Sun Dec 20, Ernie began to show signs of pain and weakness in his hind legs. After being taken to Sierra Veterinary Specialists Emergency Animal Hospital in Reno, he was discharged to be kennel rested for the next month, with suspicion of a slipped disc in his spine, but could not confirm without an MRI. His condition deteriorated rapidly the next day, and was taken back to SVS that evening to be admitted for hospital care with plans for imaging and surgery the next morning. Tuesday morning, Ernie’s MRI results came back with unidentified artifacts obscuring the area affected area of the spine, caused by an unknown foreign body in his stomach. SVS surgeon Dr. Scott Kidd referred us to Vista Veterinary Specialists in Sacramento, telling us Vista’s imaging capabilities were more advanced, and with Ernie’s deteriorating neurological condition the in house neurologist there, Dr. Izumi Toyoda would be Ernie’s best chance of recovery. Ben rushed Ernie to Sacramento, and had him in for surgery by noon. VVS imaging techs identified the foreign body as a bottle cap that he had swallowed weeks before, removed it with an endoscopy and continued with the MRI and surgery. Ernie was first treated for a herniated disc and the following 24 hours were promising. Ernie had begun to regain deep pain sensation in his hind legs and was healing well. The following day, Ernie’s neurological signs deteriorated again, showing no deep pain. Dr. Toyoda, being very concerned by this suggested that we perform additional imaging to determine if a second surgery to remove whatever was causing the spinal compression would be necessary. The second MRI did reveal multiple blood clots surrounding his spinal cord and a second surgery was performed to remove them and hopefully give him a better chance of a full recovery. Ernie’s second surgery was performed on Christmas Eve, and recovered well. Although the deep pain that returned was minimal, there’s still a 50/50 chance that with therapy and daily rehab we will get him walking again. We brought Ernie home on Thursday Dec 31st and got to spend New Year’s Eve together as a family. We are so happy to have our baby home, and we look forward to the upcoming weeks when we can really begin his road to recovery.