[Craig T]

Nobody loves their dogs more then me, and nobody's heart is broken more than mine when they go, but you have to keep things in perspective. A veterinary practice is a business. They make good incomes doing surgeries, not euthanizing. They will always present the upside to surgery and exaggerate the chances of success,

$7k-$8K will be $9K quickly with post-op meds and therapy (and maybe lost time at work). Spinal surgery is traumatic and will require round the clock care for months. I payed similar money for a TPO pelvic surgery for my mastiff FiFi when she was 2.5 years old. She spent her next 3 years on pain meds and anti-inflammatories and only lived to 6. There has to be a line drawn, and to put an 11 year-old dog through that kind of trauma just to have him uncomfortable for a couple years maybe??? I'm sorry, I'd have to say goodbye.