Help for Isabel's Medical Expenses
Donation protected
Hello world!
My name is Isabel and I’m a three year old Frenchie. I was born on Halloween, a healthy and happy pup. I love running, playing with my tennis ball and chasing shadows (those darn things just won’t play!). I live in Northern California with my parents and two teenaged pack mates who love me up (although they are the human variety and don’t look much like me). We sure do have fun!
The last six months have been a bit tricky for me. I hurt my leg running down a hill (or so we think). My mom took me to the vet and the doctor said that I overextended my left hind leg . I was given some medication that seemed to work (it tasted like beef, yum) and went about my daily routine (eat, sleep, play).
Last week I was having some trouble sleeping. My back seemed a bit tender. However, by morning I was fine. Time to chase squirrels!
This weekend was altogether different. I woke up on Sunday morning around 2am with sharp pains in my back and legs. I was in A LOT of pain. My parents tried everything to keep me comfortable and by morning I was fine… that was until my mom tried picking me up. OUCH! I screamed out in pain. My parents rushed me to the ER (such a wonderful Mother’s Day treat!) where the doctor told me that I had thrown my back out because I was overcompensating for not using my left leg very much. He gave me something that made me super woozy, sent me home and I rested all day. Mom said the doctor told her we’d have to go see my regular vet in the morning for an x-ray. A trip in the car! Yay!
Unfortunately by 4am Monday morning, something went horribly wrong. My back legs wouldn’t work. I really tried to use them, but every time I moved, I felt horrible and there was a tremendous pain in my back. I sure did let my parents know because they immediately took me to the ER again. This time, they didn’t get such great news, which made me really scared.
Apparently I had intervertebral disc disease- basically a herniated disc in my back between the 4th and 5th lumbar. My doctor said that I would have to have surgery (laminectomy at L4-5) immediately to alleviate the pain I was feeling... and boy oh boy did I feel lousy! I was really upset and nervous because my parents left me there. The doctors and nurses were very nice and they gave me something to relax. I sure was tired after that.
The next thing I knew, I had a new haircut all along my back and stitches- eight inches worth! I heard the doctor tell my parents that the CT scan confirmed what they expected, however I have bruised my spinal cord pretty badly and there is a 20% chance I may not use my hind legs again. My parents said that they will do everything they can to help me. Right now they are pretty darn tired. I came home two days ago and I got to sleep on their bed but I was so uncomfortable that I decided to stay up all night- two nights in a row! I’ve been back to the ER a few times, but my vet is working on modifying my medication to help make me feel more comfortable. So far it has been a hard couple of days, but every day is getting better. I hadn’t eaten since Sunday, but my mom gave me chicken and baby food, which I really like, so I’m getting hungry again (I need to work on this). I can’t move my legs but my mom bought me a sling so she can help me walk. I haven’t used it yet because I’m still pretty sore from the surgery and have a catheter that gets a bit in the way, but everything in good time.
I understand I have a really long road ahead of me. I may or may not walk again. I’m trying to stay as positive as possible, and with daily therapy, I hope my back legs will start to work again.
Please help me become the Frenchie I know I can be. I promise I will post pictures of my recovery and let you know how I’m doing every step of the way.
Love, Isabel
My name is Isabel and I’m a three year old Frenchie. I was born on Halloween, a healthy and happy pup. I love running, playing with my tennis ball and chasing shadows (those darn things just won’t play!). I live in Northern California with my parents and two teenaged pack mates who love me up (although they are the human variety and don’t look much like me). We sure do have fun!
The last six months have been a bit tricky for me. I hurt my leg running down a hill (or so we think). My mom took me to the vet and the doctor said that I overextended my left hind leg . I was given some medication that seemed to work (it tasted like beef, yum) and went about my daily routine (eat, sleep, play).
Last week I was having some trouble sleeping. My back seemed a bit tender. However, by morning I was fine. Time to chase squirrels!
This weekend was altogether different. I woke up on Sunday morning around 2am with sharp pains in my back and legs. I was in A LOT of pain. My parents tried everything to keep me comfortable and by morning I was fine… that was until my mom tried picking me up. OUCH! I screamed out in pain. My parents rushed me to the ER (such a wonderful Mother’s Day treat!) where the doctor told me that I had thrown my back out because I was overcompensating for not using my left leg very much. He gave me something that made me super woozy, sent me home and I rested all day. Mom said the doctor told her we’d have to go see my regular vet in the morning for an x-ray. A trip in the car! Yay!
Unfortunately by 4am Monday morning, something went horribly wrong. My back legs wouldn’t work. I really tried to use them, but every time I moved, I felt horrible and there was a tremendous pain in my back. I sure did let my parents know because they immediately took me to the ER again. This time, they didn’t get such great news, which made me really scared.
Apparently I had intervertebral disc disease- basically a herniated disc in my back between the 4th and 5th lumbar. My doctor said that I would have to have surgery (laminectomy at L4-5) immediately to alleviate the pain I was feeling... and boy oh boy did I feel lousy! I was really upset and nervous because my parents left me there. The doctors and nurses were very nice and they gave me something to relax. I sure was tired after that.
The next thing I knew, I had a new haircut all along my back and stitches- eight inches worth! I heard the doctor tell my parents that the CT scan confirmed what they expected, however I have bruised my spinal cord pretty badly and there is a 20% chance I may not use my hind legs again. My parents said that they will do everything they can to help me. Right now they are pretty darn tired. I came home two days ago and I got to sleep on their bed but I was so uncomfortable that I decided to stay up all night- two nights in a row! I’ve been back to the ER a few times, but my vet is working on modifying my medication to help make me feel more comfortable. So far it has been a hard couple of days, but every day is getting better. I hadn’t eaten since Sunday, but my mom gave me chicken and baby food, which I really like, so I’m getting hungry again (I need to work on this). I can’t move my legs but my mom bought me a sling so she can help me walk. I haven’t used it yet because I’m still pretty sore from the surgery and have a catheter that gets a bit in the way, but everything in good time.
I understand I have a really long road ahead of me. I may or may not walk again. I’m trying to stay as positive as possible, and with daily therapy, I hope my back legs will start to work again.
Please help me become the Frenchie I know I can be. I promise I will post pictures of my recovery and let you know how I’m doing every step of the way.
Love, Isabel
Organizer
Isabel French
Organizer
Lafayette, CA
