[[[[doody]]]]]]]]]
I'm so sorry to hear about this.
Sendin prayers out to Otto and family!

Sorry to bring you into this, but I wanted to come back in to update.

((Bobbi)) Thanks, my son in law tried that but was turned down. They don't have bad credit but are loaded with debt, most especially their mortgage, and they used up a lot of their savings recently for other emergencies.

Prayer must be mighty powerful.

I had to try and tell you this without going overboard on explanation. My folks said they would take Otto to the college vet clinic to have him put down. Daughter and SIL were sobbing and couldn't bear to do it. As I said, I left and went to a bedroom where I fell on my knees sobbing into the bed, begging and praying for help to see my family through this, most especially my daughter who had a 'minor' nervous breakdown in the last couple of months. I stayed in there just repeating, please help us and give us strength!

About an hour passed and my folks' phone rang. (Mind you, these are my 88 year old parents doing this for us.) It was my mom and she said the vet tech wanted to speak with SIL. That was when he said they needed him to sign papers before they could go on with the procedure.

Well, they had poor Otto in a room, already shaved and prepped for the 'lethal' injection. They were about to administer it when the top spine vet happened by the room and said "So what do we have in here?" They said what they were doing and the vet said "STOP!" He examined Otto. I can't remember everything he said but he said that he must talk to the owner.

SIL arrived and the specialist was waiting in there with Otto. He in essence begged SIL to reconsider, that Otto was a beautiful young and healthy dog and that he did these surgeries all the time with great success. SIL broke down sobbing in front of those men.

Anywayyyy, they did the tests and I can't remember the technical name but definitely one his discs, either diseased or trauma injury. Otto went into surgery about 5:45.

Can you believe that surgeon happened by just as they were preparing to inject him?

Thank you all so much.

Oh, my aunt. She's the widow of a farmer who sits on a lot of productive land. She gave my mom $3000 to give to the kids and they will pay her back.

Ahhhhhhhh.

Wonderful!

Praying for poochie - and your daughter and SIL - that their furry baby will recover beautifully.

Oh (((doody))) I hadn't read this until this morning. I am so grateful that the powers that be intervened. How is Otto doing??? I will pray for a good recovery.....

that is just amazing.

I am relieved that a way was found.

Thank Goodness!

Oh, I'm so sorry not to update last night. We all completely passed out after getting the call from the vet. Whom, by the way, turns out to be a woman vet spine specialist.

Otto was out of surgery at about 7 pm. His T 12-13 disc was ruptured. They cleaned out the disc material and had to shave down the bone a bit. (?) The spinal cord looked good. Then they took fatty tissue from nearby tissue to pack in the space. I'm sure that's a bit rudimentary explanation, but that's pretty much it, lol.

Apparently the T12-13 is the most common disc to rupture in the dachsund. I found a very informative site just about doxie backs.
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and this is the homepage.
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The Dodger Brochures link on the left is especially informative.

Otto is gettin the heavy guns pain shots every 4 hours or as needed for the first 24+ hours. This morning the doctor told daughter that he was partly sitting up, very groggy, won't eat (which is normal) and their tests still show no function in the hind quarters. But she said that's to be expected. It could take up to 2 weeks to see motor activity. Everyone there loves the little guy and he even has a heated blankie because he gets so cold.

I truly am still in such awe at the events of yesterday, most especially the top spine surgeon happening into Otto's room. Positive thought and prayer nudging her in that direction???

My parents, 88 years old, who took on the burden of taking Otto to be euthanized (and I found out this morning they both sobbed the entire time.)

My widowed aunt...the strict penny pincher who rose from her kitchen chair without blinking an eye, walked to her kitchen cupboard and took out her checkbook and wrote out a check for $3000.

My mom, who found the courage to humbly ask her strict, not-so-friendly sister for the $3000.

The sad part of it being money. People who can't afford that kind of expense for their pets with no place turn. The stomach churning stress my poor son-in-law went through...the embarrassment of not being able to do anything.

Now I'm just really busy praying for a full recovery for Otto and everyone involved!

Whew.

Thanks everyone for your caring and friendship and powerful thoughts.
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Will keep you updated on his progress.

mommy and daddy with otto

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The power of prayer never ceases to amaze me. God bless your aunt for offering to pay for Otto's care.

I was just crying while reading all the posts and the story of this precious little dog. I am so thankful that the events happened in a manner that sent that doctor around just at the right time. I am truly a believer that there are no coincidences. It all fell into place just as it should have.

Otto is in my prayers for a speedy recovery and a full, happy, and pain free life ahead.
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Thank you. Thank you Kitty. You brought tears to my eyes!

The power of those thoughts and prayers from here. I'm in awe of the people here.

I went at noon to visit Otto. Waited for 2 hours! Anyway, she let me hold Otto in a consulting room. Broke my heart! I don't know that he recognized me until I said good-bye. He was all about following the vet student's voice. She said, "Oh gosh don't feel bad! I'm the one giving him the big guns medicine and caring for him! He likes me for that."

She said at this point not even being 24 hours out from surgery, he's so doped up on the hydromorphone. I could tell, still and all, he is in a lot of pain. When I held his face and head and talked to him he stopped whimpering and got quiet.

The vet student let me see where the surgery was. There is a very long bandage along about half his spine. She said that they also checked the discs above and below the T12-13 in case any of those needed attention.

She also said the next couple of visits he will be so happy to see the family and that family visiting does make a huge difference.

I'm hoping to report sooner than soon he is getting his movement back.

I hope my doxie friends check out that site I linked. There are good tips for avoiding these types of injuries

Dear Doody,
I had read your first post and wasn't able to reply at the time. I am so relieved to read the updates but I sure feel for you all. I was just talking to a neighbour last night who has to have their little doggie put to sleep this week. She's 15 and very unwell and her life is just too miserable for her to continue.

I'm wishing little Otta a very speedy recovery.


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Doody please forgive me for not seeing your post until just now. I'm so sorry that Otto, you and all of your family have been put through all this anguish.

Poor Otto!
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What must he have been thinking?
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But.......I'm so glad that he has a new chance at life. God was definitely watching over him Doody, and I'm thrilled to bits that you all have him in your lives for many years to come.

Thank you for keeping us up to date, and once again I apologise for not seing your thread ealier.
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