Poodle wrangler Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 I was looking at a UK dog forum and someone was asking for advice on whether or not to do this op on their 9 month old rescue MastiffX with severe hip dysplasia. The equivalent of $11,000 (GBP 5,000) was the minimum cost quoted by the vet. Then, the poster mentions they've been seeing a trainer for "aggression", separation anxiety ("barking for hours when they go out") and dog has "nipped" their nephew and seems "overprotective" of them :D. Is it just me who thinks they're mad? Not only to spend so much money, but to put a dog with an uncertain future through such major surgery? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kateykateykatey Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 It's not just you. I agree, much as I resist the idea of putting a $ value on a canine companion's wellbeing...well...yeah. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poodle wrangler Posted October 16, 2007 Author Share Posted October 16, 2007 I've given this sort of thing some thought as I'm suspicious our pup may have hip problems. You have to draw a line somewhere. $11,000 is over the line for me, as much as I hate to admit it and as much as I love my dog. My dog hasn't got any major behavioural problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissMonaro Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 A guy I know through work bought 2 purebred rotties...litter sisters....for mega bucks. Well one of them has not long ago had a hip done...and it cost him close to $10 K for it. :D Saw the girls today...and her hair has all grown back....but she walks with a limp and doesnt seem to bare any weight on the foot. I didnt get to speak to him about her....but yeh ....thats a lot of money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kateykateykatey Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 (edited) Yes I absolutely agree-- and it's something I've also considered. Scrimp has had a cruciate ligament operation, and fractured his hip (though there was no surgery, his vet care was extensive) and each time I've heard the "it's expensive, we understand" routine. But that much on a hip operation for a dog with behavioural problems... it's over the line, unfortunately. ETA clarity. :D Edited October 16, 2007 by kateykateykatey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B-Q Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 hmm, I would spend it. We don't know if his "aggression" is cause by the hip pain and I don't know how you put a price on the life and wellbeig of your dog. If it was your kid you'd spend infinite amounts helping them get better, why does a dog have to miss out on all that. Yes I understand human children and pet dogs are different, but a life is a life and what can be fixed should be. I would go skint myself for a while, in most poeples lives there are a fair few things they can cut back on to help pay for that, not always easy no. On the other hand, if the owner simply can't afford the money, perhaps the dog shudl be PTS so it doesn't have to suffer as a dog with thos amount of behavioral issues (atleast at this time) shoudln't be rehomed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldogz4eva Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 Bullets cost less than 20 cents Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Animal House Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 (edited) Bullets cost less than 20 cents :shakehead: Wouldnt want to be one of your dogs, thats for sure. Edited October 16, 2007 by Cazbear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spot. Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 It would depend what kind of financial situation one was in. $11,000 to some people is like $50 to another. I would spend it, if I had it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chloebear Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 I would be more concerned about the behaviour of the dog, sorry to say this but I wouldn't get the operation done. Instead I would buy a new dog from a good breeder and ensure I was getting a quality puppy plus use some funds on being taught how to handle and train my puppy to avoid behaviour problems in the future. But in saying that if it was one of my children that needed the operation regardless of how naughty they where (they are 2 & 4) I would happily pay the money and go without if need be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 It all comes down to capacity to pay and the future quality of life for the dog. Hip replacements don't guarantee a pain free life, especially in a dog that size. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffyluv Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 I stopped counting Ollies costs for his cancer (among other issues) and he is dog aggressive (mostly fear) - when it reached $8000... I would not dream of not getting him the medical attention that he needs to have good quality of life... If he needed a hip operation that cost that much, I would find the money somewhere... Jodie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShellyBeggs Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 I have recently been faced with this..... Once the infection was gone I had the decision to start luekemia treatment (quoted up to $500 per week)....or not? but I never got that far.......because a) it turned out to be autoimmune haemalytic aneamie and b) he thankfully died in his sleep last friday night after a happy fun night of playing. But $500 per week would have been too much for me (I barely earn that), as much as I loved him, it would have been pointless to make him as well as possible only so we could all live in a cardboard box and then there is no guarantee on the outcome anyway!.......and he had no behaviour problems at all. A dog with those problems of this dog.....I prolly would think it was kinder to PTS and like Chloebear said....put the money, time and effort into picking a good pup from a good breeder and doing some good socialisation and training. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poodle wrangler Posted October 17, 2007 Author Share Posted October 17, 2007 It all comes down to capacity to pay and the future quality of life for the dog. Hip replacements don't guarantee a pain free life, especially in a dog that size. That's another thing! I work with human hip replacement patients and have seen some poor results despite good care, physio, patient being very co-operative etc. Problems included infection, problems with the new "joint", dislocations, life-threatening medical problems as a result of surgery (blood clots, stroke, chest infections), unexpected death... You don't see these complications discussed much on forums. Some people seem to think you have the procedure done, pay the money and it'll all be OK . ShellyBeggs and Staffyluv- sorry to hear of your dog's illnesses. Sounds like ShellyBeggs' dog died in the best way possible No criticism of you intended Staffyluv- you're the only one who can make these decisions. This $11,000 dog had bitten a child and lives with one. I've decided if my dog does have hip problems, I could afford ~$8,000 for an op. He may need on op for luxating patellas (~$1000) and I'd do that. I don't think I'd do hips, however, because it's such a major procedure (with more risks) and I have a young family. I couldn't spend that much money on our dog in good conscience (it'd come out of the mortgage). I'd give him pain relief medications/ injections for as long as they seemed to give him enough pain relief, do hydrotherapy, other non-invasive treatments. When it was obvious he couldn't cope well, then I'd take him to be PTS and stay with him throughout. Distressing to think about, but I think that would be best for him, too. I've learnt my lesson and will ensure I get full hip scores from the breeder next time (still no guarantee, but better odds.). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chipper Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 (edited) Totally agree with you Poodle Wrangler. My 18 month boy has laxity in his left hip. After being xrayed the Vet said his hips looked alright but a lot of laxity upon manipulation. He explained the cost of surgery if it ever got to that and I nearly fell over. While we love our boy dearly $10,000 is a lot of money for a family with two small children and a mortgage! We have started on supplements and swimming and are simply keeping our fingers crossed that we never have to wander down the surgery road. What a terrible decision to have to make and as you said, not always guaranteed. ETA : We bought our boy from a Breeder and his parents were both x rayed with fine results ! Edited October 17, 2007 by GSD Mum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
montall Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 This subject is very topical for me. Only last Saturday I had my little girl Tallulah back at the vet in obvious pain. She had major hip and knee surgery back in February of this year. We were very lucky at the time and found a good vet who did the procedures for a whole lot less than $11,000 and no I wouldn't have had it done if it was going to cost anywhere near that much, I had only had her for three weeks. On Saturday she woke up and was in obvious pain, walking slowly and just not herself. She had hurt herself again somehow, not sure how, and needed an injection for the pain. She is fine now but we have to face the realisation that this may become a regular thing. My first thought was that she had done some damage to the operation site that might require further surgery but thankfully that turned out not to be the case. Even so my OH has said that he would probably spring for one more operation if it became necessary but we will have to make some hard decisions somewhere down the track. He's right, not only is it not an option because of the money, but it wouldn't be fair to keep subjecting this poor little girl to a life of pain. No doubt if it comes to that I will be thinking along the lines that I made a mistake in having it done in the first place and should have just let her go then, but it's hard to make that decision when you can see some hope for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 No. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogsforall Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 very hard decision don't envy them having to work out how much is your pet worth to you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vonasche Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 A very good friend of mine is about to have her 14 month old curly coated retriever operated on for HD. She is having a hip replacement done - to the tune of $5,000. She cannot afford the $5,000 in one go, so they have arranged a payment plan for her. If she had of been an older girl, then they would not have the surgery done. Fingers crossed it all goes well for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diva Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 In the case you mention, with behavioural issues and a young large dog with an uncertain outcome from the operation and doubtful future quality of life, no I wouldn't proceed. For one of my own dogs, yes in a heartbeat. The only reason I wouldn't would be if the outcome of the treatment was too uncertain to put the dog through the surgery, or I just didn't have and couldn't despite my best efforts borrow the money. I have recently spent several thousand dollars on an operation for one of mine as a result of an injury, and don't regret it at all. Another some years ago was diagnosed with bone cancer. There was a drastic surgical treatment available but the odds were so heavily stacked against her surving the operation by more than a couple of months, given the aggressiveness of that form of the disease, I chose instead to pts. For me there is a lot more to take into account than the cost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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