Can't Afford Surgery and Need Ideas

[Senecio]

My oldest boy Bandit has just turned 2 this winter and he has already developed hip displaysia, also by some freak frisbee fetching accident he "blew out" his knee on the same leg. My second boy Smokey has developed a shoulder problem (probably an old injusry from abuse from before I got him) where the cartilage is ripping from the bone and floating around in his sholder joint! It kills me to see my angels in pain and I don't know what I can do. They arn't flared up all the time, but the times it does I dont' know what to do. Does anyone have any suggestions other than glucosamine and theraputic dog massage that I could do to make my babies more comfy until I raise the thousands of dollars I need to have them repaired?

[Senecio]

Since I cant post pics yet, you can visit my website I made for Bandit. I'll post pics as soon as I can since I take tons, there are always new ones to share!

[Dax]

My friend's husky dislocated his hip about 6 months ago. The vet put him on leashed walks only (3 x 20 minutes). NO jumping and as much rest as possible. He was also seen by an animal therapist (mega $$$$). He is still not back to normal even though he is < 2 years old.

I was reading various sites and one thing they do recommend is to strengthen the muscles so that they hold the hip bones in place. I have also read about Vit C being used with some success to treat joint problems.

Personally I would not go for surgery. I have yet to meet a dog that has had liament or hip surgery that didn't have continuing problems.

[ChessieLvr]

Where did you get Bandit? If you got him from a rescue organization, most rescues will assist in finding donations or have vets that they use who offer a sizable discount.
Good luck!

[Senecio]

I wish! I got him from a pet store and smokey from the wal-mart parking lot. They told me it would be about $550 for bandits hip (just cutting the ball off the joint) and around $800-900 for the knee fix and to properly take care of the knee (breaking and resetting his pelvis and some minor hip repair) would run around $2000 not including hospitalization and medicine or my 400 mile one way trip to have it done. They told me to go in and take care of smokey they'd need $1200. I asked about payment options and they said needed half down then the remainder in payments for 3 months. I still cant do that.

[alexis rose]

Is there any way that the pet store would pay for anything, or possibly the breeder. Take all of your papers in from when you bought him and see what they say. It is worth a shot.

Or maybe even media coverage on your dogs. Don't give up! It will work out.

[Senecio]

I was going to try that, the owners changed and said it's not their problem and there wasn't any records supposedly for the parents. Thank you though, that was really a good suggestion!