Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Old Dogs ... Part Two




My old dog, Bella, looks terrible on x rays.
Arthritis here .. a bone spur there
Hips look ready to quit
Although they aren't the problem

My Dear Bella has blown out her left back knee
A torn ACL to be exact
The surgery if we do it with our vet
Will be in the $3000 area
A specialist will start there & go up

Her visit was over $400
Her pain meds were over $100 and
I have to give them in a syringe

Recovery is six weeks at the least
We will have to have her locked downstairs
Luckily I still have old baby gates
Going outside by leash only
No running ... No anything

She has to lose weight before
So now on top of everything else
I have to cut her food intake

Today I have to look up specialists
To see if they cost more
I think he's an ok vet but what do I know
It's only money ... right
She's only my daughter

Yikes, I need more coffee ...


19 comments:

Darlene said...

Oh no, poor thing. That is a lot of money. It is so hard when our "babies" get elderly. They are SO MUCH a part of our lives.

Roses and Lilacs said...

I'm sorry to hear about the poor dog. Most of my cats and my dog Aggie are really getting up in age too--as am I;)

Good luck with her surgery. Hope it goes well and she can be relatively pain free.
Marnie

Anonymous said...

OH we're not happy to hear that! :o( It's hard when furbabies get older. Good luck with the surgery and maybe you can do some sort of fundraiser for her bills?

Judy said...

oh, jc! i am so sorry!!! i know you hurt right along with her!

The Kitty Krew said...

Oh gosh. The Mommy understands the dilemma, having just spent quite a bit of money (more than your $3000) on our Bugsy's radiation treatments after his eye was removed due to a tumor that turned out to be cancerous. He only turned 6 a couple of weeks ago -- right in the middle of treatments -- so she felt he had too many years ahead of him *not* to spend the money and hopefully stamp out any lingering cancer.

We know your situation is a bit different, but just wanted you to know that she 'feels your pain' as it were.

Hugs to you from her at this time, and many purrrrrrrs from us to both you and Bella.

Purrs and hugs,
The Kitty Krew

PS - Thanks for coming by our bloggie so much lately, sorry it's taken us so long to get back to yours!

Mishkat said...

Poor Bella - and poor JC! We're sending purrs and best wishes to both of you.

Quill and Greyson said...

Sorry to hear about your dog. It's so hard.

Noll's Nip said...

I'm sad to hear that Bella has hurt herself. We are keeping her & you in our thoughts and purrs.

critterlover said...

Poor sweetie Bella and poor mama too. It's so hard when they get old. It's expensive and such a rough recovery for you and for Bella.

May the best that can be, be.

Nan and =^..^= said...

Oh dear! My thoughts are with you and Bella and hope you find the right person to do the surgery and Bella has a speedy recovery and you have peace of mind. Take good care!

Webster said...

Whatever happens with Bella, she knows you love her, and that is the most important thing. I'm sorry she will have to go through a diet and enforced restrictions, though. Poor Bella.

Kritter Keeper at Farm Tails said...

jc, nugget had that exact surgery last may...they put a movable plate in...it is called cruciate disease. nugget was born with it and it surpasses hip dyplasia in the number of dogs who get this...he still limps but the dogs play rough and they refuse to settle down. i had a baby pen too. got him a good firm bed that wasn't too puffy. what really helped was the 'back lifter'. it wraps around the stomach area, it is lined in fleece with two handles and you gently lift the hips as they go up and down stairs. nugget did not have to lose weight before surgery though he was hefty. these poor dogs. they are such good souls and i hate for them to go through this process! prayer to your baby!

Sultan said...

Poor doggie. : (

Good wishes to her.

Forever Foster said...

Poor Bella. Getting older can be hard. We are sending our very best purrs that she will feel better quickly.

jenianddean said...

I hope you find a reasonable specialist. Poor things...
--Jasper

JC said...

Thank You ...

I found one specialist who is close to me. I don't really want to drive to Seattle which is too far to go with a dog. (my opinion)

Mr. Boatman is calling our vet today to get a set in stone figure. When he talked to me, he said $3000 but I didn't get if it would be more.

The specialist I called quoted me $3200 and tha includes the next visit ... need to see if they do the follow up x rays ... etc.

Looked my vet up, he is the pres of the state vet asso. So, he must be ok.

I don't know what to do ... being the dittz coma brain that I am. I do wish, at times like this, that I was my former self. At least, I can do most things ... decisions though seem to cause me trouble.

And, Mr. Boatman will be traveling about the time Bella needs her surgery.

And, again, thank you for all your kind thoughts for Bella. She is my love. I'd do anything for her ... and, I quess I'll drive to Seattle if I have to.

Off to get more coffee...

Kritter Keeper at Farm Tails said...

jc, there are three types of surgery for this...one is old fashioned and involves using a 'type of string' that moves with the joint. best for small dogs. the procedure that nugget had was not as involved as the third one...forgive me, as i do not know the names but they begin with a T. most do not need that third procedure. the specialist will explain. google cruciate disease and i am sure the various surgeries will come up. i feel for you! he will be better after the surgery as long as he doesn't play rough....

JC said...

Kritter Keeper ~ We were told she needs ~ tibial plateau leveling ostecotomy. The slocum enterprises surgery ... he said the guy patented it and now has past away so vets can do it without using their products & giving them royalties ...

Sherri said...

JC, so sorry to hear about Bella's issue. It is ashame pets can't live as long as we do, that would mean Bella wouldn't be having these issues yet at her age! Good luck!

There comes a time in your life when you walk away from all of the drama and the people who create it. You surround yourself with people who make you laugh. Forget the bad and focus on the good. Love the people who treat you right and pray for those who don’t. Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down is part of life, getting back up is living.

~ Jose N. Harris

Characters In My Garden

Purr Gang ~ My five cats

Cats ~ Al, Ashton Rosevelt, Jasmine Marie, Riley Andrew & Meredith Ann

Fur Gang ~ Jodie Isabella and Sally Jean
(The Original member, Sweet Bella is in memory only now. Maddy Jean, another original member, past away in August of 2014)

Mr. Boatman ~ my husband who likes boats

DD ~ my daughter who graduated and is now out living in the real world

DS or Dson ~ my son is studying computer science and math



Maddy Jean & Bella

Maddy Jean & Bella
Both gone but never forgotten

Jodie Isabella

Jodie Isabella

Al

Al
I adopted him from our local Humane Society

Ashton

Ashton
Adopted from my local horse supply store

Jasmine

Jasmine
I adopted her from Purrfect Pals

Riley

Riley
I adopted him from the local Humane Society

Meredith Ann

Meredith Ann
I adopted her from Purrfect Pals