Hurleys Story..Cysts and MRSA

[Regina and Hurley]

Hello..today is Hurleys 1st birthday. I had it all planned. A doggie dip at his favorite yogurt bar and singing Happy Birthday to him. Today was filled with tears and confusion and I am turning to all the doodle moms and dads with much needed direction and prayers.

At 8 weeks I noticed 6 little areas on the top of his head that would not grow hair. When I brought him in for his puppy shots I showed the vet who said it was nothing, maybe some kind of birthmark. So I let it go. He has been a happy, healthy and much loved member of our family. When he was about 8 months old I noticed one of those "areas" was bleeding. I brought him right in to the vet. They said it was a ruptured cyst and he needed antibotics and a cytology. We had it done. It came back as Keratin Cysts. The vet said that with the antibotics and Vitiamin A they may go down or even away. I went for a second opinion. The vet confirmed that it was right but changed his antibotics. He put him on a very expensive antibotic, Clindamycin 75 mg. The vet said we had a 50% chance they would go away. The vet mentioned too, that this was common in Goldendoodles. (keratin cyst). They did not go away and they have doubled in size. Last Sunday the big one on the middle of his head ruptured. We went to the ER vet and was there for close to 8 hours. They shaved his head and we saw the horrible cysts up close. They did a biopsy. They put him on more antibotics, Xanax and Benadryl. (Xanax for being in a cone all day).

I got the results yesterday. He has MRSA and Keratin Cysts. I am trying to wrap my mind around this MRSA. The only way we knew was the biopsy. The cysts have to be removed ASAP. We are getting a rough estimate of 2000.00, but until the infection is gone which will be in about 2 weeks we won't know for sure. We are going through a Vet Dermotogist. He said its going to be around that much. We just don't know what to do right now. Only 3 special surgeons in our area will do this complicated surgery. The cysts between his eyes are so large that there is not enough skin to stitch up. We can not get a skin graph done. We just do not have the money for this. My husband and I are trying to figure all this out. We love our Hurley so much.

Next Thursday, we get his stitches removed from his biopsy. Then we will get a referral to the surgeon. Hurley is so special to us. He is my teddy bear. He follows me everywhere. He goes everywhere with us. He does not deserve this. I am hoping that there is someone out there who has good advice. Right now I am asking for prayers. Lots of prayers that a door will open and we can get this surgery done. That with enough prayers Hurley is going to be ok...please give your doodles big hugs right now..send lots of love our way. Thanks..Regina and my big orange moose, Hurley

[F, Calla & Luca]

We all wish you the best in your endeavor. It makes us as doodle lovers feel good to see that you are willing to try to do the best. I'm glad this hasn't Hurley's outlook on life : )

[Regina and Hurley]

I always come on this site...only to read and see the cute pictures of all the doodles. Today I decided to open up and talk about my our story and Hurleys struggle. I felt I needed to sign up and come in contact with other doodle moms. So we can get support and make what we are going through a little better...thank you

[Martha & Cooper]

Regina,   I am so sorry to read about Hurley's health problems.   We have just gone through a health scare with our Cooper and are in the managing phase, so I can relate to how you are feeling.  

Someone else posted about Doodle Messenger, I think it might be worth checking out, since you don't have insurance.   The other thing I would suggest, even though it won't cover this illness, is try getting insurance anyway, for in the future and anything NEW that crops up.  Hurley is still very  young. It is worth a try. 

Positive thoughts, hugs and prayers from Cooper and me!  

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I could not agree more.  Having insurance is just piece of mind that you don't have to worry when situations like this come up.  I know when we first got Lucy and Sophie the "what ifs" were driving me crazy.  I kept saying I needed to check out insurance.  Then Sophie hurt her leg and I panicked.  Fortunately it was just a pulled muscle and everything was fine.  But, it got me to investigating insurance.  I cannot tell you how relieved I felt the moment I hit send and signed up for their insurance.  Now I don't have to worry about the what ifs!  Just a thought for you once things calm down and get back to normal.

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

Oh Regina, I'm so sorry to hear about Hurley, It is so very upsetting when our dogs are sick.  I send my prayer and doodle hugs your way.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

First of all I just wanted to say that I'm so happy that you finally decided to stop sitting on the sidelines and post Hurley's story so that you can take advantage of the wonderful support that is available here on DoodleKisses.  There are a lot of wonderful people here that will be holding you and Hurley in their prayers.  The only thing that I can say that I don't think has been mentioned here is I would try and (I hate to use these words), but I would shop around on the pricing.  There can be such a wide range price wise.  Sometimes if you can just get a little ways outside of a large city the prices come down.  Sometimes Vet Schools can help and I think someone gave you a list of low cost options as well as the Doodle Messenger.  Best wishes and please keep us posted. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The Vet school option is good idea. Many people don't realize that the prices are often much lower than private vets, especially for surgical procedures.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Hurley's family is quite far from a vet school, I checked. But it would be feasible if they could get less expensive care, I guess.

[Elizabeth & Cosmo]

The veterinary school for Virginia and Maryland is at Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg (which is about 5 hours away from where  Regina lives). The closest one may be the veterinary school at North Carolina State University, in Raleigh (about 3 hours away).

[Regina and Hurley]

In Hurleys office (Dermotogist) they had a magnet with NC State info on it...I grabbed it not thinking. Then I read this post and looked at it..it says no referral needed. I am wondering if this is something I need to call about. Does it say it's a vet school? I thought when I saw it it would be so expensive and thought nothing of this. I had no idea it's an actual vet school..

[Ronna, Murphy & Wilson]

NC State is a vet school and it is worth giving them a call.  I am not sure that it will be any less expensive but it if I were you I would call them for sure.  I live in Raleigh (where the vet school is) and would be happy to assist you if there is anything I can do from this end.

[Regina and Hurley]

Thank you..I am calling them tomorrow. I have the number to NC State teaching hospital. I will see what the process is and if they are willing to get in contact with Hurleys Dermotogist, which they should, because they had the magnets on their desk! I have been given the Doodle Messenger website through DoodleKisses and now have been told of NC State teaching hospital :) thank you!