So Odin went to the vet today for a tooth extraction. His back molar needed to come out most definately and there was another that I thought might have needed to come out, but thankfully, it didn't. When I got there I had been throwing the idea around my head if I should spring for the X-rays for his hips or not. I was concerned about his gait but didn't know if this was the best time (financially) to do this. I decided to go ahead and have it done because I don't want to have to put him under again at another time just to do X-rays.

They called me about noon saying he came out of the anesthesia just fine and was just waking up. Around 3:30 I came by to talk to the vet and see the X-rays. $530 later i'm in the office and waiting for the x-rays. Dr Carew comes in and says he's got some "interesting" things to show me. (That was NOT something I wanted to hear... lol) He puts up the X-rays and there's Odins spine. He said "do you notice anything weird?" I saw some strange remodeling of 2 of the vertebrae about where his shoulders were. He then pointed out the crack in the vertebrae next to the weird remodeling. Told me this was some serious trauma to his back, and looks like he was HIT BY A CAR. It looks to be about a year ago that it happened, he wasn't treated for it as that would have required plates and pins in his spine, which of course there were none of.

He said his gait was probably off because of this, he said it probably has hurt some nerves and says Odin probably doesn't feel as much as he should in his back legs which could be why he walks funny. He showed me his hips and said there was only a mild bit of hip dysplasia, nothing to really worry about. He said all i'm doing now (raw, glucosamine/chondroitin, and fish oil) is all I can do really and to let them know if he begins to show signs of pain when getting up after a dog park day in which case we would consider Rimadyl.

So... WOW! Crazy day! But, I guess i'll make it official. We are "foster failures" and Odin is officially a part of the family now.

Oh, poor Odin!! Owwwiieee!!! I'm glad your vet did the X-Rays and discovered that though, and BIG KUDOS to you for caring for him the way you do! ...and while I will probably earn a tidy little spot in hell for saying it, CONGRATS on being FOSTER FAILURES!! Buahahaha! My husband won't let me foster because we both know that we'd probably just end up keeping any and all dogs we'd take in. ;-) I'm sure Odin appreciates you guys and the wonderful home and life you provide.

Holy smokes! My jaw would have dropped to the floor if I were you at that vet's office. But that goodness! Odin has a good home with you! He's being well cared for!

AWww... I gotta admit, I'm sort of glad you're foster failures (not for your wallet of course but for your family and hearts). Odin is beautiful and you can tell how much he fits into your pack!

I'm glad that he found such a loving and caring forever home. Kudos to you and your man, Kristina!

That's unfortunate about his spine and nerves but congrats to him on becoming an official member of the family.

awww so glad you're keeping him! Seems he went through a lot and he's very lucky to have found you! Hoping to meet him (and the girlies) soon!