Group for Back Problems

[SilverSkyepanther]

Hey everyone, a bunch of doxie owners have started a group on Yahoo to collect and distribute information on back injuries. The group was started when a member of another group had her dachshund put down without being given any options.
We want to help people find those options. We also want to get the information out to vets. If your interested it is called Dogerslist

[deva]

Hello everyone, I was very glad to hear of the back support group. I am lucky to have four healthy "kids". My close friend and neighbor is in crises and I am trying to network to as many Doxy people as I can reach to help..I would much appreciate if all could pass on this info to others..I will attempt to forward a letter explaining this little dogs plight to those of you with an e-mail address is this is allright...My goal is to reach as many people as we can in the next 48 hours to save my friends little doggie..I hope this is ok with group..Would appreciate any suggestions from other members of what we can do..Thanks..I'm not sure how to do this so I will try to follow up with an e-mail..Is there any way to copy a document into these postings?

Ok..e-mail wasn't working so I will attemp a cut and paste..........

DACHSHUND - BACK INJURY

A PLEA FOR SISTER DAVIS

Saturday, April 06, 2002

Today my friend Terry's precious little black and tan, 3 year old dachsie "daughter", slept late. "Sister Davis" is usually up with the sun. She sleeps in the people bed with her "Mom", (and sadly, perhaps this comfy bed proved perhaps to be too high for Sister to leap in and out of without injury, or maybe her exited rompings with her favorite ball...or..just how Terry's baby went to sleep with all legs working, and woke up with only the front two, and dragging her rear legs is the tragic mystery that only Sister knows.

Accidents seem to always happen on weekends, when all the veterinary offices are closed, except for emergency clinics. Here in Reno, Nevada this means in excess of $500.00 just for an exam and xrays...and then thousands os dollars up front before doctors will attempt surgery.

Luckily, we found an animal hospital which was open part of the day. The doctor told my friend that her options were few (based on a visual examination). He said that pain meds, anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids..combined with total immobilization of Sister for at least a month, and although she might get some useage back, in all probability she will be a "wheelchair" dog for the rest her life.

The second option was intensive hospital therapy, drugs and hospital cofinement at an estimated cost of $1500-2000 (half payment required in advance.) Short term results looked good, but he explained that her weakened back would almost certainly become a chronic condition.

Euthanisia is a terrible choice that Terry would not even consider, but her husband is of the "old school" (ignorance!), believing it cruel to "force" a "crippled" animal to suffer. He would rather put "Sister" down than see her live with limitations.

The ideal treatment of course, the doctor advised is immediate surgical repair of the "blown" disc(s). The vet believes from 1 to 5 discs may be involved. He said it is crucial to do such surgery within the first 72 hours after injury. Sister still has "deep pain" response (flinching when feet pinched, and has not lost bowel, bladder control.) He feels there is a 98% chance of full recovery with surgery.

We have a very good Veterinary teaching school only 2 hours from Reno, at University California, at Davis which was willing to take Sister into surgery immediately as soon as we could get there. Surgery will cost approximately $3000.00 with no money in advance. Half of this amount will have to paid before Sister can come home (probably by Tuesday, April 9th), the balance can be arranged into some sort of payments.

Since my friend's own recent surgery, she and her husband are living just above poverty level. She took our sweet "Sister Davis" to U.C. Davis about an hour ago....I am sending my prayers to heaven, and this plea for assistance out to all my fellow dachshund lovers...Is anyone able to help?...Know of any emergency assistance grants?

Our local Humane Society can contribute $100 to Sister's care. I would like to set up a support fund in Sister/Terry's behalf. I was told by U.C. Davis's weekend staff that I need to wait until Monday, to find out how to transfer funds to the patient funds. But our little dog doesn't have time to waste.

Please if you or any one you know would like to help bring "Sister" home....,please contact me by e-mail and let me know how much you can pledge, and I will e-mail the details on how to send to the University Cashier, on Monday, as soon as I can obtain the information.

On behalf of Terry, Jim and Sister Davis, and sweet animals everywhere, I extend thanks, blessings and hopes for years of joy with your own dear "four-legged childen"

Sincerely,


Deva Mayfield

(djestermama@aol.com)
PLEASE RESPOND TO : savingsister@aol.com

[Rudy's Mom]

I have looked at Yahoo and did not find the group listing for "dogerslist". Please give more details. Thanks

[SilverSkyepanther]

Here is the URL for the group, sorry you all are having problems getting there.
<a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Dodgerslist/" target="_blank">http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Dodgerslist/</a>