I am distraught, please help (dog-related)

[eDub]

My dog, Kona, is very ill, can't walk, and I may have to put him down.

Can someone/anyone/everyone give me the names of their Seattle vet(s) who might be willing to give me a second opinion before I have to make this decision?

Normally, I love my vets. But they have done $1,500 of tests, x-rays, consultations, medications, and they can't figure out what is wrong with my dog. Kona is in terrible pain and I won't let him suffer like this, but before I make the decision, I want to make sure that I have exhausted every option and sought every opinion.

Thanks.

Eric

[Vinman]

Although I can not help with referrals since 'm on the east coast, I just want to send some +++++++ vibes out to you and Kona. I know the pain of having sick/injured dogs and it is not fun.

Do the best you can for your dog, but in the end if the best thing is to let them go, at least you know you did everything you could.

best wishes for you and Kona

[truth]

+++++ vibes man.

[powder11]

has Kona had a vaccination recently? same thing happened to our dog after a rabies shot. the vet said that dogs with wolf liniage sometimes have adverse reactions to certain vaccines. the vet put her on a steroid and she recovered. hope that helps. ++ vibes to Kona

[The AD]

We take our cat to Aurora Veterinary at 8821 Aurora North. Their number is 206-525-6666. Good luck with your pup!

[mrryde]

+++++++++ vibes

[Powder Seeker]

Tough deal, no information for you, but just wanted to wish you the best and let you know that all of us mags are thinking about you!

[assgasorgrass]

It is not in Seattle, but I have friends that have had very good successful experiences with the Wazzu vet department.

[tibaher]

Call Phinney Ridge Animal Hospitol
8205 Greenwood Ave N
Seattle, WA 98103
206-784-9200


They treat us really well, and have 3 diff doc's there who might be able to help Kona.

[Free Range Lobster]

love for the puppy.

[eDub]

Thanks for the positve vibes and referrals everyone.

I have already called a couple of vets (including those mentioned) and my plan is to get a second opinion early next week if there is no change in Kona's condition.

As some background, Kona is a 12-14 year old (he was a stray when he found me) Chow/Lab mix. Up until a few years ago, he never had any medical issues other than some arthritis in his back legs. About 2 years ago, the arthritis got much worse, and last year I had to put him on Deramaxx. The Deramaxx was amazing and Kona was getting around fine - slow, but fine. He couldn't go for walks anymore, but he could get up and down the stairs at my house okay. And, when a squirrel ventured into the backyard, he could manage a decent gallup.

On Sunday at 11 a.m. he was fine. On Sunday at 1 p.m., he couldn't support any weight with his back legs. He just suddenly started dragging himself around. I was there the whole time and I didn't see anything unusual happen. It was this "acute onset" that had me freaked. I mean, I knew he was old and that his legs were in bad shape - but going from walking around the house, navigating stairs, etc, to no use of his back legs was really strange. He never cried, whined, or otherwise complained. And he still hasn't.

On Monday, I took him to the vet. The vet did blood tests, sedated Kona, and took multiple x-rays. As expected, Kona hips looked terrible in the x-rays ("as bad as we see them" -vet), but there was no explanation for the sudden disability of his back legs. No apparant spinal injury, nothing broken or otherwise indicating an injury which might have caused the problem.

On Wednesday, the vet gave Kona a corticosteroid injection (Dexamethasone) to see if a reduction in inflammation would reduce the pain enough to allow Kona to walk. (Powder11 - no vaccinations in almost a year.) Usually the injection shows results in 12-24 hours. It has now been 36 hours with no change. In fact, I believe (as sure as I can be with a dog that never complains) that the pain is significantly worse.

I have resumed the Deramaxx and my plan is to wait 2-3 days in the hopes that the corticosteriod injection and Deramaxx will kick in. If there is no change by Monday, I will get a seond opinion.

My vet has recommended a neurological consult and an MRI ($1,500 - $2,000). While I don't have the money, I do have room on a credit card. And if I thought it would make any difference, I would not hesitate. But in my mind, I can't think of anything that the neurologist would tell me that would be good news. If they can't find anything (which has been my experience with neurologists - not a dig, it's just that neurology is often less-than-concrete) then I'm in the same boat; and if they find something that is fixable, I am certain that the fix is going to be just as bad and the illness (i.e., will require surgery and rehab, which for a dog of Kona's age and health, might be worse than the alternative). <---- And PLEASE, if I am wrong about the assumption that anything found by the neurologist will likely require surgery, rehab, etc., PLEASE PLEASE let me know. I would love to hear that there could be a less harsh possibility.

Sorry to whine so much, but Kona has been my best friend, my hiking buddy, my home-security system (in appearance only), and my best attribute for the past 12 years. In the past, I have kept my personal life off the board (I don't mind when other people bring it here, its just not me), but the people on here have such a wealth of knowledge, I wouldn't have felt like I'd done everything I could if I hadn't asked for help here.

Thanks again everyone.

I wish black dogs photographed better. This is Kona at Christmas when he was 4 or 5. He really liked the present my parents gave him.

[Powder Seeker]

Glad to hear your working really hard to help Kona. Hope getting a second opinion and seeing another vet helps! Best of luck and many positive vibes sent your way during this difficult time.

[tibaher]

not to pry or dredge up bad news, but... how's Kona?
and you?

[train07]

If you have to put the dog down, stay with him till the very end. Tell the vet you want to hold the dog while the shot is given.

[iceman]

I had a dog that suddenly lost the ability to move his rear legs - the problem was a slipped disc putting pressure on the spinal cord. It required surgery and cost a lot of money but the dog lived happily for another five years, never the same as before but able to get around fine.

Unfortunately in your situation you have to do some cost/benefit analysis and that won't be easy, good luck with it. Whatever you do, know and remember that you are doing the best you can for your pal.

edit: These would appear to be the people to talk to. If it's a spinal cord injury you will need a specialist.