Neighbor's Yorkie lost use of hind legs...suggestions?

[LuvmyYorkies2]

Hey guys,
I'm trying to get some information for my neighbor. She has a yorkie, Chester, who is just over a year old who has suddenly lost all mobility in his hind legs. She told me that she left for work 1 day only to come home and see him dragging his hind legs. She does crate him during the day but does allow him to have free roam while she's home, except for bedtime.

She took him to the vet and the vet told her that he damaged the disk in his back and that the surgery would cost around 5K.. He also mentioned that he would have about a 60% chance of recovery. So needless to say, she's at her wits end. My girls often played with Chester so we'll also miss his hyperness running around & hearing him bark.

She says she doesnt' really have the money for the surgery but she did admit him into a clinic about an hour away to try acupunture, shock & physical therapy treatment. She says she wanted to try absolutely everything she can before all hope is lost.

I came here to see if anyone else has experienced this. I was getting concerned because on her FB page, others were commenting how when their dog went through that, they put them down, etc. Since he is so young, I'd hate for her to do that and am glad she is trying the other treatments first.

I already gave her information for Rescue Me Yorkie in PA since that would be closest to us. She said she's going to contact them as well because she said there is no way she would be able to give him the care he needs. I told her to please don't rush to put him down just yet, that I would try to get her some information. He's been there since Tuesday and she's been checking every day. They said he's still been trying to move around & everything, some days are better than others but it's still touch & go. So sad!

I was just wondering if anyone else has gone thru anything similar, if so, what other methods, if any, have you tried for your baby.

I'll keep you posted. -Thanks

[Gennies]

This is so weird, meaning another member posted yesterday about a similar situation. So weird as I never heard of Yorkies with back problems before.

Here's a link to her thread:

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...ed-yorkie.html

Hope it helps. Your friend should try a university for help as they have the most modern treatments. I understand that $5,000 is a lot of money, but he's so young and will love her for the rest of his life. Most vets offer care credit accounts or couldn't she find a credit card to put it on? I know not everyone can and if she can't and other treatments don't work, I hope she turns to a rescue. So sorry!! Please, do keep us posted.

[LuvmyYorkies2]

Originally Posted by Gennies

This is so weird, meaning another member posted yesterday about a similar situation. So weird as I never heard of Yorkies with back problems before.

Here's a link to her thread:

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...ed-yorkie.html

Hope it helps. Your friend should try a university for help as they have the most modern treatments. I understand that $5,000 is a lot of money, but he's so young and will love her for the rest of his life. Most vets offer care credit accounts or couldn't she find a credit card to put it on? I know not everyone can and if she can't and other treatments don't work, I hope she turns to a rescue. So sorry!! Please, do keep us posted.

Thank you! That is also a sad story. Chester actually scoots around pretty good..it seems to be only from the waist down. She said his front legs appear to still be pretty strong & healthy.
She's already been in touch with the rescue group(RescueMe). I just told her she can start some type of dialogue with them while he's going thru treatment just in case it doesn't work out. I did also mention to her about checking on care credit, payment plans, etc. I'm praying for the little guy. Will keep you posted. Thanks

[Gennies]

It's so sad! I feel bad for both families involved in these threads. I'll be praying for your friend.

[lmperez]

Have your friend check out handicappedpets.com It is a website dedicated to pets that have disabilities. There is a lot of info on how to deal with these types of issues. She can post the situation and will get a lot of feedback. Many people have been through this very thing and could offer advice. Many of the people have resorted to very strict crate rest with 100% success. Please have her check it out before she gives up her dog. At least then she could make an educated descsion in his best interest.

[Tinkerbell-B]

OMG I just realized that this is what my poodle went through in the spring. I blamed everyone in my house that they did something to her. I went to the vet and they put her on Remadyl and total crate rest for six weeks. I took her out on a leash to potty and when the house was quite we would lay on the floor with her just to get her out of the crate. I also put the crate by the front door so she could get some day light. After a few weeks I blocked off my front room so she could get a little more freedom without any furnitue to jump on (very important that they do not jump at all even after they heal). There is a supplement called Phycox JS Small Bites Seems to be working so far. I hope she will at least give this a try. I was so scared for my poodle, she even had a hard time going poo because she couldnt seem to get in the position and push to do her business. It was amazing at how in time and lots of patience she pulled through. I hope for the best for this little guy.

[LuvmyYorkies2]

Thanks for all of the suggestions!!!! I will definitely pass this on to her tonight!! I really appreciate it.

[LuvmyYorkies2]

Well I saw my neighbor today and poor Chester didn't make it. It's so sad. She went and picked him up just this morning from the clinic after hearing that he was getting worse...that he was now unable to use even his front legs. She picked him up this morning and was going to go ahead and call the rescue to schedule a time to meet so she could surrender him to them. They didn't open til 11AM and before she could call them, he just passed away, shortly after 10AM. She watched him take his last breath. She said she had him in his crate with his favorite blanket and some pads because he had lost the ability to control himself.

Needless to say, she is devastated. She is taking him to her parents house to bury him in the yard and allow the healing process to begin. Still no clue as to what it could have been.

Please keep her & her daughter in your prayers. This is just so so sad. RIP Chester!

[lmperez]

I am so sorry to hear about Chester may he rest in peace. Prays to his family.

[Reinell]

So sad!!!!

[WV~Yorkies]

I am so sorry to hear.

I went through a simular situation. My dog broke his back. I spent the money for the surgery and timeless amount PT. He never recovered. I had to empty his bladder for him every 2 hours. I did this for almost a year. Then he lost control of his bladder and would wet himself a little all the time. He lost all control of his bowels. He had sores on his hind legs from dragging them. I tried shoes, socks and even made him a few things to try to help. I then started wrapping them twice a day with bandages. I looked at him oneday dragging himself through the house and he stopped and looked in my eyes. I could see his pain. His quality of life was terrible. He was only living.. and I was being selfish and keeping him alive because I couldn't bare to let him go. I finally made the terrible decision to have him put down. It was one of the worse expeirnces I ever went through. I will never forget that day. I sat and held my baby until he closed his eyes and stopped breathing. He is in a better place now..happy.. He can run and play no more pain.