and a half she has hardly been able to move due to pain. Our
vet says it's a spinal problem. Nothing showed up on the E-ray. She screams with the pain, and her hind legs are turned
in. I have to pick her up for her to go outside and she does not
walk around at all. She shakes and jerks alot. She's on
medication and we've tried several kinds, the meds only stop
her from screaming, while all her other symptoms stay the same. I know an MRI will show more, but I don't want to put
her through a big operation and I don't know what to do. Her
pain is bad and I don't want her to suffer anymore. I'm thinking
about putting her down, cause I hate to see her suffer. Our
vet is a good guy and thought that our dog would have shown
impovement or recovered by now. The fact that she has not,
makes me more concerned every day. I don't know if it's a
tumor or what she has all I know, is that I am struggling with
this. I don't want to put her down, but I can't let her suffer.

She has a sliped/ruptured disk/s if I am guessing correctly from the info provided. Having had the SAME problem, I can tell you form my point of view. If I am wrong abut the diagnosis, this is gonna be a waste of your time. Anyhow, I slipped/ruptured two disks in my own back 8-9 years ago. It was a slowly worsening condition for about 6 weeks, getting more and more painful until one day I was in so much pain that I couldn't even think. My left leg was a giant charlie horse, and spasmed non-stop, much like the shaking and jerking you describe your dog suffering. I was totally unable to control it or use it, like it was paralyzed, but I sure could feel it. Now I've done some pretty extreme damage to my body in the past, and I've had surgeries, childbirth, busted ribs, concussions, kidney stones......you name it, but with that back injury, it was the first time I sincerely prayed I would DIE to escape the pain. It took two weeks in the hospital in traction (and a tankerload of morphine, thank you doc) before I felt human again. HOWEVER, within a year, though I was told I'd never walk without surgery, I was back to my old job tossing around used car parts in a delivery truck. I could lift transmissions and everything just like I did before, and I avoided the surgery.

I guess the point I'm trying to make is that back injuries are totally unpredictable. They are hideously painful. I know I haven't made your decision any easier, but I figured you could at least know that it might not be hopeless, but then again, letting her go might be the kindest thing to do. I think if you look at her, and just listen to the message in her eyes, she will let you know what to do for her. I hope she recovers miracuously overnight, and you never have to decide. Good luck, and you can't be wrong if you make your decision wiht love.

This is the same answer I gave for another question, but it definitely applies...

"It is always a hard decision to make, but you really need to not be selfish. It is really a question of quality of life. Would tyour dog, when she was healthier, want to be stuck inside all day? sitting around unable to move? unable to eat or relieve herself? Probably not.

You're not a bad person if you let her go. It is really the most selfless decision you can make. I only wish people could do the same things for themselves, we let ourselves suffer so badly in the end.

I'm sure your dog has had a wonderful life with you and letting her go now without suffering would be selfless, and more diginfying for your buddy.

It's a tough decision to make, really think about it and do what you think is right. <3 <3"

I am sorry that you and your dog are going through this. It is never easy to decide to put an animal down or not. Unfortunately only you can answer that question. I believe that you will know and not have any doubt when it is time to let her go. Even though of course nobody wants to do that, but it is the nicest thing to do in some situations to end suffering. I wish when my time comes, I could be put down to end my suffering. At least we have the option with our animals and it is the kindest thing to do for them. She may or may not be ready for it now, but like I said only you know the answer.
Good luck with your decision, and I am sorry I could not help any further.

My heart goes out to you. It is a tough place to be. You have stated your options:
1) an MRI(its not an operation, it is similar to an cat scan) if you can afford it, is a way to find out if you may have more options(it is easier to treat when you know what is wrong)or it may help to clarify your decision to put her down.
2) you can put her down and spare her having to go through the tests, any treatment, and additional expenses for you as well.
The kind thing to do is to make your choice and follow through with it as quickly as possible. Either one will ease her suffering. I'll keep you both in my prayers. God Bless.

My family and I have loved and will continue to love each and every cat and dog that we have had the joy to share our lives with.

It is very hard to make the decision to have one of our pets put to sleep, but we also have known and know that we cannot let them suffer and be in pain for any length of time at all. If there is no quality of life, there really is no living, there is only existing.

Having her legs turned and shaking and jerking is most likely from nerve damage or spinal damage. It could also be an inoperable tumor.

If your vet thinks that you have exhausted all possibilities of medication and she will not be able to handle spinal surgery well at all, you have to bring yourself to make one of the most difficult decisions of your life.

She have given you many wonderful years of love and companionship, she trusts you to make the best decision for her.

I will say a prayer for you and you dog so that you will find the best decision for her.

I am so very sorry. But the best thing you could have done if your vet can no longer help you with your baby, is put her to sleep. You would not like to have the pain she is going thru, so why make her go thru it. My baby developed liver collapse overnight, I couldnt see her in pain, so we put her to sleep. Kindest thing you can do. But I still miss her as you will. Good Luck, and get yourself another dog, wont take your baby;'s place but will help fill the void.

how horrible, i know i wouldn't be able to see my little man (dog) in pain....maybe it is time for her, otherwise seek a 2nd opinion asap...no living thing deserves to live in pain... i am sending a prayer out for you!

Stopping using any flea spray, dips, or any other type of insecticide. Even flea collars. It will take a week or 2 to get out of her system. I would also be concerned about someone may have hit the dog (car, kids, falling down stairs, etc). She may also have swallowed something sharp that probably should have shown up on the Xray but would show up as black stool. Give her a chance to heal if it is still a problem after 2 weeks of babying her it might be time to let her go.

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