Hi All...Time for a Gracie Doodle Update

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

I have had quite a few PMs asking how Gracie Doodle is doing.  I figured it was time to update you all on her continuing condition.  I am not sure where I last left off but I am pretty sure that I told you that she was treated for one month.  Great for a month or two and then it came back, started treatment and then the day we were to start cutting back on her Prednisone the jaw pain came back so we have since then continued to give her two 20 mg each pills a day.  

Gracie has a autoimmune disease that is called Masticatory Myositis which affects her jaw and head muscles. This is causing her to not be able to open her mouth wide to catch a ball or yawn.  Also, the top of her head becomes tender where the muscle is on the side of the head bone (she has the Golden Retriever bone bump).  There is no how or whys to this.  She at 5 years old and always in perfect health just developed it about 4 months ago and it will be with her off and on for the rest of her life.  We do hope to wean her off the Prednisone after 6 months of treatment starting from the second time we put her on it.  What is sad is what the Prednisone does to her.  She pants, drinks water constantly, is starving, won't sleep with us, won't kiss us anymore (this is a new thing in the last month) and when I walk by her while she is flopped on the floor she won't raise her head or wag her tail when I talk to her.  She is totally indifferent to me except when I enter the house after being gone or grab her tennis ball to take her outside to play catch.  I WANT MY LOVING DOODLE BACK!!!!  My DH was even mean enough this morning to tell me on his way out of the house that Gracie told him that she didn't love me anymore!!!!  WTD...how could he??  She isn't much better with him but he at least can get a tail wag.  I have tried crawling on the floor to where she is laying down and kiss her and whisper in her ear and she pulls away...maybe I need to have "bone" breath or something!  Also, my non-shedding Doodle is losing some of her hair.  Not a lot but enough that I find it...especially her tail.  Her tail is fur and not hair though.  She has the Golden Retriever tail so maybe that is why she is losing it.  Though she is looking a little thin at the top of her head where her poofer is.  Also, the bone has lost some of it's muscle so it is more pronounced than ever.  She also lost 5 lbs so we have been bulking her up.  Gracie has always been very fit and thin Doodle so the weight loss is huge on her frame.  On Prednisone they are suppose to gain weight but she did the reverse.  I how have her back up to 65.4 lbs and her norm is 67-70.  Gracie has also been on an antibiotic because the Prednisone has compromised her immune system and so the daily bacteria that we and animals all have on our bodies is causing sores.  Today was her last day of a three week dose.  

So as of today we continue with two pills a day and then in about 3 weeks we will go to one a day for a month and then one every other day for a month.  After that we go off all medications and wait and see how long before it rears it's ugly head again.  I am told that once she is off the Prednisone I will have my sweet, loving, funny, goofy Doodle back.  The skin irritations will go away as well as the hair loss.  The only thing that won't return is any muscle loss or damage.   The good thing is that she is currently pain free and again enjoying yawning and catching two tennis balls!  And she continues to get to go to the beach and swim.  I am just so in love with this big fuffy sweet Doodle that it breaks my heart to be putting her through this treatment even though I know it has to be done and is the only option.  

Thank all of you for your kind thoughts and prayers.  I am sorry that I have not replied to each of you individually.  The last month has been filled with grandkids, grand-dog, travels up and down the coast (with Gracie Doodle of course), and constant family staying in our tiny house.  Five grandchildren is a lot of kids!!!!  

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Thinking about Gracie often and waiting to hear that there is some remission of this horrible illness soon.  Hugs from me to you and kisses and crossed paws from Riley to Gracie. 

[Stella]

I haven't been on DK for ages, and am only now reading about your poor Gracie.  Hugs to both of you from me, Hartley and Chase. 

[BG and Gavin]

Poor Gracie and poor you!  When Gavin is under the weather he will not stay in the same room with us and will not make eye contact. I think it is a survival instinct.  Hopefully with treatment she improves and is back to her normal self.  Hugs to you.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Nancie, are some breeds more prone to this than others?  Does it come on more predominately at certain ages?

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Nancie, thank you so much for the update on Gracie. I am so sorry about her seeming 'indifference' to you.  Perhaps she knows she doesn't have to pretend she feels good with you and allows YOU to see the way she is really feeling.  She is so much your baby.  I am positive that when she is off the Prednisone, she will make up to you with tons of kisses and tail wagging.  Ned, Clancy and Gordie miss her and so do I.

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

Keeping you and dear Gracie Doodle in my thoughts and hoping she is back to herself again soon!

[Lynda Kamrath]

I am so sorry to hear about Gracie's problems.  It is so sad having to deal with pain.  I hope she recovers totally and as soon as possible, but I KNOW she still loves you dearly.  You are her life.  Hang in there.  Things will get better.  You know, the canine rehab facility here is great and Harpo loves swimming in the warm pool.  There is nothing wrong with him, but we go to the rehab pool for some free swimming.  Is there a canine rehab facility in your area?  Worth checking in to.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Nancie, I just went back and read my first response and wanted to add....there is no way Gracie could NOT love you? Of course, she does.....and It WILL get better!!!

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Jeez - this is just tearing my heart right out.  I'm happy that she isn't having as much pain but I can so relate to the not being herself part.  This was Stuart during the worst 3 days of his anaphylactic shock - lucky it only lasted for us a short time - so this just breaks my heart.  Nancie - SHE WILL COME BACK - I know she will.  I send you the biggest doodle {{{{HUG}}}}.

[Michele, Biscuit & Mo]

Nancie, I'm so sorry to hear about Gracie's trials.  And I can read your sadness in your post, which breaks my heart.  You are doing everything you can for her, and she knows it.  Keep giving her all the love you can (which must be buckets full!) and let her body work on getting healthier.  Sending all good vibes for better news soon!