Fellow Scrollers,
Would like to get some advice and hear about your experiences. Here's the situation:
I have a 20 month (125 pound) English/Corso mastiff that woke up Monday morning in severe pain/distress.During the day on Sunday and when we went to bed Sunday night, everything was fine. He's been in severe pain (keeps right rear off ground, arched back, crying limp) since that time, has a hard time ambulating, and basic functions are a challenge. He has not gotten any better since Monday, even with protracted bed rest. I can manage the pain with lots of meds for bed rest, but that's about it. It's heartbreaking.
The vet has done a thorough exam and is convinced it is a spinal issue; probably a herniated disc or bone impinging on his nerves. There is no MRI for dogs in Rapid City and none of the vets here do decompression surgery.
I have gone through all this before (i.e., MRI and surgery) with my previous Mastiff, but he was 8 years old. I took him to CSU in Fort Collins; the experience was not good (in addition to being expensive) and I ended up putting him down.
My only treatment option at this point is to pack my boy up (with great difficulty and trauma), and take him to Colorado for the MRI/surgery. Am debating whether to do this.
Has anyone had similar experiences or good outcomes from this?
Thanks!
Would like to get some advice and hear about your experiences. Here's the situation:
I have a 20 month (125 pound) English/Corso mastiff that woke up Monday morning in severe pain/distress.During the day on Sunday and when we went to bed Sunday night, everything was fine. He's been in severe pain (keeps right rear off ground, arched back, crying limp) since that time, has a hard time ambulating, and basic functions are a challenge. He has not gotten any better since Monday, even with protracted bed rest. I can manage the pain with lots of meds for bed rest, but that's about it. It's heartbreaking.
The vet has done a thorough exam and is convinced it is a spinal issue; probably a herniated disc or bone impinging on his nerves. There is no MRI for dogs in Rapid City and none of the vets here do decompression surgery.
I have gone through all this before (i.e., MRI and surgery) with my previous Mastiff, but he was 8 years old. I took him to CSU in Fort Collins; the experience was not good (in addition to being expensive) and I ended up putting him down.
My only treatment option at this point is to pack my boy up (with great difficulty and trauma), and take him to Colorado for the MRI/surgery. Am debating whether to do this.
Has anyone had similar experiences or good outcomes from this?
Thanks!
