calliecritturs
Posted : 9/17/2008 1:30:42 PM
k9krazy
Does anyone have any information, like surgeons or organizations. She lives in the Daytona, Fla. area.
In honesty, she couldn't live in a better state! I live near Orlando and my BEST recommendation is for her to call the University of Florida at Gainesville to the Small Animal Hospital and get a consult with Dr. Roger Clemmons (or just get this dog seen with a request that Dr. Clemmons can see him or do the surgery).
He's their head neurosurgeon and he's honestly known all over the world (for DM in shepherds and just generally as an awesome surgeon). He's also a holistic vet (yes, a holistic vet who also works for a State college?? At Gainesville, it can happen!!) and he's one of the faculty on the Chi Institute. They teach acupuncture at Gainesville as well which is incredibly helpful for healing.
I've taken dogs to Gainesville numerous times -- and frankly, if anyone can do it as reasonably as possible and yet do an excellent job THEY will. Unfortunately some specialty vets will have you get Care Credit and then they magically work to the $5000 limit of the card and suddenly that's how much it costs. They don't do that at Gainesville - as you can tell I have the highest respect for them.
Feel free to use my email -- I can tell your sister where to stay if and how the system works up there -- it's not a difficult trip -- about 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Even tho it's farther away than she may like, it can be SO worth it to go. I've found them far less expensive than others and very, very good.
My own regular vet has offices both in Deland and New Smyrna, but altho he's excellent, I know he would likely recommend the University. Your vet should give you a referral and help set everything up, but if you don't want to ask, you **can** self refer up there -- it's not hard at all.
Good luck and please let me know how it goes.