The Truth In Euthanasia

[goReptiles]

I agree that the children should have been told the truth. Especially, as the reprocussions are, like you said, the children will grow up afraid to put their pet through surgery because it may happen again. Adults understand that death in surgery is a risk, but children do not, and to them, if it happened to one pet, it may happen to another.

This can potentially cause the children to not to want to put their future pets through a spay/neuter surgery which can potentially reduce other health problems.

I understand not being able to afford the treatment, as treatment can be quite expensive. I have been treating my APBT with an osteosarcoma for over a year now. I spent $4000 in surgeries alone, not to mention chemo drips, prescription medications, oral chemo, monthly vet visits for blood work, xrays every 3 months, dietary immune supplements, and a change in diet to a higher quality food (Nutro to EVO). My parents have started splitting the bill after all the surgeries and some of the appointments, which has helped, but like my dad has said, this is probably a once in a lifetime thing. It has taken a HUGE tole on my family and has made the dog very high maintenance, and with all the pampering and spoiling the past year, she has grown very possessive and protective, no longer getting along with the other dogs in the house (dogs that she did get along with before all of this). Mia has been worth the extra money, but most people can't afford to do all that. I got lucky in that I don't have many other expenses, and my parents have been able to help. This is a dog that at 18 months old was diagnosed with one of the worst cancers that a dog can get, so says her specialist, especially being a young dog.

But, anyway, it is hard when you pet is diagnosed with an illness, but in my opinion, you should never lie to children. It is always best to be honest than to lie. Lies cause more problems in the long run.

 

[robin]

i would never put any of my animals down except in the event that they were dying and suffering and there was nothing we would do. our vet has worked with us numerous times. our vet practically did everything for our one dog that had Lupis, for free. Lupis is fatal in dogs and we both knew she did not have all that long but we wanted to make her time as best as we could while she was still able. also my dog had to have MANY teeth removed, she is getting old and such.it was going to be expensive BUT our vet worked with us and cut the cost in half. if people have good communication and rapport with their vet, many times the vets will work with the patient to do what they can.

 

[goReptiles]

Robin, I agree... Unless the dog is suffering, I don't think that I could put the dog down, but it is hard if you just don't have the money. Not all vets will do payment plans; there aren't any in my area that I know of, and I know that Auburn doesn't, although they do have some sort of program for assistance.

Pet insurance may seem like a waste, but more and more dogs are developing cancer and other illnesses that would cost the owner a lot of money to treat.

 

[robin]

Robin, I agree... Unless the dog is suffering, I don't think that I could put the dog down, but it is hard if you just don't have the money. Not all vets will do payment plans; there aren't any in my area that I know of, and I know that Auburn doesn't, although they do have some sort of program for assistance.

Pet insurance may seem like a waste, but more and more dogs are developing cancer and other illnesses that would cost the owner a lot of money to treat.

we used care credit for daiseys teeth.

but as far as out dog with Lupis, she lived a fantastic life about 5 months the initial diagnosis. one day we saw some blood dripping from her nose and we knew she was hemorrhaging and there was nothing we could do. we knew it was going to come to this but it was hard to do but it had to be done. we didnt want her to suffer/

 

[LizMarie]

I honestly can't understand why people opt to put their dogs down just because they can't afford it. I'm pretty broke 99% of the time but there's always a way and there are organizations ALL over that are willing to work deals or give assistance. I've heard of ASPCA Cares here in NYC where people with little income can get surgeries for their dogs because the organizations pays a portion or works with the vet to write off the rest even rescues will put the word out for people to donate so I think it's a sad excuse.

I'm looking at my dog now and can't imagine putting her down just because I didn't have the money. I would search HIGH and LOW for a vet that was willing to work with me or help from somewhere. I can only imagine that this person was in a REALLY bad situation but lying to his wife AND children is ridiculous, sooner or later it'll slip his tongue and it'll burn.

 

[Tony C]

how about lying about invisible beings like santa claus, the easter bunny and god? does that also scar children for life?

Absolutely, especially god/gods and the doctrines that accompany them.

 

[Tony C]

I honestly can't understand why people opt to put their dogs down just because they can't afford it. I'm pretty broke 99% of the time but there's always a way and their are organizations ALL over that are willing to work deals or give assistant.

Agreed. I went through a financial rough patch last year, but my animals still got appropriate care, and ate better than I did for a few months. It's just part of pet ownership, you are 100% responsible for their proper care and feeding, no excuses.

 

[AvandisFifth187]

I think it's pretty messed up that the father not only lied to his family, but expected the veterinarian to propagate the lie for him. Children are going to need to learn about life and death at some point or another, and a pet that needs to be put down is a sad opportunity to teach them. The thing that concerns me more though is that he said he went home to discuss it with his family, which I hope includes his wife. Now if they are like most couples, they probably discussed the financial burden the surgery would imply, and his wife and him came to an agreement to get the surgery...... yet he still just had the dog put down... wow.

 

[T-ReXx]

As an added note: Pet insurance is NEVER a waste of money. I will tell you flat out that virtually every single dog or cat in existance should have a dental procedure done at least once in their life time. For small breed dogs(who are almost GARUNTEED to have dental issues at some point) and cats it's pretty much for sure they're going to need teeth removed. Every dog/cat should have a dental (under anesthesia, you can't acess a pet's teeth completely while they're awake, it just isn't possible) at least yearly after 3 years of age. Add to that the basic annual care like fecals, UAs, vaccines and general checkups and you're ending up with quite a big expense. And cancer etc., don't even get me started there. Got a Boxer? Cancer at some point. How about a cocker spaniel? Ear/skin issues. Lab? Golden? Yorkie? Greyhound? Each breed has genetically linked predesposition to certain health issues. And if you're a responsible pet owner you will consider what may/probably will happen as the animal ages and not that they just have an "expiration date" when you take them to the vet and it's bye bye Fido, "it's for his own good." Owning any animal can be expensive, and dogs and cats, as common and they are as pets, are probably among the most expensive because they require regular health care and domestication has left them open to all kinds of health problems. And just because they may not act like their suffering doesn't mean they're not. Instinct says: "animals who show weakness get eaten" so animals will hide pain/suffering signs until they can't bear it any more. You have no idea how many pets I have seen who have mouths like a sewer yet eat and act "normally" according to their owners. So, I'll say it once if I've said it 1000 times: prevention is the key to good health. This goes for any species, including humans. Get pet insurance. See your vet reguarly annually (or every 6 months if you can swing it, especially with dogs over 5 and cats over 7). And pay veterinary personel what they deserve for the care they give. We all love animals, that's why we got into this profession, and if it's expensive, well, you get what you pay for. Cats can live into their 30s and dogs up till their 20s(depending on breed) and respectable owners will realize that being a pet owner is being responsible for a life and making that life as thoroughly comfortable and healthy as possible. If you can't do that, don't own an animal. Period.

I'm gonna stop my rant now, haha, this just hit a nerve I guess.

-Ted

 

[robin]

As an added note: Pet insurance is NEVER a waste of money. I will tell you flat out that virtually every single dog or cat in existance should have a dental procedure done at least once in their life time. For small breed dogs(who are almost GARUNTEED to have dental issues at some point) and cats it's pretty much for sure they're going to need teeth removed. Every dog/cat should have a dental (under anesthesia, you can't acess a pet's teeth completely while they're awake, it just isn't possible)

amen! my 11 year old schnauzer daisey has four teeth left in her mouth. all removed via my vet. another thing cats are prone to cancer as well.

 

[BrilliantEraser]

When I was 17 (actually, on my 17th birthday), a pet rabbit of mine suffered a freak accident in her cage and somehow cut her leg open. By the time I got home from school, Guinevere had already gone into shock. I rushed her to the vet as soon as I could, and the vet calmly sat me down and said "The surgery to fix her leg will be expensive in and of itself. But the major problem here is that she has already gone into shock, and she most likely will not survive the surgery."
I wanted nothing more than to pay for the surgery to save her, but I couldn't. As a 17-year-old, I had very little money to my name. Not even half of the amount that the surgery would cost. Instead, I agreed to have her humanely euthanized. I held her the entire time, and she died peacefully in my arms. It was one of the toughest decisions of my life, and I hope I never have to make that call again. But, looking back, I think I did the right thing. When I got home, I told my parents exactly what had happened, and then I went to the backyard to bury Guin.

Some birthday, huh?

 

[sammer021486]

I am actually tearing up a bit reading this post.

I have dealt with pet deaths since I was around 8 years old and had my gerbil put down due to a brain tumor, the vet could have operated and removed the tumor, but at the cost of a gerbil having only half a head. My parents simple answer was, the vet could have helped her, but she would have only had half a head, that was all it took for us to understand.

The hardest thing I have ever had to do was lie to my gf about her cat. Her cat was taking ill and began wheezing very noticeably to me but my gf never heard it. When I finally got my gf to bring her cat to the vet the vet diagnosed the cat will fluid filled chest cavity and recommended putting the cat down as she only had another week or so to live according to the vet. I trust my vet as he has been very honest and good to my family with our "free" but very expensive dog,lol. Against my recommendations, my gf took her cat to another vet and the other vet gave the same diagnosis, but told my gf that if she wanted tests and removal of the fluid the vet would do it. $600 later in meds, tests, oxygen, hydration injections, and vet costs, the cat lived for another 3 months. What brought me to misty eyes, is that while my gf was gone home during the summer vacation, I put her cat down and never told her until after her vacation, I just said the cat was doing fine every time she asked. I scheduled an apt with the vet to have the cat put down. Trusting my vet I knew that all my gf had done by having the fluid drained from the cats chest cavity was prolong the suffering. When it came time to bring the cat in I couldn't do it for guilt in lying to my gf, I had to have my parents bring the cat in. My vet took the cat into the back room and put her to sleep back there, they would not even let my parents be with her while she was put down. When the vet came back he said that the cat had a massive lump in her chest cavity and that it was suffocating her along with the fluid in the chest cavity which was also squeezing her lungs smaller.

While not the same case as with the dog I do believe that my gf made a very big mistake in trying to help her cat that she had had for 7 years. In the case of the dog, if it was treatable or able to be left as is, I would have done it.

I do not think that a anyone should lie. I with held the truth from my gf as I knew it would devastate her and she was on vacation with her family, but she totally blew me away when she said thank you for not telling her while on vacation and that she was glad I had put the cat down as she would have brought it into the vet to have its chest cavity drained and be placed on meds again. She said she kind of figured that I had put the cat down as I was quick to say it was fine and normally I would tell her everything the cat had pooped or peed on that day. When she got back home we went to the humane society the next day and adopted 2 kittens, as the tests my gf had done on her cat were for any transferable diseases or infections and the tests came back all clear.

 

[chachasushi]

Not to dig up an old thread, but I stumbled up this one and felt the need to express my opinion/ask a couple of questions...

Depending on the age of the children, I don't feel it was necessary to tell them the truth of the situation. I mean, if they were teenagers then sure, have an open discussion about Buster's prognosis. But it sounds as though these children were younger and not emotionally equipped to handle the full force of Buster's fate.

Having worked in both veterinary settings (vet assistant and SPCA volunteer) and mental health clinic settings (adult psychology and developmental/child psychology), there is no right or wrong way to handle this situation. Though, in younger children, it is much more important to maintain a strong family dynamic than it is incriminate the vet. They need daddy to be the hero to feel safe. They need to know that no matter what happens in their lives, daddy will do everything in his power to fix it. He won't give up on anyone or anything. Also, telling a young child that money is an issue is NEVER a good idea. They can't tell the difference between too poor to save Buster and too poor to buy food. Adult struggles should never be shared with a child.


Children are not small adults, they are fragile and impressionable and unable to understand the complexities of adult decision making. A child's way of thinking is simple... save Buster! Buster could have been mauled by a bear and be damaged beyond recognition and a child is still going to vote for heroic measures. Letting a child make a life or death decision or even participate in such an issue as whether or not to euthanize a pet is cruel. What kid is going to vote to "kill Buster," especially when they are already aware that Buster has a fighting chance? If this father played it right, he made the best decision. Granted, it sounds like he made this choice out of sheer selfishness and shame but in the end his children will know that everything was done to save Buster.

This event will not scar them nor make them fearful of anesthesia- assuming the father painted the vet in a "Dr. White did everything he could, but Buster was just too sick" sort of light. Let the vet be a hero. Let the dad be a hero. And let Buster (who fought valiantly to get better) be a hero as well. There doesn't need to be a bad guy here and the children still get to learn the "cherish every moment" lesson.


I agree that lying/withholding truth/manipulating the facts/tactical omission, etc is not a good idea with older children (mature older children, that is...), spouses, and other adults as the truth inevitably comes out in the end and then you have a whole new slew of issues to deal with.

Anyway, though most of us here would have sold our cars to save Buster, not everyone thinks that way. This father was clearly heartbroken over the decision he felt compelled to make. At least he didn't just set Buster "free" in the country or put him down with a shotgun in the backyard. There is a staggering pet overpopulation problem in this country. The vast majority of animals born do not get homes and thousands of the ones that are adopted end up abused in some way. At the end of the day, Buster is one of the very few to have lived in a home that loved him as much as he loved them.

It's an adult decision when to pull the plug and for what reason. I do feel that lying to his wife was a bad idea, but that is more of a marital issue and the topic brought up here is a child psychology issue. The vet was very unlikely painted as a murdering incompetent, especially since the father was already feeling guilty and paranoid. The last he wanted is his wife calling up to complain about negligence. It is a very sad situation all around with no right and no wrong.