sick dog help, save him please-salivery problem

[la Huerta]

you would not believe just after my old dog got sick and i had to get her put down (worst day of my life) i went to the pound straight away and got a beautiful border collie, i noticed there was a bit of a fluid sack under his neck when i brought him home, i took him back today to get his stitches out from being desexed and asked them to have a look at the sack, they told me to go to there vet and so i did and it turns out he needs his salivery ducts removed...i can't believe my luck out of all the dogs in the shelters i pick a sick one, but what really sh!ts me is that nobody there picked up the problem and sold me a sick dog, so now i have been quoted like a grand or so for an operation, as if i have that kind of money.

i love this dog and he is so good , the vet i saw did not seem very experienced, does anyone know any good trusting surgeons in Sydney, and anyone that would be willing to work out some sort of payment option so i can save this beautiful boy, i just can't handle putting another dog down, it will just kill me...:(


La H

[dazzler]

Dogs end up in pounds for a reason IMO. Sorry. But I think we get what we pay for. I am yet to see a dog from a pound that is devoid of defect.

I have always bought from known breeders and am yet to have a problem (touch wood). Is this just the start of his problems. Was he wormed from birth, vaccinated from birth etc. Perhaps there are more problems for the poor thing. Cant help with a vet. In the country they can do terms but not sure in the city.

Best of luck anyway :)

Heartless Daz

[la Huerta]

i get your point but my last dog was from the pound and she was just the best , had her for 11yrs...

it's just that it has always been in my heart to give a dog that has been mistreated a good home...

[dazzler]

I just read my post and it does look heartless. Apologies.

I think Im trying to say maybe if $ are tight and he is that sick perhaps he is better off in another place.

Ill shut up now :rolleyes: :(

[petersemple]

My dog is from the pound and he is just wonderful - both in health and temperament. He's over 11 now and still going strong. Unfortunately that's the only contribution I can make to this thread. Don't know any vets in Sydney. Good luck la Huerta. Hope you can help your mate.

Peter

[abitfishy]

Ill shut up now :rolleyes: :(

Not a bad idea. :D

Although not for the last few years, my wife and I have been involved in dog rescue from the pounds and other than the odd luxating patella or heart murmur in small dogs, the 'mongrels' we've rescued from the needle have been as healthy as an ox and fantastic animals as well. :2tsup:

[LGS]

Try giving the Vet Schools at NSW and Sydney Uni. a call and see if they can help.

[Hafgan]

La H,
the condition is known as a 'sialocoele' or salivary gland cyst. There are many causes for it, and most are untreatable ie the condition won't get better. There is also a risk of the cyst becoming infected and forming an abscess. That is why surgery to remove it is usually required.

They come up quite suddenly. If you imagine half of the saliva in your mouth filling up a sack, thet is how quickly they form - over 1-2 days quite often. So probably the condition did not even exist when you saw your dog.

You could try the RSPCA's clinic at Yagoona, or Sydney Uni Hospital (no Vet Science at Uni NSW).

Good luck, and remember the good times with your old mate - something I do for my old friend (put down 5+ years ago now) - and look forward to the mateship you will be getting from the new mate as well.

Cheers

Hafgan (BVSc)

[madrat]

I commend you on going to the pound for a rescue dog first!
Too many that don't get enough loving, but definitely deserve it.
I am racking my brain trying to think of the vet specialist that operated on my 6mth old rottie 11years ago who at that age, could not walk (still a pup!!) due to extra cartiledge and bone on her hocks. She couldn't bend to walk and it was heart breaking to see a pup like that.
My options: put her to sleep or operate.
50/50 chance of ever walking again and a $3000 credit card bill.
Went through with the op. She came out the next day, both legs bandaged from her toes to up under her stumpy tail :D and she was jumping around like a lunatic!!
To go through with it, was the best decision I ever made.
She stuck with me for the next 8.5years until she was put down due to bone cancer (not in the same legs mind you).:(
Best buddy I could have asked for and definitely deserved the chance I gave her.
I am an animal lover, so within reason (ie: animal's best interests)I have to try. But that's me.
I would go without to do the righty by the animal. But what you have to keep in mind is what's the right thing for the animal. If there is a chance this animal will suffer, you have to put your needs and wants aside and do what's right for the dog.
You may want to try http://search.vpb.nsw.gov.au/spec_search.php
(vet and specialist search) and plead your case with payment.
I wish you the best and I definitely feel your pain.
My thoughts are with you and your 4 legged buddy....