Chris, great pics......every hobby farm needs dogs, cats, and goats. 
We May Be Losing Our Dog, Andromeda...
- Thread starter PairoDocs
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PairoDocs
Well-known member
Thanks everyone for the continued kind and considerate posts. They've helped me feel a lot better about all of this. We know we're not alone.
We decided that she should sleep in the back of our pickup truck rather than in her own dog house. There's no way to keep the goats away, nor the chickens for that matter. The truck has a cap (camper shell) so she's not exposed directly to the cold. Also has some blankets beneath her and over her. Laura went out and found her sitting up almost normally and gave her some trout meat. We ate trout tonight, and Andie of course loved the treats.
We'll see how things are in the morning. I'll take her out as soon as I see KC off on the school bus and set her on her fruit tray bed. If she has rallied further, maybe she'll get up and walk around a bit. I'm supposed to take her into the vet again tomorrow for further evaluation. Again, if she worsens, it's time to put her to sleep. If she's improved, we'll just keep on doing what we're doing. Seems she's developed an ulcer from medication, and the vet will treat that, so I have to go back anyway.
It's agonizing with this being so gray and uncertain. I hope we're able to resolve it one way or the other soon. I don't want her to suffer, but I also don't want to deprive her of many more healthy years if she's capable of recovering from this, either.
I'm also sorry I've brought up some of your own pets' mortalities. Yes, it's so true that since these animals have shorter lifespans than we do, we lose them more often then they'd lose us. However, Andie almost outlived me--except for the grace of God and the hands of Dr. Huerd.
Chris
We decided that she should sleep in the back of our pickup truck rather than in her own dog house. There's no way to keep the goats away, nor the chickens for that matter. The truck has a cap (camper shell) so she's not exposed directly to the cold. Also has some blankets beneath her and over her. Laura went out and found her sitting up almost normally and gave her some trout meat. We ate trout tonight, and Andie of course loved the treats.
We'll see how things are in the morning. I'll take her out as soon as I see KC off on the school bus and set her on her fruit tray bed. If she has rallied further, maybe she'll get up and walk around a bit. I'm supposed to take her into the vet again tomorrow for further evaluation. Again, if she worsens, it's time to put her to sleep. If she's improved, we'll just keep on doing what we're doing. Seems she's developed an ulcer from medication, and the vet will treat that, so I have to go back anyway.
It's agonizing with this being so gray and uncertain. I hope we're able to resolve it one way or the other soon. I don't want her to suffer, but I also don't want to deprive her of many more healthy years if she's capable of recovering from this, either.
I'm also sorry I've brought up some of your own pets' mortalities. Yes, it's so true that since these animals have shorter lifespans than we do, we lose them more often then they'd lose us. However, Andie almost outlived me--except for the grace of God and the hands of Dr. Huerd.
Chris
Chris, I understand your thoughts of mortality.....my darling Cleo was my rehab buddy.
She was my friend and confidant for the last 3 years, and my life is not the same without her.
My best wishes continue for your Andie, she looks so sweet and kind.
She was my friend and confidant for the last 3 years, and my life is not the same without her.
My best wishes continue for your Andie, she looks so sweet and kind.
K
Karlynn
Keeping Andie in my prayers. She looks happy to be home. I know she'd rather be there, regardless of how she feels, than at the vets. I hope you wake up to some more encouraging signs tomorrow.
ALCapshaw2
Well-known member
Chris,
You are doing the Right Thing by your beloved companion.
BLESS YOU !
Stay attentive and you will know when it's time.
'AL Capshaw'
You are doing the Right Thing by your beloved companion.
BLESS YOU !
Stay attentive and you will know when it's time.
'AL Capshaw'
twinmaker
Well-known member
I'm keeping you all and Andie in my prayers. I truly hope she continues to rally. It's funny you brought up the DMSO. My twin sons (soccer players..a few years ago) used this stuff for pulled groins by rubbing it on the skin. I think a lot of athletes use this stuff. It smells like garlic. Is this the same stuff you're talking about? There are several things on the web about it. I'd ask the Vet about it. It may just help. My boys swore by this stuff. Give Andie a hug for me. LINDA
PairoDocs
Well-known member
Quick update:
Sorry for being gone so long. It's been busy and I was feeling too depressed to visit VR for a few days (the login says 5 days). Andie is still alive and still home. She's making a very little progress here and there. Saw the vet on Monday. He said Andie is definitely improved. However, she's chewed open a sore on her right leg (maybe nerve tingling?) and we've had to put one of those Elizabethian collars (cone-shaped plastic things that thread through her collar) to keep her from chewing the skin off further. She has lost a considerable amount of weight. I've never seen her skinny before, and it looks pretty scary. Her vet says she has lost muscle mass, but otherwise he didn't seem too concerned. Her front looks much more normal and rather than laying around, she mostly sits up, though her hind legs assume odd positions. She can feel, and respond to irritation. I sprayed antiseptic onto the wound, and she actually jumped to her feet walked about 5 feet away from me before her rear slumped back down again. So each day brings a bit more improvement.
Keep up the prayers, and thanks for the support. Until this is resolved one way or the other, posting here may be sporadic at best, so please excuse our tardiness. Laura is taking this situation worse than me, and just doesn't feel much up do doing any internet stuff right now. We're both pretty stressed now and it's been hard on the kids, too. We have lots of cats and other animals, but only one big nice sweet dog. It's the ambiguity and the long uncertainty that's getting to us. We want what is best for Andie, but it's so hard. Where is the threshold? Where do we have her put down? Where do we say she's home-free? When (or if) can she rejoin the goats and sleep with them in her shared dog-shelter? When will we have to put her back on her dog run cable to keep her from wandering too far, rather than worrying about whether she'll ever walk more than 10 feet unassisted again? Is she happy, or miserable? I just wish I could ask her what she wants.
Chris
Sorry for being gone so long. It's been busy and I was feeling too depressed to visit VR for a few days (the login says 5 days). Andie is still alive and still home. She's making a very little progress here and there. Saw the vet on Monday. He said Andie is definitely improved. However, she's chewed open a sore on her right leg (maybe nerve tingling?) and we've had to put one of those Elizabethian collars (cone-shaped plastic things that thread through her collar) to keep her from chewing the skin off further. She has lost a considerable amount of weight. I've never seen her skinny before, and it looks pretty scary. Her vet says she has lost muscle mass, but otherwise he didn't seem too concerned. Her front looks much more normal and rather than laying around, she mostly sits up, though her hind legs assume odd positions. She can feel, and respond to irritation. I sprayed antiseptic onto the wound, and she actually jumped to her feet walked about 5 feet away from me before her rear slumped back down again. So each day brings a bit more improvement.
Keep up the prayers, and thanks for the support. Until this is resolved one way or the other, posting here may be sporadic at best, so please excuse our tardiness. Laura is taking this situation worse than me, and just doesn't feel much up do doing any internet stuff right now. We're both pretty stressed now and it's been hard on the kids, too. We have lots of cats and other animals, but only one big nice sweet dog. It's the ambiguity and the long uncertainty that's getting to us. We want what is best for Andie, but it's so hard. Where is the threshold? Where do we have her put down? Where do we say she's home-free? When (or if) can she rejoin the goats and sleep with them in her shared dog-shelter? When will we have to put her back on her dog run cable to keep her from wandering too far, rather than worrying about whether she'll ever walk more than 10 feet unassisted again? Is she happy, or miserable? I just wish I could ask her what she wants.
Chris
K
Karlynn
She continues to have my prayers, as do you so that you can be clear on what you should do. When they show even tiny signs of improvement you remain hopeful and feel that you should give them time to respond. It really is hard to know when you're being loving and when you're being selfish. Best wishes.
L
Lisa in Katy
I've been thinking about you and glad to see your post this morning. It sounds like she is improving and we know that people can recover from strokes, so dogs should be able to also. I think you'll know if it's time because even though they can't talk, dogs can show feelings. We had a dog with a hot spot on her leg and went through the funny collar for a while. We also found some footless elastic "socks" to put on her leg (like an ankle brace) and cover the spot so she wouldn't have to wear the collar all the time since she couldn't get in and out of the dog door with it on.
I'll continue to keep Andie and your family in my prayers.
I'll continue to keep Andie and your family in my prayers.
pamela
Well-known member
We had a friend (who's now over the rainbow bridge) who had a "worry-spot" on his front leg. There's a type of adhesive tensor you can use to cover a dressing on her paw so that she only needs the collar when no-one's around to remind her not to lick or chew. Get her a chewy toy (they have virtually indestructible ones now) and whenever she makes signs to lick at her leg, put the toy in her way. Eventually, the spot will heal and she'll have a new habit to replace the bad one.
As many people (as well as you) have mentioned, be careful that keeping her at home isn't being selfish rather than kind. She sounds as if her healing is moving forward and I send my best thoughts that she continues to improve until she reaches an excellent QOL for a number of years to come.
Take Heart,
Pamela.
As many people (as well as you) have mentioned, be careful that keeping her at home isn't being selfish rather than kind. She sounds as if her healing is moving forward and I send my best thoughts that she continues to improve until she reaches an excellent QOL for a number of years to come.
Take Heart,
Pamela.
Chris, I thought we hadn't heard from you because you had let her pass.....it saddens
me to read your post because my own darling Lab at age 14 had the same thing happen.
Dogs are very, very silent when suffering....it is an instinctive behaviour. The fact that she
now has begun self mutilation concerns me alot. It would have broken my heart to see my dog waste away.
Andie is skinny, her back legs are gone, she is chewing herself raw.
Please, let her go. Let her meet the others at the Rainbow Bridge and be free of pain.
I'm so sorry.
me to read your post because my own darling Lab at age 14 had the same thing happen.
Dogs are very, very silent when suffering....it is an instinctive behaviour. The fact that she
now has begun self mutilation concerns me alot. It would have broken my heart to see my dog waste away.
Andie is skinny, her back legs are gone, she is chewing herself raw.
Please, let her go. Let her meet the others at the Rainbow Bridge and be free of pain.
I'm so sorry.
PairoDocs
Well-known member
Today again a bit more improvement. She remains continent, and I got her to walk unsupported about 10 feet to get a piece of bologna--she did several more little walks for more treats--lesser distances each time. I guess she needs to rest for a while now. Even now she prefers to sit up rather than lay down. It seems both of her front legs' motion is completely back to normal now.
The sore on her leg is on her outside right thigh, and appears to be healing now; the E.-collar remains because she tries to lick the sore whenever I'm not looking. She leaves her paws alone. More often than not she also puts her rear paws into correct position while walking, oddly the rear right leg's foot turning under more often than what used to be her most paralyzed leg, her rear left. She still feels heavy and eats normally now, especially canned wet food that to her is a treat. She wolfs (of course she should, after all Malamutes were bred originally from wolves ) down any canned food, meat chunks, treats, etc. She still barks when strangers pull into the driveway, so she cares about things, still. Her hindquarters and belly are still thin, but her front, face, and eyes all look fine. I think I'll post this then go give her a dog biscuit. I feel better today, too. It's sunny, I'm wearing shorts (yes they're thick and long), and don't feel sick for the first time in weeks. Thanks again for all the prayers; it seems that they're being answered now in a positive way.
Whatever changes come about with Andie, I'll try to post them.
Chris
The sore on her leg is on her outside right thigh, and appears to be healing now; the E.-collar remains because she tries to lick the sore whenever I'm not looking. She leaves her paws alone. More often than not she also puts her rear paws into correct position while walking, oddly the rear right leg's foot turning under more often than what used to be her most paralyzed leg, her rear left. She still feels heavy and eats normally now, especially canned wet food that to her is a treat. She wolfs (of course she should, after all Malamutes were bred originally from wolves
) down any canned food, meat chunks, treats, etc. She still barks when strangers pull into the driveway, so she cares about things, still. Her hindquarters and belly are still thin, but her front, face, and eyes all look fine. I think I'll post this then go give her a dog biscuit. I feel better today, too. It's sunny, I'm wearing shorts (yes they're thick and long), and don't feel sick for the first time in weeks. Thanks again for all the prayers; it seems that they're being answered now in a positive way.Whatever changes come about with Andie, I'll try to post them.
Chris
Sounds like encouraging progress, Chris. Will contine to send my fervent prayers that she can continue to rally. I nearly lost my precious Sadie in a car accident a year ago and I still give thanks I have her -- healthy and happy -- with me. All best....
twinmaker
Well-known member
This all sounds positive to me. I'm thinking back a few years ago when our yellow Lab, Brandy, was sick. She had cancer and I had her seen by the vets at the University of Georgia. She was 13 at the time and didn't want to put her through chemo and radiation plus more surgery. Even with all that the vets only thought she would live another year. We ended up giving her Prednisone (used for cancer) and she lived another year on that. She was eating up to the day we decided to let her go. I agonized about when we should make that decision and asked the vet for help. He told me we would know. And you know...he was right. Even though Brandy wasn't 100%, I didn't feel that she was suffering for that last year with us. The day we decided to let her go, we were 100% sure that it was time. As long as I was questioning myself, I decided the time hadn't come yet. As long as Andie isn't suffering and continues to improve (even so slightly) then just keep keeping on. My prayers go out to you and Andie and I'm praying for much more improvement. LINDA
PairoDocs
Well-known member
Andromeda Update...
Andromeda Update...
Today her walking has improved even more. When I got home from Agri-Action (an annual farm equipment and services show--big draw to the country crowd) I took Andie out of the back of the truck, and the first thing she did was stand up on all fours, walk briskly (admittedly a bit wobbly) around about 20 feet before squatting (not sitting or laying down as has been the case for the past 10 days) to urinate. She even recovered from slipping on the ice she was squatting on and was able to finish walking to some sawhorses before having to sit down. She then managed another 20 feet to a place by our trampoline, and then went under it to enjoy the relative shade. It's 45° F, and a bit warm for her. Maybe her weight loss is a blessing in disguise, since she's capable of carrying her lower weight easier.
I'll continue to post as she gets better. In a bizarre set of circumstances, one of my young Marans (they lay dark chocolate colored eggs) pullets became paralyzed. I have tried some DMSO on her, and she's able to walk a little again. I'm not sure how effective it is on birds. We'll see.
Chris
Andromeda Update...
Today her walking has improved even more. When I got home from Agri-Action (an annual farm equipment and services show--big draw to the country crowd) I took Andie out of the back of the truck, and the first thing she did was stand up on all fours, walk briskly (admittedly a bit wobbly) around about 20 feet before squatting (not sitting or laying down as has been the case for the past 10 days) to urinate. She even recovered from slipping on the ice she was squatting on and was able to finish walking to some sawhorses before having to sit down. She then managed another 20 feet to a place by our trampoline, and then went under it to enjoy the relative shade. It's 45° F, and a bit warm for her. Maybe her weight loss is a blessing in disguise, since she's capable of carrying her lower weight easier.
I'll continue to post as she gets better. In a bizarre set of circumstances, one of my young Marans (they lay dark chocolate colored eggs) pullets became paralyzed. I have tried some DMSO on her, and she's able to walk a little again. I'm not sure how effective it is on birds. We'll see.
Chris
M
Mary
Good news; I love it!
Nancy
Well-known member
WOW! That's so great to hear. I think she's on her way to a full recovery.
K
Karlynn
Wonderful news!
twinmaker
Well-known member
I'm so happy to hear the good news! LINDA
skippermom
Member
Yay, Andie! That's great news! I'll keep on praying!
