Help my Rotti Please

[ronsky1232000]

My female rottie is 9 months old, i have had her since she was 8 weeks. She started off with bronchial pnemonia and was hospitalized for 3 weeks. I was told she probably wouldn't make it but she pulled through. When I finally took her home she began limping. I took her to my vet who took a full set of x rays-I was told she had OCD. They recommended i see a specialist so I took her. He took more xrays and suggested surgery for the OCD. He told me they usually do pretty good after the surgery. He also told me she has mild hip displasia and her elbows are not "formed right". We went ahead with the sugery on Nov 1 and everything has gone down hill from there. She can barely walk. I took her back to the specialist who told me she has torn ligaments in her right knee, her elbows are an issue, the shoulder is very stiff and her hips are also causing a problem. I am DESPERATE to keep my dog out of pain (she is on rimadyl since 3 months of age). Now the specialist told me he wants to speak to my local vet and discuss my dog. (I dont think there is anything else that can be done. I have spent over 10,000.00. but that is not the issue I love this dog so much I cant seem to take my heart out of it and do whats right for her. She is such a sweetheart. Now she only gets up to eat or go out. The thing is she still wags her little stub(her whole back end wiggles) when she sees me. God help me do the right thing for her. This has been a torture for me. Anybody have any suggestions.

[rottcrazed]

Have you ever spoken to her breeder about her conditions?

She has almost every hereditary condtion she possibly could regarding her joints, and if she was purchased from a 'reputable' breeder, there should be some kind of compensation in this for you; if not, I am not sure what else to say.

I am terribly sorry for what you are going through with your girl, the unfortunate thing here is that she will have a much shorter life than you expected when you bought her.

Now, I have not had a dog with any type of issue like you are dealing with, but with ALL of them combined like that, you need to really think about her quality of life and really, does she have any at all right now? From what you are describing, I would say no. She is a puppy, she should be running and playing and learning and your girl can't even walk without pain. I have a 9 month old pup myself and if it were her, for her own sake (and for mine and my family's), I would be looking into any and all options as you are, BUT I would also be considering letting her go to be in peace and leave the world of pain she is in right now.

I hope others have some good suggestions, and I hope there is something that can make her life a little easier, but I really don't know if there is.

Kristi

[ronsky1232000]

I appreciate your reply. Where I got her from or whether I could be compensated is not going to help her now. All of her conditions are genetic. I was told they are caused by "in breeding". But, that wont get me anywhere. I AM considering putting her down and have been considering it for about a month, but HOW DO YOU MAKE THE FINAL DECISION! Its impossible. She depends on me totally to make all the right decisions. How do I know this decision is right. Like I said she is still happy when I get down on the floor and play with her she wags her stub and licks me all over. I can't stop crying over her. Why was I put in this situation because I love animals so much.

[Patty1231]

I'm really sorry you are in this position, your love for this little girl is obvious. The decision to let her go is extremely difficult, yes, but not impossible. You said you will do anything to keep her out of pain, perhaps there is only one thing you can do, and you already know what that is. Don't allow her to continue to suffer just so you do not have to suffer the loss. I've been there, as many of us have. It's not easy, but it is right. Sometimes the best we can do for them is to give them peace and that, in the end, is all that matters. God bless you and guide you in your decision.

[rottcrazed]

The conditions are genetic, that is why I asked if you had spoken to the breeder. Had she come out of my own breeding, I would want to know what has been happening with her and I would do my best to do SOMETHING for you as a puppy buyer.

At any rate, the one thing that still sticks in my head even from your last post is this;

Like I said she is still happy when I get down on the floor and play with her she wags her stub and licks me all over.

You have to get ON THE FLOOR with her to interact. She is a dog who cannot get up at 9 months old.

There is no doubt you are torn, doubting yourself, and you love her with all of your heart,but really, what you said above would make up my mind if she were my dog.

Kristi

[ronsky1232000]

I see your point, perhaps I am blinded by love. That is why I am asking for an outsiders view. I am too wrapped up in her with my heart to see it from an realistic point. She does not have the life of a puppy and sometimes gets depressed ( im serious ) that she cannot do the things she wants to do. When she wants my attention she barks until I come to her on the floor and lay and roll around with her.

[rottielover2004]

I am so sorry for your decision. I do not think it is fair for her not to be able to act like a dog. No playing, running ( even walking) no chasing balls. I think you know what should be done. It is never easy to let something you love go. But if you want her to be happy and pain free, make the appointment.
Let her be happy again, and painless.

[Sharon Marples]

I agree with the others, no matter how hard it is for you, you must think of HER first......it is her quality of life that matters the most and to me, it sounds as if her quality is greatly lacking.

I think you should make the appointment and hold her as she goes into her final sleep. She will not know what is happening, only that she is loved and that you are holding her in comfort.

Then, if you decide to purchase another Rottweiler, do your research on good ethical breeders that will be there to support and back you up and that have done their research on good healthy lines to produce healthy pups.

I wish you strength in your decision.

[moondog]

For such a young dog to have so very many PAINFUL health problems is very sad. I'm sure you love her very, very much....but I can't see anything but pain and suffering in her future. I would not ask this dog to bear all of this if she were mine...I would release her to the bridge.

To truly love is to know when to let go, and then doing it.

[Canadianrotti]

I am so sorry to hear that you are having to go through all of this. It certianly is not an easy decision, but I think that you know what is the right thing to do here. You little girl is counting on you to make the best choices for her, and given all of her medical troubles, the choice is not an easy one.

I am so sad for you and your little girl, it just rips my heart out.

[yogi53]

I have to agree with the rest - you sound like a very caring and compassionate person who loves their puppy very much - take all that caring and compassion to the level it needs to be and send her to the bridge where she will be free of the terribel pain she is in.

Good Luck with a very difficult situtation and keep us posted.

[observer]

My heart breaks for you, and for her.

You have been a truly loving owner, and have done everything you can. But, sadly, the quality of life for a 9 month old dog who will not get up except when absolutely necessary is just not there. These wonderful dogs are very stoic about pain, and will do everything they can to please us and show us how much they love us, all too often at great cost to them. Think of all the things a healthy happy nine month old puppy should be doing, and want to do, that she cannot do. Taking her pain away is the hardest thing you will ever do, but her life and well being are truly in your hands.

Best of luck to both of you... we're here to help as we can.

[JuneyB]

I am so sorry.....your dog and you should not have to go through this. But, like the majority of members have indicated, your BEST response is to alleviate the suffering of this pup and have her PTS. and that is an awful decision to have to make, but sometimes all the love and all the vet care just cannot "fix" our dogs.

And this is why so many of us are so against BYB and irresponsible breeders period....no dog and no owner should have to endure this pain.

[tilerspop]

This is a decision that no owner wants to make. We all love our animals, and to lose them by our own hand is the most difficult thing we have to do. As responsible owners it is something we must endure. I've often wondered if this wasn't the price we pay for the joy we receive.

To the OP - If you haven't already, read the sticky at the top of this forum "When should I put my dog down". You've done all you can for this dog, it's time to put it in Gods hands.

[ronsky1232000]

I appreciate all of the support. I do blame myself a lot because I bought her at a "pet store". Believe me, they know the entire situation. (I have gone in there with my dog, Lucy) crying in front of other customers about the situation they have put me in. They told me to "give her back and pick out another". Unbelievable right, like we are talking about a shirt or something. I told them I would NEVER EVER give her back to you or to anyone. She depends on me now, and I will do whatever I can for her. I told them to make sure they contact the breeder so that nobody else has to go through this. Sometimes I believe she was given to me for a reason. She could not have had a more loving home than with me. God gave her to me, now I might have to let her go back to him. I just have to make that final decision and I keep procrastinating (maybe she will do better tommorrow). Thanks again.