[bearkat]

This topic has been covered on the forum before, but most of the authors have dogs with cancer, or some other kind of terminal problem. In cases like those, sadly, there is a fairly defined lifespan, and a person can be prepared with extra medication, etc., for when the time comes.

My problem is slightly different, and I would like all of your input. As you know from recent posts here, Gisela developed growths on her eyelids, and because of this, we took her to the vet. Her other symptoms were stumbling, crankiness, and weight gain. The vet took blood samples, and gave her oral antibiotics for the infection in her eyes, which he indicated was caused by clogged tearducts. Her eyelids, top and bottom, are puffed up like balloons.. She was also diagnosed with cataracts, and for the last year or so, she has been so sore from arthritis that she gets an aspirin almost every day. That day's vet bill was over $200.00, and he said if the antibiotics didn't work, they could operate on her eyes, but wouldn't guarantee positive results, and the cost would run about $700.00, for both eyes.

I guess my question is if your dog was 9 years old, sick, overweight (probably thyroid problems), and their quality of life had dropped to about 1/3 of normal, would you say enough?

My emotional attachment to Gisela is such that if I was a millionaire, I would try to keep her alive until she was 100 years old, for MY selfish, emotional needs, but when is it fair to HER that I screw up the nerve to take her to the vet for the last time?

I feel the same way about people, who would want to be in a vegetative state for umpteen years just because modern technology can make it happen?

We could continue the treatment for Gisela, surgery, thyroid medication, help her around because she is going blind, give her arthritis medication, but what is FAIR AND HUMANE FOR HER???



[This message has been edited by bearkat (edited April 27, 1999).]