Am I being cruel?

[Beagler]

So Buttons was scheduled for his TPLO surgery tomorrow - the second attempt (the first having been postponed due to skin infection)... and yes, it's been postponed again! His skin is just too infected (he has atopic dermatitis) - so we have another two-week course of anti-biotics, some dexamethasone for his ears and (this is the exciting bit) some malaseb wipes (new product), lol.
Not actually laughing though - I have a gorgeous boy who can barely walk and won't be able to get his TPLO surgery until his skin is clear... but Buttons hasn't had clear skin for 4 years! Then, if we ever get the surgery done, he needs to get it repeated all over again with his other leg. Goodness only knows how long we are looking at for recovery now (bear in mind that each TPLO has a 6 month recovery period).
My husband has just said to me maybe it would be kinder to put an end to it all - he couldn't actually say it, but I know he means euthanasia . I can't bear the thought of it though. Okay, so he's always going to have itchy, sore skin and bad ears... but maybe, just maybe, we can get those legs fixed and he can walk properly again. Please tell me what you think - am I being cruel?

[brandypup]

((((hugs))))

I think you need a 2nd opioion from a more holistic vet for his skin.

The surgery MIGHT be too much for him with everything else going on.

It's not unusaly to think about euthinasia when facing medical issues. that is becuase they can not tell us anything. We can only go by what we know as humans.

Remember long term antibiotis are bad also. So your really in a no win situation right now. He needs to be 100% healthy before having a surgery.

Prayers for Buttons, and you.

[brandypup]

I would call and see if anyone would review Buttons medical records. there will probably be a fee but it would be cheaper then just going on in. Many holisitc vet will work with the traditional vets that way.

Holistic Veterinarians in Scotland: PinPoint Veterinary Acupuncture, Holistic Veterinary Medicine

Alternative Vet Therapies - holistic veterinary service for pets and animals covering Glasgow and West Central Scotland

British Assoc. of Homeopathic Veterinary Surgeons

Holistic Vet Online - Dr Douglas Wilson

Veterinary Surgeons Using Complememntary Therapies - Fact Sheet - Denes Natural Pet Care


(((hugs)))

[Dawna]

How old is this dog? I'm not familiar with this surgery. What do the initials stand for?

[Beagler]

Thanks Brandy, for the hugs and prayers and the links - will look into them in more detail tomorrow, but the 2nd one looks good, and is probably geographically closer
Sorry Dawna, I'm so used to speaking the "jargon" with all the vets we see, that I forget. Buttons is 6yrs in April. He has severe Atopic Dermatitis caused by allergies (the main one being house-dust mite), and he also has advanced cruciate disease.
TPLO stand for tibia plateau levelling ostomy (probably spelled some of that wrong, lol). Buttons has no cruciate ligament left in his right knee and only thin strands remaining in the left knee. Surgery really is the only option with this condition (being as bad as Buttons is) and the surgery recommended for him is TPLO because he has such an unusually high angle on his tibias (shin bones). The surgeon cuts the top of the tibia and rotates it around to change the angle, then pins it all in place with metal plates. It does away with the need for a cruciate ligament at all, stops the arthritis that is developing in its tracks and 6 months of recovery later the dog should have almost 100% mobility back.
Buttons needs both legs done.

[Dawna]

My vet tech friend has a Pit Bull who had cruciate surgery done on 2 of her legs. (At different times.) I'm not sure if it was the exact same procedure you are speaking of or slightly different. I know she's as good as new now. Six years is relatively young. He probably has another 8 or 9 years to live. If he was a very old dog, euthanasia might be more of an option. But if there' s a chance you can get him to where he still enjoys some quality of life, it sounds like it is worth it.

[Beagler]

Thank-you Dawna That's the way I see it too - he has a lot of life ahead of him and if we can get these legs fixed there's no reason why he can't make the most of it. I suppose my husband's comment took me by surprise - I hadn't really stopped to consider if I was putting Buttons through too much, and wanted other peoples' perspectives on it.
Brandy - I have emailed a holistic vet to see if she can help or at the very least give advice. Thanks again for the links.

[brandypup]

Your welcome, praying they can give you some options, answers and help get Buttons through this. He sure is cute. Oh an not- not cruel at all. You are keeping Buttons happy and doing all you can for him. That is all anyone can do.

[Puddlypoo]

Originally Posted by Dawna

My vet tech friend has a Pit Bull who had cruciate surgery done on 2 of her legs. (At different times.) I'm not sure if it was the exact same procedure you are speaking of or slightly different. I know she's as good as new now. Six years is relatively young. He probably has another 8 or 9 years to live. If he was a very old dog, euthanasia might be more of an option. But if there' s a chance you can get him to where he still enjoys some quality of life, it sounds like it is worth it.

I agree And of course if it's something you can afford which must be taken into consideration. I sincerely pray this is able to work out for you and Buttons. He's such a little cutie. Poor thing and I know it must be difficult for you to see him in this condition, I have a hard enough time seeing Puddles overweight and not being able to get him down to where he needs to be so I can only imagine how you feel.
Praying all goes well for you. Keep us updated, please.

[Beagler]

Thank-you everyone... really it's great to come on here and get the opinions and support of other beagle folks
He's currently enjoying his anti-biotics (weird boy - he's eating them like sweeties, lol) and loves his new wipes even though they make him smell of popcorn So he seems quite happy. He also has a new sling thing... it goes under his belly and closes with velcro on his back, it has two straps so I can support the weight of his rear end and take some of the stress off his poor old knees. My son calls it "putting Buttons in hand-bag mode" - like a transformer, lol. This means he's been able to get out and about a bit more and enjoy the smells
The holistic vet has got back to me and says she can certainly help Buttons' skin and maybe his left leg because it still has some ligament left. There isn't anything she can do for his right leg though... and she is also expensive. We only have enough left on our insurance policy for the operation at the moment, so I want to keep that available. Our policy renews end April/early May and we'll be back to having £4000 for vets fees again, so we'll make an appointment to see her then and see what we can do about his skin and his left leg (hopefully we might manage to avoid surgery on that one).
Have spoken to his orthopaedic vet and he says he will definitely operate after the course of anti-bs is finished - after being on anti-bs for over a month there will be no infection left. So the op is rescheduled for 22nd Feb.