News

[JennSLK]

Not good.

They found a spot of pain in her neck so the x-rayed. The disk space on one of her disks is alot smaller than the others. I seen the x-rays. The normal spaces are about the thickness of 1 1/2 coins but the bad disk is paper thin.

Our options are 1) another 24hrs on steriods and hope something happens or 2) CT scan and sugery at about $3000

Even with surgery the vet doesnt think she would ever be 100%. Emma is not the type to be happy being partly gimped.

Im devistated. They have no idea why this happened. If she's not better by tomorrow......

As it stands her back legs are strong but she cant even get up because of her front legs.

I dont know what to do

 

[PoodleMommy]

With the surgery would she be able to walk? How old is she?

Sending vibes and (((HUGS)))

 

[Beanie]

I'm not sure if I'm understand the problem right. Is it something chiropractic care might help with? I'm not sure why her neck would be causing her front legs to be weak unless the spine was shifted and was pinching a nerve or something...
I would try the steroids first for sure. What kind of surgery is it that they want to do?

 

[Laurelin]

I'm so sorry for the bad news. I hope something can be done for her.

 

[Grab]

If it is financially feasible, I've known several dogs who had disc surgery (several dachshunds and a Peke) and none were what I'd call gimpy. Their owners kept them from jumping off things for the most part, but other than that they got around splendidly and you'd not know anything was wrong with them. I think humans put more of an emphasis on 'gimpiness' than dogs do...dogs adapt amazingly well


It's a large amount of cash to come up with at short notice though, though you might try care credit or a similar program.

 

[JennSLK]

I cant borrow the money. In in the process of filing for bankrupsy. The nerves are being pinched so bad she cant feal her front feet. So she cant walk.

 

[ParkersMom]

That's aweful..I am so sorry.

I hope everything turns out ok!

 

[bubbatd]

OMG I hate reading this ~~~ My prayers are with you and your baby . At this point I'd go with acupuncture and x my fingers .

 

[MicksMom]

I'm not sure if I'm understand the problem right. Is it something chiropractic care might help with? I'm not sure why her neck would be causing her front legs to be weak unless the spine was shifted and was pinching a nerve or something...

That's exactly what happened to me- the twisted vertebrae was pinching a nerve and causing tingling in my shoulders and some weakness in my arms.

Is there anyway Emma can see a chiropractor? Ours worked wonders for me.

 

[JennSLK]

We've talked about it. The only thing that could feesably work is surgery. Her disk isnt out, its basicly distoyed.

 

[Fran101]

Im so sorry, i totally understand you not being able to spend that much ESPECIALLY on a surgery that doesn't have a 100% chance of sucess

ill be sending *VIBES* that the steroids work or some other solution can be found for her

 

[MafiaPrincess]

Cider had some pretty crappy pain for a while. Ended up being a pinched nerve.. Chiro care fixed her. I wouldn't necessarily jump on surgery just yet. I'd get an opinion from someone practicing more holistic medicine.

 

[FoxyWench]

unfortunatly if its not a "sliped disk" pinching the nerve (which this doesnt sound liek something simply out of place) chiropractic wont help...it sounds like the actual cartlidge around the disk is worn out, in humans this would be a disk replacment surgery...sounds like the same would be the same in emmas case, go in there and realighn with a new "pad" so to speak. healing time for any kind of spinal surgery is long.

i dont think a chiropracit opinion woudl be a bad idea, i just woundnt expect much. is there a teaching college that might be interested in the case, i know theres a couple that will provide diagnostics with specialist for free/cheap as long as interns can "watch" and be involved.
might be worth a shot.

definatly try the steroids too...

*hugs*
this is such a tough situation, the risks involved with spinal surgery and recovery are quite large, and with a relitvly low sucess rate at such a huge amount of money for someone in a financial bind is just..
*more hugs*

 

[JennSLK]

Thanks Foxy. I never thought about the teaching hospital thing. I know there is a new vet school about 3hrs from here. Worth the time to ask at least.

Your right in what you said. It's not a slipped disk. Basicly there is no disk, or verry little. It would be a replacement surgery.

 

[bubbatd]

I'd sure go there for an opinion !

 

[Xandra]

Fingers crossed that the teaching hospital can do something for her. Sorry that you two are going through this, it must be rough She's lucky to have an owner that cares so much for her.

 

[Beanie]

That's what I was wondering, if it was an alignment issue or if the disk had actually worn away. It is the bone that's worn down, not just the cartilage? I know that with a poor alignment, the cartilage will wear away first and basically leave you with your bone grinding on bone and that can make it start to wear too. But I would think it is still pinching a nerve somewhere that it's affecting her movement though... I don't think having the cartilage and then the bone worn down would affect her movement in the legs. But I'm not a chiropractor myself, I just haul my butt to one every two weeks. =P
I agree with Foxy that getting an opinion from a canine chiropractor is a good idea at least. I get the feeling it's a combined issue here though, one treatment won't totally solve both problems... but at least you would have an idea and maybe another option besides the surgery?
I don't know. I guess I would ask why he isn't sure if the surgery will be successful? That is, what will be the downside, the not successful part? I would imagine she would regain movement, but the question of pain is another one. That would have a big measure on how I felt about going into debt for the surgery... =<
It's not an easy spot to be in. I hope you are able to get some other possible alternatives here though. (((HUG)))

 

[Grab]

I would also get a second opinon from either another vet or a surgeon. Not the same as a nerve/disc issue but when Ginger had a broken jaw, one vet said that a 12 year old dog would not heal. The at the least I'd have to go to a specialist in Vegas, but she'd likely not heal anyway. Ginger had surgery in town with another vet and healed perfectly.

Vets are only human, and can at times let their own feelings cloud professional opinion.

 

[sillysally]

Yeah, i would definitely look into the vet school. Jack's arthroscopic surgery was at a vet school and the price was pretty reasonable.

I'm so sorry you are having to face this. You and Emma are in my thoughts.....

 

[MicksMom]

We've talked about it. The only thing that could feesably work is surgery. Her disk isnt out, its basicly distoyed.

Oh geesh, I'm sorry. I totaly understand the money thing. Keeping my fingers crossed that you find a solution.