From Dusty’s owner: I have had Dusty since he was an eight week old puppy. Once I saw his picture it was love at first sight and no turning back - I had to have him! Dusty was my very first show dog and we learned the ropes of showing together. Dusty won his Championship in just four showings and on my birthday no less! And again in four showings on my following birthday for his Grand Championships. I believe he really enjoyed showing. He is retired now and I figure he has earned his stripes to retirement and couch potato status. Although the couch will now have to come with a ramp.
Dusty was showing signs of rear leg problems last Sunday when I returned home from CA. I do not know if he had somehow injured himself or if this had been coming on gradually. I had taken him to see the vet a few weeks earlier because he was acting kind of off and the vet did a full blood panel. She wanted to rule out Addison’s Disease but everything looked okay in general. Looking back I think he might have been experience some disc pain but it had not yet affected his walking.
When I took him to my veterinarian on Sunday Dusty was walking but very problematically. He would stagger and then drop his hind end, and you could see he was troubled by it. The vet tested him for pain sensation in his paws and on his back, and thankfully he had both. Dusty was put on a steroid (Prednisone) and Gabapentin to try and reduce the swelling and pain. Once the medications kicked in, radiographs were taken and based on the images it was determined that he had narrowing of 2 to 3 of his discs with herniation.
The vet stated that he will need to go to a specialty hospital to work with a neurologist. He will most likely require surgery which, because it will take place in northern California (I am in northern Nevada near the state line) will be costly - per my vet between $8,000 to $10,000 for surgery and the pre-surgery MRI. I am retired, after working for a wonderful nonprofit organization for 16 years, and am now on Social Security. With recent cost of living increases I am barely getting by. The thought of not being able to help my boy who I love so much was heartbreaking. Thank goodness one of my friends is a Bandit’s K9Care board member and they agreed to help Dusty after hearing his story.
Dusty used to walk with such grace in the ring. I hope, with your help, he will be able to walk that way once again. Thank you so much for your support!
Owner: Susan Vilardi
Veterinary Hospital: Carson Valley Veterinary Hospital, Minden, Nevada
Specialty Veterinary Hospital: VCA Sacramento Veterinary Referral Center
