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.

 

 

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Karen - if I had the ramp in MI I would drive it over and give it to you but it is in FL :(

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thank you, Jane, and JD says thank you, too.

I definitely do not need a herniated disc, although maybe then JD and I could do our physical therapy together, lol.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Hi Jackdoodle, Winston here. I'm just a little confused. What do you mean you cried out when the lady lifted your butt into the car? What was so embarassing about that? Isn't that how it's done? how else are you supposed to do it?

Your Pal,

Winston

p.s. I'm sorry to hear there is something wrong with your back, but I'm sure those nice doctor's will fix it. Even if they do fix it, you should still pretend that it's bothering you. That way your mom will feel bad and give you more cookies. So will the vets. Who needs pride when there are more cookies to be had?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Hey, Winston, I have never ever cried about anything. I am afraid that if I lose my tough-guy reputation, all of my legal clients will find themselves another shark doodle!  

Luv, JD

 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Not us. We like a lawyer whose man enough to show his feelings and complain as necessary. You remain our go to lawyer.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, F! That makes me feel better!

Luv, JD

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

there's nothin wrong with showin your feelings JD, I do it all the time! It takes courage to be in touch with your feminin side!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Hey, there's no feminine side here!

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

"I have never ever cried about anything."   Oh, Jack, that makes me cry...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Don't cry, Doris!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Wait, JD are you sayin that I'm not a tough guy because my mom lifts my bum into the car? maybe that's why all her friends giggle when she does it. humph.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Winston, I love you, but your "tough guy" impersonation needs a little work, lol.

JK, I know you are tough on the inside, and that's what counts. :)