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Dakota is in hospital

3K views 55 replies 39 participants last post by  Harley & Dakotas Mum 
#1 ·
On Thursday night Dakota was playing with her bird friends as usual. I have posted videos of her doing it here before so some of you have seen her in action - and have seen how she stalks the birds, almost cat-like, and very, very slowly. Well, she ran this time and something?? happened, and she started screaming!! She came towards me dragging her back leg. I scooped her up & we came inside. I was freaking. I gave myself 5 minutes to calm down & call the vet ... they closed at 7 pm, it was then 7.10 pm.

So off to the ER vet we went. By this stage, she had started to lose movement in her rear. I had initially thought it was her knee, but at this point, I was starting to think spine. ER vet did a thorough exam and was a bit at a loss - Dakota was not indicating any pain points. ER vet sent us home after giving a shot for pain (Dakota was panting & shaking), and told us to see our regular vet in the morning for an x-ray.

Friday morning I had to admit Dakota to our regular vet for an X-Ray. After an anxious wait of about 3 hours, I got a call from our local vet that the x-ray was not showing much and that I had a choice - leave her & see how she did, or consult with a specialist down in Sydney (3 hour round trip) and get a CT scan done.

I called the specialist centre (SASH - Small Animal Specialty Hospital) and got an appointment for 2.30 yesterday (Friday). She was admitted to SASH at about 3.30 yesterday afternoon. I then got the call from the surgeon at about 6 pm last night - he had done the CT, and he thought she would need surgery, but he wanted the scans to be seen by a radiologist before he went ahead. At this point, he suspected a slipped disk. He told me that he would call me this morning, but if I hadn't heard from him by 10 am, to call him.

I called at 10 am - he was busy, so I left a message. I sat fretting for 2 hours still not knowing if she needed surgery or not and at 12 noon, I called again ... I was on hold for what felt like forever, before being told he was still busy - this is an emergency centre, so I had to *try* to remain calm, and remind myself that Dakota must be considered more stable than some other poor animals.

The surgeon called me back at 1 pm today. He offered me 2 options - 1) Keep her confined, and see how she goes. If she didn't improve in about a week, surgery would be needed. Or 2) Do the surgery now to relieve the compression on her spine. I asked him to do the surgery.

Its now 2.45 pm Saturday - he told me not to expect to hear back from him until at least 4 pm.

I am now playing the 'wait for the phone to ring' game again .... I have a wait of at least an hour, but although he said 4 pm, I think that's the earliest I will hear anything ... so it could be 2 or more hours before I hear.

I will update as soon as I know anything.

To anyone considering pet insurance - do it! I dont have it, but really wish now that I did. Vet explained to me that a slipped disc can happen pretty much any time. A dog could be just sitting there doing nothing and it can happen. Although the horse has already bolted, Im going to get insurance now.
 
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#54 ·
Thank you all!!

It's nearly noon, Monday - I have left a message for the Dr to call me back with today's status update. I'm really hoping she can come home tomorrow??

I had to leave poor Harley home alone this morning & come to work :mellow: He has been such a good little boy & has given me comfort, cuddles & kisses over the last 3 days, it broke my heart to leave him. I might try to sneak away a bit early.

I will update again when I hear back from the Doc.
 
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