MRI and Surgery for Justin Wigglebutt

Justin Wigglebutt is a barely-fourteen year old Lab/Siberian mix.  He's always been flexible, but like all dogs has slowed down as he has gotten older.  In the last few weeks, he has grown increasingly unable to walk.  We thought it was arthritis, and then found a mass in his spleen, which the vet removed.  Justin recovered well from the surgery, but within a week could not walk again --- not just that, but he can't move at all without a lot of pain.  The emergency vet does not know if this is because of a cervical disc rupture or because of a spinal tumor.  

Here's the thing.  He's an older dog, but if the problem is a disc rupture, there's an 85% chance or better that it could be corrected with surgery, giving Justin the rest of his life, pain free.  If it s a tumor ... well, we'll deal with that in whatever way helps Justin best. 

EDITED FROM THE ORIGINAL:  After I posted this GoFundMe, Justin got worse --- so I took him to UGA.  The vets there examined him carefully and thoughtfully, and THEY are convinced that this is hip dysplasia.  His neck is not showing any signs of problems, but the pain is coming from his hips and lower spine.  They recommended NONINVASIVE measures -- a different pain med that targets muscles, LOTS of physical therapy, and a walking harness.  Their goal is to give him a good quality of life without the disruption of another surgery.  

As I write this, Justin has been at UGA since Sunday night, and is scheduled to be home tomorrow (Wednesday).  I don't know what the cost will be --- not cheap, for sure, but better than an MRI plus surgery, for sure!!!  

I profoundly thank every one of you who donated to his care.  PLEASE let me know if, after thinking about it, you would rather I return your donation, as Mr. Wigglebutt will be getting neither surgery nor an MRI.  I know that when things are tough there's a difference between an Emergency with a Big E and natural aging.  However .... this on top of the splenectomy is still stretching me mightily, and if you choose to let your donation stand, ALL donations will be spent benefitting Mr. Wigglebutt -- his bills at UGA, his new harness, therapy, and the like.  I will post what the vet gives me (and the bill) in the updates.  

Here is the original text, when I thought that an MRI was the best way to go based on what the vets at Blue Pearl told me:  Our best way of figuring that out, right now, is through an MRI. Then we can tell whether he will be helped by surgery, or if it is time to let him go.  (The vet's comments are below). 

This is why I am asking for a little help.  Justin is a joyous, sweet, loving dog who is convinced that the entire world exists solely to help Wigglebutts.  He still wants to eat and drink, and he is still giving me indications that he wants to be here.  But the pain is getting to be too much without that MRI.  If it will help him have a good quality of life for a while longer, I want to at least try.  So I am asking for whatever help people are willing to give to first see what the issue is, and -- with luck -- give him a happy last year or two.  The MRI at UGA will run between $1800 and $2200 (updated to reflect discussion with receptionist at UGA, so thankfully a lower number)  and surgery will be a little more, if needed.

The vet has sent Justin's records to UGA Veterinary School, where an MRI is both quality but less expensive than at the local emergency vet.  This weekend we are trying Gavapentin and antibiotics, to which he responded well before.  However, while I was planning to call and set up an appointment on Monday 29 June 2020, Justin is not responding to the pain meds.  If he isn't a little better after 24 hours, I am going in as an emergency.  I will happily share my bills and any vet information about Justin to anyone who asks, showing exactly how I am putting your donations to use.  I am planning to sell unused tools, and other measures to help raise money as well.  

Here are some videos of Justin as a young dog:  playing in the snow , playing with his sister Bella .  playing with other dogs .  

I know times are tough for a lot of people, and in some ways I truly feel that I have a brass nerve asking for help with an older dog when so many people are out of work, sick, or hurting.  And I know that this MRI might be an expensive way to find out that indeed, it is time to let my sweet boy go.  But he is still fighting.  And he has enriched my life in so many ways -- I can't count the friends I have gained because I met them through Justin, or because I worked with dog rescue because of Justin,  He makes friends wherever he goes, and he is such a silly, sweet loving doofus of a dog.  And helping him IS helping everyday people keep THEIR jobs, too. 

Thank you for reading and for considering my request.  If all you can give is a good thought, that helps.  If you have a little to spare, I would be extremely grateful. 
Vet comments:  DATE EXAMINED: Friday, June 26, 2020
PATIENT: Justin Wigglebutt, 13 Yrs. 11 Mos., Neutered Male, Retriever, Labrador Mix
OWNER: Andrea Winkler
PATIENT ID: 370676
PHONE: (678) [phone redacted]
REFERRING VETERINARIAN: Tracy Navarra
REFERRING CLINIC: Dearborn Animal Hospital
PHONE: (404) [phone redacted] FAX: (404) [phone redacted]
Client Information/Instructions:
Justin Wigglebutt was presented to BluePearl for evaluation of difficulty walking in his front and back legs. A brief scan
of his chest and abdomen did not reveal any signs of free fluid. His physical exam was overall unremarkable except
that the caudal incision site had a little bit of mucoid discharge coming from the caudal incision that was not fully
healed. It does not appear to extend into the abdomen. This could be a source of infection. Justin Wigglebutt's
neurological exam by the neurologist Dr. Parkes, revealed ambulatory tetraparesis (weakness of all four limbs), and
decreased proprioception (awareness of abnormal positioning of feet) in the front and back legs as well. He is also
resistant to full cervical range of motion and has a low head carriage with a hunched posture. As discussed, these
signs were concerning for a cervical spinal problem.
We discussed possible causes for these signs including neoplasia/mass, Fibrocartilagenous embolism (FCE/vascular
event/stroke), inflammatory process (meningitis), infectious process (diskospondylitis, soft tissue injury, trauma
(fracture, luxation), or less likely intervertebral disc disease/herniation. Your primary veterinarian performed a chest,
spinal radiographs, and a CBC which showed an elevated white cell count. This could be due to an infection at the
caudal aspect of the incision site. We could not obtain urine to rule out a urinary tract infection, but if is white cell count
is not improving, we should consider a urinalysis + culture. We performed a Chemistry which was overall
unremarkable. His blood pressure was also normal. We clipped and cleaned around the caudal incision and flushed
the area with dilute chlorhexidine and saline. An E-collar should be worn at all times until that area is completely
healed. You should also have your primary veterinarian evaluate the area for any further recommendations. Justin
Wigglebutt has been prescribed antibiotics (Clavamox) and pain medication (gabapentin).
My recommendations at this time would be to have further workup with our Neurology Service for MRI and CSF tap +/-
infectious disease testing. Our Neurology Service will not be back until Monday so we discussed options of taking
Justin Wigglebutt home and bringing him back on Sunday night to transfer to our Neurology Service on Monday for the
advanced imaging. We can also consider conservative management with pain medication, steroids, and rehabilitation
therapy. Due to financial constraints, you would like to have us make a referral to UGA Neurology through ER so he
can have advanced imaging +/- surgery performed with them. We have contacted UGA and placed the referral. All
records have been sent and forwarded to them as well. We do not want to start steroids due to the possible infection
at the incision site and also it may decrease the chance of getting a diagnostic answer if you proceed forward with the
MRI/CSF tap. Please call UGA ER and let them know you are coming.