Hi All!, (this is kind of long)

I've previously posted in the forums but thought I would share Toddy's story.  Toddy is one of our 2 adopted rescue cocker spaniels.  He is 7 yrs old (30lbs) and  did not have the best start to life.  We adopted him from a rescue near us.  He had been left in a crate to die after being abused his first year of life. He was at the pound and getting ready to be euthanized but the rescue saved him!  When the rescue got him home he had to be shaved down.  To their shock he had massive open wounds underneath a mass of matted fur and thousands of maggots they said.  The vet told them the maggots actually kept him alive.  Fast forward 6 months later and we adopt him .  In November of 2015 Toddy started limping on his right leg out of the blue.  Our regular vet put him on some meds and crate rest thinking it was his paw .  Nothing really helped.  We were sent to a specialist who after testing,  felt Toddy had tendonitis in his shoulder.  Toddy had a surgical steroid injection and more crate rest/restrictions.  No improvement yet again.  The specialist then wanted to send us to Univ of Knoxville Vet school.  We said no, there has got to be a different answer.  Contacted the rescue we adopted him from and they recommended a wonderful vet.  He immediately checked Toddy's neck and got a reaction. x-rays followed and they showed he had 2 cervical discs that had mineralized (ivdd) way before their time.  The discs were pinching the nerve in his right leg/shoulder.  He has been on medication management (4 different meds 4 times a day) ever since and has always had a limp.  His right paw has been knuckling over due to the nerve damage and for the past several months he really only used his leg occasionally or when he wanted to dig.

Then we noticed 2 weeks ago after we came back from vacation that Toddy was very restless and holding his leg out to the side.  Off to the vet we went and he immediately felt a tumor in his brachial plexus.  He did x-rays and only found the one tumor.  His lungs and bone were both clear.  His vet recommended we schedule surgery for amputation of his right shoulder and leg.  Since the tumor is in the brachial plexus it was impossible to biopsy and the only way to remove it was with amputation. His vet said we won't know if it is cancerous until pathology comes back. We scheduled his surgery for 7/18.  Of course the water works and fear kicked in.  Our boys 9 and 7) started asking a million questions and I started to stress out.  I am so thankful I found this site and the support has been tremendous!  We spent the days before Toddy's surgery surrounding him with love, extra treats, running around the back yard and taking naps together.

He had his surgery on 7/18 and the vet called to say that Toddy did great and he might get to come home the next day.  Tumor was in the brachial plexus, contained, and roughly the size of your palm.  Morphine made for a VERY VERY confused Toddy,so they kept him another day.  He started eating and drinking the day after his surgery! Yay. They brought him up front to me and he was the happiest pup ever!!!    The drive home was nerve racking because he wanted to stand up the whole way for an hour drive.   We got home and he licked my face forever!!!!! He crawled in my lap to  cuddled and then passed out.  Every day is a little better but he is not the same yet. He does have a e-collar/cone and a shirt to keep him away for the sutures. HE HATES BOTH!!! He gives me the stink eye every now and then for not taking them off. He will take a few steps, stop, take a few steps , stop etc. Everything is in Toddy's time and for right now that is his new norm.  He has to do 4 steps to the yard and is doing ok with them slowly.  Going up is better than down but he doesn't need help.  He would stand outside in the 95 degree heat forever, so a few times I have carried him back in.  We are now 4 day post-op and today has been a good day!!! I have found one way to get him motivated is with his homemade frozen treats .  He will do anything for them.  We see new signs of our pre-tripawd Toddy every day.  Now we wait for his pathology to come back and we go from there. (we are scared but will do what we can for him).  We are trying to Be More Dog daily and live in the moment.  There is nothing better than the love he gives us and we just want the best life for him.  Thank you for the support  and encouragement thus far!!

Heather & Toddy.....( Toddy said I should also include his little fur brother Smoochie, dad Brent , and human brothers Tyler & Preston)