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]

Yes, that is much clearer and true, although we may not all carry even ordinary staph, it is common : ) I just wanted to clarify things.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Regina, I haven't had time to read all the posts, so if this has been mentioned before please disregard. Has anyone told you to keep the infected area covered and all things he touches or lays on that his head touches is to be cleaned well? MRSA spreads very easily, especially to anyone who immunity compromised, like the very young or older persons. Just thought I'd share, as the word MRSA sends any hospital into high alert, so I hope you are doing the same. Good luck with all this. I don't know how the vet is choosing the medications prior to the biopsy and sensitivity culture. It's near impossible to choose the right one without a culture. I'm glad you are on the (hopefully ) right track now with a dermatologist.

[Regina and Hurley]

Thank you for being concerned :) yes we are doing everything to keep this from spreading. He has been on a lot of antibotics since his first cyst rupture. Only with the biopsy did we find out he had MRSA. He is on Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim 800/160 mg. His Dermotogist thinks this medicine will work..I am hoping it will..

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

Im so sorry to read this, poor Hurley and poor you. I hope everything works out ok

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Regina, I am just not seeing this post for the first time after reading the post from yesterday. I just said a prayer for your family and Hurley, you are right he does not deserve this and neither do you.

I hope you get some financial relief from your contacts. God bless you all.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Just saw your post and Hurley is one lucky boy in the fact that he has the best Doodle Mama a doodle could ask for!  I am glad you had the courage to post on this website.  We are sending Hurley Doodle kisses, hugs and prayers for a speedy recovery!

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

I don't know where I was then this was posted!  Unfortunately, I have no advice but will pray for your beautiful boy and  for you and your family as you go through this.  You have come to the right place, as there are some people on here who possess a wealth of knowledge!  Those people and the rest of us can offer love and support!  Please keep us posted!

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Regina, my heart breaks for Hurley and your family, but it sounds like you got some great leads. I wish you the best!