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What to do with my old Bassett Hound?

I have an old boy, an 11 year old Bassett named Phil who has had incurable Malassezia dermatitis, hip displaysia, & arthritis for the better part of his latter life and now recently has been diagnosed with a heart condition which requires 2xday meds. He is still somewhat active, eats and moves ok, but has the occasional accident indoors. I'm in the military and have been assigned a new job that will require me to move from Germany to California. Given the fact that I have to travel in the winter on multiple flights and his underlying heart condition, I'm afraid he might not be able to cope with the stress and extremes of the flight. On the flip side, he's too old to rehome and I fear the stress of that would be the end of him as well. His overall medical condition given his age will not improve and the vet has told us that he's lived a ripe old age. My dilemma is whether to chance the flight or make the tough call to euthanize him now and give him a respectable ending. Pls help


Asked by Member 1014520 on Dec 4th 2010 Tagged flying, euthanize, moving, military in Senior Pet
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Jet Hawk

Oh my, that really is quite the dilemma. The only thing I can offer here is that there is a chance that he may not even be able to ride on the plane anyway. You said it is a winter flight and many airlines to not allow pets to fly as cargo when the temperature hits a certain degree. Check around for information about the airlines (if you're using public transit) you may be using and see what info you can get about their pet policy. I'm sorry to say this, but if those are your two options, it may make your choice easier.

My heart goes out to you. I hope you get to spend lots of time with Phil now. Who knows, maybe he'll "tell" you what he needs from you regarding this. Good luck with everything.


Jet Hawk answered on 12/4/10. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 1 Report this answer


Toto, CD, RN, CGC

This has NO easy answer. All I can do is relate my own feelings. As much as it killed me to do it, I would not hesitate to have him euthanized prior to my trip. I think you may be leaning that way already, and agree it would be a respectful ending. Of all the stresses involved with the other options, moving him to California would be the most difficult for him, IMO. Not knowing what was happening to him during the flight would drive me CRAZY.
Perhaps you may get lucky as I did. I was preparing for a major trip and was reluctantly taking my elderly Frenchie with me as no one I knew would watch her for fear she would die in their care. I couldn't afford to leave her at the vets, and I believed that might be a death sentence for her as well, due to the stress. I wasn't really worried about the trip...she was a great traveler and loved it.
The morning of the trip I awoke to find her in a coma...she made her own decision.
Good luck, and thank you for your service for us!


Toto, CD, RN, CGC answered on 12/5/10. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Kazba

I do not think a dog is ever to late to be rehomed. I would have him checked out byu the vet to see if he can make the trip. If not I am sure you can find someone that is willing to take in a dog with special needs. Over the years I have taken in three special needs dog. I hope you can find something to do without putting th dog down myself.


Kazba answered on 12/6/10. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


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