Four legged tractor buddy down and out
- Thread starter bubbacuse77
- Start date
- Views: 6179
RoyJackson
Rest in Peace
- Joined
- Nov 17, 2001
- Messages
- 24,646
- Location
- Bethel, Vermont
- Tractor
- John Deere 4052R Cab,, Deere 855D UTV, Z920A Zero Turn Mower and assorted implements
Both you and yor pup have my sympathy!!
I can tell you right off the bat...I'd have the surgery done. Your dog is your buddy...more important then some implements you can purchase at any time.
I can tell you right off the bat...I'd have the surgery done. Your dog is your buddy...more important then some implements you can purchase at any time.
woodlandfarms
Super Member
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2006
- Messages
- 6,155
- Location
- Los Angeles / SW Washington
- Tractor
- PowerTrac 1850, Kubota RTV x900
Particular breeds are worse than others. We put so many in our boxers we finally went with pet insurance. But yeah... 2 to 4k is a big hit
Carl
Carl
avphile
New member
My dog has a bad hip and I got refereed to Ohio state by my local vet and was very impressed buy the size of their facility and evidently have some of the best surgeons in the area there. People travel from many states away to go there and they are supposed to be cheaper. You can search for OSU veterinary medicine and see all the procedures they do.
jwnge
Gold Member
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2004
- Messages
- 323
- Location
- oak woods and rocks of Wi.
- Tractor
- Mahindra 2015 HST-- Snapper 1650, Snapper 1438
Thats a bunch for sure, we just spent 1k on our dogs leg that would fit in yours mouth, dog not leg. 
Nice looking dog, get it fixed, you will forget the pain as your dog does. good luck. where in Wi. are you located?
Nice looking dog, get it fixed, you will forget the pain as your dog does. good luck. where in Wi. are you located?
My 11 Y.O. Newfie/Lab Mick had his surgery 6 months ago and is now back to full throttle. They also removed the meniscus. Daily glucosamine/chondroitin pills from Costco. He gobbles them like candy. His deal cost $1100 total. Worth every penny for me. No more frisbie playing or heavy swimmig at the lake. That's what did it. A partial tear that I overlooked. I don't believe they ever heal anyways.
There is some remaining early moring stiffness, but he's no longer shy of joining the other dogs in a trail romp. Family down the street has a chocolate lab that needed it but they refused. Now in later life he struggles to walk for a drink and to 'go outside'. Can't do stairs or be a dog any more.
The best preventative is to keep their weight low. I now feed 3 times a day and they have all dropped the weight 20%. The vet is surprized by the amount. No more chicken strips (the ones from china have been id'd as poisonous, anyways), no more dishwashing and I switched to maintenance food, apples, carrots and fresh horse poop.
There is some remaining early moring stiffness, but he's no longer shy of joining the other dogs in a trail romp. Family down the street has a chocolate lab that needed it but they refused. Now in later life he struggles to walk for a drink and to 'go outside'. Can't do stairs or be a dog any more.
The best preventative is to keep their weight low. I now feed 3 times a day and they have all dropped the weight 20%. The vet is surprized by the amount. No more chicken strips (the ones from china have been id'd as poisonous, anyways), no more dishwashing and I switched to maintenance food, apples, carrots and fresh horse poop.
kco
Veteran Member
The same happened to our previous dog (lab/border collie) about 15 years ago. The operation was a complete success and she enjoyed many more years of pain free activity. The cost was $600. $4k seems a bit high even considering inflation.
Good luck, and all the best to you and your buddy. :thumbsup:
Good luck, and all the best to you and your buddy. :thumbsup:
GPintheMitten
Elite Member
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2009
- Messages
- 3,331
- Location
- Flushing, Michigan
- Tractor
- Kubota B2620 with BH65 backhoe, Ford 2N
Sorry to hear that. But I would do some surgery shopping.
samhudson3
Silver Member
- Joined
- Sep 6, 2011
- Messages
- 203
- Location
- Central NC, Southern part of Heaven
- Tractor
- John Deere 4300
Agreed. My dog is a family member and I'm cheap, but it's gotta be done! Don't mess with matters of the heart...
Bob77064
Elite Member
brin
Super Member
Our Dog, Jake, is a Brittany and he had a tumor grow on his upper gum in the front of his mouth right above his two front teeth about the size of a big kidney bean....strange...$400 at the vet and he is fine now after surgery...
Dr_Zinj
Veteran Member
1. Do your shopping. Some vets are much cheaper than others. Also, some vets are much better quality surgeons than others.
2. It's cold blooded, but you need to do a cost benefit evaluation. I had a good friend spend $10,000 on her dog for ortho work and the poor thing died 6 months later due to all the other problems she had.
3. Know the average life expectancy of your breed of dog. Some, like Newfoundlands, usually only make it to about 8 or 9 years. I've seen some mid-size mutts & half breeds make it to 20.
4. Don't get a defective dog in the first place. I'm not talking about a dog that doesn't meet AKC specs for the breed; I'm talking about dogs that are congenitally blind, deaf, have diabetes, are sickly, have hip problems, etc. A rescued dog might make you feel good for a year or two, but you might be buying more heartache than it's worth.
2. It's cold blooded, but you need to do a cost benefit evaluation. I had a good friend spend $10,000 on her dog for ortho work and the poor thing died 6 months later due to all the other problems she had.
3. Know the average life expectancy of your breed of dog. Some, like Newfoundlands, usually only make it to about 8 or 9 years. I've seen some mid-size mutts & half breeds make it to 20.
4. Don't get a defective dog in the first place. I'm not talking about a dog that doesn't meet AKC specs for the breed; I'm talking about dogs that are congenitally blind, deaf, have diabetes, are sickly, have hip problems, etc. A rescued dog might make you feel good for a year or two, but you might be buying more heartache than it's worth.
OP
bubbacuse77
Platinum Member
I should have put a bit more information out there.........Blue Bird is a female Weimaraner who is 8 years old. She is very health and playful. The money is not a question; we plan on spending what we have to. We did call around for prices but the two surgeries she is a candidate for (TPLO or TTA) are both in the ballpark of $3500. The Tight rope repair which is a method not recommended for dogs her size was in the 1K range but I didn't want to have to repeat this if it didn't work. I called the University of Wisconsin Veterinary hospital and they had an opening today so I took it vs. wait a month for another opening. She is there right now and we are waiting for a phone call to see if after doing x-rays one of the two methods above is better for her. The University did offer me a $500 discount if we would let them scope the other (good) knee to look for partial ruptures of that ligament for research. I figured why not, this way they would be able to look at the other knee and tell us if it is looking bad and we get money to do it. Win-Win I figured on that. Win-lose overall.
GPintheMitten
Elite Member
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2009
- Messages
- 3,331
- Location
- Flushing, Michigan
- Tractor
- Kubota B2620 with BH65 backhoe, Ford 2N
Well, I hope your girl does well. She sure looks like a nice dog.
creekbend
Super Star Member
My sentiments exactly. I will supplement Roy Jackson's comments by adding that unless your dog's injury is life threatening at the present moment due to possible infection, I would make a few phone calls. There may be a Veterinarian that has a positive record in performing that type of procedure that offers a lower rate and monthly payments. Another matter should be considered. Your dog is suffering and is in pain. I would suggest that you take the appropriate measures and respond to his needs as quickly as possible.
OP
bubbacuse77
Platinum Member
Yep that is why she is in the care of the UW staff as we speak.......can't imagine kicking around in the woods without her.
g0rd0
Gold Member
personaly, I think that you made the right desission. A few years ago our shep/collie Rocco was diagnosed with a tumour (blood borne) on his speen. After ultrasound and xrays we where told that the out look was BLEEK at best but, we could gamble and have it (his speen) removed to buy him some time. The time purchased was a wopping 4&1/2 years.
Our neighbors freeked when we told them the price after ultra sound, xray, surgury and recoup $2500 cdn. Yes that did set our finances back to the dark ages but we did not regret a moment of the finantial loss. The time with Rocco was priceless.
Would I do it again, without a doubt,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,all for my buddy and my buddy for all
Our neighbors freeked when we told them the price after ultra sound, xray, surgury and recoup $2500 cdn. Yes that did set our finances back to the dark ages but we did not regret a moment of the finantial loss. The time with Rocco was priceless.
Would I do it again, without a doubt,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,all for my buddy and my buddy for all
Artisan
Veteran Member
That is some real tuff stuff to read, I know your feelings. My Rottie got sick and all bloted up and $1500.00 went to a fix, 3 days later it was back and at I think it was 10 years we were advised to do the unthinkable...It was w/o a doubt, the worst day of my life. I paid a vet(s) to come to the house and do the deed...OMG I tear as I write this... Mr Blackie (Arko Von Siberthal, AKC, BEAUTIFUL animal, the kind of dog EVERYONE liked.) got a coffin, a wrap, and his favorite JuJuBear toy to accompany him on his travels beyond. So funny, this Massive Schitzhund petigree Dog loved that lil bear. He NEVER ripped it up, he would "pants" it but he never shook it or ripped it. :laughing:
I brought in a backhoe and operator burying him to 6' + deep in the backyard...
I still have not got another dog, kinda afraid to, BUT, if I did, I would look HARD at an Insurance Policy. You will make the right decisions no matter which way you go . . . Pet her for us.
I brought in a backhoe and operator burying him to 6' + deep in the backyard...
I still have not got another dog, kinda afraid to, BUT, if I did, I would look HARD at an Insurance Policy. You will make the right decisions no matter which way you go . . . Pet her for us.
OP
bubbacuse77
Platinum Member
Thanks for kind words everyone...............funny how much dogs touch our lives.
ctgoldwing
Platinum Member
They sure do! Good luck with the doggie.
One of ours (in the pix) just had a tumor removed. As much as we love our dogs I wasn't embarrassed to ask how much beforehand. There is some number on the high side where you just will have to say no and some number on the low side that its just a no brainer. Its all those numbers in the middle that you have to think through. I guess we were 'lucky' it was only $1000 and it looks like Cooper will be with us for a while
