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.

 

 

[BG and Gavin]

Hugs to you Gracie and Nancy.  This all seems so unfair :(

xoxo BG and Gavin

[Leslie and Halas]

If you need help getting JD out of the car, I'll help you.  I just need a 3-hour notice, LOL!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

LOL, Leslie!

[Colleen, Jake & Baxter]

All I know is that it looks so much more scarey to us owners when our doodles are experiencing things such as above.  My Jake goes through head tremors and there is no rhyme or reason for when they appear but it kind of freaks me out every time even though I try very hard to remain calm.   I am sorry that our Jackdoodle is going through this:(  you know we consider him ours too:) because we love him so....

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Colleen.

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

Karen - I just focused on JD's problem with the Gabapentin.  It is not unusual for anti-seizure medication to have these side affects in dogs.  As in all medication we weigh the benefits against the side effects.  Mariner continues to have hind quarter weekness but he has been seizure free for about 2 years.  It is a constant challenge to balance the medications.  Once you discontinue the Gabapentin the hind quarter weekness will go away.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks for this info Andy, it helps a lot.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm trying to go back through this discussion and thank everyone I may have missed, but you guys are way too nice and there are way too many pages, lol. So please, everyone who has posted here with good thoughts and wishes for JD & me, consider yourself thanked. Hugs to you all.

[Christine & Camus]

Karen,  Prayers, Mojo, Hugs and more!  I'm so sorry this is getting so complicated for you, sure hope JD is scheduled 1st thing in the morning. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Christine.

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

Karen...I hurt so much for you and JD.  Praying hard for the two of you...I love you...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thank you, Doris, I love you, too.