Animal Planet's E-Vet Intern Episode

[Zorro]

Hi everyone! This week Animal Planet aired an episode of E-Vet Intern that featured a doxie named "Eli" who had a ruptured disk mid-back due to an accident. Eli had completely lost the use of his rear legs. The vet who examined Eli was a neurology specialist. He made the statement that the prognosis for this type of injury is poor and frequently the most humane solution is euthanasia. I was frustrated with his statement because I felt he was saying, "if the animal can't walk, he has no quality of life and should be euthanized."

I know there are people on this website who have doxies with this type of injury. Is my frustration justified, or am I unaware of the complications that can arise from a ruptured disk? Perhaps his statement was backed by the fact that not everyone can provide the finances, care and devotion it takes to allow that kind of healing to occur. By the way, the episode continued to show Eli having surgery and physical therapy with a successful outcome (yeah!)

What are your thoughts on this? Thanks in advance...

[Cindidoxiemom]

This was a rerun, and it caused quite a stir on several of the dachshund sites that I am on when it first aired.
Saddly, this surgeon's view is quite common; this is one of the reasons Dodger's list was created. I also feel a responsibility to share Oscar and Hunter's stories with others.
I have one paralyzed dachshund and one that is fully mobile . Both have had IVDD surgery...Hunter has had two.

I can assure you that paralyzed puppers can and do live full, heathy and quality lives! My Oscar is a very happy boy, and he requires very little special care.

I wasn't surprised by the surgeon's response at all....luckily none of my pup's surgeons felt that way.
Cindi

[marilynb]

I am replying to the post about the show Animal Planet. I have a doxie that I was told to put down by two vets. What is wrong with these vets? The dog is not sick he/she is only unable to walk, they are still so loveable and protective. Yes they are a lot of work but they are so worth it. I wouldn't change my dog for a dog that is able to walk for anything. My husband is disabled I wonder if these vets think I should put him to sleep too.

marilynb

[Paul Coover]

I saw the episode with Ely the dachshund and I must say that I found myself YELLING at the television when the vet said that the "humane thing" should be done. Sadly, that is the way that many vets think. But that is why dogs like Ely exist or dogs like Johanna and all of the other survivors and cart dogs. It is their job to spread the word and teach the vets that being disabled doesn't mean being destroyed!

[heather]

Not that I want to be a devil's advocate but, I'm sure vets see a lot of bad situations and really bad owners. People abandon dogs for very small vet bills and refuse to pay for even modest care. Many healthy animals are neglected or abused.

I think the members of this forum forget that this group is probably a very small percentage of the upper end of pet owners -- I believe most folks would not adequately take care of a disabled pet or give it a good quality of life. The vets are probably factoring this into their advice.

My dog was turned over to the St. Bernard rescue because at 9 mos. old she was a wet muddy mess and messed up their nice house. She also drooled one them when they came home.

[Paul Coover]

Perhaps, but in this case the vet said " In situations like this the most humane thing to do is to have the dog euthanized" and THAT is NOT the case, no matter what. If it were a case of abuse or neglect, then a rescue group should have been contacted. It is just not right to throw away a life.

[thomas]

ive seen a vet show on animal planet (australia) recently where same thing happened total paralysis to a sheppard where the vets said putting the dog to sleep was the best thing , the poor lady was so upset . the thing that got me was the vet didnt mention the use of wheel chairs or physio etc or they edited that out i dont know , how bad would the lady feel if she found out later her dog could have been happy.

but you right we are a small percentage of people ive know of people putting there dogs to sleep because of much simpler health / behaviour problems , i just feel sorry for the ones that love animals like us that dont know about the options
regards freesia

[Cindidoxiemom]

I think that is the point Freesia.
People need both sides of an issue to make an informed decision.
Heather, I am not ignorant to the plights of abused an neglected animals, nor am I naive enought to believe that the views on this board reflect the feelings of the general populous. However, In this case, the dog was not abused or neglected. The owner was willing to do surgery and do "whatever" it took to get her dog home. Telling the owner that pts in this case was WRONG. How long would it take the vet to show an owner how to express, and what a wheelchair looks like? Luckily they went ahead with surgery and are doing PT.
Cindi

[Dianne]

Has anyone considered writing the show to voice a different opinion?

Perhaps if we (our members) became a more vocal presence, another opinion would be offered, or maybe they would do a show on handicapped pets.

Dianne

[Cindidoxiemom]

Dianne~
I am quite sure this was a rerun of the show. When it first aired a lot of correspondence was generated to Animal Planet and Almeda West Animal Hospital.
I don't know how much good it would do, but it sure couldn't hurt!
Cindi

[fritz63]

I have a 5yr old who is paralysed and I have to admit before this I always considered pts the most humane thing for these types of injuries but my fritz sure taught me better!! We have just started on our journey and I am hoping he will one day walk again but if not that's o.k. too. He still has all the spirit and heart he ever had!! I just think people need to have more info about there choices, in fact I feel Fritz was given to me to teach me so I can teach and inform others!! I am not sure exactly how I will do this yet as
I stated we are just beginning to learn one day at a time!! Besides him being able to walk there is nothing I would change about our life now at least he is still with me and that is all that matters!!!

[heather]

I must have misread the original post, I was not given the impression the vet said "this is the only option and I will not discuss others."

I doubt the episode aired the entire exchange between the vet and the owners. Someone told them about surgery and PT. Purhaps, your issue is with the portion of the discussion aired. However, I think that because the episode showed the owners proceeding with surgery and PT despite the injury, the episode accomplished the goal of teaching the viewers that options exist.

A medical professional will not give medical advice based on viewer complaints but, Animal Planet can choose what portions of discussions they choose to broadcast.

[Cindidoxiemom]

Heather~
Did you see the episode? The Vet said that if the surgery didn't work, and the dog remained paralyzed that pts was the "humane" option. We disagree that simple paralysis is a condition that is best treated with PTS.
Nobody here has suggested that the surgeon is not a good one, nor have we suggested that he is in some way a BAD person. Our issue is with his, and saddly too many others, opinion that a paralyzed dog is a burden to itself and others. Simply put...that is wrong!
Cindi

[heather]

Well, I guess that settles that. Everyone, except me, is in complete agreement about what is and is not humane. I guess I will continue to struggle with the issue privately.