Rescue puppy and ongoing vet bills
Donation protected
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO READ THE UPDATE, WE ARE *NOT* CURRENTLY LOOKING AT SURGERY :)
Toller is a 5 month old rescue puppy who is the sweetest dog you will ever meet. She is a tiny 3kg and loves playing with dogs, going on walks, but her favouritest thing in the world is people!
Yesterday Toller was on a walk when a much larger off lead dog sprinted across the field and ran into her. She just started *screaming*. We raced over to her, scooped her up, brought her home and phoned our vets.
The next day she had her appt (they only do x-rays in the morning) and initially they weren't even sure they would do an x-ray because they were so convinced it was something minor, but we said they might as well so we know what we're dealing with.
At first we were told she had two broken bones in her foot, then four, and now every bone connecting her toes have been smashed. The vet gave us two options; an invasive surgery where they will use wire to attach her bones back together, or use splints to help it heal best as possible on it's own.
The vets said that the surgery will "hopefully" mean that her breaks heal better, meaning her lameneness will be less pronounced and she is at less risk for early arthritis. Relying on splints would mean she would most likely be a bit more lame and might be at more of an increased risk for arthritis, but it would spare invasive surgery that could still leave her with a very painful leg.
Until we came to a decision the vet put a splint on her, and we came home with her to do research and talk it over. The surgery would cost at least £1200.
Toller has been absolutely amazing, she's just an incredible little dog and is really happy in herself. She hasn't chewed the splint at all, she's been very patient and has slept most the evening.
Just now, as she was lying in my partner's arms, her splint FELL OFF into my lap. It has been on less than six hours and it has fallen off, and this is one of the treatment options they gave to us!!
When we go in tomorrow, we would like to bring up amputation with the vet.
We feel that amputating the leg would mean that Toller could have a pain free future, and that she would actually be able to go on walks. Tripod dogs can live extremely normal, happy lives, and she is so young she should adapt very quickly. We feel this is much kinder than their treatment options.
Both the other treatment options suggested by the vet leave us with no knowing how she will be at the end. The vets have said they can't predict her prognosis for either, and she will not be able to go for walks, will be moderately lame in that leg, and in pain.
Amputation costs A LOT. I don't have a specific price for Tolly, but we're looking at £2000-£4000.
We have already paid £260, this was for the exam, two x-rays, and of course the splint. This has happened at the worst time, as we recently found out we have no income due to our benefits being stopped (I am disabled), and lost one of our other dogs to cancer earlier this year which cost us a lot of money in treatment too.
Luckily we had our Christmas savings for Tolly's treatment so far, and still have enough for the next appt, but please if you can share this and if you could even donate we would be so, so beyond grateful.
If an amputation is out of the picture, this will be to raise money for Toller's treatment, either splinting or surgery, and I will adjust the funding goal accordingly.
Please if you could share or spare enough to donate we would be incredibly grateful.
--- UPDATE ---
We saw a different vet today who was amazing, and she has said we should NOT do the surgery that was pushed by one vet in particular. She said there are huge risks and complications with this surgery, and she believes Tolly will recover well using splints, and at worst be left with a bit of a limp.
We asked about future problems and they said that after 6-8 weeks crate rest we can reassess the damage, and look at amputation if it is needed as her leg is causing her permanent pain. At this point though she thinks Tolly will recover well :D
There are no plans for amputation and that is simply a back-up plan for if, once fully healed, her leg is still causing her significant pain or impacting seriously on her mobility. The vet does not think this will be the case.
Our next appt is on Saturday. After that there will be regular appts for the length of crate rest, then physiotherapy will begin after that to help build strength in that leg.
Thank you to everybody who has shown us support. I have lowered the goal and changed the title to reflect the change in circumstances.
Toller is a 5 month old rescue puppy who is the sweetest dog you will ever meet. She is a tiny 3kg and loves playing with dogs, going on walks, but her favouritest thing in the world is people!
Yesterday Toller was on a walk when a much larger off lead dog sprinted across the field and ran into her. She just started *screaming*. We raced over to her, scooped her up, brought her home and phoned our vets.
The next day she had her appt (they only do x-rays in the morning) and initially they weren't even sure they would do an x-ray because they were so convinced it was something minor, but we said they might as well so we know what we're dealing with.
At first we were told she had two broken bones in her foot, then four, and now every bone connecting her toes have been smashed. The vet gave us two options; an invasive surgery where they will use wire to attach her bones back together, or use splints to help it heal best as possible on it's own.
The vets said that the surgery will "hopefully" mean that her breaks heal better, meaning her lameneness will be less pronounced and she is at less risk for early arthritis. Relying on splints would mean she would most likely be a bit more lame and might be at more of an increased risk for arthritis, but it would spare invasive surgery that could still leave her with a very painful leg.
Until we came to a decision the vet put a splint on her, and we came home with her to do research and talk it over. The surgery would cost at least £1200.
Toller has been absolutely amazing, she's just an incredible little dog and is really happy in herself. She hasn't chewed the splint at all, she's been very patient and has slept most the evening.
Just now, as she was lying in my partner's arms, her splint FELL OFF into my lap. It has been on less than six hours and it has fallen off, and this is one of the treatment options they gave to us!!
When we go in tomorrow, we would like to bring up amputation with the vet.
We feel that amputating the leg would mean that Toller could have a pain free future, and that she would actually be able to go on walks. Tripod dogs can live extremely normal, happy lives, and she is so young she should adapt very quickly. We feel this is much kinder than their treatment options.
Both the other treatment options suggested by the vet leave us with no knowing how she will be at the end. The vets have said they can't predict her prognosis for either, and she will not be able to go for walks, will be moderately lame in that leg, and in pain.
Amputation costs A LOT. I don't have a specific price for Tolly, but we're looking at £2000-£4000.
We have already paid £260, this was for the exam, two x-rays, and of course the splint. This has happened at the worst time, as we recently found out we have no income due to our benefits being stopped (I am disabled), and lost one of our other dogs to cancer earlier this year which cost us a lot of money in treatment too.
Luckily we had our Christmas savings for Tolly's treatment so far, and still have enough for the next appt, but please if you can share this and if you could even donate we would be so, so beyond grateful.
If an amputation is out of the picture, this will be to raise money for Toller's treatment, either splinting or surgery, and I will adjust the funding goal accordingly.
Please if you could share or spare enough to donate we would be incredibly grateful.
--- UPDATE ---
We saw a different vet today who was amazing, and she has said we should NOT do the surgery that was pushed by one vet in particular. She said there are huge risks and complications with this surgery, and she believes Tolly will recover well using splints, and at worst be left with a bit of a limp.
We asked about future problems and they said that after 6-8 weeks crate rest we can reassess the damage, and look at amputation if it is needed as her leg is causing her permanent pain. At this point though she thinks Tolly will recover well :D
There are no plans for amputation and that is simply a back-up plan for if, once fully healed, her leg is still causing her significant pain or impacting seriously on her mobility. The vet does not think this will be the case.
Our next appt is on Saturday. After that there will be regular appts for the length of crate rest, then physiotherapy will begin after that to help build strength in that leg.
Thank you to everybody who has shown us support. I have lowered the goal and changed the title to reflect the change in circumstances.
Organizer
Lyle Carr
Organizer
