Good News and Not-So-Good News by Jackdoodle

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Hi, DK friends! I just wanted to say hi and tell you what's been going on with me lately.

Some of you know that recently I have been having a problem running and jumping. I was trying very hard not to let my mom know about it, because I hate to worry her, and I do have my tough guy image to maintain. But my mom figured out that I wasn't running or getting up on her bed because I couldn't, and not because I didn't want to. These smart moms can be very difficult to manage sometimes.

Today I went to see a new kind of special doctor who knows about bones and nerves and things like that.

He was very nice. He examined me and took some Xrays.

The good news is, I have a lot of very good muscle, and very good muscle tone. I am also very strong. (Gee, I didn't need a doctor to tell me that!) The vet says I do not have hip dysplasia or anything wrong with my legs or my hips. My regular vet thought I had arthritis, but this new doctor does not think I do. That's the good news!

What he does think is that there is something wrong with the lower part of my spine. The Xrays showed something there. It might be something called spondylosis, or it might be something called a herniated disc. They cannot tell exactly what it is without doing a special test called an MRI. The new vet does not think we need to do that yet, and I am glad, because I would have to be asleep for it, and that is kind of scary. The doctor and my mom decided that first we will try a new medicine for two weeks and see if that helps me. The new medicine is for pain. So I have to take two more pills every day, which brings the total number to 14. That's the not-so-good news.

My mom also wanted me to ask you if any of you have used a ramp for your dogs to help them get in and out of the car. I can get out just fine, but I am having some trouble getting in. Today Cassie, my vet tech, had to help lift my butt to help me get in, and I felt so embarrassed about it, I couldn't help crying out loud, which made my mom very sad. So she is looking into getting me something called a ramp so I can get into the car (my mom said tell you it's an SUV) easier. We would be grateful for any recommendations or advice.  

Anyway, that's about all for now. I hope you are all having a good summer.

Your friend,

Jackdoodle

UPDATE BY JD'S MOM:

The new medication does not seem to be helping, in fact, it may be making things worse. It's a human anti-seizure drug, Gabapentin. Over the last ten days, he's been experiencing a kind of collapsing of his hind end. It happens randomly when he is just walking, his back legs kind of bow out and his rear end goes down as if he's about to poop, but it's really that his back end just kind of collapses. It only lasts seconds and then he can walk again, but it'a very disturbing and scary. It may not happen for several days and then it will happen repeatedly on a single day. He's also displaying some spatial confusion. So we are discontinuing the meds, and it looks like an MRI will be the next step. I'm going to wait a few days and see how he does without the meds.

 

 

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Well JD, my mom told me to tell your mom that she can't help with a specific kind of ramp but that she remembers seeing something like that in her Drs Foster & Smith catalog.  They have quite a few she said:  http://www.drsfostersmith.com/dog-supplies/ramps-stairs/ps/c/3307/1...

I am sorry you now have 14 medicines. Mom has told me about you and said that you are one of the most special doods on earth.  I am going to take a run around the yard and bark real loud and maybe you can hear me in Chitown.

Luv your friend Lady Peri.

 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Lady Peri, and while you're running around the yard, catch a tennis ball or two for me! I'll be listening for your bark! Luv, JD

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Bailey. I am thinking I might like a strap better than a ramp, Cassie told my mom that some dogs are afraid to walk on them, and just between you and me, I think I might be, too. Luv, JD

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Aww, hope the new medicine helps, JD. I was also looking at ramps at Drs Foster & Smith. But none of the ramps fit since Monty sits in the back seat rather than in the cargo area (and Auggie will as well). The door does not open wide enough to fit a ramp.  Monty has no problems getting in and out (he's just 2), but I was worried about him jumping down from the high seat. Sometimes he uses the door frame as a middle step, so that's good. But there is plenty of car ramps and I'm sure one of them will work for JD and your car. Glad you have great vets in your area.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Jarka.

I am very lucky to live in the same town as a Veterinary Specialty Center that not only has state-of-the-art equipment and every kind of veterinary specialist you can imagine, they also have a physical therapy department with a hydrotherapy pool and alternative treatment center. The surgeon we saw today said that if the meds help, we may try some physical therapy, too.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

And that's the reason why JD ended up in your house. I'm not a religious person, but I believe things happen for a reason. Hugs to you both!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Agreed.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Aw, hugs back atchoo guys.

[Robyn, Greg and Snickers]

Hey Jackdoodle sorry to hear about your legs. Hope your mom finds the best ramp for you. Hang in there buddy! -Snicks

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Snickers!

[Shannon and Finn]

Glad to hear that the bones and joints look good. Sounds so much like what we went through with our big guy. Pain meds and anti inflammatories and non strenuous activities did the trick. I can't remember how long it took though. We didn't do the MRI but did visit a specialist who couldn't identify anything specific and gave him a good bill of health and strength and told us he was a stoic boy with pain in the area. I feel like it took quite a while (occasional falls and spasms for at least 6 mo) to heal but improved significantly after a short bout of meds and rest. In the end I think it was a pinched nerve or swelling in the back area after a running injury. He would occasionally re-injure it when playing fetch so we stopped using tennis balls or anything that would bounce and cause him to do a quick movement to chase it. That seemed to be the trigger. Several years later he developed arthritis in his hip but never the spine again. So hard to see them struggle. The ramp sounds like a good idea for vet trips, for both of you!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks for the info, Shannon.

Problem is, JD has already lost most of what matters to him. Because of his IBD, he can't have the treats he loved, can't have his beloved marrow bones, beef tendons or tracheas, can't have the foods he loves, etc. He's been tennis ball obsessed since i met him, and playing fetch is his absolute most favorite thing in the world. If he can't do that......well, he will do it, it will just have to be an adapted version, maybe. :)