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

[Elizabeth & Cosmo]

I agree that calling NC State's vet school would be a great idea, even if just to find out about their process and the possible cost.

You might also mention it to your dermatologist--maybe he or she is a graduate of the vet school at NC State!

When Cosmo had to have surgery on his elbow, it was done at Texas A&M's vet school. When we had the second surgery (to remove the plate they had put in at the first surgery), we got a discount (I think they called it a rebate or proration) because they put it down as teaching techniques--they let the vet students remove plates to give them surgical experience.

Cosmo loves it there because all the students love to play with him!

Best wishes for Hurley!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Partly because students are involved in treatment, and it is therefore an educational experience for them, the costs are often lower. It's certainly worth a call.

[Ronna, Murphy & Wilson]

here is the link to NC State's  Vet Dermatolgy department...I would call this department directly.

http://www.cvm.ncsu.edu/vhc/tc/clinical_services/derma/index.html

 

[Regina and Hurley]

Thank you! I am actually starting to think this is going to be ok :)

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

I am so sorry about Hurley. It's so good that he is acting fine and ready to do his normal routine! Hugs and prayers to you all. Please keep us posted!

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

I don't have any other advice than the others.  My first hope was that you have pet insurance, but it seems that's not the case.  I still would get it though I think, but unfortunately none of this would be covered since it is now pre-existing.  I am so sorry.  I would also have contacted the breeder, but you said you did that and they won't help you at all, huh?  Is there any documentation at the vet's that you mentioned those at 8 WEEKS old?  IF so, seems like you could tell the breeder that they sent him to you in this condition.  I still think I would try to get them to help out in some way.  Did you send her the pictures?  They are awful.  He is a BEAUTIFUL goldendoodle with lovely hair & you'd never suspect underneath the hair was that!  Your poor boy!  Finally, I agree with some others to talk with the vet about payment plans or something.  Do you have any family members that could help out & you could set up a payment plan with them?  Again, I am so sorry this is happening to your poor doodle family.  Please keep in touch so we know what is going on.  I will pray for you all.

[Regina and Hurley]

Hi! I sent her the first pictures in Nov. when they first ruptured. They didn't look anything like they look now. She said they could just be moved and were blocked hair in the cysts, which she was correct. I took the advice of 2 vets who thought the antibotics would help out and might go away. They had never seen this before. In 4 months they have doubled, but I was not aware of how big they were. It seemed like over night they just got super filled with pus and ruptured. I know everything about my dog and spend a lot of time grooming him. It seemed like they got that big very fast. Now we have a Vet who specializes in Dermotogy. This is his first case, but he is going through other Dermotogists in the field who are working on this. Next Thursday, we meet with him to get his stitches removed and will get info on the surgeon who is willing to take these cysts off of him....thank you for replying to me and Hurley...

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Regina, I'm so sorry to hear about Hurley.  You must be heartsick.  I have no advice for you, but I'm definitely sending prayers and hugs. 

[Regina and Hurley]

Thank you...it feels good to get so much outpouring of love for Hurley...:)

[BG and Gavin]

Best thoughts to you and Hurley.  I hope that everything turns out ok.

[Regina and Hurley]

Wonderful! I just took a peek at this link you sent me! So much info...you all r so awesome! Thanks!

[Katie and Sophie]

I am so sorry you and Hurley are going through all of this.  It is obvious that you are a wonderful doodle momma and are willing to do whatever you can for your little man.  And I'm glad you decided you share your story with us.  I know you will get a ton of good advice, but just as important you will get abundant love, support, and prayers.  You are doing a great job.