Question:
My beloved, 10-year-old Doberman has Wobbler's Disease. He has had it for quite some time and it has been a textbook case. Progression has been steady, and heartbreaking. Now, he can barely get around at all. He is beginning to isolate himself more and more. This is a dog that would never leave my side. I lovingly refer to him as my "Velcro Dog." His front paws curl on every step and he's very wobbly and unable to control his back legs much. He is not eating much now and prefers to simply lay on his side or push his head down on my leg (which relieves the pressure to his spine). He is in constant pain, I'm sure. Now, his gums are white. I know this could be shock, anemia, or something else. I cannot even get him to a vet right now as he is 110 lbs. and too much to carry (he's unable to get in the truck himself). He is on pain medication daily and I am just heartbroken. I do not want him to be in pain... I love him so! I adopted him from a Doberman rescue when he was 5 and his life up to that point was awful. Since then, he has been showered in love and truly enjoying life... until Wobbler's stole his joy. I don't know if I should have him put to sleep so he doesn't have to suffer, or if this would be a selfish thing to do. How can I be sure when it's the right time? I LOVE this dog and and promised I would never leave him and that he would always be at home with me- happy and carefree. I don't want to break this promise. :( Please help me come to grips with this whole thing. I don't know what to do for HIM.

Answer:
Call around and see if you can find a vet that will come to your house. There are really still some out there.

Answer:
I agree,my vet does house-calls and maybe the vet can help you make the final desicion.
It's sad that he would get sick after already having suffered in his early years,
but you obviously love him and have given him a good life.
It is not selfish to want to keep him as long as possible,you love him,but it must also be heartbreaking watching a beautiful proud Doberman in constant pain.Try finding a vet,even if he has to ease out of this life,it can be done at home without dragging him to a vet-office and the added stress.
I am sure you'll do what's right for your poor dog,I know nothing of Wobblers desease and if there is meds to prolong his life and make it better,that would be wonderful,but if there isn't,ending his suffering is the right thing to do.
Most of us here have had to make that choice several times,it's always heartbreaking,but you can be comforted knowing you gave this pooch a wonderful life.

Answer:
Please either call someone to help you get your dog to the vet, or find a vet who will come to your house. Don't let him suffer this way. :(

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I am so sorry to hear about your dog. It is a very hard descion but I know you will make the right one. I would follow the other peoples advice and find a vet that makes house calls and see what he has to say about it. Just try to keep him as comfortable as you can for right now! :(

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I'm so sorry for what you and your dog are going through but he must see a vet and very soon!

Where do you live perhaps some of us can suggest someone to call,

or you can look in your yellow pages for vets that do home calls. A lot of them do still do this!

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Thanks to all who replied so promptly. I am in Staunton, VA and will locate a Vet to come to the house as soon as possible. God bless you all!

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Thank you for giving this dog the only loving home he probably has ever known, and 5 good years! Not many people would adopt a 5 year old Dobe with Wobbler's.

Could you post a picture of your beautiful boy and tell us his name? Dobies are my favorite breed.

Answer:
Yes I too would love to see a picture

Here are some places that may be able to help/refer you

AUGUSTA COUNTY SPCA
LAWRENCE EVANS DVM
RTE 638 33 ARCHERY LANE
STAUNTON, VA 24401
Phone: 1 (540) 885-7722

AUGUSTA VET HOSPITAL
BEN BROWN DVM
1003 GREENVILLE AVE
STAUNTON, VA 24401
Phone: 1 (540) 885-8169


VALLEY ANIMAL HOSPITAL
DONALD G HENRY DVM
555 RICHMOND ROAD
STAUNTON, VA 24401
Phone: 1 (540) 885-8985

WESTWOOD ANIMAL HOSPITAL
DONALD CROMER DVM
15 MISS PHILLIPS ROAD
STAUNTON, VA 24401
Phone: 1 (540) 337-6200

Answer:
I would love to post a photo but I only have prints, nothing digital, and no scanner. :( I'll keep everyone posted on his progress. Thanks for all the Vet names!

Answer:
Originally Posted by Heiress68
I don't know if I should have him put to sleep so he doesn't have to suffer, or if this would be a selfish thing to do. How can I be sure when it's the right time? I LOVE this dog and and promised I would never leave him and that he would always be at home with me- happy and carefree. I don't want to break this promise. :( Please help me come to grips with this whole thing. I don't know what to do for HIM.

A vet will be able to make a suggestion to you but ultimately it's your decision to put him down and only you will know when the time is.

Just know that although we as humans fear death, out animals do not, they know when it is time to go - you can see it in their eyes - I know I've been through this decision on a few occations with old and dieing pets. If you've never seen a dog PTS it's very peaceful. To allow your dog to go to sleep forever in your arms is not breaking your promise... it's keeping it. The kindest and most unselfish thing any owner can do for a beloved pet it to help them over rainbow bridge with less suffering than nature would provide. It's not like you can fix him now, only make him as comfortabkle as possible, so if you think his suffering is too great and the vet can't ease it anymore then the kindest thing to do is put him down, he'll know you're there an you will meet again on rainbow bridge.

Good luck with your decision.

Answer:
I thought you might like to know that I had to have my beloved Doberman put to sleep on Friday. His Wobbler's was in the last stages which was bad enough, but he also had an immunodeficiency disease that made him extremely anemic (his red blood count was only 14%- normal is 35%). With the several blood tests the Vet did, she could still not determine the actual reason. She said we could take him to the big vet school in Richmond and have them try to figure it out but that it would cost atleast $1800 a day and there was still no guarantee that they would even find out what was wrong, let alone help him. He was suffering terribly. I had made a promise to him when I first got him from the rescue that I would never allow him to suffer again. I had to keep that promise. He couldn't walk, he could barely lift his head.... It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do and I miss him more than words can say. There are a million "what-if's" running through my mind, but I know he's no longer in pain. I talked to him and rubbed him the whole time... and have cried most of the weekend. Things will never be the same without him. He truly was my best friend. Thank you all for your advice and encouragement.

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Heiress,I was expecting to hear from you again and with tears running down my face,I salute you for doing the right thing.
Going to a vethospital in his shape,would only have prolonged his suffering and stress.
Take care and remember all the wonderful times you had together,you were an angel in his life for saving him and giving him 5 years of love and care.

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You absolutely did the right thing, and I know your boy would thank you if he could - both for all the love and care he got with you, and for letting him go and ending his pain.

I'm very sorry.:(

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I feel awful for you but I understand exactly how you feel. My Neo was a rescue who had a terrible life. Then he came to live with me and I loved him and spoiled him rotten and like you I promised him he would never suffer again. Well unfortunately he became very ill and left me with the ever dreaded decision do I selfishly keep him here with me or do I put him out of his misery. I like you thought back to my promise to him and decided to have him PTS. I missed him so much and I am sure that you miss your baby.Just remember that you gave him the best years he had ever known and believe me he is watching over you and still loves you for doing the right thing. Things get easier in time.

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Oh dear your heart must ache! You've done the very best for the dog, you truly have. Sometimes there is little left that we can do. The helplessness is what hurts the most, because there's nothing we can do to make it better.

BUT you did do something you have released him from this horrible disease which engulphed his body and now he runs free and strong!!

(hugs)

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