We are home..Update on Hurley

[Regina and Hurley]

I could not wait to come home and get on here to update all of my doodle friends on Hurley..we arrived at the Dermotogist office at exactly 3..you should of seen me trying to get my husband out the door to the vet. I was so anxious. I had to be there. I have been counting down the hours til this appt time.i had medical records in one hand and Hurley in the other bolting for the door.

We arrived and went right in. Hurleys doctor looked at Hurley and said the cysts actually looked better than he thought. He said that the antibotics that Hurley is on seems to be working. Hurley will be on these antibotics a total of 60 days. He brought Hurley to the back to check him out more throughly and have another Dermotogist look at him too. He came in and we got into our discussion. I got out the question list and was ready. He said that with a Dermoid Cyst there would be more of a chance that they would be in the brain. Hurley does not have this. He said that Hurley has keratinizing cysts. So he is optimistic that they are not in the brain. He said that what they want to do is remove the entire cyst, which means they will take a lot of skin from his head and between his eyes. Yes, he will look funny, but the vet said Hurley won't care. I am thinking too, that with the amount of hair Hurley has this will be somewhat covered up. He stated that this is not painful for him..he will be a little funny looking..(which is ok..he will be cuter :) He stated that the reason that it says the cysts may be aggravated or come back aggressive, is with partical excision. This is the reason why only a specialized surgeon can perform the surgery. They don't want a trace of the cyst. He said if the cysts are cut completely out then there is a great possiblilty that they wont come back! I asked him if I didn't have the surgery what would happen to Hurley. He said that the cysts would get larger, keep rupturing requiring more antibotics or Hurley could get a worse infection and might die. He said it was rare Hurley would get an infection that might kill him, but he already has MRSA. I agreed surgery would be the only and humane route to go. I can't keep having these cyst rupture over and over and grow larger. He said that if we got surgery, Hurley would bounce back pretty fast. He said he would do very well with surgery. The Dermotogist said another pro to this,is the fact that they are the same 6 cysts since he was small. That these cysts always remained and others didnt pop up in a different spot. These 6 cysts will fill up, rupture, go down and the same cycle repeats itself.

So he brought Hurley to the back and had the surgeon look at him. They were back there for a while, which I liked..he came back in and told us the surgeon was very comfortable with this surgery. That it would be broken up into two surgeries, about 1 month apart. The reason for this, is the fact they need skin to fold and stich up and can't do that in one surgery. The first surgery will be the one between his eyes. The most expensive part. That needs to be done first. Then about a month later have the other surgery. The 4 on top of his head. I have a quote of 1500 for between his eyes and 625.00 for the 4 on top. I am getting this surgery. I asked the Dermotogist one more question, if Hurley were your dog and you were given all this info what would he do? Without hesitation, he said surgery, Hurley is going to live a long life..he just needs this surgery. He is optimistic that this will work, the surgeon is too. Hurleys Dermotogist is awesome. He met with us free of charge and he said he will meet with Hurley free of charge for all his checkups so he can look at Hurleys infection. How wonderful is that? This vet is so compassionate. He wants Hurley to get this done. He got the surgeon to meet Hurley free too. Of course, I will meet him soon to get this set up, but at least I am confirmed that he will do it and the cost on paper! Your prayers and love are touching us..they really are.

I walked out determined more than anything I am fighting for Hurley! We drove over to our primary vet. We met with him and after I told him everything and he had time to read over the biospy, he is now in agreement with our Dermotogist and surgeon! He said that with removing the entire cyst, with us aware that Hurley will look a little funny, that he is optimistic that they won't come back.

Hurley is going to get this surgery, we need about 3 or 4 weeks so the MRSA is gone..so that gives me time of finding ways to pay for his surgery it's $2,125.00. Hurleys Dermotogist is on board with what direction I am going to go. I told him about The Doodle Messenger and other web based fundraisers. He said he will allow me to put his name and phone number on whatever I can do so he will talk to anyone about Hurley. I am fighting here for my doodle..

So sorry for this long message but you all have been so wonderful throughout this! Thank you!!!

I am smiling ear to ear...and Hurley is too! I took a picture of him when we got home..I think he has a huge smile on his face!

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

I am so glad that you got such positive new from Hurley's doctors. I will be happy to chip in when you get something set up.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Sounds like it could all work out well for Hurley. I'm happy you have the time to raise the funds and hope that it all goes well. You got 3 doctors telling you it is in his best interest. Good luck-our prayers are with you!

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

This is the best news you could hope for. So what's a little hair between a doodle and his cuteness? I was most happy to hear that Hurley isn't in any pain from the cysts as they look uncomfortable. Good luck and thank you for the long happy post!

[Elizabeth & Cosmo]

This is very encouraging, Regina! You have done such a good job getting all the necessary information to make the best decision.

I'm glad that the dermatologist, surgeon, and now your primary vet are so optimistic. This is a very good sign for Hurley!

Please keep us posted, on his progress and on your fundraiser!

[Lynda Kamrath]

What great news for you and for Hurley.  I'm so glad that you kept at it until you found the answer that works for all of you.  Great job of problem solving!  Everything is going to turn out fine.

[Emilie]

Regina, I have read Hurley's story on the Doodle Messenger.  Wow!  What an incredible story.  I had MRSA myself this summer so I can identify.  An 8 inch long infection and the ER doc cut out 2" x2" to drain and heal.  

My little poodle is going in for FHO surgery in a few weeks and while not as bad as your situation, it is financially difficult for me to donate at this point since I am on disability.

However, I sent 2 documents to Judith which listed groups who help with funding.  One of which is Red Rover (formerly United Animal Nations) which is your best bet in all likelihood.  There are also some vet hospital associations which fund a vet who helps a client like you.  The vet requests the help.  There are breed specific groups which don't have the Doodles on there because The Doodle Messenger is for that.  At any rate, Judith can forward these docs on to you or you can ask me to send them directly to you.

Emilie M Bottiggi

[e-mail]

[Regina and Hurley]

Thank you so much for all the information! You helped us with the information you gave us! I understand if you can't make a donation..but what you gave us, was just as great! Even prayers and keeping us in our thoughts is all we ask for too.

Thank you! I will read about this tonight...!