Frank's Disc Surgery And Rehab Fund

If you have pets, you know how much they become family.  It is a terrible feeling to see them hurt so badly.  Over the past month,  our dog Frank has experienced chronic back pain.  Recently the pain became so severe that he was unable to eat or use the bathroom on his own.  Brave dachshund that he is, the 8 year old would try to take small steps, but would often stumble and fall.     This pain is nothing new to Frank or Charlie.  Since age five, Frank showed signs of degenerative disc disease once a year.  It has been heart breaking to see the little guy in pain.  However, in the past we were able to manage his IVDD with crate rest and pain medication.  This time the IVDD got the best of our boy.  After a week of careful crate rest and proper medication from Dr Hardee of Meadowlawn ..... Charlie noticed that Frank was getting progressively worse.  Increased levels of pain and immobility progressed over a five day period.  Finally, on December 15 Charlie observed Frank collapse and lose bladder control.  That moment Frank was immediately rushed to Charleston for spinal surgery.  Through an MRI, he was diagnosed with a herniated disc in his cervical spine.  Thanks to Courtenay Freeman and the staff at Charleston Veterinary Specialists,  our boy had surgery within six hours of his collapse.  With dachshunds, spinal injuries are a common problem, but at 8 years old Frank was still considerably healthy until this injury.  Now that he is recovering from surgery, Frank is able to come out of his crate a couple times a day without help.  Watching him struggle to make just a few steps with such difficulty is bittersweet.   That he can get up and move on his own is definitely a good thing.  The fact he still is in extreme pain (evident by periodical screaming) is heartbreaking.  Currently Frank is on 5 different daily medications.  With the surgery and meds, we are hopeful that by spring, Frank will be back to his old self, "terrorizing the neighborhood". As this series of events has been unexpected, we are asking for financial assistance from family, friends,or anyone who feels moved to help us with Frank's medical expenses.  This includes vet visits in Myrtle Beach, emergency surgery, MRI, medication, special equipment, and overnight stay at the vet hospital.  Please consider a small donation for Frank. Whatever you can give will help. Thank you so much for any contribution.