While at the physiotherapy unit with Poppy yesterday, we met a wire-haired dachshund with paralyzed back legs. He was strapped to a set of wheels, so he could move around using his front legs. He had a nappy on. I have to say, he looked quite a cheerful little chap. We didn't get a chance to talk to his owners, but both OH and I felt we would be very unlikely to go down that route, should - heaven forbid - something so horrible happen to a dog of ours. We couldn't imagine having an incontinent dog that was unable to move without being strapped to his wheels. We both felt that when you have a young or middle-aged dog that has an accident or illness, but where there is a good chance of recovery, then we would do almost anything to help that recovery. But an older dog, who is never going to recover, and who is never going to be able to run or play again.. we both somehow felt it wouldn't be right for us, or our dog. But maybe you can only make that decision when it actually happens to you. Obviously his owners were totally devoted to him though, and as I say, he seemed perky and cheery enough. Any thoughts?
Re: Dog with paralyzed back legs - what would you do it? oh how sad,....i don't know what decision i would make,
Re: Dog with paralyzed back legs - what would you do it? I am 99% sure that I would let my dog go, with some dignity . I wont judge others who chose to use wheels but personally , I wouldnt do x
Re: Dog with paralyzed back legs - what would you do it? For me, I think it's just about the dog's quality of life - he doesn't have any hang ups about using wheels, I bet. So if the dog (and owners) are happy and enjoying life, why not?
Re: Dog with paralyzed back legs - what would you do it? We had a dog near us that went on its back legs and the owners got her a set of wheels. To be honest when I first saw her on wheels I thought I'd never do that. However as she got used to them she'd walk for miles and looked really happy. She could spin around as fast as a dog on four paws. I still don't think it would be something I'd choose although it must be a very difficult decision if all that's wrong with your dog is its legs. In a lot of ways I was lucky with Murphy everything went at once. As Julie says its quality of life that's important.
Re: Dog with paralyzed back legs - what would you do it? I guess if the vet offers that option he would not do so unless he thought it appropriate and there was a demand for it? It is almost impossible to make this decision in the cold light of day without being personally involved and knowing the detail of the circumstances. Roger PS. I was trying to be tolerant with those that shared a different view point. Euthenasia would be my preferred choice.
Re: Dog with paralyzed back legs - what would you do it? I'm pretty sure it would not be an option here, but I guess it would depend a lot on circumstances. That being said, I can tell you for my hubby it would be a definite NO so that would likely be that.
Re: Dog with paralyzed back legs - what would you do it? I couldn't possibly say now if I would or wouldn't ??? I feel like it's more often smaller dogs. I'm not sure if it's as suitable for heavier dogs and I'm unlikely to have a small dog anytime soon so that might be a factor.
Re: Dog with paralyzed back legs - what would you do it? I can say Without a shadow of a doubt. I am very clear on this issue, and I appreciate that I am probably now in a minority. I would not ever contemplate keeping a dog alive, if it could no longer run around and take care of its own toilet needs on a permanent basis. I actually find it extremely upsetting to see videos of disabled dogs paraded about on the internet as if it were something to be proud of. But times are changing, and I accept that many people do not feel the same way.
Re: Dog with paralyzed back legs - what would you do it? [quote author=editor link=topic=4361.msg52872#msg52872 date=1391793122] I can say Without a shadow of a doubt. I am very clear on this issue, and I appreciate that I am probably now in a minority. I would not ever contemplate keeping a dog alive, if it could no longer run around and take care of its own toilet needs on a permanent basis. I actually find it extremely upsetting to see videos of disabled dogs paraded about on the internet as if it were something to be proud of. But times are changing, and I accept that many people do not feel the same way. [/quote] I'm of a similar opinion in theory but I'm very aware that this is my first dog, I've yet to make that hard and heartbreaking decision under any circumstances. I only hope I'll have the strength of character to do the right thing for the dog and not for me So I think I'll hedge my bets for a bit longer.....
Re: Dog with paralyzed back legs - what would you do it? I can say what I would do, because it happened to me. My previous lab, Remy, was probably my lifetime dog and I and all the family adored her. At the age of 8 she developed an extremely rare and inoperable tumour of a nerve root sheath around the spine. I kept her going on painkillers etc until the Sunday morning of 13 February 2011 when she couldn't get out of her basket to come and see me. We put her to sleep at home that day with all her family around her. I could not bear the thought of my girl paralysed and incontinent and stuck on wheels. And I'm pretty sure she would have hated it too. Emotive reaction - definitely. The right decision for Remy - definitely. The right decision for everyone - each to their own, judging their own dog and circumstances.
Re: Dog with paralyzed back legs - what would you do it? I don't think I would be able to put Harley through that if it was her, but until something like that happens I can't say 100%
Re: Dog with paralyzed back legs - what would you do it? I have every confidence in you Barbara Sadly, not all dogs are as lucky as Riley
Re: Dog with paralyzed back legs - what would you do it? I don't think I could do it. Meg has had a few health issues and I will do everything I can to get and keep her healthy but to me she wouldn't have quality of life. We all know our own dogs and Meg wouldn't be comfortable or happy if she couldn't move of her own free will.
Re: Dog with paralyzed back legs - what would you do it? I was just thinking today about how Lady is already 4 1/2 and it just seems 5 minutes since she was a puppy and that 12 or 14 years is no time at all and then I'll be without her. It was the post "Thirteen years is too short ..." that got me thinking. It already feels unbearable to think about. I do know, however, that if her quality of life was severely curtailed by an injury or chronic illness to the extent that she was just existing, then I'd do the right thing by her. It's my responsibility after all to do that service for her if it comes to that, and the reality is it probably will. I like the idea of her at home if possible so she literally just goes to sleep .... Sorry that's enough.
Re: Dog with paralyzed back legs - what would you do it? With our old boy, Nicolae (my heart dog :'() our 'it's time' point would have been rear end paralysis and incontinence. We decided that well ahead. We wouldn't have let him go on beyond that point. In the end we didn't get to that as he collapsed from a massive tumour and internal bleeding at age 14. We had to decide between a blood transfusion, op and chemo combination or letting him go. At 14, we let him go :'( Worst day of my life. With a young, small paraplegic dog - I just don't know.....
Re: Dog with paralyzed back legs - what would you do it? I don't know what the answer to this is. At first I thought this was Sophie posting one of her RME questions. I do know that there was very heated and angry dialogues on Facebook last year at some point, and I think it was about a wheeled dog, and involved comments passed by people at a dogshow - may have been Crufts, but really not sure. There was a whole kerfuffle about it and some adverse consequences for a business who's owner/representative was (I think) reported as making some of the adverse comments. It was all pretty terrible as I remember. A very emotive subject, with lots of strong opinions :-\
Re: Dog with paralyzed back legs - what would you do it? I think there is a big difference between putting an old dog through a painful procedure, for little gain given the wider circumstances, and a young dog. After all, soon my young dog will have a form of mechanical assistance - in the form of a titanium plate in his leg - and I'm thankful this is available and will result in Charlie having a very good quality of life. I wouldn't feel differently if the device was visible, or bionic, or anything else really. And Charlie will not feel differently about himself because he has a form of mechanical assistance. So, wheels. What is it about wheels that seems so objectionable? I agree that they do seem so at least on the face of it. I wonder why?
Re: Dog with paralyzed back legs - what would you do it? Just thinking out loud, should the decision process be along the lines of - Is the dog suffering? Will the dog's quality of life be significantly imrpoved for a significant period? Will the dog still be suffering? And can I cope with the situation?
