Mary's Jett 4/8? conservative - Lab/Pointer

 [Original subject line:Jett and IVDD ]  

Hi Everyone - we're new to these boards because my half-lab/half pointer, Jett has a second incident of IVDD.  Three years ago he was fully paralyzed with no deep pain sensation.  He recovered beautifully and remained active.

8 weeks ago we took him to a [2/25] new vet because he was limping on his front right leg.  We had been at Banfield (PetSmart's clinic) and they are best at regular things like shots, heartworm, etc.  So we took him to this new vet and despite his history and records of IVDD, she diagnosed him with arthritis.  She said she just couldn't understand his distended belly.  She prescribed us Rimadyl but would not prescribe a muscle relaxer.  When I asked for referrals to NC State Vet Clinic where he had his original surgery she wanted to see him again.  After performing a neuro exam. she maintained her diagnosis of arthritis. 

I was afraid all along it was another incident of IVDD but she assured me it was not and told us to cut his weight down and exercise vigorously.  So we did.

Within six weeks he stopped limping on his front right leg and went down on his back left leg.  It's stiff to walk,  it trembles violently when he stands he "skipped" it when he ran or trotted.  In essence, we missed the critical window where we could have started conservative treatment. 

As he wasn't improving, I got 4 sets of steps to keep him from jumping on the furniture and beds.  But this was not enough - he worsened.  

Right now, Jett has another disc problem. He is not paralyzed (yet) and can walk, stand. sit but he's not comfortable. We can't get into NC State until JULY - 3 months away. We are pleading to put us on a waiting list and keeping him on conservative treatment in the meantime

Don't get me wrong - he is not paralyzed.  He does have deep pain sensation in the left leg.  He eats and drinks normally.  He will try to run and trot if allowed but I can tell he is in pain[4/8? ?] 2 weeks ago.  Strict crate rest - we put his recovery harness back on him and support him when he walks to go potty.  We finally got a [mid-July] referral to NC State from another vet but they cannot see him until mid-July!

What to do between now and then has us all very upset.  He is our only child.  We have no children - only Jett and he means everything in the world to us.  He goes with us everywhere and we go only where he can go.

In the meantime, I have contacted other vet hospitals that specialize in neurosurgery in other locations.  There is a clinic about 2 hours from here in Matthews, NC.  I would be very grateful if any of you know a good IVDD clinic in or near Raleigh, NC.   I'm willing to travel, too.  We paid $7k for the last surgery at NC State and that didn't include the $500+ emergency room bill.

If anyone knows a great neurologist who is reasonably priced, we would be very grateful if you would be so kind as to pass his/her name on to us.

Also, please keeps us in your prayers - we are praying for a miracle.  Any suggestions are welcome.