Ear Infection- Husband wants her to go...

[lilith1]

Our 10 year old Weimaraner has another ear infection. It looks and smells like a nasty one, AGAIN.

She has had them since she was born, I have dealt with them over the years, have had second jobs to pay for treatment - cultures, vet-visits, mixtures of antibiotics.

The last one 10 months ago was identified as MRSA Pseudomonas, potentially dangerous to humans as well. We treated her with Fortaz injections twice daily which costs us $600.

We have a 13 month old and another little one on the way in January. My husband drew the line and stated she must go for the potential dangers. With me not working for a few months there is no way we can cough up another $600 treatment.

He is right, it will never fully go away. Both of us are in the medical field, I know that. I do not want to threaten my family's health, yet it seems like that's a harsh statement. She has been with me for 10 years, is active as always (even after ACL surgery last year), was there for me when times were rough. Yes, she is neurotic, can be aggressive and sometimes annoys me to no end, but she is my dog.

Because of her age, medical history and sometimes annoying temperament I don't think re-homing her is an alternative. She is med dependent as well.

Please help me to to organize my thoughts. Which way would you go?

[phatchristy]

Originally Posted by lilith1

Please help me to to organize my thoughts. Which way would you go?

I would step back, and look back at the OP that you wrote. Imagine that it was a good friend who was writing to you about her dog.

Personally it sounds like the dog in not in good shape, physically she may be in pain. I can't imagine that she is pain free with such chronic infections.

Being a responsible dog owner doesn't mean 'keeping a dog alive at all costs'. I don't believe that is the case. You have to look at the quality of life, how it affects the family and the overall future prognosis here. A dog only knows what they feel in the here and now. They have no concept of a 'future' and they have no fear of death.

I can just hear the stress in your voice.

If it were me, I would send the dog peacefully and gently to heaven via humane euthanasia. Vets will even do housecalls for that.

[Noelle C.]

I'm with the PP on this one. I know it's a hard thought, but looking at my girls who, while young, would NOT do very well in another home (they're so bonded to each other and use that family and friends have commented on it, and it makes going away for even a few days to visit family hard because they go crazy without us), if one of them had a medical condition that made the choice between feeding our child or treating it, it would be kinder to euthanize at home. They can sense stress, and the stress we feel is harder on dogs than I think often acknowledged.

I know there are those who say that euthanizing a dog when medical treatment can no longer be afforded is cruel and irresponsible, but it must be looked at realistically. Few people have bottomless bank accounts, and if only those who were wealthy enough to afford absolutely anything forever had pets, very few people would have animals in their lives.

You two have struggled your best to do all you can for your doggy, but the household is suffering now. It's a chronic condition that can't be much fun for her, and it's a condition that can spread to humans. You need to think about your human-babies here too. It is worth it to keep your children in very real risk for your dog? Your dog isn't afraid of death, I promise you. But your child now and your new baby will be in close contact with a dog with an infection that can cause them serous harm. It's not an abstract risk. It's a risk that is already in your home.

In your shoes, I woud have a vet come out and euthanize. Dogs aren't afraid, the children are safe, and we'd know our dog(s) wouldn't have to suffer the pain of the infections anymore, plus we'd feel some stress-alleviation from not having to worry about putting food on the table. It's sad and emotionaly hard, no matter what, but the benefits ourweigh saying good-bye to a friend.

We absolutely would not rehome a dog that age who is medication-dependent and who can be neurotic in the home it's known for so many years. The chance of behavior problems is great, as is the confusion and nmisery for the dog who doesn't know where its people went and who these strange new people are.

[Nicole915]

I can't imagine planning to eutanize a dog without a concrete diagnosis. You suspect it may be a resistant strain, but there is no way to tell without taking some slides and a culture. Are you keeping up with twice daily cleanings even when the ears are not acute?

While I fully agree with the previous poster who said "Being a responsible dog owner doesn't mean keeping a dog alive at all costs", it does mean following through on a commitment... which in chronic otitis dogs means daily maintenence and at least cytology before planning a euth.

You may also contact the local breed rescue, I've been surprised in the past at the cases they're willing to take in and re-home.

[2xy]

Originally Posted by Nicole915

You may also contact the local breed rescue, I've been surprised in the past at the cases they're willing to take in and re-home.

True that.

An acquaintance of mine recently rehomed an 8yo Jack Russell through a rescue. She wasn't a bad dog, but poorly behaved and had developed a terrible bladder stone problem that my friend couldn't afford to take care of surgically.

The rescue took care of the surgery and rehomed the dog.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

I saw a show not long ago where a dog a cocker spaniel with chronic ear infections had surgery where the ear canals where removed and the holes sewn shut. The dog was left deaf but was no longer in pain or having infections. Maybe that is something you might consider for your dog so that you can keep her.

[Noelle C.]

Originally Posted by MCatLvrMom2A&X

I saw a show not long ago where a dog a cocker spaniel with chronic ear infections had surgery where the ear canals where removed and the holes sewn shut. The dog was left deaf but was no longer in pain or having infections. Maybe that is something you might consider for your dog so that you can keep her.

For a dog that is already neurotic and sometimes aggressive, taking away hearing is a VERY bad idea with small children. Startle the dog, and how much do you want to bet a child will be badly hurt?

[kathymuggle]

What type of dog is it?

[phatchristy]

Originally Posted by kathymuggle

What type of dog is it?

From the OP:

Our 10 year old Weimaraner has another ear infection. It looks and smells like a nasty one, AGAIN.

I looked it up via google, Weimaraners have a life expectancy of 10-12 years, btw.

[lilith1]

Thanks everyone for your kind words. We did culture and swab.
It is the same strain, MRSA Pseudomonas. I talked to a infectious disease specialist and was told that there have been cases for that microbes to jump species. In the hospital we take contact precautions for patients with MRSA infections.
So maybe my pregnancy hormones don't let me think realistically here.

Another surgery is not an option for her, she had two ACL repairs in the last year, recovery was awful for everyone. She will not stay under any circumstances at the vet so we would have to recover her at home from anesthesia. (3 paws bandaged with drugs trying to get out of the kennel...at the vet) A deaf dog with small children is not an option either as Noell C. mentioned.

I also need to protect my other dog, a RR 4 years old.

I guess I will have to buy a black outfit and do what's best for the family. It just seems so mundane as a reason... the ear infection that is.
Thanks everyone.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

If you could find a rescue willing to take her they could do the surgery then rehome her so that she wouldnt have to be put to sleep. I realize that having her with little kids would be bad my thoughts where so that she could live even if that meant she wouldnt be with you to do so.

[phatchristy]

Originally Posted by lilith1

I also need to protect my other dog, a RR 4 years old.

I guess I will have to buy a black outfit and do what's best for the family. It just seems so mundane as a reason... the ear infection that is.
Thanks everyone.

Sending you some . I think under the circumstances, with her age, mental/behavioral and the chronic health issues this is a reasonable choice.

I know the pp talked about contacting a rescue. For me personally, I don't know that I would feel right in this type of situation doing that. It's a geriatric dog with a lot of behavioral and physical issues. With rescue resources seriously limited (some of my friends are in rescue and they're really hurting in this economy) I'd rather see funds put towards younger, behaviorally normal dogs who have a medical crisis. Of course, that's just my opinion.

I have had to make end of life decisions before, both for my pets and animals that I had owned/bred. It's always a gut wrenching choice, and sometimes I've had to step back and look at the whole situation from an objective standpoint. I've had the talk with DH before, 2/3 of my cats right now I'm super bonded to. I can't imagine the day that I might have to make that decision for them. But, I have told DH to remind me to step back and look at things objectively, which is so hard when losing them will hurt so much.

[betsyj]

It's a geriatric dog with a lot of behavioral and physical issues. With rescue resources seriously limited (some of my friends are in rescue and they're really hurting in this economy) I'd rather see funds put towards younger, behaviorally normal dogs who have a medical crisis.

Totally agree. Also, I don't think rehoming a sick, elderly dog to avoid euth'ing her is necessarily any kinder.

She is suffering and I do not think you are making an uninformed choice in this matter. Good luck OP!!