When to let go of a pet

[aloe]

Have you spoken to your vet about why it is not working? Is this vet a chain vet, I have heard bad things about places like that for anything more than routine normal care. Regardless I would not put a young pet down for a medical issue that can be corrected with the right vet care/in the right home. Please at the very least seek a second vet opinion, sometimes the treatment chosen by certain vets for mange can be very harsh on a puppy’s still developing system. There are are different treatments, dips, topical, and oral treatments. And the natural remedies you said are trying might be interfering unless a vet who has examined your pet told you to do those in conjunction with treatments.
If taken care of properly most will outgrow mange when their immune system starts to mature. You might seek a holistic vet so you can work on building the immune system under the care of a reputable vet, this may include a very good high quality diet, stress reduction techniques, and supplements. If you do take this dog to a shelter please give them the pet’s health records. You can also see if the vet or vet techs want the dog since the dog has mange and they could afford to continue the treatments until the dog is better.

 

[Luvz2travel]

beaglesunlimited.com/health/demodectic-mange-and-inexpensive-treatment

I did a light search there are lots of options out there. You will just have to do your own research. I recommend finding a forum out there for dog owners I belong to one for cat owners and I’ve gotten the best advice there. Of course there is no substitute for a vet and some vets are better than others. Some vets just view it as a business only and will try to talk you into expensive tests or treatments. Your best course of action is to be firm and say you need the most cost effective treatments available. If the vet is legit he will work with you or can suggest alternatives. I suspect though the dog has an allergy to the Mites that cause Mange and he will need ongoing meds or treatments with shampoo or something. There may even be supplements you can feed the dog to help fight the allergy. Good luck.

 

[shaky]

Thank you for your kind words.
It truly is difficult!
She is so smart and loving and this is breaking my heart.
We have tried another vet and I called MULTIPLE vets on the phone and some said that they can’t say for sure whether she can be cured, while others said this disease is easily cured.
The reports that I read online say that it’s impossible to know which puppy with this disease can be saved and which one can’t.
The reports also say that some dogs NEVER get over this.

Thanks again for your kindness and GOD bless.

Depends on how you all are attached to this dog. If the worst comes to the worst. you could put the dog in a special dog carrier and secretly leave the dog outside the vet door 1/2 hour before it opens. Then watch from a vantage point some where hidden to make sure the dog is taken in by the vet.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

Depends on how you all are attached to this dog. If the worst comes to the worst. you could put the dog in a special dog carrier and secretly leave the dog outside the vet door 1/2 hour before it opens. Then watch from a vantage point some where hidden to make sure the dog is taken in by the vet.

That is so WRONG. NEVER do that to an animal or the vet! The vet will put the animal down at his cost, and raise the prices on everything else to cover that cost.

 

[Luna_Lovecraft]

Depends on how you all are attached to this dog. If the worst comes to the worst. you could put the dog in a special dog carrier and secretly leave the dog outside the vet door 1/2 hour before it opens. Then watch from a vantage point some where hidden to make sure the dog is taken in by the vet.

Absolutely irresponsible, shaky. Absolutely irresponsible.

Luna

 

[horselvr]

That is cowardly, uncalled for and just plain wrong to do to the dog and the vet.

OP: Please get a second opinion as this dog only has mange and once the scrapping is done and the correct mange meds given he should be fine. But do go to a different vet. Call the kennel club and ask them who the breeders recommend.

 

[MaryHelene]

There is nothing wrong with humanely euthanizing a pet. You are not obligated to participate in costly, time-consuming treatments for an animal. You are only obligated to ensure that the animal is not suffering. Euthanasia is always an appropriate option when an animal is unwell. Don’t feel guilty if that’s what you choose. God bless you!

 

[Elisabeth51]

That is cowardly, uncalled for and just plain wrong to do to the dog and the vet.

OP: Please get a second opinion as this dog only has mange and once the scrapping is done and the correct mange meds given he should be fine. But do go to a different vet. Call the kennel club and ask them who the breeders recommend.

Yes, please, contact the AKC, the breeders and rescues you find affiliated are nice and helpful.

 

[Zundrah]

**My husband and I “inherited” a puppy approximately 4 months ago.
Our daughter and her friend found the pup by the side of the road and brought her home.
She was very sick and appeared to have been burned.
My daughter took her to the vet and they said that the puppy had DEMODECTIC (red) MANGE.
They started her on the appropriate treatments and she started to improve.
However, every time the medication runs out she gets sick again.
FOUR MONTHS and FOUR treatments later, the medicine is gone and she is almost as bad as she was when the girls found her.
My question to you is this…WHEN do you say “enough is enough” and let go?
We don’t have a lot of money and to continue to spend money treating this poor creature is not an option right now. We simply can’t afford it!
It breaks my heart because I really care about the dog and the thought of having her put to sleep really tears me up inside. But I don’t know how to care for her without incurring more vet bills.
I tried a natural remedy that I found online but it did nothing!
I’ve prayed and cried and I could really use some advice.

THANK YOU in advance for your help and GOD bless!**

This is such a great shame.

I remember (and this was years ago) when my sisters dog had this exact problem she couldn’t afford the treatment either. What she did was pass it to a neighbor who was on benefits. She brought it to the vets and was then able to get treatment for the dog for free. My sister still kept the dog. Her two kids were very happy about it.

But you are American aren’t you and it is different there I guess.

 

[nana3]

Two years ago my husband and I discovered a tiny kitten in the bushes outside of our home. We had her put to sleep four months later because she was suffering from kidney failure. But we did not make that decision until she’d had two surgeries, a bunch of lab work done, including an ultrasound, and a four-day-long stay at the vets for behavioral observation. It was a horrendous emotional and financial experience for our family.

Based on my family’s experience, my best advice for you is to lay the following out with your vet:

• The medicine does not appear to be a permanent cure;
• Your family simply cannot afford to continue this any more (and be firm about this); and
• The situation is distressing for you and your children.

Unfortunately, many rescue organizations may be unwilling to step in because the pup has mange, but ask your vet anyway. If that does not appear to be an option, ask your vet for her assessment as to the pup’s quality of life and go from there.

If you cannot afford another office visit, contact your local SPCA for vets who will see you and the puppy on a sliding fee scale.

I’ve had several pets put down over the years, and each time - after the deed is done - I realize that I held on too long. I hope that doesn’t sound coldhearted, because what I mean is that I wasn’t putting my pet’s well-being and quality of life first; I put my selfish attachment my pet before their needs, and my pets ended up suffering more than they needed to.

My heart goes out to you, angierabbit. What you’re facing is the hardest, most gut-wrenching part of pet ownership.

Luna

I agree with you Luna. It is sad, but unfortunately something needs to be done and it is a hard decision.

OP, I will be praying for you. I know I will have this decision to face soon as well.

 

[Qwestions]

I’ve found a lot of answers to “humanoid” problems on a site by a Dr. Mercola. He has a woman veterinarian (whose name I don’t recall) associated with his site. If you click on her portion of the site, you can find about any animal situation you might encounter, with pet problems discussed both by the vet and by readers. The combination site has saved my friends and family tens of thousands of dollars over the past few years. We had a pup whose mange was successfully controlled—not apparent to us, and not visible on the dog. I say “successfully controlled” because it is my understanding that mange will always be with a dog, but is only obvious when the dog is rundown and its deteriorating immunity system lets the mange get the upper hand. (I don’t recall where I read that, and I don’t know if it’s a fact; just explaining why I said “successfully controlled.”) You can learn how to quickly improve your pet’s nutrition to help the dog’s immunity system prevail over the mange. I also found two similar sites but don’t recall any names connected with them. Good luck, and my prayers and sympathy to you, your family, and your pet.

 

[silenced]

What do you think is best for the puppy? Have you tried an honest ad on Craigslist or Kijiji? Maybe there is a dog lover out there with a huge heart and a huge wallet who would be willing to take the dog?

Craigslist or newspaper ads are often picked up by sick individuals who come get the troublesome pet and take them home for bait for fighting dog training. DO NOT POST ON CRAIGSLIST OR IN THE PAPER! On Facebook you can establish a “Chip In”, where you provide a photograph, a history of the dog, and a request to have kind-hearted folks chip in for his/her treatment. I have chipped in many times, on dogs that were deliberately burned, thrown out of windows, were pregnant with 8 puppies and had broken legs - it’s unbelievable what happens to these animals.

I would also get another opinion from a different vet. Chip in could help you pay for that.

Good luck to you and the pup - no dog deserves to be put down or abandoned because of mites. I’m involved in dog and cat rescue on Facebook. If you will come here and post the name under which your dog’s page appears I will cross post and I bet you’ll get some action.

 

[Castello]

Go to a farm supply store. There are some old fashioned treatments for mange using worming medicines that old farmers know about. Talk to them.

 

[Walking_Home]

I used the treatment in the following link and it worked to get rid of the mange. 2 parts water – to 1 part 3% hydrogen peroxide-- to make a 1% solution. Add enough Borax (20 mule team laundry booster) – to where it stops dissolving. Sponge the solution on the dog – making sure the skin is well saturated. Be careful not to get it in the dogs eyes. Do not rinse – let the solution dry on the dog. I think I did about 4 treatments – approx 5-7 days apart. It worked – and our dogs hair grew back --good as new.

earthclinic.com/Pets/dog_mange_cure.html

 

[angierabbit2012]

That is so WRONG. NEVER do that to an animal or the vet! The vet will put the animal down at his cost, and raise the prices on everything else to cover that cost.

That won’t work!
Our vets have signs posted that state that any animal left there unattended will be taken to the local animal shelter.
They WON"T help an animal without money!!

 

[angierabbit2012]

I used the treatment in the following link and it worked to get rid of the mange. 2 parts water – to 1 part 3% hydrogen peroxide-- to make a 1% solution. Add enough Borax (20 mule team laundry booster) – to where it stops dissolving. Sponge the solution on the dog – making sure the skin is well saturated. Be careful not to get it in the dogs eyes. Do not rinse – let the solution dry on the dog. I think I did about 4 treatments – approx 5-7 days apart. It worked – and our dogs hair grew back --good as new.

earthclinic.com/Pets/dog_mange_cure.html

I TRIED THIS AS WELL, it did not work for her!

 

[angierabbit2012]

If you will come here and post the name under which your dog’s page appears I will cross post and I bet you’ll get some action.

She is listed as LAMB ELSWICK on FACEBOOK.

Her name is LITTLE LAMB.
I haven’t received any responses from anyone yet…here’s hoping though.

 

[angierabbit2012]

UPDATE

I received an email from a no-kill animal shelter in my area and they have agreed to pay $75.00 towards her treatments.

It’s not a lot but at least it’s something.

I just pray it’s enough!

I have contacted ANOTHER vet and she has an appointment next Wednesday.
Please continue to pray for my LITTLE LAMB!

 

[Walking_Home]

Walking_Home:

I used the treatment in the following link and it worked to get rid of the mange. 2 parts water – to 1 part 3% hydrogen peroxide-- to make a 1% solution. Add enough Borax (20 mule team laundry booster) – to where it stops dissolving. Sponge the solution on the dog – making sure the skin is well saturated. Be careful not to get it in the dogs eyes. Do not rinse – let the solution dry on the dog. I think I did about 4 treatments – approx 5-7 days apart. It worked – and our dogs hair grew back --good as new.

earthclinic.com/Pets/dog_mange_cure.html

I TRIED THIS AS WELL, it did not work for her!

---

Sorry to hear – the peroxide/borax treatment didn’t work. I used it – after not liking the reaction my min-pin had – to the toxic medication – given by the Vet.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

UPDATE

I received an email from a no-kill animal shelter in my area and they have agreed to pay $75.00 towards her treatments.

It’s not a lot but at least it’s something.

I just pray it’s enough!

I have contacted ANOTHER vet and she has an appointment next Wednesday.
Please continue to pray for my LITTLE LAMB!

Excellent news! St. Francis is coming through for Little Lamb! I will keep on praying!