LUNA NEEDS YOUR HELP FOR SURGERY!

Luna is my 5-year-old French Bulldog and needs your help for surgery!

Luna started to show signs of lifting her back left leg while she was running outside, it was closely monitored but she continued to do it frequently. When we went on walks, she would hop-skip putting her leg down for a quick second then bringing it back up. (odd behaviour). I figured maybe it was a sprain or a torn muscle because she was not acting like she was in pain and her energy level never changed.

I brought Luna to her Vet where the Dr examined her – I was told to crate rest her for 2 weeks and if she was still limping to come back and do x-rays. Two weeks went by and there was no change, so I booked the appointment for x-rays. My vet called a few days later with the results and the x-ray came back clear, no broken bones or fractures. (pheww what a relief) - But still left with the unknown going home. My Vet said to continue to crate rest her and prescribed Luna with medication for pain and inflammation. Metacam and Gabapentin were prescribed to alleviate pain and control inflammation in her joints.

While being on these medications there was no difference, she showed no signs of improvement, therefore after 2 rounds of each I took her off them.

Now I start to notice Luna can no longer jump up on the couch or go up the stairs. She’s lost all her muscle mass in her left back leg. French bulldogs are known for their ‘wobble pig walk ‘but now it’s more of a swaying and she’s trying to not put any pressure on her back left leg.

I didn’t like what I was seeing so Luna was brought back to her vet for a free assessment – My Vet said they would refer her to an osteo surgeon and for them to examine her.

October 17th: Luna goes in for her consultation with the osteo / neuro surgeon. Long story short: Luna was not just a walk in the park for the surgeons and left them confused as she was not going by text-book codes. The Doctors said the only way to truly figure out what it could be is to do a CT scan. I book the appt for October 23rd.

During this whole time – Luna is NOT dragging her back left paw ‘she is still trying to put as much pressure on it while she walks - which from a neuro standpoint is really good.

October 23rd: I bring Luna in for her the CT scan to finally have an answer, as I drive away, I soon get a phone call from the Neuro Surgeon saying the CT scan is not working but they will do an MRI scan at no extra cost. I agree for them to go ahead with the anesthesia and MRI.

October 24th – the Neuro Surgeon calls and I finally have an ANSWER!! Luna has a cyst (no bigger than a centimeter) on her lower spinal cord near her pelvis. Luna needs surgery to remove this:

‘Surgical removal of the cystic structure compressing Luna's spine and spinal nerve. This would involve approaching her spine from the top, drilling a small hole into her spinal canal through the vertebrae (dorsal laminectomy) and gradually removing the cystic structure” – Neuro Surgeon

The Neuro Surgeon said she could have been born with this cyst (genetics) or over time it has been growing. Everyone can now agree to where the FRUSTRATION was coming from when it was in the unknown stage.

If anyone has met Luna or seen photos/videos of Luna – you will know she is the most energetic puppy and to be running outside every day is what she loves to do. The last 2 months have been painful to watch and very stressful for both Luna and me. We are extremely happy to finally have an answer but now Luna needs your help with this surgery. The Doctor said once the cyst is removed, she will be back to her normal self and walking properly!!! It will just take time to re-gain the muscle mass back, but Luna is a warrior and I know by next summer she will be running and swimming again.

Luna is due to go in for surgery early November. From the bottom of our hearts any contribution to her surgery will not go unnoticed.

Please help share Luna's story and remember to give your fur babies a big hug and kiss.

A break-down of what this has cost so far:

First Consultation with her Vet $124.30

X-ray $1,012.99

2 rounds of Metacam $134.00

2 rounds of Gabapentin $65.00

Consultation with the Osteo/Neuro surgeon: $300.00

MRI appt: $2,109.00

Surgery: $6,000.00