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xloadiex

(628 posts)
Tue Nov 20, 2012, 04:59 PM Nov 2012

Please Pray for Pipa

I've been a member at DU for many years. Though I don't post much I'm here reading everyday and I've seen the compassion when it comes to our fur babies.

This morning I woke up to find my 3 year old little Chihuahua Pipa paralyzed on her right side. I have no clue as to what could have happened. We went to the park last night, she ran around and even chased a bunny.

We rushed her to the emergency vet because our regular vet wasn't open yet. They think it may be a disc. They said they won't know more without an MRI. they gave her some rimadyl and said to make an appointment with a neurologist.

I wanted a 2nd opinion and by the time we finished my regular vet was open. We immediately drove there. They took x-rays and also said it looks to be neurological. She does feel deep pain. The MRI (between 3 and 4 thousand dollars) and possibly surgery, another 6 thousand. The chances of regaining function are less than 25% with just the rimadyl and muscle relaxers. Her chances go up to 85 to 90 % with the MRI and surgery.

I feel like such a bad person because there is no way we can afford that. My husband just got finished with 2 years of treatment for colo/rectal cancer. He has pushed himself to go back to work just so we can try and stay afloat. Financially we are wiped out. We are both falling to pieces over this. He would come home from Chemo and she would wrap herself around his neck. She always made him feel better.

I don't know why I'm even writing this. Maybe just to have someone understand what we're going through and tell me it's going to be ok. We are crying and she is giving us kisses.

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers that Pipa will fall into the 25%.

26 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Please Pray for Pipa (Original Post) xloadiex Nov 2012 OP
Oh man . . . . . Stinky The Clown Nov 2012 #1
Healing blessings to Pipa and your husband LiberalEsto Nov 2012 #2
all my best thoughts are going to you and Pipa Flaxbee Nov 2012 #3
I am so sorry to hear about Pipa's problems. Curmudgeoness Nov 2012 #4
It will be okay.. Texasgal Nov 2012 #5
MRI Alternative: Myelography douglas9 Nov 2012 #6
Maybe she can live with her roody Nov 2012 #7
how is Pipa doing? TorchTheWitch Nov 2012 #8
Thank you all xloadiex Nov 2012 #9
May your little pooch be healed and may you have many, many happy years together. meti57b Nov 2012 #10
Will certainly do that union_maid Nov 2012 #11
Oh yes, prayers and thoughts get the red out Nov 2012 #12
After a very emotional Tuesday xloadiex Nov 2012 #13
There is good news in all of that, and much reason for hope! meti57b Nov 2012 #14
this really sounds much more promising! TorchTheWitch Nov 2012 #15
Persistence, patience and love livetohike Nov 2012 #16
Thanks for the update. Curmudgeoness Dec 2012 #17
So glad to hear there is a chance for Pipa's recovery. You sound like Fla Dem Dec 2012 #20
A progress update xloadiex Jan 2013 #21
Awesome news!!! hamsterjill Jan 2013 #22
Wonderful news! intheflow Jan 2013 #26
Sending healing light and love to Pippa. I'm sure she'll be doing fine in no time with all Auntie Bush Dec 2012 #18
I'm sending good thoughts and love Pipa's way! n/t phylny Dec 2012 #19
Oh no! easttexaslefty Jan 2013 #23
Thank you but I should have replied to xloadiex Jan 2013 #24
Oh, I see now. My bad. easttexaslefty Jan 2013 #25

Stinky The Clown

(67,623 posts)
1. Oh man . . . . .
Tue Nov 20, 2012, 05:51 PM
Nov 2012


You can bet everything you're all three in our thoughts. I hope it all turns out better than anyone expects.

A note about rimadyl: We just started our oldest dog on it. She wasn't paralyzed, but she had a growing limp and she had great difficulty standing.

After less than a week on rimadyl she is back to a far better state than she had been. Our vet advises that rimadyl will now be part of her regular routine.

In our case, the culprit is plain old arthritis. Sounds as if Pipa has bigger issues. I have no idea what all else rimadyl helps, but it sure can be effective for some.




Please come back and let us know how it is going.Or just if you want to talk about it.

And maybe post a picture of Pipa in out gallery, pinned to the top of the page. All the best pets in the whole wide world are there. Just ask anyone who posted a picture!

Again:
 

LiberalEsto

(22,845 posts)
2. Healing blessings to Pipa and your husband
Tue Nov 20, 2012, 06:25 PM
Nov 2012

I hope everything works out for the best for all of you.

Is there any sort of humane organization near you that could help with funds?



Also check out www.wishadoo.org

It was started by a DU member

Flaxbee

(13,661 posts)
3. all my best thoughts are going to you and Pipa
Tue Nov 20, 2012, 07:23 PM
Nov 2012
Please let us know how it goes. I'm so sorry you all have to go through this.

Curmudgeoness

(18,219 posts)
4. I am so sorry to hear about Pipa's problems.
Tue Nov 20, 2012, 09:34 PM
Nov 2012

Post any time you want to vent or just keep us informed on what is working, or not.

You cannot beat yourself up over not having $10,000 to treat your baby. That is a lot of money, even for people who are not having other issues. Let's hope that the medication helps. I have loved every animal that I have had deeply, but I am sure that I would not be able to spend that much money to treat them.

Texasgal

(17,013 posts)
5. It will be okay..
Tue Nov 20, 2012, 10:22 PM
Nov 2012

You must do what is best for you and your family.

Have you spoke with the vet about a payment plan? Mine does that with really serious pet issues.

Otherwise, please accept my greatest sympathies. I understand and I am heartbroken for you. *hugs*

douglas9

(4,358 posts)
6. MRI Alternative: Myelography
Fri Nov 23, 2012, 01:47 PM
Nov 2012

Perhaps you might want to discuss with your vet the possibility of doing a myelogram as opposed to an MRI. Few years back the cost was under $1000.00. Our dog went thru the procedure without problem. Fortunately the disc injury healed without surgery in a matter of few weeks after the myelogram. Hopefully you will be as lucky.

http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/dvm/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=738266


There are a number of health care providers (to include vets) that offer credit via CareCredit cards that you might want to check out.

http://www.carecredit.com/faqs.html




Good luck.

TorchTheWitch

(11,065 posts)
8. how is Pipa doing?
Sat Nov 24, 2012, 03:48 AM
Nov 2012

I've been keeping my eye on this thread hoping that things improve and keeping my fingers crossed.

Don't feel badly about the finances. Never in a million years could I ever afford anything like those thousands and thousands of dollars. I doubt many people could or would find it practical if the dog was already nearing the end of life or recovery would be too much suffering for them.

Take it one day at a time, fully enjoy every day you have left with her as a special gift and hope for as many of those days as you can get.


xloadiex

(628 posts)
9. Thank you all
Mon Nov 26, 2012, 01:00 AM
Nov 2012

for your good wishes. She is still about the same. I finally got to see my regular vet again yesterday and she switched her to prednisone. She has not lost the feeling of deep pain so that may be a sign that the swelling is subsiding.

My husband and I have made the decision to make the 3 hour trip with her to the University of Wisconsin/Madison to the veterinary teaching hospital. Our appointment with the neurologist is Dec 6th. From what I understand the costs are lower and the care is very good. If I have to run a bill, so be it. What's one more. Our sons have offered to help us all they can. She brought so much comfort and joy to us in our time of need. Even with all she is going through, she is still trying to comfort me when I cry. I just can't give up on her.

I will try and post updates on her progress. Please keep Pipa in your thoughts, and thank you for listening and understanding.

union_maid

(3,502 posts)
11. Will certainly do that
Wed Nov 28, 2012, 07:20 AM
Nov 2012

I just now joined this forum. I hope that Pipa is able to get better with meds or that the teaching hospital offers you help at a price you can afford. I wish there was more that I could do other than just hope.

xloadiex

(628 posts)
13. After a very emotional Tuesday
Thu Nov 29, 2012, 04:58 PM
Nov 2012

night, my husband and I decided we did not want to wait until Dec 6th. Not knowing if more damage was being done, I called my vet early Wednesday morning and she called the neurologist and got us an appointment that morning.

After doing a neuro exam, the dr felt it was one of 3 things. 1 A disk in the C area, 2. A condition called FCE (fibrocartilaginous embolism) which is basically a stroke in the spinal column, or 3. an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation in the spinal column.

Pipa underwent her MRI soon after the exam and it is indeed FCE. She had a spinal stroke. They don't know why this happens, there is no sign of onset, and no way to prevent it.

With physical therapy, many pets can recover from this. Some don't and remain paralyzed, I have exercises to do with her 4x a day. The dr is pretty confident she will have some recovery and probably even walk again. It's just going to take some love, time and patience. I have an abundance of all three for her.

Of course I wished it never happened, but just now knowing what happened feels like a thousand pound weight has lifted off my chest. Yes it is close to a 3000.00 bill that we couldn't really afford but we'll cut back somewhere. We'll make it. We always have and she's well worth it. You can't put a price on love.

Thank you all for your prayers and good wishes. I'll let you know how she progresses

meti57b

(3,584 posts)
14. There is good news in all of that, and much reason for hope!
Thu Nov 29, 2012, 07:08 PM
Nov 2012

I am glad to hear she has a chance to recover.

I will be thinking of you and Pipa!

TorchTheWitch

(11,065 posts)
15. this really sounds much more promising!
Thu Nov 29, 2012, 08:21 PM
Nov 2012

Hopefully she can recover. When I was a kid one of our kitties has a stroke and we really thought it was the end for her. Eventually she did get better, but she always did walk a canted to one side. Ever after we called her Tilt instead of her real name. She lived a long long time after that.

It can be pretty amazing how well both pets and people can come back from having strokes whatever type they are. The vet sounds very confident, so that's definitely a huge plus.

Take it a day at a time and hope for the best.




livetohike

(22,058 posts)
16. Persistence, patience and love
Thu Nov 29, 2012, 09:22 PM
Nov 2012

Thank you so much for the update and looking forward to hearing about Pipa's progress.

Curmudgeoness

(18,219 posts)
17. Thanks for the update.
Sun Dec 2, 2012, 08:41 PM
Dec 2012

I am glad that it isn't worse news. I wish you didn't have to go through this at all, but life isn't always what we want.

I have good vibes that the therapy will help and Pipi will be fine.

Fla Dem

(23,239 posts)
20. So glad to hear there is a chance for Pipa's recovery. You sound like
Sat Dec 15, 2012, 01:36 PM
Dec 2012

loving and caring parents, so I know she'll get the best possible care and rehab. Bless you and Pipa.

xloadiex

(628 posts)
21. A progress update
Tue Jan 29, 2013, 11:43 PM
Jan 2013

Last edited Thu Jan 31, 2013, 11:46 AM - Edit history (1)

It's been a while since we got Pipa's diagnosis of FCE so I thought I would give you all an update.

I worked and did her PT 4x a day and vowed I would have her walking by this Spring. I am happy to report that not only is she walking, she is running

She still scrapes the right side a bit, especially when she gets tired but she is back to raising hell with the squirrels at the park. The neurologist was amazed at her progress.

She still cannot go up the 12 stairs to the bedrooms, but she has accomplished the 3 stairs out in front. I don't let her walk on concrete as she does scrape the rear right foot once in a while. She has worked hard and made a remarkable recovery. She's not 100% and probably never will be. She will always have some right side weakness, but that's ok. We love her to pieces.

I just want to let everyone know that if your dog is ever diagnosed with FCE, don't give up hope. Recovery is possible. It takes a lot of love, patience and work.

Thank you all for your support when I was feeling so down.

hamsterjill

(15,198 posts)
22. Awesome news!!!
Wed Jan 30, 2013, 05:06 PM
Jan 2013

Thank you for your hard work for this baby!!!

Glad to hear some good news today. Yippee!!!

intheflow

(28,340 posts)
26. Wonderful news!
Thu Jan 31, 2013, 12:33 AM
Jan 2013

Your PT skills must be amazing, and SHE must be amazing in her drive and devotion to pleasing you. I'm so glad you gave us the update!

Auntie Bush

(17,528 posts)
18. Sending healing light and love to Pippa. I'm sure she'll be doing fine in no time with all
Wed Dec 5, 2012, 11:37 PM
Dec 2012

Your love and patience.

xloadiex

(628 posts)
24. Thank you but I should have replied to
Wed Jan 30, 2013, 08:32 PM
Jan 2013

my original post instead of my last post on her. If you look at reply#21, that's my update on her. She is doing remarkably well. Thank you for your prayers.

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