Need help now...

Please only serious answers.

My Miniature Australian Shepherd is 10 years old. When she was 9 months old, she was hit by a car and has always had a bit of a mangled leg. She has always been able to walk on it and it healed fine. We were warned of possible Arthritis in the future but, aside from an occasional limp, she functioned just as well as any other dog.

About three months ago, she suddenly lost the use of her back legs. We brought her to the vet and he said we should just wait it out and see what happens, because the MRI would be extremely expensive and my family has absolutely no means to pay for it (I'm a college student paying my loans and rent while in school, my dad is a single father supporting two younger children on a dismal salary).

I went away for the summer to intern on the other side of the country and came home to see that her condition had worsened despite diligent care from the rest of the my family. We can't even take her for walks anymore. She tries to walk, but then it turns into her dragging her hind legs and eventually she just gives up entirely. She can't even squat to relieve herself.

We plan on getting her a wheelchair just so she can move around and so we can walk her (we haven't yet because we simply can't afford to do it but we're saving for it), but that doesn't solve the problem that she can't even squat down to go to the bathroom. We have no idea what's wrong with her and we can't afford to find out. Our vet isn't helping us out with any alternatives, he simply just keeps telling us to wait it out.

I desperately need some help here. She's bound to suffer if we don't act. I don't know if there are programs out there that will help the dog for a discounted price but she is otherwise completely healthy. I'm open to hearing just about any resolution...even if the best option is to give her up to someone who can afford the care that she so desperately needs. That being said, I do not want to give her up at all and would only give her to an organization or family that would help her in ways that we cannot. In other words, I'm not about to drop her off at the shelter.

She's the sweetest dog in the world and I don't want her to suffer. I desperately need answers. Please let me know if you or anyone you know has had any experience with this problem.

Sorry I don't have any advice hope other member here can give you good advice I pray for you and your dog hope you find some helpful information soon.

Sorry, I am in the UK so I don't know what is available in your country. There may be others on here who can offer suggestions.

In the meantime, have you tried 'phoning the welfare societies to see if they can offer any help, either financial or advice on where to go for assistance?

Can you get an opinion from a different vet? How about one that specializes in orthopedics? You should have no shortage of specialists there in Boston, MA. I know finances are a factor but maybe they could offer you some alternatives and maybe some answers. It is unacceptable that your current vet wants you to "wait" it out. Is the dog in pain? I hope my suggestions prove helpful.

When you say she can't squat to wee what is she doing? Is she just going where she's laying or what? If so you could use incontinence pants for dogs which would be better for her as you can change the pad so she doesn't get urine burns, or if she trying to go out you can buy or make a sling to go under her belly and you then support her while she goes. You can use the same kind of sling to walk her while saving for a set of wheels.
I guess the problem is if you tell your vet you can't afford treatment, he can't even offer to take x rays let alone an Mri to see what's going on. So your best bet is to find an animal charity to see if there is any funding available. Ultimately if you can't find any way to help her them you may have to consider euthanasia and yeah I do know how hard that is but it has to be about what's best for the dog.

As always sensible advice from Trouble, I'd just add that the sling idea to support her back end so she can walk and squat is your best option in the short term. Look on somewhere like Youtube if you are unsure.

Good luck, please make sure she is not in pain.

I found this (see below) on the internet and it is sorted by state. There are also charities set up to help people if you do a google search. I feel for you - I was in a similar situation years ago. At that time I was living in NYC and went to the ASPCA who was willing to fix my dog at no cost if I applied for CareCredit and was denied.

https://www.redrover.org/financial-a...-stateprovince