Sammie's Back

[Traci]

An emergency vet hospital should be capable...mine is. A vet who is an experienced surgeon should be able to do this, although it is preferrable the vet is an orthopedic surgeon.

[Tambrey]

But you also have to remember, this is a small town midwest ER vet hospital...they work with what they ahve and funds available...people are here do not make alot, so they cannot charge alot...and it goes on down to what equipment they can afford and so on...

But he said if it comes to surgery, he would rather a nuerosurgeon in Iowa City be the one doing it...

Sammie is home...but he is not happy being kenneled...when we went to get him, he came out of the carrier, tail awagging and could not get to us fast enough....just a couple of feet away in the small examingin room, even though he was staggering...they said he did not do that earlier when they had him out to go potty, but had been given his muscle relaxer since then, so I am hoping that is what was causing the staggering...I have a feeling though that we will be using some of our income tax money to go to Iowa City...

We will follow their recommendations for a day or two and see what happens...but if his tail stops wagging and the staggering does not get better...then off we go...

Please continue to pray that Sammie gets better and we do not need to go that route...

[Tambrey]

Well, it is almost 1:00 and I am going to go to bed...maybe Sammie will stop whining and settle down to rest of I turn off the lights and leave the room..it is not a painful whine...more of a pay attention to me I am bored whine...as long as I sit on the floor in front of the crate door and pet him, he is fine...as soon as I stop, he whines again...
This is going to be a LONG recovery period for everyone...

I was reading at some daschshund back sites...it seems surgery is a a choice of maybe half the people, but there is alot of success doing what we are doing as well...so I guess...for now...we will follow the plan and as long as he is not getting any worse, or losing feeling or control in his hind end...or in worse pain...or worse...no pain...then we will follow the vet recommendations ...each person who wrote about their experiences said it took an average of 3-4 weeks and some chose to kennel for longer periods...but most had a good recovery...

oh how I hate decisions like this...I wish Sammie could TALK to me and TELL me what he needs and wants...

we go get our taxes done Monday night, so will know what we can afford then...our vet said it would be aboutn $1500 or so, but in reading od one who had surgery done in a (I believe) Dallas, TX...he only paid $1000...
so I am hoping that is all it is...we could handle that...somehow...plus the 4-5 hour one way drive...hotel room...oh man...I pray this R&R and meds works...

[slvrwhispr]

Bless your heart for being so dedicated to the little guy, Tambrey. I'll be praying for you and Sammie.

[Marty]

Tambrey, just to add one more...Biscotti's surgery was $1200 at UGA. We did not stay overnight, as she was there from Sunday till Friday (3 hour drive). They were very good about calling us daily with an update.

[Tambrey]

Thank you slvrwhispr...I took him out already today and he ate...the vet sent us home some IAMS lamb and rice because he seemed to like that there...he eats maybe 1/4 can at a time, but he is eating...and drinking...but still very weak...

Thanks Marty...we may be calling Iowa City...not sure if it is the university hospital or an independent vet center...hopefully they will be as accomodating as your university hospital in keeping him there and daily updates...

Tomorrow we need to take my son to some all day educational testing, so I think I will call the vet and see about him spending the day with them...my mother cannot bend to lift and carry him from his kennel in the proper way...so I would feel better with him there...and they can continue observations...

I am glad now, after all the driving around, that wee did get the kennel we got...it has a door on the front, and a door on the side also, making it much easier to lift him in and out...

it breaks my heart to see him like this...

[Tambrey]

I just spoke with my husband...tomorrow we are taking Sammie back to the vet since we will be gone, and are going to ask them to make arrangements to go to Iowa City...we get our taxes done Monday night, and I know we will get a fairly decent refund since I claim my son this year...hopefully the hospital in Iowa City will do his surgery with our tax receipt, knowing that our refund will be here and they can be paid by the time he is ready to come home...

[k9Karen]

I think you are doing the right thing. In humans, the doctors usually try other approachs before surgery too, since the recovery period can be long. I only know one person for whom surgery was the only choice - she had a congenital problem where the vertebrae were not joined correctly. When I was in junior high school (back in the late 60's), the doxie next door needed back surgery. He did fine - the recovery was long, but the surgery was successful. I'm sure there have been major improvements in both surgical and non-surgical options since then that will benefit Sammie.

Good luck to both of you!

[Tambrey]

thanks Karen...I just cannot even stop crying over this entire thing...one day he is running and playing like usual, and now he is like this...I just hope the surgery is successful and he can walk and play again...but if not...well, I guess we get a wagon made for him and forget about putting carpet in the house for a few more years...

[Traci]

Tambrey, please understand I'm not trying to "diss" your vet, or their competency....I am only speaking from experience, and I think Sammie and you would fair far better if Sammie were in fact, thoroughly examined by a certified orthopedic surgeon, since they are currently only going on verbal accounts from your vet.

Your vet has thus far admitted he doesn't have the skill or tools for a myelogram, and seems to be playing caution about surgery. But if he isn't a surgeon for this type of problem, then the best course of action is with a skilled surgeon who has experience, and can utilize diagnostics to the fullest extent of knowledge and experience. I'm not saying a myelogram is in fact necessary, I'm saying it is an option when there is uncertainty about decisions for surgery. The surgeon can also snap another x-ray to detect changes from the last, etc.

I completely understand the costs. Unfortunately, orthopedic surgery is costly, since most procedures are specialized. You can of course, discuss payment arrangements prior to any decisions.

I just want you to be able to make informed decisions that involve a skilled surgeon....taking the wait and see approach may be fine for some patients, but you can't take others' accounts to be the same for Sammie.