Advice Please

[bednobs]

ATM we are looking after mother in law's dog who is a springer spaniel. We have her with us because she needs eye drops and medicine and M-I-L is a bit muddled and we worry she is forgetting to do it.
Anyway, we first had her a few weeks ago when MIL was in hospital and my husband took her to the vet because of her gammy eye and also because she hadn't been to the vet for about 10 years (if ever). She's 12.
Anyway, she had a range of problems -
1) mammary growth
2) ulcerated eye
3) arthritis
4) hugely overweight (is 22kg!!!!) should be around 10kg
anyway, last week her cruciate ligament "went" as well as all the above vet says sometimes it gets better with rest (although not helped by overweightness), but may need an op costing approx £700

The advice i need is as follows:
MIL has no money, and i have no emotional tie to the dog what should we fdo? If it was my dog, i'd have anything done to make his life easier, but it's not my dog and my dog is insured, hers isnt

[Sqad]

1) mammary growth
2) ulcerated eye
3) arthritis
4) hugely overweight (is 22kg!!!!) should be around 10kg

Have her put to sleep and do her a big favour.

[boxtops]

Is it really your decision, though, is it, bednobs? Can you explain to your MIL about the dog's general condition, and discuss what's best for the dog? not a nice conversation, but sometimes it has to be had. Difficult.

[237SJ]

Maybe you could check if your MIL qualifies for free pet care https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pdsa-vet-care/eligibility

[ethandron]

I agree with squad, have her put down, it really is the kindest thing to do in the long run, under the circumstances.

[ladybirder]

10kg for a Springer Spaniel doesn't sound right, that's very small.
Not your dog, not to your decision, unless MiL isn't in a position to make it. Terrible that she hasn't seen a vet in all those years.

[bednobs]

unfortunately, she really probably isn't in a position to make the decision - i cant discuss with her what to do for the best, as i seriously don't know what the best is. She seems happy enough but really really struggles with walking I am having to look at it rather coldly as i can't really think of it any other way - i am trying to work out what might be best, but need to take the emotion out of it. MIL wouldn't have the money for an op anyway, so the choices are between just carrying on or starting to think about having her put down.

The dog is near as lame on the one leg, and struggles with walking - she is most definitely overweight as she looks like a barrel. We are not in an area that offers PDSA. And sorry you are right, i just looked at the paper we had from the vet and he does say 16 KG. Don't et me wrong when i say i have no emotional tie i don't mean im cold - i really like the dogand she is lovely, but at the end of the day she's not mine

[ladybirder]

Is she getting treatment for the eye though? Losing weight will ease her arthritis and make life better for her.
Give her a chance bednobs please. Maybe give her the summer and see how she goes as she starts to take the weight off? If she starts to go downhill even further and is unhappy then the decision is made for you. Would you be prepared to keep her until the end of her life if she improved?

[ethandron]

Bednobs, you sometimes just have to do what's best, not just for the dog but for the whole family.
Personally I would have no hesitation, under these circumstances, about having the dog put down.

[237SJ]

I would always try to find a way to cope but if the PDSA is not an option and your MIL is not in a position to care for the dog then I would be guided by whatever the vet suggests. It`s doubtful that you will be able to rehome the dog and if you keep her, you will always be paying out so putting her down might be your only option, sad as that is.

[Prudie]

I'd also go with with the vet's opinion. From what you've said the vet said the ligament may improve with rest and only may need a £700 Op. Does the vet think putting down is the right move?

[bednobs]

vet has not mentioned putting her down. I really don't think she will be able to go back and live with MIL safely. I think you are right - perhaps we should just see how things go. How long do springers live usually? unneutered female if that makes a difference

[ladybirder]

Poor dog has never clocked up a vet's bill in its life and now she needs a bit of help. Losing 6kg should make a massive difference to her wellbeing in all sorts of ways. Her cruciate ligament will be causing her a lot of pain though, I hope she has some pain relief. Of course the vet will have the last word.

[237SJ]

Maybe you could restrict her food so that she loses a few pounds to see how she goes regarding her arthritis etc and then reassess the situation.

[ethandron]

The vet doesn't have the last word.
Our dog was suffering and we took the decision to have her put down, it wasn't easy but it really was the best for her. To keep her going would have been selfish.
We made an appointment with the vet and he did the deed. It was our decision, not his.
At the end of the day you have to ask yourself why, and for who, you're keeping a well loved pet alive....

[ladybirder]

The vet has not advised to have the dog euthanised ethandron.

Bednobs is going to give her a chance and see how she goes after losing some weight, at least I think that's what she means. I hope so,

[Prudie]

The vet doesn't have the last word but has the knowledge to advise whether this dog can improve or not. As an aside I inherited a cat from my mother who at the time I thought had a pointless life and it may be kinder to put her down. She was like a walking medicine ball and couldn't wash herself properly or jump up at all because she was so fat and 12 years old. Within 6 months with me she was normal size and enjoyed nearly 5 more years of happy life gadding about in the sunshine. time and treatment can be a healer.