ANSWERS: 5
  • Aside from the ability to finance such, I would take into consideration the 'percentages'. Also having watched the dog go through chemo I would weigh if more suffering via chemo is worth the percentages of recovery/remission. I am not a quantity of life over all else type person. I am a quality of life person. Yes its great that we can keep life forms living far longer today than in decades past, however the number of years of life never truly measures up to if that life is worth living. "Worth living" is not a judgment call of 'worth' of the individual - it is based upon the ability of the individual to enjoy life. If everyday is pain and suffering and inability to do simple tasks (like go out side to go potty) then the quality of life is not worth much. In fact sustaining that life under these circumstances may be considered cruel and unusual punishment. All of our critters enjoy a high standard of living - even the feral cats have had at least one round of shots and have been fixed. Its time consuming and expensive to round up feral cats to take them to the vet for disease and population controls. Our own animals get even better health care. So I do not consider euthanasia lightly, I do exhaust the alternatives before consideration of euthanasia. We can afford the expense of another round of chemo (if we put off some long term goals a little longer), however we do consider the overall 'happiness' of the animal and the potential happiness of that animal in future. One round of chemo is worth the effort since it may work. the Second round should come with a second opinion by another doctor/vet. Both vets should be consulted and their advice taken into consideration. If this is cancer then you are not looking at a cure - you are looking at remission. Yes in many instances cancer remisses permanently - meaning it does not come back, however there are certain cancers where remission is temporary, or a new form of cancer develops. It is possible that the first round has slowed or even slightly reversed the cancer (or what ever cause for chemo) - and a second round may 'do the trick'. There are too many variables to tell you what to do, I only lay out a few. Any action you do take should be after speaking to at least 2 different vets - if not three to get enough professional opinion so you can choose a course of action that is best for the patient.
  • Considering the dog's age, the suffering it is going through and the costs, I'd have the dog 'put down'. It is the kind thing to do.
  • i hope someone puts me down when i am given up for a gonner. there is nothing worse that just hanging on when you know you would be better off dead. let the show begin, i say.
  • I think it is unethical and cruel to use "heroic" means to extend a dog's life. I think you should instead keep the dog comfortable as possible, and mourn him when he's gone. Instead of spending thousands on chemo, donate it to a dog shelter (or human shelter, for that matter) in his memory.
  • Sorry to hear that. I wouldn't do the chemo. I would make him as comfy as possible and let him live the rest of his life in peace. Good luck.

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