Bacca's skin funk is back! Really bad!

I am spitting bullets here.

Brought Bacca to the specialist for his biopsy, only to be told that the ultrasound that was done two weeks ago at my regular vet would have to be redone, and then they would do a biopsy, maybe. Why? Because they like to see their own results first, thanks. So that the fact that I'd already spent $700 and had to spend another $700 for the same procedure, did not sit well. Oh, and yes, we need to do his bloodwork again even though it was done in November. Another $400

I should have left then and there and called my vet. But I didn't. My baby is in the vet's hands. I'm supposed to trust them, right???

So hours later, I get the call to consult with the specialist. No biopsy, just the ultrasound, and btw, your dog has a liver shunt and bladder stones, and btw the surgery will cost about $5700, and and yeah, we'll do the biopsy then. What????? What's the point of doing the biopsy during the surgery?????

My vet did an ultrasound that was inconclusive (maybe a small shunt, and maybe gall stones) . And the specialists to an ultrasound and now suddenly "definitely"!!!!!

Sorry I'm jaded here and really mad. I feel like I've been screwed over.

I did discover that there is a difference between liver disease (e.g. caused by hepatitis, lymes, etc. and perhaps managed by meds) and liver shunt which is congenital.

I'm reminded that all this started with Bacca's mouth and throat swelling up freaky one morning. No evidence of mouth trauma. At that time, the same hospital who is now saying surgery, told me that he might have cancer.

Frankly, I don't think I'm any further ahead because they didn't to the freakin' biopsy.

I was so mad that I literally threw my credit card at the poor clerk to pay by $1200 bill.

I've now emailed my vet with my update. Stay tuned......:mad::mad::confused2::cry:
 
I'm so sorry. You've waited so long for information, and now this. It is beyond frustrating.
 
Wow! Unbelievable. Doesn't seem to matter what you do you can't get any definitive answers. Poor Bacca and poor you. Keeping good thoughts for you both.
 
Sometimes I wonder if vet's think that our dogs poop money?? I was lucky when I had to take Phoebe to Guelph. Jim, vet I worked for, told me he wasn't going to perform the tests as Guelph would want to do their own and he didn't want me to pay twice. Wish your vet would have been this thoughtful.
So, if I understand you correctly, both your vet and the specialist believe there is a shunt and possibly stones. Now's the time to discuss this with your breeder and see if she/he will help you out with this, if not pay for it entirely. I have a friend in Mini Schnauzers that went through this and it was around the same cost 3 or 4 years ago. Whether this would cause the funk on Bacca's skin is a possiblity as the body does all kinds of things to rid itself of the byproducts of other problems. I know this dog has special meaning to you and I can only pray that this gets resolved well and quickly. You've both gone though enough. You are in my thoughts.
Joanne
 
I don't even know what to say at this point, except that I'm so sorry that you're going through this and have had yet another nightmarish experience. :hugs

Once you've calmed down you should maybe think seriously about what Tagg had to say, she brings up a very valid point.

Thinking of you and Bacca during this hard time Barb and praying you find some resolution!
 
Barb, I recommend you start a new thread with Bacca's recent results. I think you'll get more views and responses.

I'm going to take the advice here and start a new thread when I have more feedback from my vet on his condition. However, feel free to still post on this thread if you are dealing with skin conditions.....the issue you are dealing with may still be relevant to what we are dealing with.

p.s. mods.....is there any thought to breaking down the illness and disease thread? e.g. Skin and Coat, Stomach and Poops, Chronic Conditions (e.g. Kidney/Liver/Hypothyrodism/Cancer) And to sticky some of the more common complaints with respect to Shelties.....hypothyroidism is the first that comes to my mind, obviously. Just a thought. (I thought about allergies as a thread topic, but decided that that's the diagnosis, not the description, so better left unsaid for now)

Just a thought. Would sure make it easier for me to filter to the threads that I think I might have something to say.
 
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