chihuahua hit by car

Question
QUESTION: Hi, my cousin carried her chihuahua to the vet after being hit by a car. Me and my husband found the dog in the road early one morning. According to neighbors, they thought he was a cat and didn't stop because they thought he was dead. We have alot of stray cats that get hit where we live, so there's no telling how long he laid there. Upon examining him, he was breathing lightly and was looking around but no movement.  He was getting cold to the touch. We warmed him up as much as possible before getting him to the vet and he was responding a little with trying to raise his head and started shaking a little. He did do better at the vet, but he's been there for four days and now the vet is saying we have to put him to sleep. He has been giving him iv's and once he was warmed he started moving around and biting at him which was a good sign. He did x-rays and found no breakage and no more bleeding. The problem he says now is he still hasn't stood on his hind legs and he hasn't urinated on his own. Is this a sure sign that he needs to be put to sleep?  Please help me decide if this is the right thing to do so I can tell them yes or no to agree with the vet. Thanks

ANSWER: Oh boy, I am so sorry.  He may have extensive nerve damage and that is why is can't stand on his own.  Doesn't sound good at all.
The damage sounds too extensive.
YOU could get a second opinion.   Sorry,

Marie Peppers

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: So, there's no way to express him (urination) and maybe get him a bicycle wheel for his hind legs? She'll do anything for this dog so he can live, but not if it will cause him pain. Are you saying you would put him to sleep?

Answer
Many times a wheel bicycle is fine for the hind legs.  They must have use of the front legs.  Also, she would be changing a doggie diaper for the rest of his life.
YOU have to decide his quality of life.  If he doesn't get use of the front legs, it would be a poor quality of life...Don't you think so?

I hope he recovers!  You never know.. ** give him a few more days.
Let me know what happens!

Best of luck

Marie