Good News and Not-So-Good News by 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.

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Permalink Reply by Joanne ~ Spud* on August 9, 2012 at 9:45pm

For once, an ad on this page actually may help!

Look at the ad in this discussion. At least on my page.

http://www.petco.com/product/109315/Solvit-UltraLite-Bifold-Pet-Ram...

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Permalink Reply by F, Calla & Luca on August 9, 2012 at 9:49pm

It looks light, good and not too pricy.

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Permalink Reply by Christine & Camus on August 9, 2012 at 9:54pm

I have not read through all of the suggestions, but in case it was not mentioned and if you have a Costco in your area they have a pet ramp that is on sale for $79.99, no shipping charges if you order online. A real plus is there would be no problem if you need to return.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Productgroup.aspx?Prodid=11711551&...

Extended dimensions: 17" W x 70" L x 3" D
Folded dimensions: 17" W x 36" L x 6 D
Maximum recommended height: 36"
Weight: 18 lbs.

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Permalink Reply by Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle on August 9, 2012 at 10:04pm

I'm going to take some time tomorrow to look at all of these. Thank you all for helping me!

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Permalink Reply by Joanne ~ Spud* on August 9, 2012 at 10:08pm

Realistically, we all have to think about this in the near future. Many of us are middle-aged and can't lift our dogs. As our dogs grow older so do their needs also.

Sometimes I see the DK community in the future, dogs and humans, aging gracefully with a lot of support

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Permalink Reply by Christine & Camus on August 9, 2012 at 10:10pm

With a whole lot of support!

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Permalink Reply by F, Calla & Luca on August 9, 2012 at 10:13pm

Middle aged is beginning to sound good to me : ) And not so graceful here. But my dogs are mere young things.

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Permalink Reply by Ricki and Tara (doodle) on August 9, 2012 at 10:14pm

I like your future vision Joanne!

I have to admit, it was my experience with Ebony that was a deciding factor in my getting a 20 pound dog this time around. I had so much trouble helping him as he aged (60 pounds which is light compared to some doodles! ) and it was so frustrating when I ended up hurting him when I was trying to help. Hopefully I'll be able to manage this little peanut if and when the time comes!