I've been informed that the position of GRIN is that Alexis was euthanized not for incontinence, but for pain. I'd like to point out that the email and phone call I received stating that she was euthanized did not mention pain at all. They discussed the incontinence at length, mentioned the amount of displacement of the spine, and said she could not feel anything in her hind end. "The only nerves functioning below the fracture are those on the big toe" was how it was presented to me. This was consistent with what we all expected to hear, given her lack of mobility.
So whether or not Alexis was actually in pain despite having no feeling in her hind end, I don't know. I'm sure it is possible that she had pain at the site of the injury and no feeling below that spot, and that this was not communicated to me. I intend to contact the vet and see if I am able to get this information for myself.
If she was in fact in pain then of course that is a more humane reason to have euthanized her, but I still maintain that as Ashtabula Animal Advocates was assisting GRIN in fundraising for her care we should have had a voice in the decision. If we were able to speak to the vet, or at least see the reports, before the decision was made, it is possible that we would have made the same decision, and this whole issue could have been avoided. And if it is in fact the case that, as I was told, her issues were incontinence and a lack of mobility, then I know of plenty of people who would have gladly cared for the dog.
Thanks again to everyone who loved Alexis, regardless of your position on this issue.
Dawn
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