We took him to the neurologist today at SFVS. The news was not good. They recommended that he have an immediate CT Scan and surgery. The neurologist thinks that with surgery, his chance of recovery is 90%. Without it, his recovery rate would be about 50%. Of course, we want to opt for surgery. However, there is no way we can afford it. They quoted us between $4,993.78 and $5,952.78 for surgery. We have already paid out $620 this week in two vet visits...which is money coming out of our bills/groceries/rent.

We do have VPI Pet Insurance, but when I called them today they said that we would have to pay everything up front, submit a claim, and then they would reimburse us. That being said, they would only cover about $1,200 of the total bill. I have no idea what we are going to do :(

Our options now seem to be:

1. Surgery

2. No surgery

3. Putting him down

Without surgery, he may get worse and our biggest concern with not having surgery is that he will need constant help with emptying his bladder. Over time, this is not good and he could develop urinary tract infections, etc. I have seen many corgis with wheelchairs/wheels on their hind ends and am wondering how they came to be and what the quality of life is for those dogs?

Until we make a decision (or rob a bank...just kidding) here is what we were told to do:

Continue giving him pain meds

Give him valium about 20 minutes before we try to express his bladder

Keep him confined to his crate

Carry him outside to pee/poop (which I don't understand since he doesn't have control of his bladder/bowels??)

Massage his legs/feet and manually move them so that the joint fluid can move and his joints won't atrophy

Try standing him up 2 or 3 times a day with all legs on the ground (physical therapy)

If anyone has any advice, please let us know. This is the hardest thing we have ever dealt with, and we are emotionally, mentally, and financially drained. At the suggestion of a friend, we have set up a "Chip In" page with the hopes of raising some money for surgery. Feel free to check it out: http://helpbeans.chipin.com/spinal-surgery-for-beans-the-corgi

Thanks so much for all the love, support, helpful advice and friendship you have shown us! Corgi people are the best!

Lynda, Gabe, and Beans