Save Chaz
Donation protected
It's been hard coming to the decision to create this go find me account. BUT we are DESPERATE.
to SAVE CHAZ our baby.
I have been in EXTREME denial about it and its severity. I just having been refusing to accept it (like we are gonna wake up one morning and he will be back to normal and good to go) and I feel a sense of embarrassment to have to do it, nobody said asking for help was easy.
So.... What happened...
and
What I'm asking/ bagging you all for...
right after Mike broke his hand, 2 months ago - Chaz was being his active happy self, playing ball with Mike. We were using a chuck it (a device that throws the ball really far) and Chaz has always been an all or nothing dog - he did his full on sprint after the ball. He slipped/ fell through/ twisted his legs in the hard snow.
So of course we feel and are sickly responsible. Although it was something we did often, the results were still a surprise.
He came home limping holding his back legs in the air as much as possible, but this was a challenge because he cant bare any weight on both of his back legs (it pretty much looks like toe tapping/ front hand standing - he still does this - his hand stands are getting pretty good).
Mike and I have had to keep him on bed rest just so he can get out to use the washroom... and even then Michael has since become his personal human elevator, even with his broken hand... Chaz doesn't go a day without having to be carried or picked up just to do the basic tasks. I unfortunately cannot pick him up for more than picking him up into the truck or bed (even that is hard, hes 100+ lbs) and having mike for this entire time made the situation kinda helped my denial by sort of feeling like it was a manageable situation.
Mike has been gone back to work for one set of four yet, (4 on 4 off rotation) and I have been forced to open my eyes to the severity of his injuries. Chaz can't get up. He cant get around. He is crying, depressed and frustrated. His life went from being bouncy, healthy, daily walks, hikes, swims, socializing to... bed rest.
Last night I finally got him up from laying down to go pee before bed, between the two of us we managed to get him down the stairs, where he had to lie down to pee and with no one around... I couldn't get him back up the stairs despite all efforts. So he layed there on the pavement for 3 hours, I got my computer and sat outside in the dark on the pavement with him and repeated attempts. He screeched in pain and and then just continued to cuddle me. I eventually was able to get him into bed, hence the video clip.
Chaz needs (in simple terms) TWO knee replacements in both of his back legs. Yes, he blew out not just one - but two knees.
He requires two separate invasive surgeries where they will shave down and around his bones so that they will fit together while taking out the middle part of his knees, including bone and ligaments.
Then, they will then more or less make him artificial, but very functional knees by screw plates on either side while making them hinge, this is a total of four plates and 16 - 28 screws.
After calling everywhere hi and low, working closely with the local vet and sending out referrals and copies of his x-rays. There are only three clinics that are able to do it. University of Washington, Whitefish and Calgary. The main reason that these surgeons agreed to do it, is All of which said the same thing...
1. It is 4200-4500 dollars PER LEG and they will not do surgery unless we sign a contract to do both, because otherwise it would be a waste and they just wont do it. So it will be 8400 to 9000 dollars (pending all goes well)
2. We have to have the money up front.
3. They would have to do the legs 12 to 16 weeks apart.
4. It will take roughly 8 to 10 months of recovery before being fully functual again.
5. If we dont get the surgery, he will have to be put down probably within the year, usually sooner than later.
6. He is otherwise perfectly healthy.
WE ARE HEART BROKEN.
to SAVE CHAZ our baby.
I have been in EXTREME denial about it and its severity. I just having been refusing to accept it (like we are gonna wake up one morning and he will be back to normal and good to go) and I feel a sense of embarrassment to have to do it, nobody said asking for help was easy.
So.... What happened...
and
What I'm asking/ bagging you all for...
right after Mike broke his hand, 2 months ago - Chaz was being his active happy self, playing ball with Mike. We were using a chuck it (a device that throws the ball really far) and Chaz has always been an all or nothing dog - he did his full on sprint after the ball. He slipped/ fell through/ twisted his legs in the hard snow.
So of course we feel and are sickly responsible. Although it was something we did often, the results were still a surprise.
He came home limping holding his back legs in the air as much as possible, but this was a challenge because he cant bare any weight on both of his back legs (it pretty much looks like toe tapping/ front hand standing - he still does this - his hand stands are getting pretty good).
Mike and I have had to keep him on bed rest just so he can get out to use the washroom... and even then Michael has since become his personal human elevator, even with his broken hand... Chaz doesn't go a day without having to be carried or picked up just to do the basic tasks. I unfortunately cannot pick him up for more than picking him up into the truck or bed (even that is hard, hes 100+ lbs) and having mike for this entire time made the situation kinda helped my denial by sort of feeling like it was a manageable situation.
Mike has been gone back to work for one set of four yet, (4 on 4 off rotation) and I have been forced to open my eyes to the severity of his injuries. Chaz can't get up. He cant get around. He is crying, depressed and frustrated. His life went from being bouncy, healthy, daily walks, hikes, swims, socializing to... bed rest.
Last night I finally got him up from laying down to go pee before bed, between the two of us we managed to get him down the stairs, where he had to lie down to pee and with no one around... I couldn't get him back up the stairs despite all efforts. So he layed there on the pavement for 3 hours, I got my computer and sat outside in the dark on the pavement with him and repeated attempts. He screeched in pain and and then just continued to cuddle me. I eventually was able to get him into bed, hence the video clip.
Chaz needs (in simple terms) TWO knee replacements in both of his back legs. Yes, he blew out not just one - but two knees.
He requires two separate invasive surgeries where they will shave down and around his bones so that they will fit together while taking out the middle part of his knees, including bone and ligaments.
Then, they will then more or less make him artificial, but very functional knees by screw plates on either side while making them hinge, this is a total of four plates and 16 - 28 screws.
After calling everywhere hi and low, working closely with the local vet and sending out referrals and copies of his x-rays. There are only three clinics that are able to do it. University of Washington, Whitefish and Calgary. The main reason that these surgeons agreed to do it, is All of which said the same thing...
1. It is 4200-4500 dollars PER LEG and they will not do surgery unless we sign a contract to do both, because otherwise it would be a waste and they just wont do it. So it will be 8400 to 9000 dollars (pending all goes well)
2. We have to have the money up front.
3. They would have to do the legs 12 to 16 weeks apart.
4. It will take roughly 8 to 10 months of recovery before being fully functual again.
5. If we dont get the surgery, he will have to be put down probably within the year, usually sooner than later.
6. He is otherwise perfectly healthy.
WE ARE HEART BROKEN.
Organizer
Frankie Kaytisha
Organizer
Cranbrook, BC
