Update From Home

So that video is of today's progress:  Romeo has started flop-walking (as I've dubbed it).  Flop-walking = Romeo stands himself up, takes a few steps, and falls over.  And repeat.  It's progress, that's for darn sure.  :)

He started flop-walking out of excitement when I got home.  I took him out in the yard to go potty and thought he should spend some time outside since the weather was nice so I started gardening.  You can't keep Romeo in one place if he doesn't want to be there.  So, he got bored and started dragging/flop-walking around, barking at people passing by, etc.  We came in for a bath and to do some aquacising for his legs.  He rights his back toes in the water, but outside the water he still usually knuckles them (instead of putting his feet pads flat on the floor).  It's very odd.  Anyway, he did very well in the tub and, as you can see, did a good length flop-walk.  I'll give him a much needed leg massage later.

Romeo has his first acupuncture appointment next week and a check-up with his regular vet, Dr. Sexsmith.

One problem we have, and this has been an issue pre-all this, is Romeo is very, very finicky about eating kibble.  Now that he's had over 2 weeks of canned food, you can imagine how much harder it is now.  We switched him to a kibble that we thought he might prefer, but he doesn't seem interested in it.  We soak the kibble for awhile to make it softer, but that doesn't always get him to finish his whole meal (or eat any of it, for that matter).  Any suggestions on how to encourage kibble eating would be greatly appreciated! 

Update From Saskatoon

Cuddling with Poe

Dr. Su said Romeo is a little stronger today.  :)  From now on it will likely be small progress at a time, as I'm sure you can imagine.  As much as we want him to be up and walking again straightaway, that's not realistic (I have to remind myself of that).  Romeo is basically peeing on his own now without having to have his bladder expressed.  He's taken outside and supported with a sling and he goes on his own, which is very good as this is a big concern for dogs who suffer leg paralysis.  

Dr. Pinto had Romeo on the water treadmill again today for his rehabilitation session.  She said he moved his back legs without assistance for a few steps before he needed help (i.e. started dragging his feet).  It's still progress so that's great!  

We're very much looking forward to seeing Romeo tomorrow.  It'll be so good to hug and kiss him again and Mia's going to be soooooo happy!

Step 1

Romeo & Mommy by Brad Mazur

We are bank approved!  Now we just wait for our vet to talk to the College about when they can accept us.  Hopefully, we can go today and be there this afternoon.


EDIT:  Talked to the vet this morning and she called the vet in Saskatoon so they're expecting us.  Now we're just trying to coordinate a flight.  Paws crossed!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the donations, well wishes, and offers to help with travel and accommodations!  It has been truly amazing and many tears have been shed over people's kindness.  Donations are still being accepted and are greatly appreciated.  Donations can be made through PayPal using the e-mail address saveromeoslegs@gmail.com or if you live in Winnipeg please send us an e-mail and we can arrange for a pick up.  Some people have asked about e-mail bank transfers and we can certainly arrange that, too.

Thank you again and we'll update once we know when we're heading out to Saskatoon.

Question About Donations

We have been asked what would happen to donations if they exceed Romeo's treatment so we thought we should post our plan of action.

Any donations beyond what Romeo requires will be donated to Funds For Furry Friends and Winnipeg Humane Society.  Donations can be made through PayPal using the e-mail address saveromeoslegs@gmail.com or if you live in Winnipeg please e-mail us and we will make arrangements for pick up.  Thank you for your generosity!  :)

Update

Romeo & Mia

First of all, thank you so much for everyone's generosity from donations to offers for travel and accommodations.  I would never wish this on my worst enemy so it's nice to know people do care.

We are still in the process of negotiating with our bank.  You can imagine how stressful that is on top of everything else.  We were hoping to be heading out to Saskatoon by tomorrow at the latest. 

Romeo seems to still be in good spirits.  He's such a little trooper and so good at letting us care for him.  You can tell he wants to play with Mia and it's breaking his heart not to be able to.  We have new pain medication to give him which is better than the Tramadol (which is bitter tasting and really stressed him out).  We can tell he's trying to use his back legs, but they're just not cooperating with him.

If you're able to, please add to the donations we've been receiving through PayPal using the e-mail address saveromeoslegs@gmail.com.  If you happen to live in Winnipeg but don't have a PayPal account, you can also e-mail us at that same e-mail address and we can arrange to pick up any donations.  

Update

We took Romeo to see his regular vet, Dr. Sexsmith, today.  She did a thorough exam and the good news is Romeo continues to have feeling in his legs and tail (though delayed and spasmatic reactions at times) as well as having bowel movements and being able to urinate without having to be stimulated.

Dr. Sexsmith agreed with the vet who saw Romeo on Sunday in that Romeo's best option is surgery.  Basically, it breaks down like this:

1.  Surgery in Saskatoon (Western College of Veterinary Medicine) to remove the calcification.  The cost is $3,000 - $5,000 for the surgery alone.  That doesn't include any potential complications or aftercare (such as medication, physiotherapy, acupuncture).  90 - 95% chance he'll walk again.

2.  Medical management.  Romeo doesn't have the surgery, but is under constant care (being turned over every hour or 2 to prevent bedsores, being cleaned constantly, expressing his bladder or bowels a few times a day if he won't on his own, etc) and strict bed rest or being cradled.  Eventually, chiropractor or physiotherapy or acupuncture if there's any signs of improvement.  60 - 65% chance he'll walk again though the problem could happen all over again.  Cost wise, it's not a large upfront fee, but with the constant vet checks, medication, etc it could end up being comparable and he may walk or he may lose all feeling in his legs.

As you can imagine, this is a lot for us to digest and a decision has to be made soon otherwise there could be more damage done (such as losing feeling in his legs).  The fact he still has feeling in his legs and that he's so easygoing with a wonderful temperment means Romeo's a good candidate for either option.  Obviously, we want to try and make it work by having the surgery done.  We have met with our bank today and hopefully we'll know soon what can be done.

Either option is costly.  This is why we are asking for donations.  Please consider providing a donation through PayPal to the e-mail address saveromeoslegs@gmail.com.  Any donation at all is greatly appreciated.  Andrew and I are so happy that people have given donations.  This means the world to us, as you can imagine.  If you've ever met Romeo, you know he's one of the least deserving animals in this world for this to happen to (though, really, no animal deserves this).

We have created a Facebook page to help spread the call for help.  Check it out at Save Romeo's Legs.  "Like" it and please pass it around.

Help Romeo

Let me tell you about our special boy, Romeo.

In 2009, his previous parents tossed him out on the streets without any identification in North End Winnipeg and he was taken to the pound.  I found him there and wanted to adopt him immediately.  Andrew and I took our first dog, Mia, along to meet him.  Romeo loved Mia as soon as he saw her.  He ran around and leaped over everything, he was so excited to have a new family who loved him.  It's a scene I'll never forget.  

Everyone who meets Romeo loves him right away.  He's a very good boy and he loves everybody.  He loves to run around in circles, chase Poe the cat, and dance and hop.

On May 20, 2011, he was playing with Mia and he suffered a back injury, initially thinking a sprain.  The vet said he needed rest and some medication.  Sadly, by May 22, 2011, he lost the use of his back legs.  An x-ray revealed calcification between two of Romeo's vertebrae.  The doctor says Romeo's a good candidate for surgery because he still has feeling in his back legs and tail, but he would have to go to Saskatoon ASAP for surgery which is very expensive.  If he can’t have surgery for whatever reason, he may need to get a doggie cart to pull his legs around for the rest of his life.  

Won’t you please help Romeo to dance again?  He wants to run with his sister, Mia.  He wants to hop up on the bed to cuddle his Mommy and Daddy.  He can't "sing" (howl) anymore, which is something he loves to do. 

Please donate today at PayPal.  Every bit counts.  The e-mail address to help fund Romeo's vet care is saveromeoslegs@gmail.com.  Thank you.

Romeo now:



Now let me tell you about us.

Andrew (aka Daddy) and I (Holly, aka Mommy) have been together for over 8 years.  During that time, we have had pet rats, rescued a wild bird and nursed it back to health, and then came Poe the cat.  In 2008, we adopted our first dog, Mia, from Funds For Furry Friends.  Less than a year later, I thought Mia needed a friend other than Poe (who wasn’t feeling friendly to Mia) so I found Romeo at Winnipeg Animal Services.  The two dogs have been inseparable best friends, always worried where the other is if he or she is not around.  Romeo particularly likes to know where everyone is in the house and what state of mind they’re in.

The pets Andrew and I have are our children and we treat them as such.  We love them as much as any parent would love their child.  We want nothing but the best for them.  

It’s not easy for us to turn to the public to ask for help in taking care of one of our fur-babies.  This is an extraordinary situation for an extraordinary dog.  Romeo’s injury was completely unexpected, but we still want to help him.  

Time is of the essence to help Romeo.  If he can’t have surgery in Saskatoon, he may have to spend the rest of his life in a doggie cart.  

Please help by donating.  Any donation towards helping for Romeo’s care is deeply appreciated.  Donations can be made via PayPal by sending donations to the e-mail address saveromeoslegs@gmail.com.   We will post updates on Romeo’s recuperation, whichever method ends up happening.  Thank you.