[Dailydrool] Back surgery

[Riche Churchill]

One of my subscribers (in Connecticut) sent this message and wonders 
about other opinions -- mostly, I think, whether one should or should 
not opt for back surgery. What do Droolers think?
 >We had the worst thing happen in May. Our 11 yr. old boy, Dipstick, 
had gone on his last walk 2 days previously when he wanted to go again. 
We never take him because of his arthritic back. All of a sudden his 
hind legs wouldn't work and he was shaking. I immediately took him to 
the vet who said to go to the emergency vet. He had a herniated disk 
that was operable. So without talking to the surgeon and hearing of the 
options we consented to the surgery. Post-op he would not eat and 
couldn't stand. We took him out of their ICU and brought him home with a 
feeding tube and foley catheter. After 2 weeks of him not eating or 
standing I chose to put him down. The bill was estimated at $4000 but 
went to $8000. I felt that he didn't want to live that way. The vets 
just were running an expensive tab and we have 6 other bassets, 2 
bulldogs, 4 goldens, and a Newfoundland. So we owe that vet and our 
regular vet $3000 plus. We have another hound, Butch who's 10 with a bad 
back as well.<
Responders can post to the Drool or me personally, or both. Thanks,
Riche Churchill
www.Bugler-bassethoundmagazine.com
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