When is it time to put my dog down?
I’ve read some of the other similar questions…but I suppose my situation is unique. I rescued my german shepherd at about 4 months old. She is currently a little over 7 years old. She is the absolute best dog (in my opinion).
That being said, she has discoid lupus which essentially eats away at her skin. Two months ago it got so bad it cut into an artery on her nose and I had to take her into the vet in the middle of the night.
She was on prednisone for about 1 year at a super low dose…but obviously it didn’t help too much. Now she is on 24 mg of Medrol / day. It helps some…but her nose and skin are not healing…more or less they’re just sustaining.
My question…she can’t stay on Medrol forever because a) her liver & kindeys will shut down and b) it causes her to “leak” everywhere and she has explosive diarhea in the house.
I’m really struggling with what to do because if I take her off the Medrol, it will cause the Lupus to attaack to be more severe. Help!
Also. just for the record…I love my dog tremendously. She is a major part of my life and I’m really looking to do what is best for her (not me).
…and I don’t know if it matter…but with regards to the “leaking” and “diarrhea”, I have a 7 week old new born…so I do need to keep it relatively sanitary….just FYI.
I wanted to post some pictures of a) my dog and b) the Lupus…it is under the album called “Gracie” at this site: http://picasaweb.google.com/babybogdewic
PS Aside from these physical “defects” Gracie performs like a normal dog…she loves to run, fetch, go on walks, etc…perhaps why this decision is so plaguing my heart and mind.