Question by ilf rettub: In desperate need of advice. What would you do? A tough choice.?
The dog that I share custody of with my ex husband has severe allergies. Between special food, meds, and other products used to treat them, the general cost per month is AT LEAST $ 250. This average cost does not include any extra visits to the vet for infections or other complications secondary to the allergies. Nor does it include his annual regular check up, heartguard, or flea and tick prevention. My guess is after all that other stuff is taken into account and averaged out, the monthly cost would be somewhere around $ 350-400 a month to care for the dog.

The dog recently tore his ACL and needs surgery. Luckily the pet safety insurance I had bought for him will cover 80% of the cost. But despite that, this is where things get tough. My ex wants to go through with the surgery. I however feel that given his severe allergies and the fact that he has hip dysplasia with slight arthritis already (he’s only 4), that the best decision would be to put him down. After all, my ex and I are already struggling to keep our heads above water financially just from the allergies alone. But my ex won’t hear of it. He wants to not only go through with the surgery but he said he wants to take the dog permanently since I am completely against the surgery and want no part of it. Now, I know that my ex does not have an extra $ 400 just laying around every month. Heck, he just took a second job to make ends meet and he wasn’t even paying half of the dog’s bills as it were. He says that he will make it work at all costs, working more hours, giving up going out, eating out, cable ect… However I am so hesitant in giving up the dog knowing what it costs and extent of care that needs to be given to him in order to keep the allergies tolerable. He will chew himself bloody and bare, he will get major skin infections, and his hair will fall out if a strict regime isn’t followed. And let’s just say that my ex isn’t exactly the best at following it because it take a lot of time and dedication (baths every 4 to 6 days each lasting approximately 40 mins from start to finish to allow the special shampoo and conditioner to be in contact with his skin for the specified time).

So that’s my dilemma. Ultimately these are my choices:
1) Give the dog to my ex knowing that he is going to put him through the surgery (which I strongly don’t approve of), probably won’t care for his allergies as well as I do, and that my ex can’t exactly afford him at this point either. But I would be able to pay my bills but never see my dog again
2) Continue to share custody, and support the surgery but make my ex pay for whatever part of the surgery that isn’t covered, any follow-up appointments and any care related to the knee surgery, but split the rest of the bills evenly (which wasn’t happening previously), knowing that the dog is a complete money pit and that the bills are only going to continue and get bigger because of the hip dysplasia and arthritis.
3) Give the dog to my ex, but offer to pay maybe his food bill (about $ 125 a month) just so that I have a piece of mind that my ex will have enough money to care for the allergies and other necessary things that come with having a dog and then just not see the dog, or maybe still get to spend a little time with the dog but a lot since I’m not paying all that much to support him?

I just don’t know what to do. It would be great to have my ex husband out of my life forever, but I don’t want my dog to have a poor quality of life either. And since my ex is forcing this surgery do I just say screw him and not worry about my ex struggling to pay for the care of the dog? I know my ex loves this dog like crazy and is very good to him, but I just don’t know if giving him over is the right thing to do knowing what I know about the money factor when it comes to this dog. Not only that, but giving up my dog is obviously going to be really hard! But I so don’t support this surgery knowing what I do about his general health.

What would you do?! Please help me.

Putting the dog down without my ex’s consent is not an option, I could never live with myself.

Best answer:

Answer by kdoulos
Well, my dog has allergies as well, but not to that extent. Benedryl three times a day, Taste of the wild prarie recipe along with raw meats eggs and other tasty things, and brewer’s yest has him at his best again.
Owning a dog isn’t easy, and just like parents who have children with downs, you don’t just give up on them becasue they are a burden. Personally I’d tell your ex that he will be paying for the portion of the surgery, and somehow get it in writing. I wouldn’t give the dog to your ex. I can just see it now, he finds out he’s bitten off more than he can chew so he has the dog put down, and says something allergy related killed it or something equally bad.

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Question by jaded_illusions78: Need some advice on my dog (please read full description)?
I have a dog who has swollen areas on his skin not just in one area.

I believe this is due to either a different grass allergy, tick drops…especially tick drops.

I called my vet at 2 am in the morning and told me to try to wash with dawn soap a few times and I did this about 3 or 4 times very well. He is still in lots of discomfort and whining and crying so I took him INTO the vet at 3:30 am. He is on prednisone, benedryl and still gets some slight swellings and still whines in now alot! She believes this to be discomfort and so do I.

I called again today because he is whining alot still she prescribed him some tramadol to ease some discomfort. She noted that sometimes its takes 1-3 days to recover and that it can be very uncomfortable for the dog.

I also have him in a big dog collar (Elizabethan collar) aka cone collar so he doesn’t over lick to make matters worse…so he whines and still tries to get to the affected parts but cannot get to them.

My question is all this me just worrying too much because the whining really bothers me, the pacing bothers me, and I hate seeing my dog in pain? but is it really pain or just lots of discomfort due to not being able to get to those spots he wants to get at.

Do you think I am more over reacting to my dogs discomfort…given the time it will take for him to heal? I

What do you guys think?

please note the tick drops were on one area not the whole body and I washed his whole body just in case its more systemic.

Best answer:

Answer by christinasn00
Call your vet and get an antibodic shampoo it’s called Malaseb it will help with the discomfort also some. It might take a couple of bath’s but it will definitely help it did with my dog. Let it stay on him for a little while also at least 20 to 30 min. I hope your baby gets better

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Question by Gizmo: Need Advice. Getting sick at work because of chemicals, can’t quit cuz I need an income! HELP…?
Ok, so I am a professional dog bather in a pet salon. I like my job, but am getting sick from the disinfectants used there. The other day I could barely breathe. My boss sprays blade disinfectant all over everything, not just blades (leashes, tables, brushes) We use lemonquat, which is a cleaner, and my skin has reactions to it. I am always in contact with it. The Material Safety Data Sheet says not to get it on your skin, but I always do, and it says its a servere health hazard. My eyes always hurt and itch, my skin hurts from the chemicals and shampoos used on the dogs. My throat closes up when the blade wash is sprayed. The lemonquat makes my throat burn and hurt. I had to drink frozen drinks the other night, only too soothe my throat. One day a girl in back was disinfecting hoses and a customer up front was coughing because the fumes were so bad! I can’t go to the doc because I don’t have insurance, and I can’t quit because I need to afford to live. Been looking for something else, but haven’t found anything yet. I don’t WANT to be jobless or not work, but I can’t handle this. My boss knows it bothers me but doesn’t try to spray less. It bothers another girl I work with. I am not complaining, I am just sensitive to this stuff and have had allergies and asthma in the past. I just don’t know what I can do legally. Is there anything? Anyone ever been in a similar situation? I need to leave this job, but I need an income!! I am concerned for my health. I don’t want to end up with a respiratory problem and be fucked for good!

Best answer:

Answer by PROUD HUSKY OWNER XDDD
try using a mask like the dentists use it should help or a gas mask if you wanna look really cool

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Question by case: My dog has a bright red rash on her lower belly and inner hind legs. Advice?
My 4 year old female pit mix has a bright red rash on her lower belly and inner hind legs. The marks are completely symmetrical and spread to the crease of her back legs and kind of follows along that crease. It is BRIGHT red at times, and seems to subside temporarily at other times. There is no puss, blood, or broken skin, but it does seem that the skin is a bit raw as it continues to peel in those areas, like on humans after a sunburn.

I’ve never changed her food. I feel this may be the cause of the weather in Georgia, as her allergies (sneezing & dry skin) appear to flare up when we are here, and when we leave the state at summer time she seems fine.

It is not occuring any where that she has hair, and she is not losing hair anywhere. She doesn’t lick at it much, and I never see her scratching it. I’ve tried benadryl, hydrocortisone, and even a bit of skin so soft. It has slowly been spreading across her belly since we’ve gotten to Georgia in the fall. I will take her to the vet if necessary, but would like to try any possible home remedies first, as she doesn’t seem uncomfortable and the vets in my area are insanely expensive.
No, they are not spots. it is one solid area, and is not round.

I have already tried fungal creams at the request of a vet. Benadryl was ALSO at the request of a vet. I consult my vet before I give my dog anything.

Allergy shots may be just what she needs.

Best answer:

Answer by Goldenly Addicted
Are they round? If they are then that could be some kind of fungal infection like ringworm. You should bring her to the Vet to get it checked. Do NOT simply give human pills without consulting the Vet 1st. No, home remedies will not work if you don’t know what it is & what is causing it. Get medicine that is specifically to cure her skin problem at the Vet’s now before it gets even worse & spreads throughout her body. You will have to spend more money on her like that if you continue to let it get untreated by the doctor…

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Question by sayswho?: my dog licks his paws SO MUCH he cant walk on them! advice? suggestions? causes? anything?
i have a 6 year old havanese who licks his paws constantly and so deeply that he can’t walk on them for hours afterwards. he does it with such intesity that he pants and his paws are all red.

we’ve taken him to a vet a few times for this but nothing theyve done has really helped. we use all natural cleansers on our floors so i doubt its anything he’s walking on. one vet said it could be food allergies so we’ve switched brands more than a few times but nothings helped. the topical solutions dont do much at all. it’s not a seasonal allergy either.

anyone have any advice or tips? any holistic or home remedies to relieve this itching?

thanks in advance.

Best answer:

Answer by Puppy Mills = Death Row
Allergies take him to the vet!

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