Ugh - where do I begin? Last Thursday Maddie, my dog, was limping a bit and generally acting slow. I put it down to possible arthritis and gave her some aspirin. (baby aspirin, no more than 1 per 12 hours!)
At 1:30 on Friday morning she woke me up in obvious pain. I grabbed the dog and ran across town to the 24 hour vet hospital. Within minutes they diagnosed her as having a possible ruptured or herniated disk.
OW!
They wanted to run some tests to make sure what was going on and see if she needed surgery. So I had to leave her there...sniff. I stopped by the desk on the way out and they wanted a deposit...of $2200.00!!! YIKES.
Now you tell me, who has that kind of money just lying around, especially in the middle of the night. I couldn't just give them a check the next day, they wanted it immediately or they wouldn't touch her.
I guess a person's word isn't worth much these days.
So I had to break out a credit card and make the downpayment. The next morning they called and yes...she needed surgery. And the pricetag? $3500.00.
I know...some of you are going to say I'm nuts - maybe I am, but I couldn't give up on my girl. She's only nine years old and that girl and I have been through hell together. She's travelled with me all over the U.S. and we did Katrina work for many months on end. She's more than just a dog to me.
Hey! Isn't that a commercial?
Anyway - my baby is home and she's recuperating well. Her back legs are weak - they had to move her spinal column during the surgery so it was bruised. She's been home almost 2 days now and i can see a big difference in her.
Recovery will be slow and long - about a month of being confined - so I've moved my office onto the first floor with my girl.
More later
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Drama in the Wilder Household
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8 comments:
I don't think you can put a price on love. When I had to put my sweet baby of almost 20 years down, it took me three months to actually take her to the vet.
So spending money to save a loved one isn't nuts at all.
Poor baby! I'm glad she's doing better. You did the right thing.
We had to do chemo for one of our girls a few years ago and my friends thought we were nuts.
Nuts? We'd move heaven and earth for our babies.
Hugs, JC.
Hope Maddie makes a full recovery.
RC
Would that every dog had an owner like you! :)
I have always owned dachshunds and the high risk of disc ruptures is part of the package. From what you told me about the symptoms (she still had motor function), you did the right thing. Crate rest is an option, but not for a dog like her who's never been crated! It would have been torture for her!
Big hugs for you and healing vibes for Miss Maddie! I can't imagine coming to your house and not having her big ol' smelly but in my bed with me every morning! ;)
You're not even remotely nuts (well, in that context...lol). I just had to take Omar (girl dog with a boy's name) to the vet today to check out a huge blister on her paw. $94, a bottle of antibiotic and a bottle of steroids later, I will be able to sleep better tonight.
Big hugs to you and Maddie. Miss you both!
Hugs to you and Maddie. And ouch on the price tag. But you can't put a price on love like that and its worth it at any cost to spare them pain.
How's Maddie doing?? Hope she's okay.
We did crazy (money-wise) things to save Snostorm last year. I couldn't NOT do it. I still miss her.
I'm so glad the prognosis is good and Maddie is getting better every day! : )
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