Charlie is a (spayed) female irish wolfhound mix, approx. 10 years old. I got her as an abuse rescue when she was about 11 months old. She has had heartworms her whole life, but my vet insists that she (and her heart) are doing really well for a dog with heartworms. If you could see this dog run across a field (like a greyhound) you'd never guess she has heartworms. She has been urine incontinent for about two months now. We attributed it to her getting old. It embarrasses Charlie when she has an accident and she tries to clean up after herself.
Anyhow, Charlie woke us up in the middle of the night about two weeks ago in obvious pain. We thought she was having a heart attack - the vet said when she goes it will be quick and most likely from a heart attack.
We took her to the vet that morning. The vet couldn't do a complete exam, because Charlie was in too much pain, but she diagnosed a kidney infection. She gave Charlie a shot for pain & a shot of antibiotics and gave us oral antibiotics to give her for 10 days.
Charlie perked up for a few days after the shots, though she still leaks urine regularly. A couple of days ago Charlie started favoring a front leg, although we can't find any injury. We've started giving her a children's ibuprofen a day, recommended by the vet and it seems to help.
Last night we noticed a huge lump close to Charlie's spine, about midway down her back. It's about the size of a large lemon. It's very hard, but not painful to touch.
I'm very scared this is a tumor on her spine and the reason for her painful legs and urine incontinence.
We are still paying for our wedding last week and our lawn mower blew up on us over the weekend. I can squeeze out the money to take her to the vet, maybe some shots, but it'll be a month or so before I could afford a full work-up with x-rays and such.
Anyone experienced anything like this with their dog?
I welcome all opinions.
Please note: The vet and I have discussed having Charlie treated for the heartworms many times. The treatment for heartworms is painful and expensive. We've agreed that Charlie has done so well with the heartworms, it's better not to treat in her case.
Anyhow, Charlie woke us up in the middle of the night about two weeks ago in obvious pain. We thought she was having a heart attack - the vet said when she goes it will be quick and most likely from a heart attack.
We took her to the vet that morning. The vet couldn't do a complete exam, because Charlie was in too much pain, but she diagnosed a kidney infection. She gave Charlie a shot for pain & a shot of antibiotics and gave us oral antibiotics to give her for 10 days.
Charlie perked up for a few days after the shots, though she still leaks urine regularly. A couple of days ago Charlie started favoring a front leg, although we can't find any injury. We've started giving her a children's ibuprofen a day, recommended by the vet and it seems to help.
Last night we noticed a huge lump close to Charlie's spine, about midway down her back. It's about the size of a large lemon. It's very hard, but not painful to touch.
I'm very scared this is a tumor on her spine and the reason for her painful legs and urine incontinence.
We are still paying for our wedding last week and our lawn mower blew up on us over the weekend. I can squeeze out the money to take her to the vet, maybe some shots, but it'll be a month or so before I could afford a full work-up with x-rays and such.
Anyone experienced anything like this with their dog?
I welcome all opinions.
Please note: The vet and I have discussed having Charlie treated for the heartworms many times. The treatment for heartworms is painful and expensive. We've agreed that Charlie has done so well with the heartworms, it's better not to treat in her case.
