Feeling pretty blue; Timmy needs your prayers.

[Mary Ann]

Poor little dog. I was complaining to the vet that his pain wasn't being relieved by the new painkillers he prescribed (Metacam). So he switched me back to the meds he had before (full dose of Deramaxx), to see if he could get going again. It didn't work.

Timmy can hardly walk now. He's not paralyzed, but he gets to his feet and falls. He can't stand on any sort of slippery floor; he needs carpet, rough cement, or sod, and even then it's pretty difficult. He doesn't yet have something called 'deep pain,' where they become insensitive to sticks in the extremities with a sharp object, or a hard squeeze of the toe. But for the first time today, he couldn't urinate.

So I brought him back to Doc, asking if there's anything dogs can have that'll make them move like an EPM horse. Turns out that there is; tumors, for one thing.

He suggested that if I wanted, he could recommend a hospital where they could do better diagnostics for these other things. They have a CAT scan there, and could check for tumors. But Timmy is eleven years old. I dunno; I watched my friend Jody grieve when she spent over $4000 for her dog (who was much younger) to get extensive diagnostics, only to smother to death in a plastic bag of Science Diet treats. I told Doc what the chiro had said; she said that with as much pain as he was getting, she recommended relieving his pain with whatever it takes, and when it burns up his liver, intestines, or kidneys, to put him to sleep. But at least then he'd have a reasonable quality of life for his remaining days. I told him that if he could tell me that it'd be, say, twelve hundred bucks and an eighty percent chance for a good prognosis, I'd do it; did he have his crystal ball today?

I asked Doc what he would do if it was his dog. He said at this age, he'd try to find some good meds to relieve his pain, and if he couldn't, he'd put him down.

So now I'm armed with more meds; tylenol with codeine, which he feels is stronger than the Deramaxx, and he also starts on prednisone in the morning. I should know by Monday or Tuesday if it's giving him any real relief.

He also said that sometimes they go through this, and at four to six weeks enough inflammation is gone that they spontaneously resolve. Very little pain. So there's hope, if I can get him through the inflammation and pain right now.

I could sure use some prayers and good thoughts for Timmy. He's not a perfect dog, but he's a darned good one. And the look in his eyes is breaking my heart.

[Newfygirl]

Oh Maryann...please give Timmy kisses and hugs...Many many prayers your way. Its so hard to watch them go through this. He'll let you know when its time though. On one of the dog forums there was a bit about the 4 days you remember in the life of your dog: 1) the day you meet 2) the day you realize they are getting old 3) the day they die and 4) the day you can remember them with joy and not sadness. I think that day 2 is the hardest. Timmy is lucky to be loved and cared for by you. Miracles can happen and perhaps in a week or days or 2 weeks, he'll be back to normal. Some friends of ours have a 2 year old Golden Retriever. For three weeks she did not get up and walk or eat. They had to squeeze water into her and clean up after she went potty. The vet had no idea what it might have been. But, after the third week, she started walking again, and 2 weeks later she was back to normal. I will be thinking of you and Timmy and please keep us updated on his progress.

[Chrisnstar]

Oh, Mary Ann, I'm so very sorry about Timmy. Hugs and kisses to him and many prayers going up.

I'm surprised he prescribed tylenol.. the codein is Ok, but vets have told met that tylenol is a really big no no for dogs.

The prednisone might help him. They had Bubba on IV dex and it didnt' help much. Dr. Drew put him on prednisone tablets and it relieved Bubba's pain and inflammation pretty quickly.

I'm praying that it works for Timmy.

chris

[KrisAK]

George is going through pretty much the same thing. The cocktail we came up with that really helped him was Feldene (1 every other day) that I have to get at the human pharmacy and Rimadyl (1 every 12 hours) and Tramadol (1 every 12 hours). He was on Feldene and it wasn't working and I came to the conclusion that since his hips were starting to fail it was time to keep him comfortable until his kidneys and liver gave out. The vet game me all 3 meds and told me to try different combos until they worked. And the above is what we came up with. They are keeping the pain at bay but there is nothing we can do about his hips. Just the other day I took him for a ride in the Jeep and that night he had his first bout of paralysis. We gave him an extra Tramadol that night and in the morning he came trucking in and MADE me get up and let him out NOW! Since then we've had some snow and he's gotten bogged down a couple times to the point that I had to go help him up but for the most part he's doing pretty well. Still DEMANDS that we give him some Beggin' snacks. ;D

Good luck with your pup.

Kris

[Mary Ann]

Newfygirl, you're so right! I remember so clearly the day I brought Timmy home. He was the last pup in a litter of Corgis at the barn. No buyers, and the trainer felt that the daddy dog was gonna kill him if he didn't find him a home. So they asked me if I wanted him. Free. I almost named him Dallas, as that's where hubby was, too far away to say no. We already had two dogs, but one of them, an aging Golden, didn't have much time left. So he went home with me.

I only realized he was old this winter when noticing his age on the bottom of a vet's statement. It seemed impossible. My other little Corgi is only six months younger.

I don't mind cleaning up after him if that's what he needs, if it's for a limited time. This dog can't be a doorstop, though. It's not a good quality of life for him. I'm grateful his appetite is still good; but he'd better urinate soon. He hasn't since this morning, but he's pooped twice since.

Chris, I don't believe tylenol is a first choice. He mentioned that there's a risk of intestinal problems. Right now, that risk is minimal in light of his extreme pain. I'm hoping the steroids help fast, too. He can't go on like this.

Kris, I'm so sorry you have a dog going through this too. It's heartbreaking! How old is your dog? Medicating them out of the pain, knowing it's just delaying the end, is so very hard; I may have to do that, too. I'm sure you cherish these days you have left together. (((((HUGS)))))

[KrisAK]

MaryAnn said:

Kris, I'm so sorry you have a dog going through this too. It's heartbreaking! How old is your dog? Medicating them out of the pain, knowing it's just delaying the end, is so very hard; I may have to do that, too. I'm sure you cherish these days you have left together. (((((HUGS)))))

He's about 15 or 16 - can't specifically recall if we got him in '92 or '93 and we got him from the pound so we don't know his birthdate - which is pretty old for a Lab. It wasn't until that first paralysis that the possibility of having to put him down entered my mind. But then that next day he was the old George again. He occasionally needs a help up but once he gets up on his pins he has no problems - oh, he used to on the linoleum in the kitchen but we got some of those rubber mats from Sams Club and that fixed it. Earlier today he DEMANDED to be let out - like he had to go potty really bad. Once he got outside he started playing "Snow Dozer" with his nose. This is gonna be a tough one. He's been my best bud for a lot of years and I've never had to make the decision like this. The last dog was when I was living with mom and we gave him to a farmer because we were moving into town and wouldn't have a yard for him.

Kris

[linda]

I'm sorry Mary Ann. It is always so hard when you are trying to make the best decision you can have for them. It isn't about the money--not if they can be made well. It is about knowing when enough is enough.

I have a McLaren Photonic Torch that I use on all my critters (and myself). It allows you to do acupuncture without the needles. One of my friends is a physician (MD) and she uses it in her practice with great results. She can drop the blood sugar of a diabetic within minutes (and monitors that with lab tests). She used her torch to pull one of her horses out of colic within minutes. She actually took the horse in the house with her to get to torch to ensure he couldn't roll. I have had very good luck relieving my own back spasms with it. I do use it on my dog with his bone spurs. I can't make you any promises--other than if you were closer I would let you try mine. I don't know if something like this would allow you to relieve Timmy's pain or not, but it is the only idea I have to offer tonight.

If you call them in Oklahoma City at 405-767-0800 and tell them that you are interested, they may give you the phone numbers for people in your area that have one (they did this for me.) I then called the people and made arrangements to meet with them to try their Torch out on my specific problems. It worked--much to my suprise--so I bought one and have used it ever since. Once I got mine--I used it on my physician friend who has horrible hip/back pain. She couldn't believe it, her pain went from about an 8 to a 5 within 10 minutes. She ordered her own as soon as she got home and has been a happy camper ever since.

If you can find one locally, I think it would be worth a try--that is the only way you could be sure that it would be effective for Timmy. At $500 plus, you want to be a believer first.
Hugs,
Linda

[Chrisnstar]

Still sending prayers for Timmy, Mary Ann.. I know how bad it hurts to watch them suffer. I know you are doing all you can to help him. Whatever your decision for him, you'll have my full support.

chris

[Newfygirl]

Hows he doing today??

[Mary Ann]

Thanks so much for asking, Newfygirl. Not really very good.

I had to pick him up to go to the bathroom this morning. He wouldn't even get to his feet on a rug. He finally urinated for the first time in 24 hours when I held up his hind end, but he wouldn't poop. He just slumped there in the sleet.

And for the first time, his appetite is waning. I gave him some of the new Merrick's food with a bunch of hot water gravy on it (because he's not getting much fluids, because he won't go to the water dish), and while he ate it with pleasure last night, I had to coax him to eat it this morning. And even though I left water in a shallow bowl within reach, he didn't drink any all night.

He hasn't moved from his rug since last night, except when I picked him up to take him out.

I'm slightly hopeful yet, as this morning was the first time to try the steroids. If the inflammation falls enough, then he might rally. Outside of that, it doesn't look good.

But he drools, which he's never done, and he cries tears. And the look in his eyes is haunting. I don't know if I'm helping him or hurting him right now, but I just have to try.

Thanks so much for asking. This is plenty hard, but it helps to know that there are others that understand.

[Chrisnstar]

Oh Mary Ann, I'm so sorry........ Here's hoping Timmy rallies. If he doesn't, I know you'll do the right thing for him.

I remember going through this with our Duke.... it was so hard, but he told us it was time.

chris

[Newfygirl]

We'll hope for a rally then. First day with the steroids - give them time to work.

[trigger]

Poor boy...prayers coming that things will improve soon for him.

[Frosty M]

((((HUGS))).

[Littljoe]

Poor Timmy! MaryAnn, my thoughts are with you. Through all of this, I'm sure the one thing Timmy knows for sure is how much you love him, and that you are doing everything you can for him.

--LJ