Sedate or Wait?

Twenty eleven is really, honestly, truly a horrible year for Charles and I. Our bad luck is getting so ridiculous that it's almost funny now. Things have just been one bad issue after another...and, then there's Tad.

His personality and the way that he looks at me...it just seems to make everything else go to the back of my mind, and I remember all of you and your support and care and for that moment I feel better.

I want you all to know first and foremost how grateful I am that so many were able to donate money for Tad's care. Charles texted me this morning and said he just got laid off. Two weeks ago they had him start filling out all the necessary paperwork to start the hiring process (he was a contract worker for a big corporation). So, things are about to get even tighter than they were...but, I know that Tad is taken care of...thanks to you guys. I would have most certainly given Tad the absolute same care that I am able to with y'all's help, it just would have taken a lot longer...and now with recent events...it would have taken even longer.

I am by no means asking for your sympathy or anything of that nature; I am simply trying to explain just how grateful I am for all of you. There really are no words.

I have been so backed up with things lately that my videos, pictures, and blog updates are seriously lacking. We have a few more concerns about Tad.

We may neuter him sooner than expected. He has a serious issue with humping any time he gets excited, he will hump the air. Now, I know that neutering may not do anything, but I have hopes it will help some. We have a few other reasons to go ahead and do this early as well.

We need to recheck his bloodwork, which would be a good idea before anesthesia anyway. We're going to also scale his teeth to get the chunky plaque and tartar of of them while he's out.

But, the biggest reason for going ahead with this is that we're worried about his hips. In his videos and pictures, you may or may not noticed his back legs. He does not have a normal stance. When he runs, it's really, really awkward. Both legs move at the same time, but in a weird sort of fashion. He has trouble sitting down and getting up from sitting down.

We're wanting to xray his hips, and the only way to get good hip xrays is to completely sedate the animal. Well, we don't want to sedate him every other week or so, so we want to knock all of this out at one time.

The concern with anesthesia/surgery is that it lowers the immune system. Well, one of his types of mange (Demodex) thrives off a weak immune system.

Often times we avoid surgery/vaccines when they have this type of mange because it gives the Demodex Mites a nice opportunity to flourish. However, with neutering, the hormones are removed for the body allowing the metabolism to slow down, which may help Tad gain weight at a quicker rate.

There are pros and cons on either side of this, and the doctor and I are still undecided on which route to take. You guys know that I will definitely keep you all updated.