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.

 

 

[Leslie J]

Hi JD!  I'm sure your mom will figure out just the thing to help you get in and out of the car.  I hope she finds something to help you in and out of the bed too- otherwise she might get too comfortable and get the bad habit of stretching out and hogging the bed.

Get well soon,

Cocoa

[Margaret & Pebbles]

Hope you feel better soon JD.  Karen I'm just sitting here thinking out loud, and don't know if this would work, I'm trying to picture it in my mind.....but would doggy steps work?  They come in different heights, I had used them for a previous dog.  Or maybe that would hurt his back climbing them. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Margaret. He's not real familiar with stairs; we have none in the house, so I think those might make him more nervous than a ramp. But I'm going to explore all options.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Cocoa!

[BG and Gavin]

OK JD - 14 pills a day sounds like a lot, but you can do it - I know you can!  Plus if it makes you feel better, its worth the hassle.  I don't know much about MRIs, but my mom has had three of them and she said she would rather be put to sleep for them too due to something she has called claustraphobia.  A ramp sounds like fun.  Maybe you could get one for your mom's bed too?  Take care buddy!  Love Gavin

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Gavin!

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

Glad for your good news!!  And as far as the not-so-good: here's hoping the new pills do the trick and you're up and jumping around soon!  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Deanna!

[Leslie and Halas]

Oh, JD.  We're sorry you're hurting.  I'm sure you miss playing ball.  I hope these meds work, and you can play ball again soon.  At least your bones and joints are OK.  I've never used a ramp, so I don't have any advice there.  But that or a hip strap does sound like it would make things a lot easier.  Feel better soon!

[Leslie and Halas]

And maybe the water therapy won't be too scary if you're walking on an underwater treadmill.  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Leslie! I hope the next time you visit, I'll be able to play ball with you again!

Luv, JD

[Janice Hammond]

Hi :

Have you ever thought of trying accupuncture and craniosacral chiropratic medicine.It worked like a charm for one of our labradors.Just a suggestion.