Ask Me Help Desk - Don't know what to do

Hello,

I have a long hair dashound he is about 12 yrs old. When he was a puppy I was able to keep him up with regular vet appt. about 5 years ago I lost my job and was unble to afford to take him to the vet. And now I barely get by. He does have heart worms and his teeth are really bad because he always chewed on everything outside. His hair gets matted so I took him to get groomed The groomer told me he is full of infection because of his teeth. I feel really sorry for him because he looks bad his eyes are crusty, and he breaths hard and he is skinny and he stinks bad. I now keep him in our porch instead of running the house the other dogs are in there with him. I'm confused because he still eats and goes outside at sometimes with the other dogs. I know if I take him to the vet they are going to tell me to put him to sleep. I know he is suffering and I should put him to sleep but I don't have the Heart. I think if he wasn't eating and going outside then I would put him to sleep. What should I do and am I being selfish?

If he is eating and going outside and there are no obvious signs of significant suffering or pain I would not put him down yet. That day come but you'll get more advice from Labman as the day moves forward.

This is a very tough situation. I am sure when you decided to get a dog 12 years ago, you fully expected to be able to give it the care it needs. I am sure you are forgoing other important things too. If he still seems to be enjoying himself at all, I would let things go. If he has heart worms, it will be our of your hands soon.

I am old enough that I hurt more and more now too. I am not ready to call Doctor Kevorkian.

Find help, the spca has donations that they give to people who can't afford the vet. Heart worm medication is around 15-30 dollars, try frontline. An average daschund lives up to 15 years old. Give him lot's of love and bath him with a gentle puppy shampoo. The dog's given you 12 years of companionship the least you can do is fork up some cash to treat his worms. If you can afford to get his fur trimmed, than you can afford advatage or frontline or a generic brand. But treat his heartworms, brush his teeth and give him a bath.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davist07

Hello,

I have a long hair dashound he is about 12 yrs old. When he was a puppy I was able to keep him up with regular vet appt. about 5 years ago I lost my job and was unble to afford to take him to the vet. And now I barely get by. He does have heart worms and his teeth are really bad because he always chewed on everything outside. His hair gets matted so I took him to get groomed The groomer told me he is full of infection because of his teeth. I feel really sorry for him because he looks bad his eyes are crusty, and he breaths hard and he is skinny and he stinks bad. I now keep him in our porch instead of running the house the other dogs are in there with him. I'm confused because he still eats and goes outside at sometimes with the other dogs. I know if I take him to the vet they are going to tell me to put him to sleep. I know he is suffering and I should put him to sleep but I don't have the Heart. I think if he wasn't eating and going outside then I would put him to sleep. What should I do and am I being selfish?

Im sorry to hear about your dog! I would be heart broken! I went through a similar situation with our cat, he got a really bad infection in his teeth and even the medicine didn't help, he still used the litter box and went outside, but one day he just couldn't move and we rushed him to the vet and it was in his blood stream and they said he was suffering, he had to put him down.. as much as it hurts it sounds like its what would be best for your friend... I wish you the best of luck

Dear Jessyfay,

Thank you for the advice but, when the vet told me he had heart worms they were in the
2nd stage and the vet side to cure him we would have to have surgery and they couldn't say it he would even live through it.