Prayers for Sammy?

[StarfishSaving]

My dog, Sammy, is in the hospital with paralysis his front legs and paresis in the back legs. I don't know the cause because we can't have an MRI performed. No matter what I try I can't come up with the money and the only "local" clinic with that capability (as in, the rest are 5 hours away) wants a couple thousand dollars for the tests alone, let alone the cost of decompression surgery if it's needed ($2 to $4k.)

Sammy laid down on the couch last night like always, napped, and when he woke up he couldn't move. We took him to the E-vet for testing, x-rays, etc. He's slowly regained some motor function, going from lifting his head to the ability to raise himself to a sternal position and even today, trying to get up onto his feet (and then falling but we haven't left him alone so he hasn't actually fallen with us there to brace or catch him and try to keep him from getting back up.)

He's staying at my vet's office for now undergoing intense steroid and anti-inflammatory therapy, with antibiotics. We've ruled out tick-borne diseases, bloodwork looks pretty much normal, I am terrified that this is something that we need that MRI for, because it's not an option.

Please, pray for Sammy. He's been my best friend for 4 years, we've been through so much together and if I lose him, I don't know if I can push myself forward.

[Tambrey]

prayers for Sammy and for you...that is alot for an MRI and for surgery....

when our Sammie has his ruptured disc, we went to University of Iowa and his TOTAL testing, surgery and stay was only $1500....is there a good university teaching hospital nearby that you would trust?

[Marty]

Prayers and hugs for Sammy and you. I know how difficult this can be.

Tambrey's thoughts were mine also. We took Biscotti to UGA (3 hrs away) for her disc surgery, which ran $1300. Of course that was 10 yrs ago, but she has given us 10 more years of love, and in good health. But I do understand how difficult a decision it can be. Wishing you the best...

[momPaws]

My thoughts and prayers are with you and Sammie. Hope the vet's therapies work.

[Traci]

I agree, that's an almost outrageous sum of money for testing. Is there any possible way you can make the drive to a clinic with more experience and a better quote? If your vet has determined that intense pain is involved, you don't want to move him much, and in that case, he should at least be consulting a specialist on your behalf (should only be the price of a long distance phone call/consult). If Sammy isn't in pain, then it might be worth it to make the drive to a more experienced vet, which generally also means keeping the costs down because they are already specializing or have the experience. Find out about the pain aspect, call an ortho/neuro vet and see if you can get in right away, get quotes, etc.

My prayers are with Sammy and you, it sounds like there might be nerve or neurological problems, possibly even a disc problem and an MRI might still be evident, but a better experienced vet can determine that after full and thorough physical exam, xrays etc or review of what your vet has done thus far.

[StarfishSaving]

Traci- I'll ask the vet about her plans to contact a neurologist when she gives her afternoon report. Sammy is still showing improvement, but I do realize that doesn't mean he doesn't have something serious wrong with him.

[Sue and Kids]

Starfish, I'm sending many prayers and healing thoughts to Sammy and you.

I hope that some arrangements can be made for him to see a specialist and get the tests and care he needs. If you just can't find financial help anywhere, please let me know. When my Sparky was still here, I was a member of the Canine Cushings Forum. They had sent me a link on their site to financial institutions offering aid. I can't put a link here because you have to be a member. But if you can use it, I'll copy the info here.

What a sweet face! I know you love him so much.

Sue (and Kids)

[StarfishSaving]

Update: Sammy is now able to walk albeit staggering, and can urinate on his own. He's eating, happy, and wagging his tail though they're keeping him quiet, obviously.

I did *not* get a chance to talk to the vet (she left a message but I couldn't get the phone when she called) this afternoon, she'll be calling in the morning plus I'm going to make arrangements to go see him. I'm going to ask her about consulting with a specialist. From the research I've been doing on Intervertebral disc disease I think he's probably got something like that going on, or possibly another cause of inflammation around the spinal cord that is being addressed by the meds.

I'm still not sure MRI is an option. We'll see after talking to the vet tomorrow. Of course I want to do all I can for Sammy but maybe we'll find out that it's not going to be necessary? I have no idea. I'm encouraged by his progress.

[LisaLisa]

Starfish,

I hope Sammy continues to recover and this is behind him. What an ordeal for your baby.

Sending prayers and hugs your way.

[Wanda]

Of course I'm praying! what a terrible dilemma to be in. I know how hard this must be for you and Sammy. Just a thought, when my Dolly needed to be spayed and we just didn't have the money available, Traci suggested talking to my vet about arrangements or something, it ended up he was needing electical work he really couldn't afford at the time, my hubby is electrician so they bartered and we all were happy. It never hurts to ask.