OT: my poor doggie

[kathywithbirds]

This so sucks. Blitz, my 10-year-old greyhound, is going lame for some reason.

He's lost control of his rear leg completely and he's in pain. He whines for 2 hours before he can get his pain pills. He's on 100 mg of Deramaxx a day,and the vet said not to give him that much but for a week only. He gets half in the AM and half in the PM, 12 hours apart, apparently very bad if he gets an OD. But I gave him a quarter of a pill 2 hours before he should have, so I'll give him another quarter an hour or so after "time."

They did x-rays, nothing, his senior bloodwork came back glowing, the docs are thinking it's either neurological or something is pressing somewhere, a tumor maybe pressing on nerves.

I hate to spend thousands on him just so nothing happens. We did that with our first cat. We took the cat to the vet and were told he was dying, it was best to put him down as he was in so much pain. This after $1000 worth of tests just to tell us forget it. i'm not doing that with Blitzy. He's 10, which is an old greyhound, he wouldn't get through a surgery, and I won't put him through a bunch of stressful or painful tests just so they can tell us nothing cna be done.

Should I go through with an MRI even? He's going tomorrow for observation so the doc might be able to get a better idea what to look for.

Sorry to vent, just feel so bad and frustrated for him. He's whining again, even after his pill.

[Frankie]

Oh, I am very sorry to hear about this. I understand completely your sadness. I think that you have already made your decision. Just hard to voice it. Keep strong and remember him for the good times. Not the suffering in the end.

[DrHank]

You need to vent. He's been part of the family for 10 years. You've made up your mind that surgery is out so what is the reason for the MRI. I wouldn't waste the money on it. See if you can find a Chiropractor in your area that works on dogs.

In humans, loss of motor control to the lower extremities can result from disc pressure or neurological problems in the lower lumbar spine. I would recommend that he be checked for mechanical misalignment in that area. I would exepct that a vet or radiologist would call plain films negative. A Chiropractor with knowledge of canine anatomy might see it other wise.

[sasquatch]

Good call Doc, I was going to say the same thing.
Hey Kathy very sorry to hear about this, animals are a very hard call, we couldnt even begin to count what weve spent over the years and have never looked back, they are you kids and really cant do anything without you, Ive built 3 dog chairs now for clients, like a cradle with wheels, if the problem isnt terminal and puppy ends up lame let me know and Ill give you some plans. All the best Steve

[CATALYST]

Sorry about your buddy. I went through a whole ordeal a year or so ago with my old cat. I learned the value of pet insurance. I'm using the pie out of it right now. Sick kitten and cat with diabetes. Just keep being there for him. I hope you find out what it is so he can feel better...and you can too.

[kathywithbirds]

Thanks guys. I'm actually HOPING it's cancer, there's a lump on his hip that could be inflammation or possibly a tumor. Hopefully they'll be able to take a biopsy of it and confirm. At the rate this progressed, that would be a rather common sense kind of conclusion. He was absolutely fine a week ago, and now he can barely walk. He won't keep his baby sock on his paw, it's dragging on the ground and getting torn up.

[bluespotjawfish]

I sadly went through this last December with my 14 year old dog. We worked through with the vet "what would the treatment be if" scenarios and instead of going through all the tests to prove it, we invested in the most likely treatment. She was hospitalized and treated, but worsened each day. I don't regret my decision. I also had my one year old come up lame last year and after an examination and x-rays by my vet decided on a chiropractic (actually accupuncture) treatment and that did wonders for him.

My thoughts are with you, whatever decision you make it is the right one. You love your baby and your heart and soul is in this decision. No dog could ask for more than that.

[mps9506]

I'm sorry to hear about that Kathy. I have "middle aged" dog that is near and dear to my heart. I dread for the day he starts suffering.
Keep venting if you want or need to. I do it all the time here.

[kathywithbirds]

Thanks everyone. We had to let him go. It was cancer, he was in a lot of pain and we didn't see any happy or even comfortable alternative for him.

[bluespotjawfish]

Sorry for your loss.

[CATALYST]

Oh man...I'm sorry.

[DrHank]

Sorry Kathy. You did the right thing. I had to put down one of my Rotts for the same reason.

[boozeman]

You did the right thing...sorry for your loss

[teresa]

Just read this thread.
I am so sorry for your loss. You did the right thing. Blitz is in a happier place with no pain now. He is in Doggie Heaven roaming amongst the flowers with his doggie friends.
It is very sad to let go, I have gone through this pain many many times and we still have 5 dogs and dreading the day when they have to leave us.
Take care.

[Dentoid]

Kathy, please accept my deepest sympathy. I could kick myself for not seeing this thread earlier. Rest knowing that he is now out of pain and is loved by the angels!