Here’s an update on Texas’ condition: It’s very heartbreaking and not great. He was booked for spinal surgery on September 16th with the Neurologist in Calgary, he spent the whole day there and went under general anesthesia for multiple X-rays and MRIs as well as a spinal tap. After all of this testing they found that the section of his spine that they had originally thought to be compressed due to IVDD was not affected in any way that would be surgically treatable so they continued on to do a complete MRI of his entire spine which yielded the same results. He was misdiagnosed initially and is not a candidate for surgery. This is devastating for us as we have been wanting, hoping and dreaming for the day where his recovery from surgery would give him back the mobility to live life on his own terms. This unfortunately won’t be possible. We are waiting on a genetic test still, but through process of elimination the neurologist believes what he has is Degenerative Myelopathy. There is not direct test for this and its diagnosis is derived from the results of negative testing for all other possibilities with the same symptoms. DM has no cure and this is the hardest thing to accept probably the main factor in why it has taken so long to update all of you on what is happening with him, we are trying to come to terms with this and it isn’t easy. He wasn’t able to have the surgery, so obviously the expense was not as high as the 16K+ we had expected, the MRIs and other testing and hospital expenses settled at just over $5000, bloodwork at the local vet was $300, $100 for his wheel chair, $150USD for the genetic testing, and then travel and other expenses surrounding everything. There are some dietary supplements that can help to slow the progression and DM is a non painful condition, but the reality is, and this was our last conversation with the neurologist, that he will continue to decline. I can’t even type the words but the time will come soon where we will have to say goodbye.

We want to sincerely thank everyone for their support, kindness, generosity and encouragement through this time. We acknowledge that this is not the happy outcome that was anticipated and apologize that donations can’t go towards the surgery that everyone was hoping for our boy. He is still very happy and our primary focus now is giving him all of our love and support, helping him to enjoy all the activities he still loves to do in the way he can. He is getting better at his wheelchair and still loves swimming with a life jacket, hunting and truck rides in the bush while we get firewood are a big highlight for him.

Love you all and Texas knows how much he is loved.

Original text:

Our sweet boy Texas has a degenerative spine condition that has caused spinal cord compression making it very difficult for him to walk, impossible for him to run and jump. It has been a heartbreaking year of diagnosis with many vet appointments, tests, specialists, holistic osteopath, supplements. We’ve tried everything and he is at the point of needing surgery which we’ve tried very hard to avoid. He is everything to us and has lived a very healthy active life on an acreage, hiking, swimming, eating natural holistic food & raw meat, we never saw this coming. Hansen Type 2 IVDD & Spondylosis in the lumbar causes the vertebral discs to harden and bulge compressing the spinal cord causing neurological symptoms and partial paralysis in the hind legs, the vertebrae also grow bone spurs in an attempt to protect the spinal cord but they end up pinching nerves. If he doesn’t get surgery he will eventually become paralyzed and unable to poo/pee on his own or the spinal cord could soften and die causing respiratory arrest. The surgeon quoted 16k and we have to pay 75% up front to book the surgery, and the remainder before he leaves the hospital. We have to stay 3 hours out of town for 3 days during his surgery and in hospital recovery. It is then at least an 8 week recovery time afterwords and it is a 90% chance of him being able to run again. He has good eyesight, hearing, organs, mind and is very strong and happy. Timing is important, he needs this surgery as soon as possible at this point as he is worsening.

We just want to see him thriving again and to continue to experience the immense joy and love he brings us for as long as possible.

He’s our baby boy and he loves his friends and family!

Thank you for reading this and for your support it means so much. Love Bren & Meg