euthanizing your pet

[*michaelsean*]

We buy pets knowing this is going to happen, and yet it's unbelievably sad. Last month we were within a day of having to do it to our 5 yr old Rottweiler. He has a disease where the white blood cells attack the red blood cells. Normal red blood cells are between 40% and 50%. (Percent of what I don't know.) He didn't move for 2 days and we thought he was sick, but then if felt something else was wrong. I took him in and his count was 14%. Two transfusions later and it was only at 18%. Dr not very hopeful but we put him on meds. For 3 weeks I had to get up at several times in the night because meds couldn't be given together or with food. He gets up to 34%. Then he stops eating because the meds are making him sick. We take him off the really powerful one, but he maintains in the low 30s which is acceptable if not ideal. His appetite is back. He is about to start a new one to try to get him up higher. We spent a lot of money and time and anxiety getting him here, but I thought "what wouldn't he do for us?" Nothing. I did pass on the slightly better replacement drug that would be $280 a week for the not quite as good at $30 a month. He weighs 140lb so his meds can be quite expensive, but $280 a week? Any way he is good for now, but I don't think he will ever be completely safe.