Leopold--surgery or not?

Jeri · October 04, 2005, 07:08:35 AM

Yesterday's vet visit did not go especially well. We have almost exhausted all medical treatment we can try, except for Adequan injections. It is looking like we may need to look at surgery.

There are problems with doing surgery, and one trouble with surgery is Leopold's age. He is between 13 and 14 years old, and the back specialist will problably not operate on a dog his age.

The problem is this: even if the surgeon would operate, should he operate given Leopold's current condition? Poldie is not in severe pain, nor is he down. He can pee and poop, his appetite is good, he has not been vomiting. Surgery is most definitely painful, and the recovery is slow. With surgery, you might not know the extent of the recovery for weeks after, and I also worry that he might come out of it worse off than he is right now.

So for now Poldie is back on Rimadyl. I think we will begin Adequan injections this week. Adequan is an anti-inflammitory used for joint pain, and is not often used for backs. However, it's the only non-surgical option we have left. Mostly we have been letting him rest and keeping him off furniture so that he does not jump down. We have no stairs in the house, so we can do a pretty good job of not letting him further stress his back.

Please pray for Poldie, as we are running out of treatment options. Also, if there is ANYTHING you can think of that we can do to help him, please share it with us.

Barb · October 04, 2005, 08:19:35 AM

Oh Jeri -how distressing. Did they determine for sure that it is Poldie's back? Have they tried him on prednisone? I can't remember if that is what he was on after the Rimadyl. The only other option that I can think of at this time is acupuncture - so many have said that this helps. I think it is critical that Poldie doesn't jump at all......and I am so glad he does not seem like he is in pain. Please keep us updated and know that we all keep our Poldie in our prayers....

Julie · October 04, 2005, 08:56:16 AM

What a hard decision. I can't offer any suggestions, but I will be thinking of you while you go and Leopold while you are going through this.

Ruth in MT · October 04, 2005, 12:05:06 PM

POLDIE

April · October 04, 2005, 12:55:11 PM

Poor baby! I don't know what to tell you about the surgery, but several people have mentioned acupuncture helping their dogs. It couldn't hurt to try anyway. Rays on the way!

Dottiesdoxies · October 04, 2005, 02:36:58 PM

I am very sorry to hear about Poldie....Maybe having blood work done to check and see if he is ok enough to have the surgery, would ease your decesion process.....If the blood work is not good, then your decision would be made for you! If it comes back good, then I'd go talk to the surgeon and see what they say! I recently had to make a decision with my 10 1/2 year old sheperd, Meeko, about surgery.....We did the blood work, it came back excellent and she has had 2 surgeries and came through both wonderful.......We spent over $2,000.00.....but have bought her another 3 to 6 years of healthy, pain free time!
It is very difficult when you have a senior dog and you want to do everything possible to help them! Maybe holistic stuff, massage, acupunture would work. If it is a pinched nerve, it may be great after surgery, but may not! Have the blood work done and see the surgeon, but try acupunture, I've seen that work wonders!
Our

's,

and

's to you and Poldie! Good luck, let us know how he is!

SNKSMOMSUE · October 04, 2005, 06:20:37 PM

Jeri -
So sorry to hear of Poldies woes - I will do some research and see if I can find anything at all that will help. In my very personal opinion, as much as we love Sol - were he five years older I would feel similar I would think to how you feel. Quality of life is so important, as a dog OR a human. I say if he is able to act normally except for that one issue - let him be. Surgery IS painful, and recovery is as hard if not harder on us. Give Poldie a smootch for me. Remind him he is valued even with his "owie". Keep us posted, and hopefully with the help of all of us Poldie can get over this hump. Hugs to you.

P.S. My brother had a springer spaniel that lived to be 14 - long time for those dogs. He swears by something called "Fresh Factors", and he has used them on all his dogs since. Here is a link if you want to research them. Heck, they probably can't hurt! http://www.petwebstore.com/index.html

David C. · October 04, 2005, 07:47:02 PM

If it was one of my dachsies in that position, I'd probably opt for no surgery. 13 to 14 years isn't a bad run for a dachsie. I'd be concerned that the surgery would be a quality-of-life issue. Surgery is obviously painful, as is the recovery time. Poldie already has some serious health issues and the stress of the surgery might exacerbate them.

Obviously, without the surgery, the only thing you can do is keep him as pain-free as possible and give him the best life possible until it is time for Poldie to make the journey. The hardest thing to accept as a pet owner is that your furkids days are numbered. I knew when Rudy could no longer hold down water that the end was coming. I went through the motions in the hope that something got overlooked, or perhaps even for a miracle. Knowing that the end was coming was far rougher one me than the actual end itself.

On the upside, Poldie does seem to have an almost inexplicable resilience to him. Poldie has been in this position before when hopes begin to fade. Then, without explanation or logic, he seems to gather himself up and continue on. I hope and pray that Poldie will find that resilience one more time.

Sandishooligans · October 05, 2005, 09:48:10 PM

))))))))))))))))))))))

for Poldie and you. I'd have to agree with David. 14 is not a bad age for a dachsie and I'd be concerned about really how much surgery would help at this point. Follow your heart. It will lead.

Roberta · October 07, 2005, 01:44:12 AM

Living with another senior cit I know the heart wrench, but I think I am like David, quality over quanitiy.

we have been fortunate not to have spinal troubles requiring surgery. They don't like putting Emma under either now, plus she is a diabetic. Keeping him comfortable is the main thing. We use Metacalm a non steroidal on Emma for her back leg plus athritis and it is good adn the bowen seems to be helping.
Rays and Hugs

Dianne · October 09, 2005, 07:18:46 PM

Ah, sweet Poldie! Come on lil guy...

I'm with the rest of the senior owners, I would not be willing to risk the outcome for Poldie. I know it's difficult. Stay with the meds and do your best.

Good luck to both of you! :xfinger:

Shumard4 · October 10, 2005, 02:06:50 PM

At his age I might not opt for surgery given the information that you have shared. But I would do acupuncture along with Fresh Factors and Joint Health. I have personnel experience with both and the are excellent. I can't say enough good things about the Springtime Supplements I should be a spokes person. I swear by them and have Siggy and Tofu on them. I put all fosters on them and recommend them to all new families no matter what the age of the doxie.

TerriL · October 12, 2005, 01:31:24 PM

Oh no...Poor Poldie! My prayers are with you as you work your way through this with him. Just know that whatever decision you make will be the right one. Sounds like you are doing everything you can for him right now.....bless you for that! He's a lucky boy to have such a loving family!

Leslie · October 12, 2005, 04:20:22 PM

Aww, poor guy. It sounds like he is really doing ok--despite everything. Since he isn't "down" I don't see the surgery as an option giving all the other factors. His quality of life is pretty good--and if it ain't broke.... ANd there are the holistic treatments available, which, at the very least, will do no harm, and could really really improve his condition.

But personally, would find out whether the surgeon will perform the operation, and what his projected outcome would be. Good grief, what a hand-wringer.

Leopold--surgery or not?

Sandishooligans