Question

I have a 13 & 1/2 year old pitbull. One day I noticed that she couldn't urinate on her own. The vet has since told me that she has a lesion on her spine. Xrays showed severe arthritis on her spine They believe that it could be a disc problem. She was falling and was very unsteady until we introduced steroid therapy. My options are 1. Get an MRI ($1800) and then determine course of action based on diagnosis. 2. Disc surgery (most likely case) which ranges from 4K - 8K. Now that she has been on the steroid therapy she is not in pain, she is eating, drinking and very perky. However, she still cannot urinate or defecate on her own. I have to express both for her. She is very easy going and doesn't mind me having to do this. It is a bit cumbersome for me. If we had disposable income or if she were younger I would without question get the spinal surgery. I worry about the surgery at her age, coupled with her severe arthritis. Would you provide some guidance. Also, I'm 6 months pregnant.