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.

 

 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I know that feeling so well of being so overwhelmed you are just not up to posting a discussion or talking about it, and maybe if you don't, it will go away. :-)

 

 

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Cheryl...I totally know the feeling you are going through.  We too could not wrap our heads around Gracie's diagnosis.  A perfectly healthy Doodle from day one with all the best in the way of care and love and then wham...something unexpected and uncontrollable happens.  You feel like someone just punched you in the stomach.  I am glad the medications seem to be lessening the pain so Finn is able to run and play.  Gracie is a runner and jumper and tendons, ligaments and hips have always been a scare for me.  One wrong landing or move and that's it!  We have lots of prayers going up right now for JD, Gracie and now Finn.  Let's hope there are no other Doodles to get added to the list! 

I am curious to know how you are giving the Omega 3.  We are pouring fish oil on Gracie's food but I can't stand the smell of her face.  It doesn't go away either.  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I bought human fish oil capsules, softgels. Some dogs will just eat it with their food if you put it in the bowl. With others, you may have to give it as a pill.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Karen, what dosage do you give JD?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I bought Nature Made "Ultra Omega 3 Minis" Fish Oil 500 mg, 360 mg Omega 3- they're half the size of most fish oil capsules.

[Jacque, Penny and Annabelle]

How many of these do you give JD each day? Penny is 10 months old and weighs about 35 pounds. The dosage on the bottle says 2 per day but that is for adults. I don't want to give her too much but I want her to get the right amount. Is there a danger in giving her too much? Should I give her 1 or 2 per day? 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

JD isn't taking them any more, but when he was getting them, he only got one a day, and he weighs 80 lbs. Start with one; you can always increase it to two a day if she does well with them. There's no real danger in getting more than is needed, but it can cause diarrhea.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Finn's food - Natural Balance -- contains Omega 3 and 6, and for now I top it with a couple tablespoons of Blue WIlderness Salmon every other day and/or I cook salmon at least once a week - and I cook an unseasoned piece for him.

I tried the fish oil but he hates it.  If he sees me pouring that on his food he gets up and goes in another room no matter how hungry he is.  Seriously :( One day he came over to inspect the food (I thought we were making progress) until he used his nose to upend the whole food bowl and THEN he went in the other room!  I have to find out what is a good optimum dosage for him and then, if I can find capsules small enough I can get him to take those.  The goal is to get the cartilage to regenerate some, keep the joints well lubricated, and keep the inflammation down.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

So saddened to read all this about Finn. I can't imagine how overwhelming this is right now but am hoping very much that for Finn that there will be lots more playing and running and jumping for him for a long time to come.  One thing I know is that he will get the very best chance that exists given that he has a wonderful Doodle Mom.   Riley doesn't like the fish oil capsules that I try to give him and salmon is relatively cheap to buy so I just cook some for him and it is his favorite topper of all time.  Herring is also omega dense and a good option I believe.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Thanks Nicky

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Yes Nancie, no more doodles added to this list would be a wonderful thing:))

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I'm so sorry Cheryl. Will keep Finn and your family in our prayers for many years of joy together.