PT Prayers for Springen- Update Post #18

[dab_20]

I don't know if you guys remember the past posts I've made about Springen's mystery illnesses that strike every few months since he was a pup, but we have finally found a diagnosis. Here is the very first post I posted about when his illness first started: http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthread.php?153160-Paws-and-Fingers-Crossed-for-Springen&highlight=springen
He's been healthy for about a year, no bouts of lethargy or pain. Recently he started it again and today was nearly crippled, just like before. My brother Anthony took him to the vet expecting to once again be given a script for steroids and antibiotics, but this vet wanted to take blood work, xrays, etc. After looking at his xrays, the vet showed my brother them. The bones in his leg look scarily thick and weird looking, and he was diagnosed with a rare and fatal bone disease (my brother called me in shock today, and did not write down the disease name, although he says he'll call back and tell me the name after his next appt). The vet told my brother in 45 years he's been a vet he's seen it less than ten times. Apparently it is where bone keeps growing in layers and layers over the bones starting in the limbs. Apparently there is no cure for this disease, and it will kill him. The vet had no info on how long Springen has, and wanted my brother to take him to a specialist. After spending over 1,000 dollars today, I really don't see how it's possible for him to get much more answers right now.
Also during his xrays, they found a large mass in his chest which looked like a tumor. My brother made another appointment for next Tuesday to find out what the mass is.

Honestly, right now we are in shock and absolutely heart broken. This dog is one freaking special dog. And I know everyone believes their dogs are special, but seriously, Springen is one of a kind. He has the most gentle of souls and is SO sweet. He's funny and energetic and just the best dog. My brother loves him as much as he would his own child, and I can't imagine what he's going through right now. Springen turned four years old this summer, he still has so much life to live.
All we can do is look forward to more answers and hopefully know what's in store for him. It seems odd because his episodes have become more infrequent but all the sudden this one was the worst of all. I just don't want my boy to be in pain.

Please, we could just use some thoughts and prayers right now. I will update after his vet appointment next week.

[Alysser]

I am so sorry to read this sad news about Springen, Danielle. I am hoping for the best. :love: We know he's so special to you.:love:

[wolf_Q]

Oh my gosh how awful. :( I am so so sorry to hear this, what devastating news. :( Lots of hugs sent to you, your brother and sweet Springen. Hopefully he'll be able to have a while left with him.

[chocolatepuppy]

Pawsitive thoughts and prayers for Springen and for your brother.

[cassiesmom]

Oh my gosh how awful. :( I am so so sorry to hear this, what devastating news. :( Lots of hugs sent to you, your brother and sweet Springen. Hopefully he'll be able to have a while left with him.

From here, too. What sad news. Prayers for all of you.

[Freedom]

My heart dropped when I read this news; I can barely imagine how it hit you and your brother. Prayers from RI for the 3 of you.

[k9krazee]

:(

How heartbreaking.

(((prayers))) for Springen

[*LabLoverKEB*]

Oh no I'm so sorry! :( I'm really suprised none of the other Drs took blood or did X-rays.... That's odd to me. Keep us updated on sweet Springen!

[dab_20]

Oh no I'm so sorry! :( I'm really suprised none of the other Drs took blood or did X-rays.... That's odd to me. Keep us updated on sweet Springen!

Two years ago he did have a set of testing done including xrays and nothing came out of it. I don't know if his bone growth is just significantly more obvious now or if those other vets just didn't see it??

Thanks for your kind thoughts everyone.

[Karen]

You will all be in our prayers.

[CountryWolf07]

Oh no! :( Special thoughts sending out to you. Hope Springen comes out strong!

[Bonny]

Positive Thoughts & Prayers sent Springen's way.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm so sorry to hear this.:( I hope he can have more time with you without being in any pain. Lots of prayers and positive thoughts are being sent his way.

[pomtzu]

Prayers for Springen, and his humans too.

[FurkidsMom]

Absolutely lots of good thoughts coming to Springen and your family.

[luvofallhorses]

I'm so sorry to hear this. :( I know how much you all love him. Springen, you, and your brother will be in my thoughts and prayers. :love:

[ChrisH]

Such awful news. :( Springen, you, and your brother are in my thoughts and prayers.

[dab_20]

Thought I would update you all on Springen's condition.

I haven't been able to see my brother or Springen very much lately, as I'm hugely pregnant with twins and am about to deliver in the next few weeks. I do however talk to my brother often and he came to visit two weeks ago and brought Spring along with him.

Springen's been suffering the last few months from bouts of extreme swelling, especially in his limbs. The vet said it is due to the tumor in his chest. Springen has been on steroids for a couple months now which has made him lose most of his urinary control. I was shocked to see him a couple weeks ago, he has lost 10 pounds since Christmas and you can see his spine and ribs, he has little muscle tone anymore. The next step is basically waiting on my brothers decision on what to do. Springen needs an ultrasound to get a biopsy of the tumor in his chest which will be close to $1000 dollars, on top of the thousands he's spent on vet visit consultations, xrays, and medications since November. If the tumor is malignant, the vet says there is really nothing they can do. If it is benign, he could attempt a pretty risky surgery to remove the tumor and hope it doesn't come back. The other option is choosing not to treat and do euthanasia, as he is suffering at this point.
This decision is further complicated because of the untreatable bone disease Springen has. Is it worth it to put him through all this, if my brother could come up with the money, but have him live in eventual pain as the disease progresses? It's a really difficult decision my brother is having a hard time with, but I really am pushing him to chose soon because this tumor is causing Springen some major problems with mobility and he is obviously pretty miserable.

I'm pretty torn up about this. Springen is only four years old. Seeing him in the weakened state is heart breaking. He's losing a ton of his hair and is quite thin. When going through his bouts of swelling he can barely walk. He can't jump up on the bed anymore. He pees all over the place and you can tell it upsets him because he knows he's not supposed to in the house, but my poor boy can't help it :(
I've never went through this with a pet. He is one special boy and it seems so unfair.

Just thought I'd update you all even though I have not been around much. Hope all of you and your furkids are doing well.

[robinh]

Oh my, many prayers being said. Poor baby!

[Karen]

Oh dear, dab_20 - maybe your brother could invest in belly bands for Springen, so he doesn't get pee everywhere and feel badly about it? Have they, can they biopsy the tumor without cutting into it? It just seems so sad, an I'd not want the poor boy to suffer needlessly.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm so sorry to hear this.:( I can't stand to see animals suffer so I know what I would do. I hope that your brother will make a decision soon. Lots of prayers and positive thoughts are being sent Springen's way.

[pomtzu]

All of this is very sad, but it does appear that Springen has declined drastically in the past several months, and the future does not look promising. I'm with KAK, and I too know what I would do, even tho it would break my heart. I really believe that Springen would want this also, if the choice was his.

Peace to you, your brother, and most of all, to Springen. :love:

[Casper]

It breaks my heart to hear about any dog that has to go through something like that... let alone such a young one. :(

(((Hugs))) going out to Springen, you, and your brother. I'll keep you all in my thoughts.

[chocolatepuppy]

I'm sorry Springen is so ill.:( I feel bad for your family. (hugs)

[cassiesmom]

I am saying big prayers for Springen and sending (((HUGS))))

[sasvermont]

I am so sorry to hear about Springen. It seems that his pain is significant now. I would allow him to go to the Bridge. No doubt in my mind or heart. It is so sad of a decision to be made, but I don't see an alternative. So sorry for all involved. Springen needs to be rid of pain. :love::love: