Need Good Thoughts for my Furbaby

[Aggie_Ama]

Our 10 year old Schnauzer Heidi (the oh so cute white one) is extremely ill. Her legs just stopped working. The vet cannot find a definitive cause, her X-Ray looked suspect but not conclusive. They theorize she could have thrown a clot, have a brain lesion, a bulging disk or some kind of infection.

Since we really don't have a good idea and a specialist that could run CT, MRI or other tests is out of the question financially we are taking the "best shot". The vet is giving her a strong dose of steroids, fluids to flush her system, antibiotics. His hope is it helps her, he did caution us it could make her worse and at that time we will have to make the hard choice. He also said if it is an infection it is possible she could pass overnight if it was the type antibiotics couldn't help.

Honestly if she doesn't get better I don't want to have to sign those papers to put her to sleep but I don't want my baby to go alone either. It is so scary and daunting. She has had a few scary things but none this bad. I got her when I was a junior in college and I am now 30 so we have been through a lot of milestones. Graduation, marriage (she changed her name), moving multiple times, she outlived the schnauzer we got to be her buddy, this was just a shock to us because it was just sudden.

[OakLeaf]

(((((((Amanda & Heidi)))))))

Sending healing thoughts and prayers.

[KathiCville]

Amanda, I'm sooo sorry to hear that your darlin' baby is so ill! And with no warning too. She seems young to be having such severe problems out of the blue.

Fingers crossed that your doc's instincts and strategy work in Heidi's favor! If she senses that everyone around her is pulling for her, I'm sure she'll do her best not to disappoint!

And if worse comes to worst, do whatever you need to to give both you and Heidi the kind of meaningful last moments that you'll treasure. She'll lap up every second of your time and love and give it back tenfold. Our animals are so amazing when the going gets tough!

I'll be keeping Heidi and you in my thoughts as you navigate the next few days together.

[bmccasland]

(((((Amanda & Heidi)))))

Don't know what to say, other than I know how you feel. Warm fuzzy thoughts to you.

[colorisnt]

Gosh. That's awful *hugs*. I will keep her in my prayers.

We lost a furbaby last year for a broken spine. No clue how the old man hurt himself. The good news is that I think we made the right call to put him down when we did. We got to spend one last holiday with him. I am hoping it is just a bulging disk and that the prednisone will do it. We didn't do a CT either because the vet said it would either heal or it wouldn't with the steroids. When it didn't, we knew. So, do NOT worry about the fact that you can't do a CT/MRI.

[Tri Girl]

Oh no, Amanda. I'm so very, very sorry you're having to go through this. :( Am sending positive healing vibes to your Heidi, and comforting vibes to you. Nothing is worse than having our fur babies in pain and having to make tough decisions. Hugs to you! :(

[westtexas]

T&P with you and Heidi. I hate how acute and scary spinal problems can be. If you are still in Texas, you might ask for referral to A&M. They have a package deal right now on backs and it includes all the imaging, surgery and aftercare Heidi might need into one neat little sum (and it's a lot cheaper than it used to be). It's too bad she's already had the steroids since she could have qualified for the study that they are doing right now, but those dogs have to have not been treated IIRC.

OU and LSU are also good choices if they are closer to you as they probably have the same capabilities.

Remember to ask your vet lots of questions - that's what we are there for - don't be afraid of annoying them, it's your right to know everything that's happening.

[mtbdarby]

Amanda - (((hugs))) to you and your furbaby.

I hope that the shot works for you. Zeus has been having problems with the back end as well and is on daily deramax which has helped tremendously. We still have our issues but when a dog is pushing 15 it happens.

Enjoy your time together and relish the good memories. You will do what you have to and your furbaby will love you unconditionally:)

[PamNY]

Sending you good wishes. It's so hard to see them sick -- hope things turn around and Heidi is feeling better soon.

[Aggie_Ama]

T&P with you and Heidi. I hate how acute and scary spinal problems can be. If you are still in Texas, you might ask for referral to A&M. They have a package deal right now on backs and it includes all the imaging, surgery and aftercare Heidi might need into one neat little sum (and it's a lot cheaper than it used to be). It's too bad she's already had the steroids since she could have qualified for the study that they are doing right now, but those dogs have to have not been treated IIRC.

Remember to ask your vet lots of questions - that's what we are there for - don't be afraid of annoying them, it's your right to know everything that's happening.

We're in the Austin area, our vet is pretty phenomenal on his patient care. His passion for the animals and their owners is obvious, so he actually spent 30 minutes last night explaining his thoughts, his concerns and what he felt if she was his dog was the best option. I like that he will on occasion tell you what he would do for his animal, we have been using him since he joined the practice in 2006 so we definitely bombard him with questions. Our friend went to vet school at A&M at the same time and said out vet was well known as being one of the smartest in the class, which makes my worry wort husband happy.

I am not sure we could afford even a discount but appreciate the tip. At Heidi's age we are hesitant to subject her to surgery, she has had 3 already plus two dentals that were pretty intense (bad teeth issues). It is so much stress for her little body.

[Owlie]

((Amanda and Heidi))

[Dr.Doo]

Awww sorry to hear your furbaby is so poorly. You're all in my thoughts and prayers.

[Catrin]

Sending good vibes to you and your furbaby.

[Blueberry]

Awww....Amanda....I'm so sorry to hear this. Sending good thoughts your way.

[Aggie_Ama]

Thank you all!

She made it through night one, isn't better but isn't worse. She did eat and has stopped shaking some which was causing our vet some concern because she usually is fine with being there so he is worried this was neurological shaking not a fear or pain response. He did not expect with her only having 12 hours of treatment a drastic change yet. Not out of the woods but we're staying the course for now.

[spokewench]

I'm sending all my good thoughts your way. It is so hard when our little ones get sick. Hugs

[Tri Girl]

glad she made it through the night. Will be praying her recovery gets better and better.
:)

[Brandi]

Warm healing wishes. It sounds like she has had a good life. Not all are so lucky to be loved and cared for.

[smilingcat]

I wish Heidi a speedy recovery from whatever ails her. So hard when they can't really tell you why they are hurting. Your vet sounds super!!!

[Aggie_Ama]

The not so great news, my vet is pretty sure she has a back injury.

The great news, he thinks she has the ability to live many more happy years. He said rule of thumb is 6 weeks and we will know if she can hobble around or will need a doggie wheel chair. We pick her up tonight, need to to keep her very immobile for about two weeks and see if she can regain some ability to walk. He thinks she will always be a little crippled but how much is not clear yet. But our baby is going to be with us longer!!

[Tri Girl]

That's GREAT news!!!! Glad to hear you'll get to bring her home tonight!! How are you supposed to keep her immobile (crate?). Awww... a doggie wheelchair (like a little scooter?). Glad she's coming home- for all of you!!! :)

[Aggie_Ama]

Yep, crate unless we have her sitting in our laps. Luckily she is only 7 pounds so sitting in our laps is where she wants to be. Only problem is she doesn't quite know she is pottying. So she is getting diapers. But we don't euthanize grandma when she needs depends and a walker so we're giving Heidi a shot. We'll just have to see how happy she adapts. My friend had a doxie live 7 years with a back injury. Wasn't keen on her cart so she just scooted. They make little sacks to protect them and booties. Knowing Heidi she may just want to scoot too.

The doggie wheelchairs attach by harness to their back legs, then they just have wheels back there. So her front legs work to pull around the back legs. I even found one she could have her own paint job. I told DH she is so getting a little flag to hotrod around if she has to have a cart!

[Tri Girl]

the mental image of that is soooo cute!!! And being tiny will surely make it easier! :) What a sweet baby!

[indysteel]

Amanda,

I'm so sorry to read about Heidi's issues, but I'm hopeful you guys will work through them. She's a lucky little dog to have humans so willing to help her. I hope the next few weeks bring positive news and lots of healing.

[KathiCville]

YAYYY! Go, Heidi!!!!.....Does the doc have any idea how the injury happened? Did she fall? Maybe she just really wrenched something out'o'whack, the way we middle-aged folks tend to do..........At any rate---great news!----Now, if you can just convince your seven pounds of cute fur to keep still for the next couple of weeks, she might well surprise everybody and be up dancin' around in no time!

[Eden]

There's a lady around here that I've seen for years regularly walking a little doxie that has a cart. He seems like a perfectly happy little dog. Best wishes to your little one.

[PamNY]

Oh dear, certainly a challenge but it brought tears to me eyes to read your post.

I've seen and heard of many dogs who adjust to a cart or some such. Best of luck to all of you.

[Aggie_Ama]

We have no idea how she injured herself. The vet said sometimes it takes nothing, like you hear of people throwing out their backs tying shoe laces. Keeping her calm is a challenge for sure! She actually is showing signs she knows when she needs to potty, which is an improvement. Still she can't stand to do so which annoys her. She has been crate trained, so that part isn't a bother to her at all.

It is really cool that the vet who owns the practice has a cocker spaniel with partial paralysis. Himself and the other vet we often see were both on her case. The vets are extremely supportive of us for not wanting the back surgery (even the owner who is married to a vet didn't do it to his dog) but wanting her to live with her handicap. They have given us a lot of advice, suggestions and encouragement. We love our vets!

[Koronin]

Hoping she is able to fully recover.

[Aggie_Ama]

In light of so much awful news out right now I thought something happy was needed.

After a week since we brought her home Heidi is standing and walking! Her back right leg trembles and has very limited movement but after one week she has improved amazing amounts. She is still having issues potty, mainly she can't squat so she ends up peeing on herself. But we bought her doggie wipes and she stayed with my parents this week who gave her a bath today. She has really gotten active the past day they said and is becoming a bit of a chore to keep calm. Overall she seems further along than expected but we still don't expect a full recovery. I think she may not need a doggie wheelchair though!

[OakLeaf]

Oh hooray! Wishing her continued progress (and rest in the interim - it's so hard to keep them quiet when they feel like being active!). :)

[smilingcat]

Hi Amanda,

This sounds very encouraging. Maybe she just had a really bad pinched nerve in her back after jumping or twisting around really fast.

Where we used to live, there was a place where dogs could go for water therapy, swim or walk in the pool. It helped a lot of dogs with leg and back problems and helped them with recovery.

Crossing my finger about not needing a doggie wheelchair. But if she does need it, she'll get used to it. I've seen a weenie dog with the set of wheels and he was zooming around on it. Front legs and two wheels in the back. It was pretty amazing.

[Brandi]

Very good news!

[azfiddle]

Hope she keeps improving

[ShubieGA]

Great news!

[itself]

What awesome news!

[indysteel]

That's awesome, Amanda. I hope Heidi continues to improve!

[PamNY]

Glad to hear the good news!

[KathiCville]

Excellent news, Amanda!! Post a fresh pic of Heidi when you have a chance. It would be nice to see her furry little face as she's gaining strength again! :)

[TsPoet]

Thanks for making my day!
that is wonderful.