Roos rescue
Donation protected
So our little Roo had his vet visit today- (10-2-15)
short version= not good news.
Read further for the LONG explanation...
Roo has a ridge of hair on his neck which yes is indicative of a breed ( Rhodesian ridgeback) but as I feared it's also a sign of a deformity. Xrays today ( I'll get pics put up of them later when I'm at my computer to download them) showed c3 4 and 5 are deformed/ not in place/ not fully formed and in way of his spinal cord. On exam dr A watched him walk (hop) he manipulated his head every direction ( can not tilt his head back) held Roos body up and 3 legs to determine range and muscles of each- his front left w the more noticeable toe turn is extremely weak, he kept nosediving but trying to hold himself up, the left front is stronger but not normal, backs are ok. Roo can not lay on his back without pain.
Today was the first in a series of expensive trips and decisions ( adding a shot of today's invoice) the next step would be to take Roo to a specialist surgeon in st Pete ( dr chauvet) for a ($145) consult and most likely also an MRI to determine if he is candidate for surgery- probably where they'd remove the vertebrae and place an internal cage around the spine which would fix him... Or there's others surgery options were not really aware of or may be a better option for him which would be why a consult is first then MRI. I don't even know at what AGE they would do a surgery since it's basically a fusion on a growing pup.
We're looking at thousands of dollars.
Without surgery Roo WILL likely continue to improve walking wise as his muscles grow BUT a wrong turn, a playful bump that's just a little too jarring, a jump up or fall down could instantly snap his neck. Or in my opinion, worst case, put him in extreme pain Indefinitely.
Roo is too young for most medications- dr a thinks he's a bit younger than what his prev owner remembers and is only around 10weeks.
BUT FOR NOW Roo is happy! He's eating and playing and I'm going to keep him safe until I can find a rescue that can afford such a surgery- I'm going to contact news stations/ papers, look into maybe there's a fund or study out there he may apply to and set up a gofundme specifically for him so keep an eye out and share it- I don't want to beg for money and honestly I know some will say "all that money could go to fixing other dogs/charities/ ect" but if anyone feels that way I ask that YOU be the one to hold Roo while he's euthanized because that's the only other option. One life doesn't negate another.
I hope that's clear enough of an explanation- there's still a lot of unknowns and scenarios. If anyone has a specific email/ number they want to refer me to to get his story out or get help please send it otherwise I pretty much know all the other suggestions and am working on them.
short version= not good news.
Read further for the LONG explanation...
Roo has a ridge of hair on his neck which yes is indicative of a breed ( Rhodesian ridgeback) but as I feared it's also a sign of a deformity. Xrays today ( I'll get pics put up of them later when I'm at my computer to download them) showed c3 4 and 5 are deformed/ not in place/ not fully formed and in way of his spinal cord. On exam dr A watched him walk (hop) he manipulated his head every direction ( can not tilt his head back) held Roos body up and 3 legs to determine range and muscles of each- his front left w the more noticeable toe turn is extremely weak, he kept nosediving but trying to hold himself up, the left front is stronger but not normal, backs are ok. Roo can not lay on his back without pain.
Today was the first in a series of expensive trips and decisions ( adding a shot of today's invoice) the next step would be to take Roo to a specialist surgeon in st Pete ( dr chauvet) for a ($145) consult and most likely also an MRI to determine if he is candidate for surgery- probably where they'd remove the vertebrae and place an internal cage around the spine which would fix him... Or there's others surgery options were not really aware of or may be a better option for him which would be why a consult is first then MRI. I don't even know at what AGE they would do a surgery since it's basically a fusion on a growing pup.
We're looking at thousands of dollars.
Without surgery Roo WILL likely continue to improve walking wise as his muscles grow BUT a wrong turn, a playful bump that's just a little too jarring, a jump up or fall down could instantly snap his neck. Or in my opinion, worst case, put him in extreme pain Indefinitely.
Roo is too young for most medications- dr a thinks he's a bit younger than what his prev owner remembers and is only around 10weeks.
BUT FOR NOW Roo is happy! He's eating and playing and I'm going to keep him safe until I can find a rescue that can afford such a surgery- I'm going to contact news stations/ papers, look into maybe there's a fund or study out there he may apply to and set up a gofundme specifically for him so keep an eye out and share it- I don't want to beg for money and honestly I know some will say "all that money could go to fixing other dogs/charities/ ect" but if anyone feels that way I ask that YOU be the one to hold Roo while he's euthanized because that's the only other option. One life doesn't negate another.
I hope that's clear enough of an explanation- there's still a lot of unknowns and scenarios. If anyone has a specific email/ number they want to refer me to to get his story out or get help please send it otherwise I pretty much know all the other suggestions and am working on them.
Organizer
Kaceycrystal Peacock
Organizer
Plant City, FL
