The Veterinary Specialists were outstanding and beyond thorough. Hours and hours of testing yesterday and we have come to a very difficult cross roads. They will attempt a spinal surgery although the risks to such a small older dog are great, or they can help guide us in a non surgical fashion. They are very satisfied that the problem is intervertebral disc disease. They have directed us on treatment of the bladder stone as well and that is really the least of our worries as the treatment is more clear cut. I really appreciate your advice and words of support. To update, for today, he's doing great, has weaned down to 33 hours between prednisone and I'm going to continue to try to get him down to 48 hours as I have been told to. The goal would be to get down to little or none and only resume on an as needed basis. I have had such a soft spot for Yorkies my entire life, since I was a very small girl of 3 or 4, and Tobie is the first I was blessed to have as a part of my family. It is so hard to know that he is hurting and to know that either decision carries such risk and side effects. I know everyone here understands. Thank you for listening. |