PnkFlyd204 Posted December 9, 2011 Report Share Posted December 9, 2011 My boyfriend Skip who is currently living with me has 3 dogs. There are Bear (Jack Russell/American Bulldog mix) and Tika (Viggo's brother of course), who are at my house and then there is Rascal (border collie) who is staying with a very good friend. Yesterday, Skip received some sad news from his friend. Apparently, Rascal was having some trouble moving around. He was literally dragging his back legs as he was trying to walk. His friend took Rascal to the vet immediately, where he was diagnosed with a slipped disc in his back. There was a lot of swelling so the vet gave him some steroids in hope the swelling would subside. The vet also kep Rascal overnight. Today, things are worse. Rascal is not even making an effort to move now. The vet explained to my boyfriend that probably the only option at this point is surgery. This surgery will cost 4-5 thousand dollars and there is absolutely no guarantee that it will work. Additionally, the recovery period is extremely difficult as Rascal would have to be kept in a crate all day long for a couple of weeks (to prevent movement) or so and he would ahve to be carried up and down steps. Skip does not feel this is fair to the dog. Rascal is an extremely active border collie- forcing him to be still seems so sad. My boyfriend is getting a 2nd opinion from another vet, but he has decided that if this vet agress with the first vet, he will probably elect to have Rascal put down. :-( Rascal is 10 years old. Please keep him in your thoughts. (Rascal, Tika, and Bear) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elyse Posted December 9, 2011 Report Share Posted December 9, 2011 Poor Rascal! I'll keep him in my thoughts and I hope things turn out okay! He might have tore both cruciate ligaments in his knees? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leyka&Diva Posted December 9, 2011 Report Share Posted December 9, 2011 awww poor rascal keep us up dated with what the second vet says please i hope they can find something that can help him xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lebe03 Posted December 9, 2011 Report Share Posted December 9, 2011 I hope you get some better news from the 2nd Vet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz Jones Posted December 9, 2011 Report Share Posted December 9, 2011 Hope all goes well but know you will make the right decision for Rascal even though it may be the hardest decision you've ever made. Hugs from our pack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BingBlaze n Skyla Posted December 9, 2011 Report Share Posted December 9, 2011 poor rascal! hope hes ok soon bings suffered a similar thing n ended up with 3 crushed discs in the lower part of his spine - he couldnt walk for a week but whilst he still walks with a limp and his leg will sometimes slip from underhim hes fine and can still outrun blaze and skyla - hopefully rascal will recover just as well xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aronoiiel Posted December 9, 2011 Report Share Posted December 9, 2011 poor Rascal he's in our thoughts massive hugs from my pack to yours I hope the second vet can offer some good options Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Melsom Posted December 9, 2011 Report Share Posted December 9, 2011 Poor Rascal fingers crossed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Val (Zebedee) Posted December 9, 2011 Report Share Posted December 9, 2011 aw, poor Rascal!! I really hope the 2nd diagnosis is more hopeful for all of you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xLOBOx Posted December 9, 2011 Report Share Posted December 9, 2011 Poor guy! Best wishes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Removed #5 Posted December 10, 2011 Report Share Posted December 10, 2011 Here's hoping the 2nd vet can come up with something better. I can't think of many harder decisions to have to make - if it comes to that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sutsibe Posted December 10, 2011 Report Share Posted December 10, 2011 I hope that you can come up with some other options... I'm currently keeping my 9 year old, Trooper, crated for weeks on end (a very hyper-active Siberian) while he recovers from a torn cruciate. He won't stay off it - bounces like a crazy dog pretty much non-stop, so he's taking a mild sedative to keep him quiet enough to allow him to heal without going totally insane - and taking him with me 'round the bend! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laine Posted December 10, 2011 Report Share Posted December 10, 2011 Poor Rascal. Hope the second opinion is better option wise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mydiamond Posted December 10, 2011 Report Share Posted December 10, 2011 omg thats sad news 10 is just too young... Hopefully things will get better soon all fingers and paws crossed for Rascal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuskyCouture Posted December 10, 2011 Report Share Posted December 10, 2011 Poor Rascal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PnkFlyd204 Posted December 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 22, 2011 First off, my apologies for neglecting this thread, but I've been busy with holiday stuff and work. I have an update on Rascal. My boyfriend and his friend Perry decided to bring Rascal to Perry's home and try crate-rest. I'm happy to report that Rascal is doing much better. He is walking again, but sometimes his legs slip out from under him. He has improved dramatically though and my fingers are crossed that he will continue to do so. Thanks for all of the well wishes and thoughts!! :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BingBlaze n Skyla Posted December 22, 2011 Report Share Posted December 22, 2011 First off, my apologies for neglecting this thread, but I've been busy with holiday stuff and work. I have an update on Rascal. My boyfriend and his friend Perry decided to bring Rascal to Perry's home and try crate-rest. I'm happy to report that Rascal is doing much better. He is walking again, but sometimes his legs slip out from under him. He has improved dramatically though and my fingers are crossed that he will continue to do so. Thanks for all of the well wishes and thoughts!! glad to hear hes doing ok - bings leg sometimes slip from under him still too but it gets better hugs x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Removed #1 Posted December 22, 2011 Report Share Posted December 22, 2011 Glad to hear, hope he continues to improve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darc-Brittany Posted December 22, 2011 Report Share Posted December 22, 2011 Glad to hear that he's better! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jensauls Posted December 29, 2011 Report Share Posted December 29, 2011 I am so sorry to hear this! I have a border collie that I adore and I know what special dogs they are. Hope he continues to get better! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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