There are a couple of things that really got my attention about this post. Basically, I think Cynthia hit it on the head, I'll just expand on it. First of all I had a dog Shepard/Lab for 14 years. She had numerous issues since I adopted her at 9 months. Because of all of her issues, I learned a lot and, also became furious with veterinarians for not curing things. (Once I was so mad, I almost lost my dog and I almost put my cell phone through a window, and Im considered a very calm person) I am now on my 8th vet in 15 years. You mentioned a tick bite. I noticed that Cynthia mentioned this. I don't believe anyone specifically mentioned Lyme disease. Of the four dogs that I have had over the past 15 years, two have had it. One was easily diagnosed, the other was not. The one that was not (Anela) was horribly emaciated when I adopted her at 9 months. To make a long sad story short, the vet that I had, originally diagnosed her with a brain tumor and started rattling off numbers about what it would take etc. etc. All of this within a few days after I got the dog! Even though the vet new Anela's history (she came from West Virginia, where there is a very high rate of Lyme) he originally did not do the test (that by the way would have only cost $35.00). It was only after I spent about $300.00 for a mis-diagnosis and I consulted two other vets that I trust but can't retain, did the Lyme test get done. Guess what, she had Lyme. Pills fixed the problem. My point with this is not all vets recognize Lyme and the symptoms. I have discovered that any type of joint pain could be Lyme. In my case, Anela could not eat, even though she looked like a walking skeleton because her jaws hurt. I couldnÂt even touch them. No other symptoms were there. The other thing that got my attention was the medication that you initially started with. I learned the hard way (because I almost lost another dog) to quiz the vet thoroughly about what is going on. I want to know what he/she is doing and why. If the process seems to involved, I research the subject and consult with other vets who can educate me. Most importantly, I want to know how long the medication is going to take to fix the problem. There should be an easy direct answer to this. If there is a hesitation, then I would say I need to research the problem before anything is done. Unfortunately, I have not had a good experience with vets. I had numerous occasions where I felt like they saw me as an open wallet walking through their door. You spent $400.00! That's a lot of money. (although I always say that money is not the real issue, but to an extent it is). Also, people with pets are at a disadvantage when it comes to their sick pets. When it happens, we usually don't know anything about the problem and rely on someone who supposedly does. For this reason, unless there is what I term "a life threatening situation" such as severe vomiting, I assume that itÂs a minor thing. If there is a major thing, I probably will wind up at the emergency clinic. If you haven't already, I would research any topic you can find about what your dog is going through. Quiz the vet, and take the upper hand in this. I think the process of getting your dog cured is dragging on for to long. It should have been fixed by now, unless there is something seriously wrong that requires surgery. (for all you know it could be something minor). Fortunately I now have a wonderful vet. When I first called her, she answered the phone. I have sent numerous people to her, everyone loves her. She is the only vet in the clinic, something I really like. She is never rushed and has helped me through numerous issues. Good luck! Keep us posted! SG

Fyi - diy cat enclosures can cost only a couple of hundred if that, and obviously shade would have to be provided or outdoor time scheduled when the sun isn't blasting down full force. I built mine out of 10 10-foot metal poles (the thinner horizontal poles used for chain link, I set those into the ground vertically) and 100 feet of plastic mesh deer fencing. If you have an athletic cat you may need to rig mesh over the top somehow. Or you could build a space that is a combination cat pen and private walled garden space for the human residents to use too. Similarly, blocking off spaces within an open concept house may need some creativity - doors put up (do you have a basement)? BE CREATIVE. I was surprise when you said she's never been out. I thought you said she was one of these cats lives to go outside or maybe I read that into what you wrote. That does not bode well IMHO - it means she has no street smarts, she's being put out of a house that she's already feeling insecure about (dominators are often acting out of insecurity), and in an area where you've said you've seen predators hanging around your house. I appreciate that you're trying very hard to find the right place for this kitty, and I'm honestly not philosophically opposed to letting cats out ..... but I'm just not getting a good feeling about this. If it was a safe neighborhood, if you knew your neighbors and knew they were cat lovers, and you had a good long term relationship with the cat, knew she would come when called , and she wasn't having these territorial issues, that's one thing - but what you describe has a lot of red flags. I say that as someone with a cat that was lost - territorial issues according to lost pet websites is indeed a big reason why some take off, they perceive they are being pushed out of their environment. I think that may have been a factor in my cat's disappearance. There is a steep learning curve with outdoor cats - cars, avoiding dogs, predators, etc. - if they survive the learning curve then yes they can live many years (my 22 year old was proof of that) but... it's a big If. Many don't make it. I say all this as someone with a cat Figgy who has had aggression issues with my other cats. Its hard to love the aggressor and they do pick up on your feelings... which then makes them act out all the more. In my case I was yelling at him because he was being such an ass sometimes - jumping on and biting Orange if I was giving him attention, always intent on being top cat. Figgy disappeared for six weeks and it was only with a lot of effort I got him back. Now that Ive been showering him with love and attention his whole demeanor has changed. If Orange is sleeping by my head he no longer attacks, but just goes to sleep on the other side of me. Sometimes I have both cats purring together on my lap and we couldn't be happier! I know its more complicated having four cats - but the point is if you can find some way that you're happy with your cat, your cat is going to be happier too. Long story short - I so hope a good home manifests itself soon! In leiu of that I still think you have some options. Hang in there! This post was edited by kashka_kat on Thu, Jan 2, 14 at 20:06

Here's the "meat" of the U/S report from the PA who scanned me on 2-17. It's not the full radiology-report, but this sounds depressing enough....?! ULTRASCAN: Routine imaging of the right shoulder is performed. This shows significant tendinopathy of the biceps tendon. Tendinopathy of the subscapularis tendon is noted with free fluid around the subscapular and subdeltoid spaces. Supraspinatus tendon shows a full-thickness tear with significant fluid in the subacromial and subdeltoid bursa. The infraspinatus tendon posteriorly is intact with a large amount of fluid in the subacromial bursa. Moderate to severe degenerative changes noted at the acromioclavicular joint. Left shoulder ultrasound shows moderate to severe tendinopathy of the biceps tendon. Subscapularis tendon is intact as well as the infraspinatus tendon. Again noted is a partial-thickness tear of the supraspinatus tendon without retraction. There is moderate tendinopathy of the supraspinatus tendon, likely due to chronic impingement. Mild swelling in the bursa is noted. Moderate degenerative changes noted in the acromioclavicular joint. Ugghhhh.....Not sure if I like the phrase "moderate &/or severe degenerative changes...". Oh well! Sounds like I need to go I to the shop?! ;-) I can't find my extended-warranty papers either! Faron

Good Lord MG!!! Sounds awful for your Brother! How is everything now? We might have been recovering at the same time?! With my Right shoulder, it was the Rotator-Cuff Supraspinatus-Tendon. Age & overuse are the main culprits (I'm 57 now...)! It's the most commonly affected Tendon anyway... Just too many years of doing heavy stuff, etc. Surgeon also had to cut the long-head of the Biceps-tendon, since it was >50% frayed. This is then re-attached to the top portion of the Humerus. They usually cut that Tendon if frayed enough....because it'll soon go anyway! Like I said, I have to be careful now! I usually have to just let the "Young guns" in the store do the heavier things now. Grrrrrrr! I DON'T wanna have the same surgery on my Left shoulder 12mm tear! Still waiting to see if I can get into the Stem-Cell repair study for larger RC tears like that. First phase last year was 5mm tears. I've had real good luck overall with my surgeries! Faron