I've had some devastating news this weekend, and apart from valuing the cathartic experience of sharing it with those who understand, I'm posting to find out if anyone has got any experience of this and whether they can advise me. Hope you can bear with me on a lengthy post.
Pepper (nearly 10 weeks) started to develop a strange lump under his stomach Friday morning - very small at first, just near the genitals. My first thought was some type of hernia, so I booked a vet appointment later that afternoon. By 1.30, he stopped being able to urinate altogether, so I rushed him in early. On examining him, the vet discovered he has a congenital disease where the opening in his penis is too small, and he has been urinating for the last 9 weeks into the skin (the prepuse). This has caused severe burning of the skin in this area, and may need to be replaced with skin grafts. The swelling is collected urine and infection. They inserted a catheter and admitted him into the surgery.
The vet called the next morning to say that after some X rays they have discovered that not only is the opening too small, the penis itself hasn't developed far enough and is actually right inside the prepuse. His bladder is also in the wrong place - in his pelvis - so they're unable to keep a catheter in such a tiny pup.
I've been into the vets several times over the weekend to discuss the options: best case scenario is that the surgeon looks at him tomorrow morning, decides they can cut the prepuse back and sew it so that it is in proportion to the rest of the area and enlarge the hole - an almost impossible job with such tiny proportions. Or it may need to go to a specialist centre later in the week, if they're able to help him urinate until then, considering the catheter cannot be used. She hoped that relocating the misplaced bladder could be left for a later date when he is bigger - apparently they sometimes migrate to the right position on their own.
Worst case is - nothing can be done. Trying not to contemplate that one for now.
Emotionally this has been a very tough few days. I've only had him for just over two weeks, but we have bonded so strongly. My life has already adjusted around him and I feel desolate and helpless at the moment. The vet has let me visit a couple of times each day to play with him and feed him, but he's been sedated and drowsy, and in pain, and it's been devastating to see my norty, bouncy little chap in such a way.
On what seems a lesser matter at the moment, but may become a serious issue as I find out what treatment he needs, this has all occurred within the 14 day cool- off period of the breeder's 12 week insurance, so nothing is covered. Even if he only needs the first op for now, the bladder op won't be covered later on either. If surgery is possible, the quotes are very high, and I'm very worried about finding the money - it's only me.... no-one else's wages to help out....
Can anyone help me? Has anyone experience of these problems? Does anyone know of anywhere I can go to for financial aide?
Haven't slept since Friday and the lack of sleep is becoming difficult to cope with as well.... somehow I'm never quite as rational when sleep deprived. I spent a long 18 months researching and waiting for the right time to get Pepper, and it seems so unfair that it may all end in this way so quickly.
Any thoughts or help you can give would be so welcome, and any words of support equally valued. Thank you for ploughing through my post. Please keep little Pepper in your thoughts.
