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]

Thanks, Donna. I will look at this, 10 lbs should be doable!

[Camilla and Darwin]

JD why does the bad stuff always happen to the best ones? I think you are amazing, I hope I can be as awesome as you someday. - Darwin

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Darwin, we think you are awesome, too!

Luv, JD

[F, Calla & Luca]

Well there is a lot of good news and some not so good news. JD you are  getting older with the rest of us. I take more pills than you if we count supplements. Right now, inexplicably the joints are not too bad. More difficult testing or intervention should always be the last resort. Funny how a word like resort has such different meanings.

Most days I start off with what I call the one foot shuffle going downstairs. So get a good ramp, sorry no advice here. And keep on trucking  SUVing.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, F, I am counting supplements, so maybe my 14 is not so bad!

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

Oh JD!  This is very upsetting but we really hope that your meds will help you so you are able to jump and run again!

love, Z&B

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Z & B!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Andrea! It's encouraging that the strap worked for Riley.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Actually I used an improvised variant years ago when my cousin's lab had dislocated his hip and then came to stay with me for a couple of weeks. A towel gave  some support under his belly and he was able to negotiate a few steps into the house with it. He could have made it on his own near the end of his stay but he stood and waited for it.

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

Well that back thing is a real bummer, JD.  We hope the pain pills help to get you back on your feet.  We have seen other dogs using a ramp to get into an SUV and they are quite nifty once you learn how to negotiate them.  Wishing you the best of luck and health.

Webber and Seda

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Webber & Seda!

[Suzanne & Jack]

So sorry to hear about your back problems.  Tell your mom that if the medicine doesn't work, she might want to consider accupunture.  I've heard it can be very successful.  And I wouldn't worry about someone having to lift your butt to get in the car.  Next time let one rip.  Wishing you well, Jack