ask for any suggestions or thoughts on how you could prevent this tragedy. You seem to have made up your mind & are here to announce your plans-- plans that many people might consider as cruel.
I don't mean for this post to be harsh, but your post breaks my heart. Animals depend on their owners to feed them, provide them with shelter, help them when they are sick, and love them.
Considering your dog is 2 or 3 years old, and your vet "thinks" it might be arthritis OR hip displaysia, you might want to think about getting a second opinion. On both the problem, and the solution. And then you might want to consider pain management (rest, pain medication, even small exercises that you can do with your dog) until you can save up your money for a more permanent treatment, like surgery or whatever else is needed.
After all, you wouldn't bid your grandmother adieu just because she has arthritis, and it pains me to think that you might do that to your dog.
I really hope that you can find a solution.
BeachBrideT/ejs4y8,
I couldn't agree more. My pets are my children (I have 2 yorkies, a basset hound and 2 cats). I am not a wealthy person and you would be astounded by the amount of money I have spent in the past 5 years to care for these pets. It's a responsibility I accepted when I adopted them. I've dealt with pancreatitis, arthritis, parasites, foxtails, absessed anal glands, UTI's, liver problems, etc. I've learned to administer Sub Q fluids (like an IV) myself to reduce costs of care on dehydrated animals (from illness). I've used (and paid off) credit cards, savings, etc. But God works in mysterious ways and I always manage to get back what I give. I now have a savings set aside each paycheck fr these unexpected vet costs.
What astonishes me is that people can put a dollar amount on the worth of unconditional love. One person says they won't pay over $500....but there are people here who will pay far more than $500 on a dress THAT THEY WILL WEAR ONCE. I say this as a general statement...it's not directed toward the originator of this thread or to any specific person. I'm just hoping to put things in perspective.
To the person with the ailing dog...there are a multitude of alternative options. I hope you make the right decision.
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@RachLynn, I looked into the foundation and if she doesn't get better we are going to surrender her.
@mizunoheaven, my fiance found her out at the deer lease about a year and a half ago, so we don't know if she is purebreed, or her family history or anything. She unfort, there is no guarentee.
@bellenga, the donation instead of gifts is a great idea, but we had a wedding shower about a month ago, so we have already received everything.
@Everyone else, its not that we dont love our dog, I esp. love her very much! We have talked about it over the weekend, and after thinking we had decided to try supplements and see how she does, and if she is not fairing better to then surrender her.
Then my friend, thats a vet, called this morning and asked if we were going to get those x rays. I asked if i thought it was something fixable. He said to go ahead and get the x rays, which I am dropping her off tomorrow morning to do so. I guess he talked to the ppl doing the x rays b/c they are waiving a lot of the fees, so it will be less than a hundred!
I will keep you guys posted, the vet said there maybe a *hopeful* but slim chance its not something very expensive that we can fix. We have already decided if it is surgery, or something that will not improve her quality of life, then we will surrender her. That way she has a better chance, even if that means she wouldn't be our dog
Hopefully I will be able to post so sort of results tomorrow afternoon. In the mean time, thanks for the ideas and suggestions! I really appreciate all the support!
I'm so glad to hear about all the research you've done and what great pet owners for putting her needs before your happiness. It wouldn't be easy to give her up, but that's so great that you are thinking of surrendering her to a place that can help her have a long life.
Well, you may have already had a wedding shower but seriously..people bring gifts to weddings..I got tons more (when I married my x) at the wedding than I did at all FOUR showers I had so I'd definitely put a jar up and have a lovely informational sign by it for donations.
It can and would work!
Wait and see how much $$ you can get after the wedding. Don't say it cannot work until YOU TRY!!!
again..50 guests giving ten bucks is 500 dollars. 100 guests giving 10 bucks is 100 dollars and I'd bet guests and relatives would give MORE knowing the groom's dog is in health trouble. If I were a relative and you and I were close and attending your wedding, I'd slip at least fifty into the jar!
I had a lab mix , my baby , my Julia , she use to run around too . she came home one day when she was about 2 and would not stray from the house , not eating much etc. We though it was her hips but it ended up she got kicked and he hip was just dislocated. She lived for years more! I hope this ends up being much the same. I agree put up a jar at the wedding , it couldn't hurt and I know I would understand!
scB- I'll keep my fingers crossed that you find a feasible course of treatment that lets you keep your pet.
I know when you love your pet and they have a health issue, it's so easy to assume the worst case scenario. Try to stay positive!
Good luck.
@sc8493: I'm so glad they are willing to work with you on costs! And it seems like you have a list of solutions/paths to take. I'm glad you and your FI talked it over and I hope that your pup gets better soon!
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sc8493-- Thanks so much for coming back here to update everyone. I am so happy that you are looking into all of the different options.
That's great that you were able to get low-cost xrays. Hopefully those will help give you some conclusive information on whether or not this problem can be fixed. And the pain management sounds like a good first step. And although surrendering the dog would be very difficult, it sounds like there is a foundation out there that would take her.
I really wish you and your FI and your pup the BEST of luck! I hope it turns out well for all of you. I will be thinking of you and sending "get well" doggy vibes your way!!! 
I'm heartbroken for you after reading your post! Giving your dog up is definitely going to be one of the hardest things you will have to do if you aren't able to afford the surgery. I wish you all the luck in the world and keep us posted on how things go!
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