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, Cheryl.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

We're just back from our vacation and this is the first I'm hearing about Jack (lousy IPad reception at the beach).  I'm so sorry to hear this news.  I'm hoping the pain meds are keeping the big guy more comfortable, and that this is something that will not require surgery.  I need to read through all the responses here to see if there's any additional news since you first posted this.  If it were me I would try the steps first.  There are some that fold up but are sturdy.  I know that Murph won't do ramps.  Guinness was fine with doing ramps during agility but when I tried to get Murphy to walk on it he "freaked".  I think he just didn't feel secure enough.  I can't believe there is another challenge for you and Jack to face together....we'll talk.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Nothing new, Jane. Would it surprise you to know that I'm still in denial and vacillating among the options while avoiding making any decisions? No, didn't think so, lol. :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Update above.

[Leslie and Halas]

I hope the MRI can pinpoint something. Feel better soon, JD!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Les.

[Stella]

Well poop. 

I know they often prescribe Gabapentin for humans with neurogenic pain, so I guess it is the same with dogs.  It is a pretty strong medication though and I have had a few clients who didn't like the side effects.  The collpasing of his back end may be related to the medication, but what I am thinking is that if he has a disc herniation (or spondylosis for that matter - which they should have been able to see on the x-ray, disc herniation will only show on CAT scan or MRI) then there may be pressure on the nerves which supply his legs, and this may be causing the giving way.  Pain alone can also cause muscle inhibition and giving way of his legs.  So, I would be looking at what else they can give you guys purely for pain control for him for the time being.  Human disc herniations often resolve with time and pain management.  I am hoping that the same applies to dogs.  Poor JD.  Hugs to you both.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Stella. His IBD complicates the pain med issue. The surgeon said he could prescribe a narcotic, but I don't think he needs that yet.

 

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Is it a med you would have to wean him off of? Maybe a lower dose that can still be effective, yet not have so many side effects?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Tried cutting the dose, and it actually got worse; don't know if that would have happened anyway. But the surgeon said if i didn't see an improvement, there was no use in continuing with it.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Well, not the update we were hoping for but I think the MRI is the way to go now.  Otherwise it's just going to be more guesswork. Hope you see some improvement once that med is eliminated.

[Stella]

How long would he have to wait for an MRI?  How much would it cost??