So I do not post on here very often, but figured that I would give a little update for my dog Desmo. A little background, he was found as a stray in rural Georgia. He was heart worm positive and very sick with a few other ailments, signs of abuse etc. Eventually he made a recovery and was lucky enough to make it into a rescue program because he can be dog reactive. We found him at a foster home in New Hampshire. He wouldn't make eye contact, has funny scissor cropped ears and a goofy stub tail that are obviously home done. Hes now as funny and goofy dog as I have ever met. About a month ago he got very lethargic very quickly, in only a few days his back legs stopped working. We took him into the emergency room at MSPCA Angell in Boston near where we live. Please keep in mind this is a very large very renowned pet hospital in Boston, its the size of a small hospital. He was looked at and they took blood. They were not sure what was wrong beyond him being very dehydrated. We opted to take him home because he can become very stressed and reactive in certain situations (he does live with two other dogs and a very annoying pushy pig) The next day he was back again, his legs wouldn't work and he wouldn't move. This time he was diagnosed with Adisons disease. It is a problem that affects dogs and people where they do not produce the correct amount of steroids in their body. Before treating him the vet warned us it could be very expensive going ahead too treat him for the rest of his life. The option was given to us to put him down or treat him, this seemed crazy to me, why would we put him down if he could be treated? Well it turns out he needs a daily steroid pill and a monthly injection, the pill is no big deal but they said we should look into the injection before proceeding, of course I didn't, just wanted him fixed. So a night, a pill and injection and $1,500 later and hes better than ever (well he does pee A LOT, tough when were at work). The vets were not prepared for a dog his size, nor one that can be reactive around other dogs at times, they made us walk out the delivery door, they had him in a make shift room with warnings every where saying hes highly aggressive etc. We warned them and they brushed us off saying of course they knew how to hande all dogs. They still obviously had no experience or preparation for a dog his size or his breed. A few weeks go by, one night while at work my girlfriend calls in a panic saying Desmo is sick again, so off to the emergency room he goes, a few minuits later the vet comes back saying he has bloat, and yes his stomach has flipped around. argh. I attribute this to the gas and upset stomach caused by the steroids, as well as a round of antibiotics they had him on for tick diseases he may have had. Well, the always friendly staff at Angell do their best mob boss impression saying if we dont have $7300 up front they cant treat him, mind you this is 12:00 on friday night. The Dr. was a dick. When asking about financing options or delayed payment he rudely shot us down saying no such options, cash up front only or MY DOG WILL DIE, no emotion, of course at this point Im screaming through the speaker phone, he actually suggested we "call our friends" yes thats a great option at 12:00 on friday night. Then they wouldn't let my girlfriend apply for care credit under my name because I wasn't there in person, which of course Im terrified I might not get approved for because thats a crap load of money and my credit has had its ups and downs. Finally they gave her a room so they couldn't see her apply without me there, of course the entire time the clock is ticking on poor Desmo. Luckily I was approved and off to Surgery he goes now that they have their blood money. Im not complaining about all their policies or pricing just the way the whole thing is handled. Two days later hes home and happy with a cone the size of small satellite dish, and a nice $5000 bill. Hes great, just had his staples removed, and his first steroid injection, now I see why the vet warned that a lot of people with large dogs that have addisons may choose to put them down, his weight calls for a whole vial of steroid, which currently costs over $300! thats each month! thankfully we have since taken him to a nearby vet that is known for being very bully breed friendly, they were great and the vet explained she had another customer with a mastiff great dane cross that was near 200lbs with addisons who gets twice as much dose as Desmo, and she works with them to bring the dosage down to the minimum by constantly checking his electrolytes and varying dosage on that, which is what desmo will be getting. So thats it, half a rant, half a story. Do I regret any of it for a rescue dog who pees on the floor too much? Not at all. PLease let me know if any one has a dog with Adisons disease, or if you have any experience with vets and the problems with paying for bloat surgery.
I am sorry that you are dealing with all of this and so happy to hear that he is home and happy. Please keep us updated and you can never post enough photos. 
