Hi everyone! I'm new here. I found this forum while researching online for other doxie parents who may have gone/are going through similar things as we are.
My doxie is Charlie. He is about to be 13 and he has a brother,a chihuahua, who's about to be 14. I've had both my boys since they were about 14 weeks old.
In January this year Charlie had surgery to remove his spleen and a massive grape fruit sized tumor attached to it. He was diagnosed after the surgery with Hemangiosarcoma. Needless to say,I was completely heart broken. He was given 30-90 days survival rate without chemo. With chemo,6 months to maybe a year. For many reasons, I decided against chemo and decided to treat him holistically. He has delighted us all by having recovered beautifully from that surgery and doing really well.
That was Charlie's second major surgery. In 2008,he had spinal surgery when he was nearly paralyzed from IVDD in his lower back. It was a long road to recovery. But after a few grueling months, he bounced back and learned to walk again and regained function of his bladder and was just a happy little man as if nothing had ever happened.💞
A couple years ago,to my horror, he had another painful reoccurrence. This time,his neck. He was chewing on this huge bone I had bought him as a special treat the night before and the next morning he woke me up screaming from his crate. Afyter more pred,pain killers,6 weeks of crate rest,he recovered and I changed everything I wasn't doing before (because I didn't know😟) Only small walks. No leads, only a harness. I elevated his food and water bowl. And no more huge chewy bones!
This time, I waited as long as possible after his splenectomy, to make sure he was OK in every away, before taking him in to get (yikes!) get his nails trimmed. He haaaates it and he fights it but I had no idea that a sudden move or jerk or pull the wrong way would bring us back to a very familiar situation. Within an hour after his nail trim, Charlie could barely walk. Barely put weight on his right from paw. Within days he was showing signs of ataxia in his back limbs. He would cry and scream in pain. Fast forward 2 weeks,a new vet (will never go back to the one that trimmed his nails and admittedly had to forcefully hold him down) an emergency room visit, an all day neurologist appointment and tests at a hospital an hour and a half away,we are back to 4 - 8 weeks crate rest,30 days of prednisone, pain meds,and muscle relaxers as well as a neuropathy medication for pain as well. Oh my poor boy: ( He's finally doing better but I know its another long road ahead.
So that's our long story, short.
Charlie is my heart. He is my little friend and we have been through so much together. I would do anything for him. I think because of him,even through all of this,I will forever have wiener dogs❤ I would love to talk to anyone who has been through similar situations.
Nice to meet all of you!
Hello there to all of you from all of us over here in sunny Spain. We are Red, 12 yrs roan pinwire haired miniature male, and Islay, 11 years old mahogany long haired kaninchen female.
So sorry to hear of all the rotten problems Chalrie has been having. Lots of healing rays heading your way for a smooth and comfortable recovery now. He looks so sad curled up in his bed with the cone on. Best of luck and let us all know how he gets on.
They are such a tough little breed and their powers of recovery and stoicism never fail to amaze me. Your little boy is obviously a fighter and lucky to have you too.