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.

 

 

[Bonnie and Kona]

I am sure you were just sick to your stomach seeing him in pain and not being able to do anything to help him. I'm so sorry for both of you. I hope to hear very soon that you have found a solution to this dilemma. Much love to you both.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Bonnie. Right now, I'm feeling like I need to go to Ollivander's and get a wand. :)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I am so sorry about this.  Can you try a step stool/crate/box while you decide about a ramp?  I HATE it when they cry because it is so rare.  At least for Gordie and Clancy.... Ned is such a girl.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm thinking about getting something he could use as a step temporarily. My DD said I should move the front passenger seat up as far as it will go and then he could get in at floor level on the back passenger side, I'm going to try that, too.

I think I also need some kind of low bench for the bedroom, too, that he could just step onto and then get on the bed from there. My bedroom is the only room in the house that faces the street, and he likes to lie there and look out the window.

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

Karen - Remember that the plastic doggy steps that are being sold only support about 40 pounds.  We  use them for Mariner but I had to add 2x4's as extro support.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Karen, this all sounds good. Sweet Jack.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, guys. Andy, I think that of all the options, steps would be the thing he would be least likely to use. I was thinking of maybe just a platform that could be used as a single step.

[BG and Gavin]

Gavin banged his head jumping into the back of the SUV as a youngster and will not enter that way.  We began using the method that your DD has suggested and it works just fine.  Gradually Gavin (because it was just a mental block for him) skipped the floor step and jumps right on the seat.  However he still will not enter through the back hatch.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, BG. I'm going to try that today.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Poor Sweet Jack, of course he needs that step, he needs to look out that window.

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

Karen, I'm just catching up on this discussion -- I didnt look at it yesterday -- and I'm just hating what I'm reading. I'm so sorry that Jack is having such intense pain! I know this must be so difficult and I hurt for both of you! Praying for him to get better soon....

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thank you Doris. I'm having a hard time with this and the support of our friends really helps.