Well Peedy AKA clam dog started not being himself last week. Not eating as much as normal and not playing as much. Kind of thought it was the heat. Took him to the vet, They checked him out gave intravenous fluids and a shot of somthing else. Said he may have eaten something .They said keep a eye on him and feed a bland diet, Rice plain chicken cottage cheese. So a few days go by and he seems to be getting better, Friday morning I find him in the yard very lathargic. Off to the vet. So now they take some exrays of him and say he may have a blocked intestine, so he has to have surgery. So now what let him die or spend the money. The estimate they gave us was $ 1200 - 3000. Alot of money for me considering I just got back to work and the wife has been off for a year. So we have the operation and they found a twisted bowel they have to remove a piece. The worst part they say was it was leaking and he still may get a infection that can kill him. We have our fingers crossed that it all works out for the best. The vet said she has never seen such a thing in such a young dog. In the back of my mind I wonder if they could have screwed up a minor proceadure and are trying to cover their butt. The vet seems very nice but is very young. I wish I had asked about her experiance. owell hind sight is 20-20 sorry about the rambel okbye JP

good luck, hard to put a price tag on a friend. Hard to question a vet, could never prove anything anyway.

You did the right thing...I had a 12 year old Lab that needed a $3500 operation to fix a slipped disk that was paralyzing his back half...he got the surgery, it worked, and he lived two more years before succumbing to cancer.

Two years, $3500...one of the best investments I've ever made in my life.

Fish on...

Todd

Tough to hear but you made the right choice. My buddy spent around $2,500 to fix his dog's right leg so it could walk. Everything was fixed, the dog was happy and running around about six months later when the left leg went out. Another $2,500. When I asked him about it, he said something like, "I adopted this dog. The dog is totally dependent on me. I can afford the operations. I will do all I can for her. Plus, she's my best friend." I had to agree and would do the same for the black beast sitting at my feet now.

I only wish that 2,3 or 4 thousand would fix my old lab, going on 14. took him fishing with me the other day water must have been to cold for him, After 5mins he came out dragging his hind legs. Didn't fish much after that just sat in the sun talkin to my best freind.

Excellent work JP and best wishes for the pooch. Dogs are cool things. Mine is fly hunting as we speak.
Oh yeah how about those Red Wings! Sorry for the hijack.

I've got three old dogs, 12,15,and 16. They have cost me so little for all these years and given me so much. They are starting to fall apart, and vet bills, which are uncommon to me, are becoming more frequent. I almost lost the 15 year old a couple of month's ago, and while he has never fully recovered he still has joyous moments that make me glad he is still here. The 12 year old is scheduled for eye surgery on the 10th, and I've been giving her eye drops to keep the infection in check until she can be operated on.
You have it right about the fact that they are dependent on their owner. And for that, you get greeted with a wag and a lick even when they are not doing well....geez, what a deal! Nobody I ever knew was always glad to see me, but my dogs are......priceless beasts that steal your heart.
Good on you, and the best of luck to you and your buddy.

mine just went in for about the Ninth time this year for his butt...he cost a bunch of money we dont have, but he looks at me funny if we dont take em...he is going on 12...pretty old for a Springer...we are bracing for having to put him down soon...got cancer near his butt...and he is on pills for his bones fusing together, just started bleeding in his butt...sounds gross...smells sometimes too...but we will keep em around as long as we can, but we know its coming....

hope it works out for ya...they do have way too much unconditional love for us to ever understand....c

Well good news all. Just talked with the vet and it looks like Peedy gets to come home today. Every thing went well and after a recovery period he should be back to himself. Just have to hope there is no infection problems. Even though I have never met any of you ,you all seem like old friends, All the support really helps. I write this with a tear in my eye as this has been a stressful time for me. Like everyone has said the dog is always happy to see you. you can't find a better friend When your down and out hes there with those big brown eyes saying he loves you and all he wants is a pat on the head or throw the ever present toy The only problem with Peedy is he still thinks he is a lap dog and at 100 lbs my lap is no longer big enough. I have to sit until he decides its time to get up okbye JP

That's great news!! to a full recovery!!!

Cool thread. Agree with everything above (rare). I put $12,000 into eye surgurys for a Samoyed I owned a long time ago. Bought her about 4 years.
My last lab cost me plenty for stitches over the years. She would light up on a bird's scent and no barb wire fence was going to stop her. Also had to do a 2am emergency room deal with her because she sliced her achiles tendon. That one was scary.
Current lab has been cheap but he's only 11 months old.
You want to talk about bonding. This dog has been away from me for a total of 5 days since he was 8 weeks. He goes everywhere (except Neah Bay) with me. He has proven to be an excellent boat dog. I've received a number of complements from folks on his demeanor in the boat. He hasn't broken a rod yet and he doesn't bark. He whined a bit one day but hasn't repeated that. He did 14 hours on the Sky last week without a complaint. I think he just likes boats. He's so relaxed when we float. At home he gets ramped up every afternoon knowing it's fetch time coming up. I'm also going on three months since he chewed up any of my stuff.
Ok I could go on forever here so I'll shut up. Dogs simply get me talking.

My lab / rott had similar symptoms when he was just about 2 years old. Took him to the vet and found out he had Parvo. Apparently this is like the black plague for a dog so the vet gave us the same option $1200-2500 surgery and extended vet stay (about a week and a half) adding up to about $3500 after it was all said and done and even then there was a slim chance of survival.

At the time my wife and I were pretty young (23) and absolutely flat broke sharing a car and working as peons but we went for it anyway... visited him every day in the hospital... he survived the bout and lived to be 14 (he died 2 years ago) he was a great dog and is still missed but we sure are glad we took the chance.

A few months after the surgery and everything we were having a party and my sister-in law brought over her new room mate that was an assistant for our vet, he told us "None of us thought that dog was going to make it man, I think your visits pulled him through".

Dogs are our tireless, forever loyal, always loving friends. My dog Tanja passed away over the memorial weekend. She laid down, went to sleep, and didn't wake up. She was thoughtful right to the end - didn't even trouble us with having to put her down. She was a great fishing/camping/boating/swimming/etc. partner and I never blinked at any of her vet bills.

I am glad you spent the money - it is always the right thing to do regardless of the outcome.

They grow on ya and are priceless @ times.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE