Help Becker Find A Diagnosis

Becker is a 10-year-old Shih Tzu who was found with his feet tied up in the city of Hewitt, Texas near Waco, Texas. We adopted him in 2017 and has lived a very healthy and spoiled life considering what he had been through prior to being rescued. Earlier this year, he started looking like he wasn’t feeling good. On January 3rd he was rushed to the vet ER with labored breathing but released to see a standard veterinarian the following morning and was diagnosed with pneumonia on January 4th and bloodwork was normal besides showing infection and liver enzymes in the normal range. He was started on 2 antibiotics (Amoxicillin and Baytril) for 14 days and on his 2-week checkup on January 19th new symptoms arose. X-ray showed his pneumonia was cleared, but still has a lingering cough but now his liver enzymes were high and hind leg weakness began. We did an IV for rehydration and started on liver tablets. Over that weekend, his hind legs were getting weaker and weaker, and very lethargic. He was hospitalized on Monday and Tuesday (the 23rd and 24th of January), liver enzymes almost doubled in the high range again. The Vet sent off a test for Leptospirosis to Texas A&M. Those results came back negative. He is up to date on vaccines for distemper, parvo, lepto, and rabies. On Thursday, January 26th more bloodwork was sent off for multiple different tests to determine the cause of why he cannot move his back legs. Becker is confused and wants to walk again. From what started out as pneumonia to beginning to lose strength in his hind legs and in 1 week losing all movement of his hind legs is heartbreaking as he was a very active dog who loves to go anywhere. We have spent nearly $3,500 so far to determine a cause and if it can be reversed but still without an answer thus far. A referral to internal medicine in Austin, Texas was suggested, but that quote was $4,000-5,000 to start all over at a new veterinarian office with all new testing done by them. Becker deserves an answer and hopes to walk again. The donations will help with current vet bills and continue to find a diagnosis and hopefully treatment to be able to walk again. We will keep all donors up-to-date on Beckers's journey and vet bills.