[SugarPie]

At this time, I just don't see our family making the unanimous decision to give up our boy. Although that may give him a new home and someone to take care of him, the research I have done says they take dogs on a case by case basis and that my Cricket might not even meet up to their standards of what they will take. This being due to lack of homes or funding for the care of these dogs. I just don't think a surrender is in his best interest if we can potentially find a place that will give him care cheaper (which is what I am actively trying to do now). Which is why I am hoping that if it is liver shunts, I can keep him stable until we have the funds or until we can find a place that is more reasonable about their prices.

We have a vet appointment scheduled for tomorrow. The secretary that I spoke to said they could do the blood work at the clinic and I am imaging that it would much cheaper to find out if it's shunts there than at the hospital. Not sure why that is, but just a hunch I have. They don't have an ultra-sound or x-ray machine but if they can determine that it's shunts or get closer to having a possible diagnosis based on the blood work, I can go from there.

However, based on what you said, kjc, I am wondering if you are right about the AAI simply because he has been stretching an awful lot since last night. He stretches out and pulls his back legs like he is trying to straighten himself. Is this a possible sign of AAI? It almost sounds like it could be to me. I will have to do more research on this. I am imagining that this surgery to fix AAI would be costly too but since the price of the x-ray scan was reasonable, it sounds like testing wouldn't be as pricey and the surgery would be doable. I am praying that it is neither though and that maybe he had a small accident yesterday that he's not quite gotten over the shock of, although that just doesn't seem likely.

The one thing I wasn't too sure of (but seems to be a good sign) is that Cricket seems to be able to eat the wet l/d food without any issue as to his neck hurting. He sat there and ate a whole small plateful and was still hungry. I've never seen him have such an appetite! There are just so many questions and little answers but hopefully the vet will be able to give us a clear answer on what is going on with our little guy.

Also, not to go on a tangent here, but the cost of pet care is outrageous. Of course, I would expect things to be a bit high when it comes to surgery but to simply use an ultra-sound machine and do some blood work? It's highway robbery almost. It seems to me like these private vet practices are looking to take all you have knowing that you will do practically anything for little fur family member, even shell out thousands to even diagnose them. These people should really be ashamed. Considering what I have heard in the past of people receiving quotes up in the $4,000 - $6,000 range for what includes testing, pre-op care, surgery, and post-op care. That's insanity. It really takes advantage of our big hearts and pull on it's strings knowing we would do anything to save our little ones from suffering. It's just stinkin' rotten is what it is.

Thank you for all the responses and your prayers. I hope by tomorrow we will have an answer for everything.

kjc, An especial thank you for all your information and advice. You've been very helpful. It's nice to know I have someone else out there praying for him along side myself and our family.