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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    somewhere between the Red & Rio Grande
    Posts
    5,297

    Need Good Thoughts for my Furbaby

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    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.
    Amanda

    2011 Specialized Epic Comp 29er | Specialized Phenom | "Marie Laveau"
    2007 Cannondale Synapse Carbon Road | Selle Italia Lady Gel Flow | "Miranda"


    You don't have to be great to get started, but you do have to get started to be great. -Lee J. Colan

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Uncanny Valley
    Posts
    14,498
    (((((((Amanda & Heidi)))))))

    Sending healing thoughts and prayers.
    Speed comes from what you put behind you. - Judi Ketteler

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Virginia's Blue Ridge
    Posts
    500
    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.
    "If there are no dogs in heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went." (Will Rogers)

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    around Seattle, WA
    Posts
    3,238
    (((((Amanda & Heidi)))))

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

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    South Central Indiana
    Posts
    624
    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.
    ***proud Hoosier, statistics nerd, and mom to a headstrong toddler***
    ****one car family and loving it!****

    Owned by:
    Le Monstre Vert - 2013 Surly Cross-check
    Chessie, Scottish Terrier
    Bonzai, Catahoula Leopard Dog

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    where the wind comes sweeping down the plain
    Posts
    5,251
    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!
    Check out my running blog: www.turtlepacing.blogspot.com

    Cervelo P2C (tri bike)
    Bianchi Eros (commuter/touring road bike)

    1983 Motobecane mixte (commuter/errand bike)
    Cannondale F5 mountain bike

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Big City
    Posts
    434
    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.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Wisconsin
    Posts
    1,139
    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
    Dar
    _____________________________________________
    “Minds are like parachutes...they only function when they are open. - Thomas Dewar"

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Posts
    2,545
    Sending you good wishes. It's so hard to see them sick -- hope things turn around and Heidi is feeling better soon.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    somewhere between the Red & Rio Grande
    Posts
    5,297
    Quote Originally Posted by westtexas View Post
    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.
    Amanda

    2011 Specialized Epic Comp 29er | Specialized Phenom | "Marie Laveau"
    2007 Cannondale Synapse Carbon Road | Selle Italia Lady Gel Flow | "Miranda"


    You don't have to be great to get started, but you do have to get started to be great. -Lee J. Colan

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Tucson, AZ
    Posts
    4,632
    ((Amanda and Heidi))
    At least I don't leave slime trails.
    http://wholecog.wordpress.com/

    2009 Giant Avail 3 |Specialized Jett 143

    2013 Charge Filter Apex| Specialized Jett 143
    1996(?) Giant Iguana 630|Specialized Riva


    Saving for the next one...

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Northern UK seaside town
    Posts
    59
    Awww sorry to hear your furbaby is so poorly. You're all in my thoughts and prayers.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    10,889
    Sending good vibes to you and your furbaby.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Posts
    4,516
    Awww....Amanda....I'm so sorry to hear this. Sending good thoughts your way.
    Most days in life don't stand out, But life's about those days that will...

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    somewhere between the Red & Rio Grande
    Posts
    5,297
    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.
    Amanda

    2011 Specialized Epic Comp 29er | Specialized Phenom | "Marie Laveau"
    2007 Cannondale Synapse Carbon Road | Selle Italia Lady Gel Flow | "Miranda"


    You don't have to be great to get started, but you do have to get started to be great. -Lee J. Colan

 

 

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