I recently had to put my 13 year old golden retriever down. I felt that the vet that cared for him was over her head. She could not provide a clear diagnosis or treatment plan. One afternoon she se... Read More
I recently had to put my 13 year old golden retriever down. I felt that the vet that cared for him was over her head. She could not provide a clear diagnosis or treatment plan. One afternoon she sent us home saying, "he can't walk, after injections, if he still can't walk tomorrow we should discuss putting him down." She went on to say that she put her dogs down earlier than most people so they could avoid suffering. 18 hours later, with heavy heart, I call to make appointment for compassionate euthanasia at home. On this day, the doctor said, oh I think it's GI, here are these injections and fluids. I don't think you need to put him down now, but if he doesn't respond by 3p.m. then we should have that conversation". My dog had a very anxious temperament and was afraid of flying leaves and frogs in the stream so he usually had to be dragged from the car for the vet. We brought him home that afternoon, put browned lean meat in his mouth and he let it roll out. He did not move for over four hours, not one inch from the space to which we had to carry him since he could not leave the car on his own. This was repetitive behavior for over 48 hours. When I called again, I was given the impression that perhaps I might be too eager to put my dog down. A dog that had not eaten or drank in over 48 hours and unless he was leaving the vet office had to be carried some where. He tried to stand when his favorite human, my daughter, came home, but could not. I called again and asked again what is the diagnosis, treatment, etc. and was scolded for not letting the "protocol" go for 24 hours. I said thank you, hung up, and went to another vet. That vet diagnosed my dear guy with hind-end failure and said he was EXTREMELY dehydrated and in pain. She compassionately relayed that we could admit him, hydrate him for a few DAYS and that we would probably be back in a couple of months. I asked how she knew he was in pain, she said he splintered when touched on his neck, abdomen and back end. When calmed by staff he also would NOT move at their office After already spending $500 to find out nothing, I spent another $550 to have a second practice end his suffering. This dog was over 13, had to squat three times to empty his bladder and twice to empty his bowels. All of which I shared with the doctor. 48 hours of analgesics had no impact on his movement. I have now switched practices for my other pets, and will not return. It's sad to me that this guy could have died at home, free of anxiety but this vet, all due respect, did not seem to have any clear idea of what was happening. She could not formulate a diagnosis or treatment plan. Lame to GI, put him down, don't put him down. She kept hedging her bets and they all seemed wrong. Further, the implication that I was telling her my dog was on "death's door" at home when he clearly was not on "death's door" with her seemed that I was rushing things it not only patently absurd to someone who cared for my dog the way I did; under the circumstances-it was patently cruel. Read Less