My wonderful news for today...NOT!

[Hypnotiq]

So, I got some very upsetting news today from our vet.

My awesome Bullmastiff, Rossi is going to need extensive surgery. :(

About 6mo ago, she started to appear more sore after her day at daycare once a week. We decided to limit her activity for a bit to see if it healed or went away. 2 months ago, it was getting to where you could see her obviously struggle sitting or getting up.

We take her to get x-rays on her hips, thinking that it could be HD. The x-rays came back and her hips looked great but they saw something on her knee. Now that the holidays are over and we were back from Mexico, we got her in for her follow up x-rays and it was what we had feared.

She has two torn ACL's (both knees). They said it was congenial and actually not something she did. She is young enough and it was caught early enough she will likely have a full and healthy recovery from the surgeries. The surgery she has to have is called TPLO. They basically cut the bone and put in a plate so that she doesn't get the two bones rubbing together. They cannot operate on both legs at the same time. So she has one surgery, and then 8 weeks later, she has the other one.

The recovery time is what really blows. It takes each knee 6 months before she go back to complete unrestriction.

Oh yeah, the other part that blows. The cost of the surgery. 2,800 per side. $5600 total!!!! Pet insurance doesn't cover any of it because they don't cover ACL's in the first 12 months of the policy and we only got it when she was a year old. :(

At least it can be fixed, she is an awesome dog!

Ok, my whining is over... :tuxout:

http://www.eternaltides.com/rossi/Rossi-88.JPG

[kneedragger]

damn bro, sorry to hear that! She is beautiful! I always wanted a Bull Mastif (sp), but don't have enough room for another family member, especially as active as they would need me to be...

Hope all works out man...

[acy179]

Wow. Really sorry to hear the news Nico. I am a big dog fan. Sounds really expensive but I am sure she is well worth the cost and effort. I am sure she understands your concern and will appreciate your efforts to make her better.

[Ed Who?]

man im sooo sorry! you know i feel ya more than anyone! My best friend in my life, Fogarty is now just 8yrs old...he is awesome, but one eye almost blind due to glucoma(?) or such..plus the old bones/hips are getting tight....shit just typing this is making me sad. I dont know what im gonna do "that day" when i comes. I know its $$ nico, but you know my choice..i'd get a night job at a gas station for my Bullmastiff! IMO its the least i can do for my best friend that has been by me 100% since day one and they never judge, never ask for much, etc..

here is what he does best! (notice my "family" pic in the background...lol)

[flyingbutterknife]

Fix her and dont even think o the cash,I have thousands into our mastiff and will pay thousands more Im sure,expensive dogs with problems.....but worth every penny. Best dogs on the planet!!!

[Barry Wressell]

I think Acy should help pay for it! Acy always likes to buy me LOTS of Patron Silver and I end up giving it back to the streets of Seattle. So my thought is, instead of wasting $ like that he could put that money to good use, and help pay for the surgery. It will be a win win, I will feel better and the dog will feel better. :527:

[Ed Who?]

im pretty lucky. Fogarty has been $0 in health issues except a few little things...i think its cause he has for 8+ yrs done about nothin but lie on a leather couch and watch espn on a 72" LCD tv....lol...man...dogs have the life!! Free lifestyle...sleep all day....get fed..get picked up after....even when in trouble we forgive them 5 mins later...and if i could only lick myself think of the money dating wasted! LOL (trying to cheer ya up nico!)

[flyingbutterknife]

Dude,our mastiff "Jasmin" slipped on ice two years ago and compressed her discs in her back,crippled her for weeks!We have to feed the poor girl steroids way to often to keep her muscles up so she can walk. Every winter she gets arthritis and sometimes her rear legs become parilized and she cant move.Just kills us. If they do surgery on her spine they run a risk of parilyzing her so we said fuck it. We pump her up with roids and enjoy every day we have with her. Best dog on the planet!

[Hypnotiq]

Thanks guys and thanks Eric. I'm still laughing at your licking yourself comment. lol

Yeah, big dogs are the shit. And like Eric said, I would do anything to make sure she got the very best care. It's the recovery time that makes me sad. She loves being everywhere we are and its going to be hard until she gets full mobility back. I know she'll also miss daycare days. She always knows what day Wednesday is because its the only day she is out of bed at 6am and bright eyed, bushy tailed. :)

One more fun pic for tonight. :D
http://www.eternaltides.com/miscpics/rossicr.jpg

[JCB]

Ya know Hypnotiq, the love of a good pet is something to not take lightly. They are there through thick and thin, they don't get mad because you've forgot to get them water one morning, they get excited when you come home from work and will even die to protect you and your family. Get her fixed up and enjoy the love she has to offer.

You can't put a dollar figure on that.

[Crash]

I would be talking to the breeder also. That IMO is bull shit and should be resolved through your breeder and also contact other breeders and make sure that this is known issuue with the original breeder. they should not be breeding the stud or bitch anymore if this is happening. It's a breeding problem. Sorry but this shit really gets me going I have a Saint and they are working hard to get all the crapm out of that breed used to be over bread just like yours.

[dinolee]

Damn Nico, very sorry to hear about that, I feel your pain bro. I know for our rottie, money is no object to keep her happy and healthy. Can we setup a donation jar at NESBA or opening weekend to help out?

[mygixxer]

I'm sorry to hear that. have you ever thought of having pet insurance? I have it for my dog and it isn't that expensive really. I think it's around 12 bucks a month and it helps cover some of the cost for tic and flea medication as well as 60% of total cost for ANY sergury. you may want to look into it becuase I you may not have to be on it for a certain period of time before being able to use it. (VPI pet insurance). good luck!

[Hypnotiq]

I do have pet insurance but they do not cover ACL's the first 12mo of coverage. It's VPI. :(

[LauraLynne]

Dude - I'm sorry :(

[acy179]

I think Acy should help pay for it! Acy always likes to buy me LOTS of Patron Silver and I end up giving it back to the streets of Seattle. So my thought is, instead of wasting $ like that he could put that money to good use, and help pay for the surgery. It will be a win win, I will feel better and the dog will feel better. :527:

Holla! I am so tired of wasting my money on your sorry ass!! I feed you the best and then you lift a leg on me or send it out teeth side onto the street!!! I am seriously thinking of having you "put down"!!!

Back on track...

Nico, I'll bet if you needed some help there would be a few of us willing to chip in. This would be a good cause...

[Hypnotiq]

LOL. Thanks Acy but the $ really isn't an issue. Just means I spend less on my hobbies this year. She's worth it. Soon she will be all better and be able to take on the little one without an issue. :D