Help Dachshund Charlie Get Back Surgery

UPDATE: I am sad to tell you that Charlie crossed the rainbow bridge just past midnight this morning (Nov. 9). He took a turn for the worse over the past three days and was in constant pain, often severe. I rushed him to the vet around 10PM last night. There was nothing they could do for him. Increasing his pain meds, not a good option. His life became miserable. He death was quiet, painless, and peaceful. THANK YOU for your donations, friends. While it did not get his surgery, it DID help cover the cost of the vet and the euthanasia. Holding Charlie as he passed last night was sad, but I'm glad I stayed with him through it. Bless all of of you.

PREVIOULY:

My best friend is Charlie, a seven-year-old dachshund. I adopted him two years ago. In mid-Sept 2024, his back began to cause him excruciating pain. He desperately needs back surgery for IVDD (Intervertebral Disc Disease, a degenerative condition). That will cost at least $8,000 (half for an MRI and half for the surgery, plus related costs. He is often in such pain that he hunches his back, with tail between his legs and head drooping. Until a few weeks ago, he was playful and energetic. He’s now bed-ridden, and my greatest hope is to be able to take him on walks again. I’m a retired 69-year-old man living in Houston, Texas with fixed Social Security income and need your assistance, please.

In mid-October 2022, I was walking to a neighborhood store four blocks away. Halfway there, I saw a little black dachshund across the street. He seemed lost and confused. I got his attention and he snarled at me. I laughed at this little dog threatening me, a 225 pound, 6’1” man. I stepped into the street and walked toward him. He also stepped into the street, still snarling. I stopped midway and put my hand out. To my surprise, he stopped snarling and sniffed and licked my hand. He let me pet him! “Hey,” I said, “we’re in the middle a road.” He let me to pick him up and set him the sidewalk, and he followed me to the store. He waited for me outside and followed me home. He was very thirsty and hungry.

I tried to find Charlie’s owner for months. I put notices on the internet and all over the neighborhood but got no response. Meanwhile, I fell in love with the little guy. We bonded quickly. I got him vaccinated, chipped him registered him with the City of Houston. It was a happy day.

But Here We Are Now

Charlie is my only family. He’s my world, and it breaks my heart to see him this way. He used to love chasing squirrels and my friend’s dog in the backyard. Instead of surgery (with a 90% success rate), he is on strict bed rest with a regimen of drugs (a 60% success rate). The vet’s instructions: “Please keep Charlie kenneled or confined to a small area of your home for 4-6 weeks….He can be taken out 3-4 times a day for elimination purposes only,” and I’m instructed to carry him to reduce any strain on his back. He squeals in great pain if anything excites him or if he moves the wrong way. In the video below, he spasms a bit from the pain while at the veterinary neurology clinic.

Being retired, I’m able to stay at home with Charlie. It’s emotionally draining, but I must try to help him out of love and loyalty. He doesn’t deserve the pain – no creature does. I fear that if he doesn’t get better in a few weeks I may have to take the ultimate unpleasant alternative to end his suffering, but I can’t give up without even trying to help him get better. I owe him that much for the love he’s given me.

So, my goal here is to raise enough money to cover surgery.

If I am able get the surgery for Charlie, it would require 10-12 weeks of recovery, supportive veterinary visits, imaging, medications and physical therapy. Including the surgery and initial MRI (each $4,000 for *$8,000), this could all add up to more than $12,000.

Even if I don't raise enough for surgery, your donations will help pay for Charlie's medications and related items. Already, donors have helped me get him a comfortable crate / kennel / cage with a soft pad. Meds will need to be refilled, and he will need future visits to the vet's office.

Thank you for reading this. I am grateful for any support you might give. All funds raised will go towards helping Charlie recover. Anything will help. Please keep Charlie your prayers.

IVDD (Intervertebral Disc Disease) in Dogs

https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/neurological/c_dg_intervertebral_disc_disease