I think it is wise to go ahead and take her in. We will be waiting on pins and needles right along with you. :o
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I think it is wise to go ahead and take her in. We will be waiting on pins and needles right along with you. :o
Awwww, I hope that they find the cause and fix it.
Checking in with the morning crew. I'm working but I will be checking in as I can.
Sending lots of love to you, zoe and hubs
It is not knowing what is wrong that is driving me crazy. I cant even lift her head to clean her eye goop, she wont let me tilt her head up without trying to bit me which is why we cant get her drops in.
Her face is filthy and she wont allow me to clean her up. Maybe I am overeacting but you reach a point where you just want some stinking answers.
In conjunction with her not wanting to bend over to drink water, maybe this is signaling damage in her neck or upper spine? So maybe it can be a diagnostic hint for the vets? I sure hope so.
I'm with you in spirit today too. I will keep tabs on you at work. xxxxx
I agree with Marianne about a neck or spine issue. A herniated disk in the neck can cause the limp as well as pain if she tries to raise her head. I researched this when my maltese boy, Buster, had sudden onset of symptoms and it was obvious he was in pain. He was perfectly fine the night before and I woke to a really sick dog, who I knew was in a lot of pain. He was trembling, hunched over, could not lift his head and would not eat. The vet put him on a muscle relaxant and anti-inflammatory. It took three days to see an improvement but he was back to his old self by the end of the week. This happened twice, the last time only last month.
Here's a few excerpts from a site that I thought might be informative.
Quote:
Small dogs, especially those with faulty development of the cartilage, termed chondrodystrophy, are prone to sudden disk ruptures and to a rapid onset of symptoms. Large dogs are much more likely to have gradual disk protrusions with slowly progressive pain and weakness, although they can also experience rapid herniations. Dogs with symptoms of disk herniation should be evaluated immediately by a veterinarian.
You can read the entire article here: http://www.vetmedclinic.com/?p=245Quote:
A dog with intervertebral disk degeneration, and resulting herniation, may have general symptoms including reluctance to move, decreased appetite, and crying out in pain, or hiding from others. The affected dog may stumble when attempting to walk, or be unable to rise.
When the disk herniation occurs in the neck, or cervical spine, the animal may also show symptoms of stiff neck and muscle spasms, with occasional lameness and pain in one front limb. The dog may hold its head low. Infrequently, paralysis of all four limbs may occur.
Addy:
I just wanted you to know I am thinking of you and Zoe. I am saying prayers for you both. For what it is worth, Tipper has a dip in her backbone since Cushings. It is from all the weight pulling down on her back and not muscle support. Could Zoe be having an issue like this and it is hurting something in her back, and then going to her neck. Big Hugs to you and you baby. We are thinking of you. Blessings
Patti
Hello again
Just nipping in with some more hugs and positive mojo, hope you got there ok without her getting to stressed
Thinking of you
Mel
Xxxxx
Hi Addy,
I'm here following along. Hopefully you're on your way back home from the vets with miraculous answers by now. :D. This too sounds to me like neck pain. I also echo the arthritis thinkers. Cold, damp is our enemy. That was one of the big reasons for deciding on the FL condo. My arthritis gets worse each winter. I felt like I was getting carpal tunnel and then I realized it was just worsened arthritis. I have seen heated pads for doggies beds...ever consider that? Of course if Zoe is panting,she may not want the additional heat.
A heating pad would help your shoulder as well. This bitter cold just cuts down the blood flow and you need to get it running around in there.
When you transport Zoe, do you have her on a big cushioned surface? Like a huge overstuffed pillow? I'm just thinking of preventing bumps from jarring her. I know you'll get this too late for this time, but wanted to bring it up.
I'll wait for your updates. I'm right beside you. :)
Love,
Sus
Just popping in to see how things are going. Hoping for some good news!
She slept all the way home in the car, first time in 4 years not sure if that is a:) or a:(
Xray of elbow-clincial change of bone could be inflammation, infection or soft tissue process. ( they had exay from her surgery kast year that showed her elbow to compare to. Orthoepdic exam shows no neck or spinal pain. Does not believe it is neurological.
Could do biopsy of elbow but not sure they could get a good sample. Recheck with x ray one month, Increase tramadol to 1/2 tab and/or increase to every 8-12 hours. Consider starting Metacam as well.
Continue Vetoryl, IMS was called at home:o feels her cortisol has been bouncing around all over the place and feels as long as Zoe is eating and drinking with normal poo, leave it for now.
Have to run to work now. Sorry did not want to leave you hanging.
She is probably just exhausted from pain, not resting well, etc. Hopefully the increase of the tramadol will help her. Did they do a resting cortisol to verify that it would be save to give the metacam?
What a long couple days you guys have had. Hope Zoe starts to improve. That girl is fairly resilient and bounces back when least expected, so hoping that happens again.
Haven't been here in a few days and so sorry to read all that's been happening with Zoe. Wish you had some answers. Those long nights of worry are so awful. Maybe the elbow got injured in the fall and just really hurts her? Is that even a possibility? Had anything been off prior to the fall you guys had?
Hoping all will be okay.
Barbara
Thanks for the update Addy, waiting on pins and needles :o
Maybe it is just the cold weather getting to her, I remember our Mickee would have a very difficult time when we lived in TN and it would get cold. We purchased a doggy bed warmer (electric) and put it under his cushion. He seemed to do better after a nap in his warm bed.
Also remember the air around the floor level is much cooler than the air in the upper levels of the room. Cold air sinks and it can be pretty chilly on the floor where our pups hang out.
Positive thoughts and prayers still coming your way...
Thank you for the update Addy. So glad you have a plan of action and know how to proceed. Are they treating Zoe's elbow for possibe infection with antibiotics? xxxxx
So we have to monitor for a while. Fingers crossed the increase in tramadol makes a difference.
Hope you are doing ok.
Big hug
Mel
Xxxxx
I asked if it is bone cancer, they don’t know, they do know that in her elbow, it is not arthritis nor calcium deposits, they do not think it is Cushings related.
No antibiotics, can give the Metacam with higher cortisol but it will increase the chance of gastro upset. Just cant give it with a steroid.
Hoping the increase in Tramadol helps. Hubby wants me to wait on the Metacam, I think he is afraid to be home alone with her.
Not totally satisfied with the vet visit but then I never am. We can ask for consultation appointment with the surgeon who did the orthopedic exam and took the xrays.
And of course the diva would not to the bad limp, she tries so hard to not show pain at the vets. She was so stressed, she was panting so hard with her tongue hanging so far down, I thought she would have a hard attack, never so her so worked up.
She is gonna be in bad shape by the time I get home tonight. Wont be able to walk. Oh well.
That has always been her bad leg, she hurt it the day Koko came to us. has always been a problem, don't know why, but this they said, is something new.
Addy,
She will probably be extremely tired after that stressful vet visit. Hoping the night goes okay...and that the meds help her pain without causing any gastro upset. Keeping fingers crossed and sending positive thoughts that she feels better soon.
Barbara
Tramadol won't help with inflammation, but could help Zoe manage her pain. Metacam could help with inflammation and pain, but you risk gastro upset. It's so hard to know what to do. Hopefully the increase in Tramadol will help Zoe be more comfortable so she can rest better, so you and hubby can get some rest too. I remember those sleepiness nights with Buddy very well. xxxxx
I know, Kathy. I have to check the prescription. I think she was to only have it 4 days. Maybe I could start her on a Thursday so hubby is only home alone the first day. He is just tired, we both are. We need a break because we are awake with her at night. We don’t sleep and then I am awake because of my shoulder pain.
But they don't even know if it is inflammation for sure.:(
Thank you for keeping us current. Wish we could do more.
Love,
Sus. :)
Awesome Addy,
I know how it feels to lay awake with worry. I feel so badly for you both. Hugs.
Hi Addy
I really hope you are having a better night sleep tonight, inflammation or soft tissue injury could have everything to do with that fall! Imagine that blardy weather has done your shoulder and her little elbow :mad: So lets hope the Tramadol keeps her comfy and resting for a few days and it can start to settle down. It is so horrible to see them in pain and I can totally relate to your distress seeing her like that. I am here for a couple of hours at least if you are up in the night xxxxxx
Ohhh your 1deg warmer than last night :rolleyes: bring on the thaw!
I cant sleep because I fianlly find a place to sleep myself and then she starts panting and I know she hurts and needs to turn so I help her up. She cant seem to get up herself when she lays on her one side. I know the panting means she hurts. I gave he 1/2 tramadol last night. I knew she would have a hard time after her day at the vets.
She was standing when I got home but then laid down. I;m tryint to believe this will get better but I dont think it will.
Sorry I missed you Trish.
Addy:
Praying for a miracle for you and Zoe. God Bless you both.
Patti
Sending strength and positive thoughts your way. Love ya, Kim
Thinking of you and Zoe this morning. Hope both of you got some sleep. This cold weather does not help either of you. My husband has arthritis and he uses a heating pad some, but I guess the pain medication helps more. Maybe both of you just need a little more time for healing. Hoping and praying for you this cold morning. Love, JoAnne
Thanks guys, they seemed to offer the Metacam as pain reliever more than anything else. We will try the tramadol through the weekend and reasess. I told hubby if the Metacam is her only chance, we have to use it if the tramadol does not work.
I know they told me with my mother, you need to build up the pain medication in your blood stream rather then wait for it to get so bad and then treat. So we will do twice a day tramadol even if it knocks her out for 4 days. Emergency vet said I could even do 1/4 tab every eight hours but I did that with her eyes and she was a zombie. She said most of the vets she knows agree tramadol only lasts about eight hours on their dogs.
I dont do well when I am sleep deprived, as you can see:o:o
I cry a lot.
dear Addy
Only words of comfort,and prayers for your healing and Zoe's. I hope you both get better. As long as Zoe is eating and enjoying life!that is all that matters? I hope her pain lessens. The cold weather for both of you is not good. Wish I could send you some San Diego warmth and sunshine.
Love Sonja And Angel Apollo
Oh Sonja,
I don't know how much she is enjoying life right now, there was no Barkfest last night and the kitchen was so quiet it broke my heart.:(
She seemed so alert and happy when we finally got home from the vets yesterday, like sleeping in the car made her feel better and then she is always so happy to be home. Evan after the horrid surgery last February, she ran around the house like nothing had happened when I brought her home.
When I give her the Vetoryl in the morning, it gives her a headache again.
I don't think there are any more rabbits in the hat.
I just am starting to think there is something else going on. for her to go downhill this fast.
Addy, Hoping something does turn around for Zoe. It's the worst not knowing what's causing her to have pain...feeling so worried and helpless as well as sleep deprived, just a bad combo for anyone.
I'm sorry for what you're going through, its agonizing.
I'm still sending positive thoughts that Zoe will feel better soon...maybe with the help of one of the medications things will be better today/tonight.
Barbara
I am so sorry Addy. I know how emotionally hard this is for both you and your hubby. It does break your heart.:o ((((((HUGS))))))
Addy,
I'm so sorry that you're all going through this.
I hope that they can give you some answers soon and something that will work for Zoe's headaches.
Maybe Vetoryl isn't the right med for her? It certainly sounds that way.
Hey Addy, just want you to know I'm here. I'm at a loss, too, and can guess how you're feeling. It is so hard. If hoping could help, Zoe would surely be cured, because you have all the hopes of your whole K9C family riding with you and your girl.
Hugs, hugs, and more hugs.
Ditto what Marianne said. I wish I knew the answers. :( It's so tough to try and figure this one out because none of the normal things seem to fit into a recognizable pattern with Zoe.
It does appear to be pain related as the primary reason for all of this occurring, we just don't know why. Is there anything that the vets can do that is noninvasive to determine cause?
How about getting a baseline cortisol? just to give you an idea on that issue.
That along with seeing how the tramadol does over the weekend... well, it's a plan anyway. You know we all like plans.
Sending you love and strength Addy.
Hi Addy-Pain control-now that's something I know VOLUMES about. You can never play catchup with pain medication. People often have a hard time getting that through their heads. They have been so scared about over medicating that many seem to undermedicate. If you wait until you feel the pain, you've waited too long. Also, I know you said more often makes her a zombie, but perhaps just for the weekend that might be an acceptable tradeoff just so she could get some sleep, rest and healing. Or even just for 24 - 36 hours. Just more food for thought.
Please be sure you're eating and trying to get some rest. :)
Love,
Sus
Is that snoring I hear?????????????? :D:D:D
:):):) ;););)
Love,
Sus
Addy:
I am hoping you got some much needed rest. I am praying for you and sweet Zoe. Blessings
Patti
We both managed a bit more sleep so yes Sus, you did hear snoring.
She tried to do a weak bark for her oatmeal bowl lick just now.:):)
She is breed with a head shape that cant acomodate a larger tumor. I read a question and answer on Dr. Peterson's website about a dog treated for 20 months, then became lethargic, then quit eating. It was a macro. They said the signs can sometimes be vague.
The headache from the Vetoryl, the lethargy, I dont know. May be a fit, maybe it is something else entirely. She has so many things wrong with her.
We are running late for work, love you all