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A close family member has has many dogs put down after mysterious illnesses when the animal seems the picture of health weeks or even days prior. The dog is immediately replaced and the new one meets a similar fate. This person shops vets and is always very well read on various animal illnesses. She sounds quite knowledgeable and i could see her talking her way into a diagnosis so that her animal is put down. There's always a great show of grief after on social media.
We have confronted her about this behavior and she admitted she "might" be doing this. I can't find very much about this syndrome with pets. thankfully she doesn't have kids! Anyone know anything this? Treatment plans? Resources? Research?
They could be someone who loves the excitement of a new toy. When the newness wears off (as well as the attention they get because of it), they start focusing on all the flaws it has...it is no longer satisfying or entertaining. So they convince themselves there's some major problem with the dog, they get rid of it and buy another. Particularly scary that they can find vets willing to put a healthy dog down instead of rehoming them. But, rehoming takes time and effort which she may not be willing to spend. Has to get that thrill again RIGHT NOW!
I Googled it and found quite a bit of information online.
All the info cites a handful of studies based in anecdotal evidence but do not discuss treatment options, success rates, etc. Interested to see if anyone has deeper or more helpful information
They could be someone who loves the excitement of a new toy. When the newness wears off (as well as the attention they get because of it), they start focusing on all the flaws it has...it is no longer satisfying or entertaining. So they convince themselves there's some major problem with the dog, they get rid of it and buy another. Particularly scary that they can find vets willing to put a healthy dog down instead of rehoming them. But, rehoming takes time and effort which she may not be willing to spend. Has to get that thrill again RIGHT NOW!
We asked for the last dog as i have a veterinarian acquaintance who was interested on taking it. We would have driven through several quarantined states to get it. But the MbP family member has already had the dog put down and changed the time-line for maximum sympathetic effect. They admitted this on questioning...the change of timeline and that the dog was gone while I was frantically trying to make arrangements.
Rehoming is seen as a failure...no sympathetic response when you just don't want a dog anymore. If the animal dies of a mysterious illness that's much sadder and beyond your control.
My mate wants to report this to animal control and call vets in their area. He already called a breeder where the newest puppy was being purchased but the breeder sold the dog anyway. Im not sure what, if any, strategies might work to prevent more of this.
All the info cites a handful of studies based in anecdotal evidence but do not discuss treatment options, success rates, etc. Interested to see if anyone has deeper or more helpful information
You should search "treating munchausen by animal proxy." There are multiple sites that discuss treatment options and examples.
Success rates? Depends on your definition of success.
The fact that she admitted to this is a huge step forward. But any call to animal control could lead to charges for her, so if this a close relative, tread carefully.
It's not as if you can post her photo on the wall at the vet's office, like "most wanted" criminals at the post office.
A close family member has has many dogs put down after mysterious illnesses when the animal seems the picture of health weeks or even days prior. The dog is immediately replaced and the new one meets a similar fate. This person shops vets and is always very well read on various animal illnesses. She sounds quite knowledgeable and i could see her talking her way into a diagnosis so that her animal is put down. There's always a great show of grief after on social media.
We have confronted her about this behavior and she admitted she "might" be doing this. I can't find very much about this syndrome with pets. thankfully she doesn't have kids! Anyone know anything this? Treatment plans? Resources? Research?
She needs to be outed on social media and she needs to be put behind bars.
Are you serious?? You could be someone's life in danger doing this.
But the animals she keeps getting having their lives in danger is okay?
She needs to be stopped by any means.
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