Starting to think the unthinkable now

S

Snuffles

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 June 2014
Messages
1,678
Visit site
Well following my posts re Clumbers back/neck ? problems etc. he has been in a lot of pain again this morning despite being on
Tramadol and Metacam. Was fine last night, this morning doesn't want to get up and crying. Trip to the vets and still no wiser
MRI results did show a slight disc problem in his neck but apparently not enough to cause pain. Beginning to wonder if we have been looking in the right place. Dog had a good going over at the vets this morning , legs, hips, does seem to hurt when his neck is flexed but not every time. No apparent weakness in his limbs etc. Ive already spent nearly £2000 on him and as I hadnt actually got the insurance in place just got as far as a quote, I cant afford to go on with expensive investigations. Im in bits at the moment, I love this dog so much, but its not about me. If he cant be a dog and do what dogs do, especially as he is so active when hes on his walks. Im starting to think it may mean him being put to sleep as I cant bear him being in pain and no diagnosis Sorry to always be on about this dog but no one at home and need to get things off my chest.
 
I really feel for you and him. You've already gone way beyond what I would financially tbh with a dog with no diagnosis and therefore a difficult prognosis and I expect way beyond what a lot of people on here would do. so difficult with a younger dog (((hugs))).
The only thing I would possibly do in addition, is take him for a consult somewhere else for a second opinion.
 
I would probably go with a second opinion too, if funds will allow. It must be heartbreaking to still have no diagnosis after all the investigative work you have already had done. Has your vet offered anything further in terms of meds or tests?
 
I'm so sorry. The plus of a second opinion is it may help you to make a decision. When our lab had elbow problems her x rays were sent to a referral centre (Dick Whites in our case) amd they wrote a report on them, so we didn't have to pay for redoing anything. Would your vet consider that?
 
Hes had a second opinion with the MRI as this was done through a different vet practice. They seemed to think that things shown on the scan shouldn't cause any problems. However after trawling the net the symptoms do suggest IVDD ! Im beginning to think there is more than one thing going on here.
Ironic that this dog was meant to be a back up for when I lost my older dog
 
Orthopaedic specialist? We didn't even listen to our usual vet when Jake needed cruciate surgery, no way was I going to let the vet fix it with wire, bonkers idea. Ask for a referral, if you have the funds.

I feel for you, this has been very hard and I agree, quality of life is paramount, I'd rather PTS than put a dog through weeks and months of investigations/operations/recovery. I find the 'supervet' type programmes very hard to watch.
 
Well emergency visit to the vet last night , prepared to PTS, however vet gave him methodone injection for pain and said to speak to my vet today which was already planned(. Had to call a friend out at 5.20 am to help me get him in the car unknown to me she was booked in for a scan herself today so very grateful that she helped me out.). So took him home again, seen my vet and now seen the pics of MRI which clearly shows something interfering with the space of the spinal cord area but report says slight disc extrusion not im pacting on the spinal cord ! My vet thinks it could be a tumour or something rare, typical . Anyway he is back on extra of pain meds to see if we can stop the pain, if not working then it will be goodbye. However whatever is going on he does not feel could be sorted surgically, so even if we get him stabilised now a few weeks down the line we could be at square one. anyway I felt I had to give it once last go. So I have been in tears twice now already thinking this is the end, now may have to be prepared to do it anyway in a couple of days. Wont let it go on if its not sorted then. This dog has stolen my heart in a very short time. Why do we do it
 
Has he had a second opinon on the mri? Sounds a bit suspect that there is an abnormality on the MRI in the neck and the dog is painful at times on moving the neck.. I'd get a real ortho specialist to consult on him - shouldn't cost that much as you have all the pictures they need.
 
I am so sorry. I do hope you can find some answers and there is another last minute reprieve. If not, at least you can let him go peacefully knowing you have done your best. My heart breaks for you.
 
Well he's gone. RIP Rufus you beautiful boy. Took a turn for the worst so at the emergency vets at 4 am. Still don't know what on earth was wrong with him. The house is so empty, just been picking up the bits of cardboard he loved tearing up. Worried about my other little dog now who has been so much better with his pancreatitis since Rufus was here. He was so beautifully behaved and like a big teddy bear.
I always wanted a Clumber, so now Ive had one even if only for a few months.
 
Snuffles said:
Well he's gone. RIP Rufus you beautiful boy. Took a turn for the worst so at the emergency vets at 4 am. Still don't know what on earth was wrong with him. The house is so empty, just been picking up the bits of cardboard he loved tearing up. Worried about my other little dog now who has been so much better with his pancreatitis since Rufus was here. He was so beautifully behaved and like a big teddy bear.
I always wanted a Clumber, so now Ive had one even if only for a few months.
Click to expand...

I am so, so sorry. RIP Rufus. You must take some comfort from the fact that you tried every avenue possible to try to find out what was wrong and to make him better.
 
Thanks everyone, missing him so much. Loved his huge domed head and magisterial countenance and great big feet.He had the best temperament of any dog Ive ever owned. All through his pain he wagged his tail, even at the very last. Found that quite hard to take.
Would love to have another Clumber, but very small breed and I couldnt cope with a puppy. Im hugging my little collie cross tight tonight.
 
Snuffles said:
Well he's gone. RIP Rufus you beautiful boy. Took a turn for the worst so at the emergency vets at 4 am. Still don't know what on earth was wrong with him. The house is so empty, just been picking up the bits of cardboard he loved tearing up. Worried about my other little dog now who has been so much better with his pancreatitis since Rufus was here. He was so beautifully behaved and like a big teddy bear.
I always wanted a Clumber, so now Ive had one even if only for a few months.
Click to expand...

I am so very, very, very sorry for your loss :( As someone with spinal issues my MRI doesnt correlate with the pain I have. There are times when I wish I was dead, not in a dramatic emotional way, but a I literally cant handle one more second of this kind of way. I'm a human and I can rationalise it, so I get through it and live for the good days but there are very many dark times in my life and I wouldnt wish it on my worst enemy. Dogs cant rationalise pain and living for the good times. You have saved him from that and I hope it brings you some comfort knowing that you did every thing you possibly could to resolve it for him and when you couldnt you did the kindest thing and stopped his pain. He was lucky to have you xxx
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top