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]

It's complicated. It could be scheduled immediately, but it has to be done under general anesthetic, and Jack has some other problems, including inflammatory bowel disease, which complicate matters. Plus, if the MRI shows something that requires surgery, they would want to do it right then while he's already under. So I'm not rushing into this.

Ballpark cost for just the MRI is $1500, and that's without an anesthesiologist present.

[Stella]

Oh, I see.  Why is nothing ever easy?!  It is good that if they find something, they will deal with it there and then.  But, a huge thing for you to have to deal with, a huge decision to have to make.  Knowing you, you are researching like crazy! 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Well, considering that lumbar disc surgery would render him unable to stand or walk on his own for at least a week and he weighs 85 lbs, I need some preparation, lol. ;)

[Jennifer and Jack]

Jack and I send our love and prayers and lots of hugs!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Jen

[Christine & Camus]

A couple of common human side effects of Gabapentin, according to an article in the Mayo Clinic website, are lack or loss of strength and lower back pain, so I'm hoping JD will improve by discontinuing it. Hugs to both you and JD. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Christine.

[BG and Gavin]

Poor JD - we will continue to keep him in our thoughts and prayers.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, BG

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

I am so sorry Jack is having problems with his back and hope the MRI will diagnose something easily treatable.  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Linda. Me too!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Awe, poor JD. I really hope it is something treatable. Good luck with the MRI, and please give JD a big hug and kiss from me!