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celestialnyte
member
My poor puppy =( (NTTGP and very long)
celestialnyte
member
Back story - I adopted a 2 1/2 yr old doxie, Baxter, back in 2005. He's now 8 1/2, but because of how he was raised, he has severe separation anxiety and had other issues that I worked on and eventually corrected in the last 6 yrs. However, before I adopted him (from a private owner, who was ... awful to him) he was kept in a crate for 18-20 hours per day, with 2 other doxies, let out only to go to the bathroom and roam the neighborhood off-leash for 1/2 hour to an hour per day (when the family was eating dinner). On "special" occasions (when they had company) he was let out. Essentially, he was a dog they kept for show. In the last year and a half, he's had issues with his back knee. The vet said that it would pop out and then pop back in, causing him to yelp when it happened. He's quite the lazy one, and when we went on walks, he'd literally plop his butt down after about 10 minutes and refuse to walk anymore. But after the knee issues started, I worked on the weight (he was getting a little pudgy) and it seemed to be lessening. When I got married in February, I had to leave him at my parents house because of the separation anxiety. He howls and whines when he's left alone (it used to be just when I wasn't home. Since I've left, thankfully he's built other relationships, and now its only when everyone's gone from the house.) DH and I live in an apartment. There was no way that I could bring him with me now. When DH and I move into a house, I will be bringing him with me, but I know, without a doubt, that DH and I would've gotten kicked out.
On Sunday I went to my parents house and my mom told me that Baxter seemed to be acting funny, like his knee was popping out more often. He did his normal running to me, and when I picked him up he kissed me excessively, as his usual. The only thing I could tell was that he was slightly favoring his back leg.
Monday I get a call at 830 at night that Baxter is crying, in obvious pain, and is taking 10 minutes to get up stairs, not running (even for the bag of treats, which he'd careen through the house normally.) I asked if they thought that he needed to go to the emergency vet, and my mom (who used to breed and raise dogs) said no, she didn't think so. He wasn't howling, and it wasn't an all the time cry, but it seemed that sometimes it'd get him. I told mom that if he got worse, to call me, and I'd come and take him to the emergency vet, and that I'd make an appt for him in the morning.
Tuesday morning I called the vet (not getting a call through the night) and they gave me a 4 pm appt. I called my parents house to let them know that the appt was at 4 (I was at work and had a meeting from 3-5, and they had said they'd bring him to the vet if it was during that time.) I was told that he was actually getting worse, crying more. I called the vets office back and they said to keep the 4 pm appt, that it wasn't necessary to bring him earlier.
My meeting ended early, and I booked to the vets office, where my mom and sister were waiting for me. The vet had said that it was just his knees, and they gave him an anti-inflammatory. I took the leash, walked to the front desk to pay, and he walked over with me, and then, as I'm writing the check, he falls flat on his belly, back legs give out on him. The vet was in with another dog, but Baxter was crying so loudly in pain that she could hear him in the back room. I was behind him, trying to pet him to comfort him, but my mom was looking at his face and said that his lips were pulled back as far as he could get them, almost to his jowls, bearing down through the pain. The vet came out (she's amazing. Just last week my mom had to put down her 16 yr old dog who had a tumor that spread to both his hips, had used this vet, and the vet cried when she had to put him down. She gets really attached to her patients, which I very much appreciate.) He hadn't done ANYTHING like this in the office when she'd seen him. I asked to do an x-ray (she'd done a lyme test, which had come back neg) and she immediately took him back and did one. It didn't show anything abnormal. He still couldn't really use his back legs, not bearing weight on the right leg. The vet gave him a shot of narcotics (I should put in here that when she checked him out after he fell, Baxter, who has never bit, nipped, nothing, lunged at her and tried to take her hand off because he was in so much pain. My sister used to pull his tail, pull his ears, bite him, etc. He never so much as cried or moved away when she did this.). When we left, she said that he would probably need an MRI to see if it was a slipped disc, and there was a place 45 mins away that was open 24/7, but would only do the MRI during the day. However, if he were to get worse through the night, to bring him in during the night.
My mom and sister brought Baxter home, and I went to my house. I called when I got home (around 7) and when I called mom, I could hear him howling in pain. I called the vet who said to bring him to the ER ASAP. I drove back to my parents house and grabbed Baxter, with my mom and sister, wrapped him up in a blanket to try to curb the bumps in the road (which was super smart - he didn't whine in pain once all the way there. I sat on the floor with him and held him the way there). When we got there, they took him in and evaluated him and the ER vet came in and told me that he had a slipped disc, no doubt. There were 2 options.
Option 1 is an MRI and surgery. To the tune of about $8,000 when it was all said and done. And with the knowledge that because he's 8 1/2 that he may come out very well from this surgery, but in a week may need to do another one for another slipped disc.
Option 2 is pain management - pain pills, the anti-inflammatory, extreme rest for 3-4 weeks. This should let his back heal up as much as possible, and then he should be able to walk again normally, however not ever allowed up on furniture again (because of his previous crating for 2 1/2 years, he lost his ability to learn -- we can't teach him ANYTHING. We're lucky he's house broken. So he doesn't know, and we can't teach him, to not jump up onto or off of furniture. We've tried everything, including professional dog trainers. His brain just can't do it. And he is afraid of the stairs.). He's also never allowed to go up and down steps again. My parents live in a raised ranch and going out to the bathroom includes either steps down to the front door or down the porch to the back yard. Someone, from now until he's no longer here, will have to carry him down the stairs so he can use the bathroom.
With either option, there is a chance that he will need a doggie wheelchair, because there is no guarantee that he won't lose mobility and be paralyzed in his back legs (it's just a doxie trait...it happens). Which, made me feel better because I was sure I was going to have to put him down.
I, unfortunately, do not have $8,000 to do surgery. There was absolutely no way I could pay that. The ER vet said that if there was no financial way to do surgery, there was no reason to do an MRI ($500) because treatment wouldn't change. (The ER vet was amazing. She said that she herself wouldn't be able to afford surgery. I think her quote was, "Most people can't afford a Ferrari. Most people drive a Toyota. And some people can't even afford that."
So we're with option 2. He's on pain medication, anti-inflammatory, a pain patch until July 2nd, and "extreme rest" translated into real terms means "in a crate for 3-4 weeks." The crate thing is the worse because of his past. He also now needs anti-anxiety because he was howling in it. We didn't have a crate last night, he was in a laundry basket, and my mom said that he had to have her hand in the basket all night or he would whine and cry. He finally started eating again today. The medication makes him not be able to produce a lot of saliva, and so he has to eat only wet food. He also isn't drinking a whole lot, so thankfully the wet food will keep him hydrated. He drank only once today, and hasn't yet gone to the bathroom. The vet did say that dogs with slipped discs do generally defecate on themselves until human and dog can figure out a system and schedule for their bathroom needs. Due to his slipped disc, he needs to be in a sling held by someone so that he can get in the position to go to the bathroom, and he may also need help expressing his bladder.
He is still at my parents house. My parents and my siblings (mostly my 20 yr old sister) are saints. I work 40 + hours a week, and the 3rd week of July I am going on a business trip to Chicago. I feel so awful that I can't "make it all better" for him. I still feel guilty that I had to leave him at my parents and couldn't bring him with me after DH and I got married.
Also ... to add to this whole thing, I was SO sure this was my month. AF is NEVER late. I had the ability to get it to the day, if not the hour. AF was scheduled for Sunday, and it did not come. Not Sunday, Monday or Tuesday. it came today. Of course. I was so disappointed. Stupid AF.
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Re: My poor puppy =( (NTTGP and very long)
Wow that is one long post, but I actually read the whole thing. I am sorry that your puppy is having such a hard time. I tear up when I think about how some people treat their pets. My dog also has some separation anxiety, so I know how that can be. I wish you and your puppy the best of luck. I hope he feels better soon. I know you cannot be there for him, but at least your mom and sister are able to be there for him. (((hugs)))
ETA: Totally unrelated, but I love Sophie Kinsella. She is my favorite.
DS - Born 6/17/12
DS#2 - Due 2/11/15
Poor baby! That must be so painful, but he is lucky to have a loving owner. Maybe you can try to keep his mind occupied when he's in the crate since he can't be physically active? Like a new toy or something that he can focus on ripping the squeaker out of?
My pup loves to play with ice cubes in the summer and bats them around with her nose and licks them etc, maybe something like that would be fun for him while he's laid up and will get him a little extra water in the mean time. I've heard of freezing applesauce in ice cube trays too, if you think he'd like that.
I hope he feels better and I'm glad you have your family for some help while he gets back on his feet.
Together since 5/08 ~ Married 6/19/10 ~ TTC #1 since 8/10
BFP#1 3/26/11 ~ EDD 12/2/11 ~ Ectopic Twins left tube 7w3d
BFP#2 11/2/11 ~ EDD 7/14/12 ~ Robert Edgar born 7/18/12
BFP#3 9/28/13 ~ EDD 5/20/14 ~ Benjamin Clarence born 5/15/14
I have a huge weak spot for pets and the relationships we have with them. I know how much I love my boxer baby and when somethings wrong it takes a lot out of me, so I can only imagine what you are going though. Hang in there.
The cost of vet bills can get out of hand when they get sick...hard to put a price tag on a LO who is priceless. DH and I have had a few discussions about it in the past knowing that boxers as a breed are extremely prone to cancer and heart problems which equal huge vet expenses and said we would do anything for her if it comes up but realistically we know we can only do so much.
I will be keeping you and him in my thoughts...Keep us posted!
Hmm...I don't know a ton about it, but they sell a stuffed toy at Petsmart where when you push the center it sounds like a heartbeat (very soft sound). It's supposed to soothe puppies and kind of remind them of their mother or siblings kind of thing so they don't feel alone in their crate I guess. I don't know if it's worth trying something like that to soothe him but maybe? The place we board our dog at always asks us to put something with her that smells like us, so maybe give your mom a worn t-shirt of yours for him to lay with. Maybe that way he'll feel like you're close to him even if he's a little miserable. A few more things to try if you want.
Thank you ladies for all the thoughts!!
I get so angry when I think about how he was raised before me. But I then think about how "bad" he was when I first got him. The howling, the separation anxiety (which, believe it or not has gotten much better), he had submissive urination and would pee all over the house and I think about if someone else with much less patience had gotten him that they could have SO easily abused him (I had visions of people kicking or beating him because of the howling or barking) or he could've been passed from owner to owner because nobody would want to deal with it, or he could've very easily been put down. ... and I really couldn't "do" anything to make anything better. I went through trainings ... nothing helped. And he also is awful at socializing with other dogs. He was awesome with my mom's dog -- but when he's out with other dogs, he cowers. Taking him to the dog park (which now I won't be able to do anymore anyway) was always ... awful. He'd hide behind me. I feel so bad that he had such bad experiences and I feel like he's missed out on a lot because of that. And sometimes I feel like a bad furmommy because I can't just figure out how to make it better for him. But then, he looks at me with those big brown eyes and that goofy smile and I know it could be worse.
Smann - my DH knew that Baxter was a package deal when he got with me. (Along with the rest of my family and best friend LOL!) He knew that I'd do whatever I could do when it came to him. When I came home from the 1st vet last night I walked in the door and LOST it. Sobbing so hard I was shaking and couldn't talk. He was great. Just stood there and hugged me. I took the day off from work today because I had originally thought I'd be back at the ER vet doing an MRI. But I didn't get home til midnight and I knew that there was going to be a lot of things needing to happen for Baxter today. I know that doxies are so prone to back problems but watching that happen was one of the worst things I've ever seen. (I told my mom last night that if this is how I am with a dog, when DH and I have a LO, I'm so screwed and DH better do this better than I!)
Official Due Date 5/29/15 & HB 143 on 10/13; 11/25 Harmony Results perfect & it's a Girl!
Off BCP 5/2009
TTC since July 2010
DH's SA = Normal!
Hysteroscopy 2/2011
50mg Clomid / Progesterone 77.5 April 2011 = BFN
25mg Clomid / Progesterone 53 May 2011= BFN
25mg Clomid / Progesterone 44.3 June 2011= BFN
5mg Femara / Progesterone 15.7 July 2011= BFN
5mg Femara / Progesterone 14 August 2011= BFN
5mg Femara + Crinone / Progesterone 32 September 2011=BFN
5mg Femara + Crinone / Progesterone 14.9 October 2011=BFN
First RE Appointment 11/2011
Hysteroscopy 11/2011 & on Med break
12/2011 Diagnosed with PCOS (Insulin Resistant)
12/2011 Adding 1000 MG Metformin per day
12/14/11 BFP
Beta #1 664 Beta #2 3330 Beta #3 6160 Beta #4 19546
Official Due Date 8/18/12 & HB 147 on 1/3; HB 171on 1/19
Pre-term labor @ 29W bed-rest till Emergency C-Section
IT'S A GIRL
I am so sorry. I read your whole post and if you want to consider surgery look into Care Credit. It is a credit card that vets, doctors, dentists, etc. take. (most do) and they do offer promotions jus as no interest for x amount of time, etc.
My little dog fell down the basement steps in November and broke 5 bones, yes 5 bones in his pelvis. My sister works at our vet and she suggested the Care Credit if surgery was needed. I was fortunate that he didn't need the surgery and 12 weeks of crate rest healed him perfectly.
Just something to consider. Hope he gets better really really soon!
OMG. I'm going to look for this tomorrow. And thankfully he's bonded with my sister. I don't know if a t shirt of mine would be good or bad for him ... but I guess its worth a try ?
Thanks! I actually called Credit Care in the car on my way to my apartment after I left the first vet. They approved me for $500. I can call to up it ... but I just don't know if surgery is even the 'smart' option for him. It may not work, and then if it does he may just need it again, and I wouldn't be able to afford 2. AND it's 6 mths without interest, and I actually used it last night to pay for the ER vet. But right now, I have a full time and a part time job and I don't know if I'll have either one in December. My part time job is going through severe budget cuts (its a church) and I've been cut by a few hours per week until December when they re-do the budget. And my full time job is grant funded. Our grant ends Sept. 1st, and as of now, we have no grant to take its place after. So I'm scared that I wouldnt be able to pay it back. I know I can pay the $200 it cost at the ER last night in 6 mths .. but $8000? ... Probably not, at least not with the information I have about the immediate future at my jobs -
Whenever I go on vacation or am away from my little dog for more than a night I leave him with a t-shirt so he has my scent. He is a mama's boy.
Hi!
I will match your long post with my own long reply. First, I'm so sorry. I am a dog person to the core, and I totally understand your worry. My beagle has had two slipped disks in her life (Common in beagles and dachshunds I hear) The first time, we did pain meds and crated her, and she was only about 4 years old. She bounced back well. This past fall she had another slipped disc (she was 12 at the time). This time it was a MUCH more painful thing for her, and for us to watch. Like you, surgery wasn't done not because of money but because of her age, and if we fix this one, its just going to be another one down the line, and it was a lot to put her through. SO--pain meds, crate, NO jumping, blocking stairs, etc. The worst part was the size of the crate. She would go in, and then flounder as she tried to get comfortable. We realized that the crate was a little too small for her to turn comfortably with a slipped disc, so we bought her the next crate up and that solved a lot of her turning problems. Believe me, I felt AWFUL that there was nothing more I could do, but my dog is VERY sensitive to people's moods and reacts the same. If I babied her with "Oh, poor Maggie, I feel so bad for you" she'd milk it and milk it, and I wanted to get her to be more independent. I know it sounds harsh, but know my actions were done out of love, we'd keep her in her crate, take her out for the bathroom, feed her, etc, and then back in the crate she went. Not a lot of fanfare or affection at this time, so she wouldn't get emotional. NOW, that said, you can rest assured that EVERY night after dinner I would gate off the living room (from the other dogs) and sit on the floor to watch TV. I took maggie out of her crate and let her sleep on her bed next to me. This is when I would show her lots of love, tell her things are getting better, etc.
To end my long ramble, maggie got better. It honestly took a few months! but she can do stairs now, can got to the bathroom on her own, and plays with her toys. She loves all of us just as before, and I'm really thankful we didn't put her through surgery.
I'm sorry this is happening to you, I know how sad you are! Best wishes for you and your pup, and try to keep you head up. It is good for you and your dog!
Sooo sorry to hear about your dog! My dog is a rescue and also had some major separation anxiety when I got him. Sometimes it helps to let the dog pick where they are comfortable. When we moved two years ago my dog decided he liked the garage so that is where he stays when we are out now.
My dog also recently had a medical scare and had to have surgery on his mouth. Ask the vet if there is a stronger pain med he can have. They gave my dog something that knocked him out for the first 2 days home. I felt bad that he was so drugged but knew he was not in pain. I had to add water to his food so that he could eat it. That was the only way he would drink as well. He enjoyed his floating food so much I am still doing it 2 weeks later
I hope your dog will adjust to being in the crate more and will start to improve with the help of your vet!!!
So sorry for your poor puppy :-( I'm just not thinking about what will happen as my dog gets older. He will live forever. I have decreed it, so it will be. :-P
I've got to say, as a trainer I love people like you. Taking in a neglected dog and having the patience to rehab? That's rare and admirable. Your little guy is VERY lucky to have you!
As for as other things to try in a KONG or other such toy..maybe you have to make it easier. Put some kibble in the bottom to raise it to the level of the opening, and then just smear some peanut butter there so he doesn't have to lick inside to reach it? If you google "KONG recipes" you'll find a million combinations you can try, too! Another popular one is to take broth (chicken, beef, whatever) and freeze that, in a KONG or in ice cubes. Yummy and lasts! Another option might just be a good, new bone. If you can find a natural pet store they often have a lot of varieties, even different animals, that are very fresh and enticing. Bully sticks are another favorite of a lot of dogs. Or tendons! Just trying to think of things you can give him so you both feel better about the crate :-)
Here's to hoping your little guy feels better soon, and that this cycle is your cycle!