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]

LOL, thanks, Suzanne! The holistic medicine practice at the Specialty Clinic does do acupuncture!

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

I know how frustrating it can be, JD - I can't for the life of me figure out how to jump on the bed!  Mom says it's because I still think I'm a tiny puppy.  She tried to convince me it's the same height as the car so I should be able to manage, but I just think the bed is WAY too high, so I have to be helped up.  Asking for help is OK - don't worry!

I hope you get better soon so you can show me how to jump on high things.

-Luna

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Luna! I promise to show you how to jump when I can do it again.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Dear Tough Guy,

We are very glad that you don't have lots of bad stuff wrong and that you don't have to have more tests right now.  Two pills when you take lots - easy peasy for you.  We don't have a ramp but our mom has seen them for SUV kind of cars and she thinks they look cool.  She has to lift Gordie into our jeep or Volvo (he can jump down too) and she says he is awfully heavy for her so she is thinking ramp in the near future.  She is lucky though cuz our dad or brother is usually around to do the lifting.  She had to put Gordie in the jeep today and Dad laughed at her attempts - she did not think it was so funny, but....  We say get a ramp for the bed so you can get up there and snuggle.   Mom and Dad used the belly band to assist Gordie upstairs when he had his surgery and it was nifty for that but wouldn't work for him getting into our cars.

Ned and Clancy

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, guys. That's what my mom is worried about, that the strap won't work for lifting my back end up into the car. Maybe we can try a makeshift one like F mentioned.

My mom said to tell your dad to help your mom with Gordie next time instead of laughing!

Luv, JD

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

JD,

Dad usually does the lifting but we were in traffic and he was holding the door AND us so it would have been hard to switch.  We tried to tell our dad not to laugh, but we were laughing too hard also.  We love to gang up on Gordie and laugh at him cuz he is such a wimp.  Today he howled when mom and dad went to the campground pool to exercise, so they got embarrassed.  Tonight they are going to a play and they are going to give Gordie Benedryl so hopefully he won't howl! (He is such a big baby) We only bark to warn people away - sometimes we get pretty loud but we are being brave.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

LOL, guys, be nice to poor Gordie!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

How about the harnesses that just lift the butt area? Depending on how wide your car door opens it might be tough to get the right angle for your mom to help lift you. But you could ask her if she has considered something like these:

http://www.handicappedpets.com/help-pets-walk/dog-harnesses-a-sling...

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

So sorry to hear the bad news part JD ... here's hoping that the pain meds get you feeling all better.  I just picked up a cheap plastic type ramp for Lucy to get in and out of the van, but so far it hasn't worked because she is still mostly on 3 legs and isn't willing to give it a try.  Plus she has only been in the van a couple times so far as she isn't allowed to be up and about.  I think that a lot of your decision will need to be based on where in the SUV JD rides.  If he gets in and out of the backseat you will have to think about parking spaces and that there isn't always a lot of room.  If he gets in the rear, not really a problem. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Sheri. He does ride in the backseat and gets in and out the side door. I have had to leave him with the receptionists wherever we go while I run out and pull the car up near the door, as he needs clearance and the door wide open before he will even try to get into the car. The seat is lower than the floor in the rear of the vehicle, too.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

A skinned nose would be terrible, Hattie! Thanks and hugs back atcha!

Luv, JD

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Joni!