Oh, you are absolutely right. There is no proof...but I would never take that chance with my children or my dogs. The consequences of not finding out are too great. The damage and suffering that occurs in the meantime is just incomprehensible. I suppose it depends on how one defines "best efforts"....

JeanieK~I am wondering if there is something you might be able to do by contacting the breeder of Polo. It seems that from your previous posts you would take concern over a puppy that was from one of your litters. I did a little checking and it seems that Polo's breeder is a former member of YT. I did not feel comfortable to contact her myself but maybe from one breeder to another you might be able to help in this situation. I've heard reputable breeders having clauses in their contracts and even showing up at a neglectful owners doorstep to take one of their puppies back if the need warranted. I looked back over some old threads and I found the breeder.

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...tennessee.html

She is on FB and has many "friends" who are currently breeders and even members of YT. I have to assume that she would care deeply for a puppy that she sold. Someone should get in touch with her to let her know that this puppy is so sick.

Since there is no MRI done in the very least she should be aware of the medical issues currently happening to evaluate her breeding program, offer assistance or advice and take the poor dog back for proper vet treatment.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php...490810&sk=info

Graceful Biewers

It is my opinion that Polo is NOT receiving proper care and will die. Graceful Biewers/Amanda O'Gwynn should be alerted to this situation TODAY! :(

then why does everyone tell him that they will keep praying for him? I have prayed for Carlo.

JeannieK I could answer this but Ann has respectfully requested that we keep religion out of this thread so I am going to be compliant with her request. Have a nice day.

I appreciate all the thoughts and prayers for Carlo. They can't hurt, but a Internal Medicine Vet Oncologist, and a Board Certified Surgeon who removed 18" of lower intestine, as well as Vinblastine, CEENU, Pred and monthly blood tests and quarterly X-Rays and Ultrasounds are the reason that Carlo is still with us, still doing well, and still beating the odds.

Jeanie, I appreciate the prayers, keep them coming, and I will keep taking him to the best specialsts in the area, as I would for any of my dogs, and my family.

Good going, Megansmomma. What an online detective!!! If that is the breeder, I would bet she certainly wants to know about what has happened.

Just wondering for future reference, does anyone know how long a dog can stay on steroids? Is it a drug that has worse longterm side effects than the disease it is treating has?

I had better stop posting here or I will be taking another Vacation. I hope the dog gets the help it needs and can recover.

I think people pray to give Steve and Carlo strength...I pray to give thanks and many other things.

I was guessing she meant all of the bible quotes. People ask for prayers all the time and people say they are praying for others dogs all the time. But I too will not mention it again in this thread.

I am no expert, but Carlo has been on it for a year, at a much lower dose now than in the beginning. He will be on it until the end. He was started on a dose about 5 times as much as he is on now. He is monitored, and has blood tests monthly. While it has some drawbacks, in his case, the good out weighs the bad, It is called for for his type of cancer, and also a 20mg Pepcid AC, and a CEENU Chemo Pill now every 6 weeks. Would I prefer he was not on Pred, yes! But again, in this situation, the good out weights the bad.

That is the problem -- little Polo is NOT getting her BEST EFFORTS! Best efforts would include doing as the doctor recommended. She is taking Polo to the doctor but she is only going with his advice selectively -- that which does not cost her too much! I understand financies do come in the picture, but if a person cannot at least get Care Credit to pay for a $1500 MRI when it is directed by the vet, then they have no business owning a dog.

This is NOT about religion and it is NOT about holistic medicine. It IS about caring enough to spend the money for proper diagnosis or surrendering the dog to someone who will but the needs of the pup FIRST.

Right now Polo is getting treatment based on a diagnostic GUESS! The VET wants to do an MRI! The MRI could very well solve the puzzle and ensure Polo gets the correct treatment. There is no religious reason for not getting the MRI -- this is all about money!! Going to a vet and only taking his recommendations IF they don't cost you much of anything is NOT giving your best effort. God presents us with ALL sorts of opportunity for health care -- it is up to us to give our best effort and take advantage of the testing offered by the vet!! It goes without saying that most of us pray for our dog's health no matter what else we do or what vet recommendations we follow. It is not a separate choice but one that can easily compliment logical medical advice.

Jeannie -- You are doing this OP no favor by giving her advance justification in case this puppy dies. You say she has been given so many avenues and cannot follow them all. The ONLY thing people are trying to get her to do is follow the vet's recommendation to get an MRI. Simple -- one test to give a clearer diagnosis and not be guessing with the medication. Not sure why you always like to go against the flow but there is no reason to be thinking about this puppy dying from what I have read. I would be concentrating on what we can do to make SURE this puppy lives -- includng getting the test ordered by the VET! GET WELL POLO!

Those that have nursed a lot of neglected and sick dogs understand!!!

I did not see her say to omit bible quotes. She said to leave God out of the thread. I will just say that asking for prayers and receiving them is just good friendship, it's like someone watering your garden when you out of town.

Does anyone know if she has contacted the breeder on this matter. The dogs is, did she say 2 years old. I would think if it were genetic, it would have shown up before this.

As for long term use of steroids. It is never good, but sometimes, the only option, and the lessor of two evils.

Since I hadn't dealt with it long term in the past, I had always wondered about current thinking on it. Sounds like a lot of meds we have to use - side effects are not good but better than what would happen without the drug! :)