Jasper (12 yr old Mini Schnauzer) is now at peace

Glad to hear such a good report on Jasper. Hoping those electrolytes stay in range and you can stop with the injections. Wouldn't that be nice to be able to eliminate Something. :)

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Tina,
You have been through so much and you're such a great mom!:) I am thrilled to hear that Jasper is continuing to do well. I sure hope you're able to stop the injections.
Big hugs to you and a belly rub for Jasper.:D
Kathy

HI Tina
Hope you and Jasper and Shelby have had a good week! How has the drinking been this week? Hope its not too hot, but if you have any spare send it down south... way south!! :D Lovely sunny day here but top of only 13C... brrrrr. I have been out to dinner the last four nights in a row with a colleague visiting me from Australia. It has been great, but soooo nice to sit at home tonight and have a bit of a catch up here!! Might see you later if you and Jasper are up for a pitstop! xxx

Hi Everyone,

Just checking in here, with a couple questions. Jasper is scared of fireworks, and usually I give him a 0.5 mg dose of alprazolam a couple of hours before I think the big boomers will start. The last couple of nights have been pretty bad, but I have managed to get by without medicating him. I anticipate tonight will be the worst, so I plan to give him a dose later today to hopefully take the edge off a bit.

I talked to my vet about whether it was still safe to give him the alprazolam (xanax) since he now has kidney issues, which are new since the last 4th. She said it was ok because Xanax is metabolized in the liver rather than the kidneys, and it would be ok even though he has some elevated liver enzymes. Of course, I did some googling and saw on a couple of different veterinary websites where Xanax should be "given with caution or not at all" to dogs with kidney or liver disease. I wish I would have seen that BEFORE I talked to her. Do you think it would be ok to give him just one or two doses? I am wondering if they are referring to giving it on a more regular basis?

Also, I decided to give him an extra dose of dexamethasone this morning to help counteract the stress from today. He gets it every other day and today was an off day, but I went ahead and gave it. I always give an extra dose before he gets groomed also, to help with the increased stress. We didn't have this issue last July 4th either, as he had just been diagnosed with Cushings then, so had high cortisol at that time.

So I guess I am just looking for opinions about giving the Xanax today. I am so torn because I want him to be less anxious, which in turn will decrease his stress so hopefully we won't get in trouble with his Addison's and low cortisol. Sheesh, it seems like it is always so hard!

Thanks everyone, looking forward to your advice.

Happy July 4th!!! I can remember when I used to enjoy fireworks! :o

Love and hugs,

Tina and Jasper

Tina,
I used to take Buddy's little bed and blankets and camp out with him on the bathroom floor through most of the Fourth of July. The loud fan in the bathroom muted the fireworks, taking the punch out of them. As long as I stayed with him in the bathroom he was fine. I used to see that as a hassle. Now I wish I could do it tonight. Maybe that could help Jasper.xxxxxx

Hi Guys,
Just bumping this up in case anyone has any thoughts or advice. I will need to be deciding in the next couple of hours whether to medicate him or not so would appreciate any feedback. Thanks in advance.

Tina and Jasper

Melatonin! I used it on my schnauzers every 4th and thunderstorm. Slept like babies. cuts down on the stress. Wish you were closer as I have a bottle. You can get at any drugstore, Walmart etc. Kim

Sophie is terrified of fireworks. She is wearing a thundershirt and has taken melatonin. She is going to also get some herbs that will help calm her - Passionflower and Skullcap. And it helps calm Sophie to be in her crate which is completely covered in blankets, like a bird in a cage. :D I use the same regimen with Squirt and thunder sans the crating. ;)

Hey Tina, if your vet gave you the OK, I would think that an isolated dose shouldn't do Jasper any harm. I am just musing, of course, but I would agree with your line of thinking that the cautions are related more to ongoing use of the drug wherein the metabolites accumulate over time if they are not processed/excreted efficiently due to kidney or liver dysfunction.

Marianne

I agree with Marianne, I wouldn't think that a single day would do damage or cause problems if your vet didn't think it would be an issue. On going over a period of time, would probably not be a good idea, but thankfully the 4th is only one day. :)

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Thanks everyone, I did go ahead and give him a half dose to start, because he has seemed a bit better with it all over the past couple of days than he ever used to be. I can give him the other half later if needed. You know, until Jasper got Cushings, I never even thought to research or check up on things my vet prescribed or recommended. Now I check EVERYTHING, I can't seem to help it. Fortunately it is very rare that I read anything that contradicts what she says. :rolleyes:

Kim and Leslie, I need to check into Melatonin. I will ask my vet about it when I get a chance. I would have tried it on my own in the past, but now I have to check everything to see if it is safe to be given with his kidney issues, I always have to remember that.

Thanks again for the feedback. The boomers have started here, so I imagine it will just get more frequent from here. I hope everyone is having a good 4th and all the pups are safe and secure.

Hugs,
Tina and Jasper

So pleased he was not to bad with the crackers going off Tina. You will be at work about now so hope the day is not too bad and then you can enjoy the weekend. The drinking more might well be because the weather is so much hotter now, be waiting to see his next test results and fingers crossed they are as good as the last ones!!

Hi Tina, I'm just popping in to say hi and hoping that Jasper has a recovered from those horrible firecrackers! Those things terrify our babies! Thank you again for being around so much for me. I have been an extremely needy angel, consuming much of everyone's time! Give Jasper a belly rub for me. XXXXX

Hi Trish and Kathy,
Well, I don't think the firecrackers will ever end, they were shooting them off well past midnight again last night! At least it wasn't constant, but still enough to where Jasper got a little anxious.

When I talked to my vet last, I mentioned that he was drinking more, sometimes up to 7 cups a day again. She said to continue to watch him and if it goes up more than that, we could recheck his kidney values to see if they have gone up. I am not even going to entertain that possibility!

She said his increased intake certainly could be because of the heat. She emphasized how humid it has been, and said it is the humidity that affects them even more than the heat, so that certainly could be causing it. So that is what I am going with, because it has been horribly humid and sticky. I don't handle it well either! :rolleyes:

Hugs,
Tina and Jasper

Sorry to hear that you have a headache also.:( What's up with those those firecrackers? I sure hope the excess water that Jasper is drinking is just due to the humidity. Poor Jasper, he has been through too much already. It is a quarter till three right now here. I am still wide awake! I have not been able to go to sleep at night since Buddy passed. Right now I'm not working due to summer, When I go back to work this is really going to be a problem! give Jasper a nice big belly rub for me.:D XXXXXX

Hi Tina,
Did Jasper's water intake start to decrease yet? It's so hard to tell about the amount they're drinking with this crazy heat!
Hope he's getting back to normal. :)

Barbara

Humidity does do a number on them, so that might be all it is. That's all we'll accept it as being anyway. :)

hugs Tina,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

I noticed my dogs are drinking more water as well. The Texas is heat is just now starting to raise its ugly head. :mad: Not looking forward to it.
It's crazy.. people have been popping off fireworks around here for days as well & I live in the city.
I guess it could be the gangsters firing off their guns here in Dallas. :p

EEEEEEEEK Amy... I certainly hope you do not have gangsters anywhere near you and our little guys!! Not fair, poor Pearl cannot run at the moment with her sore leg, I bet Boriss would give any gangster a run for his money though :D:D:D

Hi Tina - I see you up and didn't want to do our usual chit chat in Rudy's thread as we need to keep that clear for all the prayers and wishes being sent to him :) Quite a day wasn't it, always such an anxious time for everyone when one of our babies has surgery. Brings back so many memories of the day Flynn had his but in hindsight apart from his retained swab his surgery was relatively uneventful considering he was allowed out the next day, stories like Rudy make me realise how lucky I am to still have my little Flynn snoring next to me all this time down the track!

Trish, I just posted a quick note on Flynn's thread as I didn't want to chat on Rudy's thread, great minds! Yes, so anxious all day today. I sure hope that little guy is hanging in during the overnight hours. I don't remember seeing where they are located, so not sure what time it is there. Yes, I imagine memories come rushing back for you. So thankful that Flynn is doing so well. BRB, gotta finish cleaning up the kitchen from earlier. :o

Tell me what was for dinner at your house so I can drool, put myself on a diet and its day 4 and am craving carbs and sugar!

I warmed up leftover cheese tortellini. Nothing to drool over to be sure! Lol. I had rinsed the dishes and left them in the sink and then promptly fell asleep on the couch. So I finished cleaning up. Plus all my water bottles needed washing so I just started the dishwasher. So lazy. :rolleyes:

Good for you, day 4 on your diet! I need to put myself on one also, I usually make it about 48 hrs!

Sounds pretty tasty to me right about now!! How are Jasper and Shelby, what do they do all day while you are at work? Get into any mischief?

Jazzy and Shelby are doing pretty good, both snoozing on the couch at the moment, thanks. :) I keep them separated while I am at work. Unsupervised Shelby is too much for Jasper, he gets tuckered out easily. I have to barricade him in the kitchen with access to water, and pooch pads because he can't hold it during the day anymore. His bed and toys are also there for him. Shelby stays in my bedroom. Her crate is there, along with toys. It seems to work ok. Neither one of them seem to mind that they are separated, Jasper is probably relieved! I am quite certain Shelby would get into mischief if she had run of the house, she is still quite naughty.

Jasper's drinking is still increased more than the usual increased amount, so I am just monitoring. :rolleyes:

Ok dear, off to bed I go. I sure enjoy our chats, but must get some sleep! Hopefully will see you tomorrow night. xo

That sounds a good arrangement!! Jasper needs his peaceful days to potter about the kitchen undisturbed :) Seems to be a lot of dogs have crates over there, I don't think that many here use them... or maybe I just have not come across them. It didn't even occur to me to get one for Flynn, of course that became a problem when he had to stay in the pet hospital and had never experienced being in a cage so hated it and cried constantly, he must have driven them crazy!! Sleep tight you lot!! Cya tomorrow! xx

Hi Tina,
I am popping in to check on the three if you. Is Jasper doing ok aside from his increased water consumption and needing to pee so much. Yes, he probably is grateful for a break from Shelby during the day. I'm sure they probably get aggravated with each other like brothers and sisters. I hope you all had a good day.xxxxx

Tina, you have been checking up on all of our babies, now what's happening with Jasper? Xxxx

Jasper is hanging in there. Struggling with the heat a bit, just like everyone! I need to post an update, but just have a minute now before work. Hopefully I will get to that tonight. Thanks for checking on us Kathy!

Hugs from me and Jasper

I think I have the weather webpage permanently open, checking for when the wind will switch to the North from the South. That is when we get a break in the humidity around here. Right now, even in the early morning and night it is hot and humid. The mid day is Horrid! I can see why Jasper and Molly and probably Shelby too isn't interesting in gallivanting around in that stuff. (me either to be honest! LOL)

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Tina:
Sounds like a good idea to separate them. These Cush pups do get tuckered out sometimes. Tipper seems to always have an abundance of energy though. It is inherent in her breed. I think all the dogs are probably drinking more because of this weather. Blessings
Patti

Hi Everyone,
Well, I have been out of commission for the past 2 days with a bloody headache. :( It was a nuisance on Thursday, and by Thurs night it was affecting my vision and reading a bit. It seemed worse this morning when I woke up, and then I was pretty nauseated. I always think I can manage and overcome it (most of the time I can), but it became clear this morning that things weren't manageable. I had to call in sick to work. Ugh!! That hasn't happened for years. :mad:

I slept off and on most of the day, and this evening was finally able to keep down a couple of pieces of toast and some diet coke so I could take some meds. How annoying! My little man stayed right with me all day, he knew something was wrong. I can't say the same for Shelby, she was being naughty and I had to keep her in the playpen so I could get some rest! :rolleyes: I worried so much that I would have to go to the ER, and how was I going to get there, how long would I end up being there, etc. And in this horrid heat on top of everything. Thankfully I was able to manage at home. And thankfully it is the weekend now so I can rest some more if needed. I am a terrible sick person, so it just better go completely away and stay gone!!

I have finally been able to read a bit on the forum tonight but have lots of catching up to do and still need to update on Jasper at some point. I will do more tomorrow. Not being able to be on the forum sure made me realize what an important part of my life everyone here is. It was killing me to not be able to read and post. I missed you all!

Hugs,
Tina and Jasper

Oh Tina,
I am so sorry to hear about your migraine. Those bloody migraines, I get them too! :o I hope it's gone for good now. It is so sweet that Jasper stayed by you side to take care of you. Buddy did that too. He never left my side when I wasn't feeling well. Yes, this family is an important part of my life also. It is one of the best parts.:) A place where I am accepted for who I am. Checking up on everyone and their babies is a priority for me. I care so much for all of you! Yes, please update us on Jasper when you are feeling better. Don't push yourself though, because migraines are killers! I appreciate you staying up with me when Buddy passed. I am very grateful to all of the angels who stayed with me day and night, while I crumbled. Take care of yourself! Xxxxxxx

Sorry to hear about your migraine. I have had them for 40 some years and take medicine daily for them. It does really seem to control them. Hope you feel better. Blessings
Patti

Oh, rest and take it easy, sweetie! Those migraines are a booger!

Oh no, poor Tina! Hope that headache has gone overnight and you are feeling much better and ready for the weekend :D Jasper is such a sweet pea looking after you like that. You are an important part of my life on here as well and I always miss seeing you when your having a good sleep :D:D Hopefully we see you sometime today, gorgeous bright blue sunny frosty winter's morning here, it is going to be a stunner and I need to get into the garden and get rid of some weeds :D

Are you fully recovered Tina? Hope your feeling better and are back at work! Although I bet Jasper and Shelby enjoyed you being home even though you were unwell, have you got any holidays coming up? Wish I did, but alas no!

Hi Tina,:)
How are you and the kids doing? Did you finally get rid of your migraine? Those bothersome buggers! Sheer torture. I get them too!
What has been happening with Jasper, other than peeing all time time. Poor baby. Is he feeling okay otherwise. Please update when you get a chance. We need a report every couple of days, AT LEAST!!:D Big hugs my dear,

Hope you are all recovered Tina, you know how we worry so do let us know when you can!! Hope Jasper and Shelby are behaving :D:D

Hope all is going well with you and the furbabies. No more headaches and everyone healthy and happy. :)

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

I sure hope you are feeling better, sweetie. I had a bad headache spell for awhile, it wont not break so the doctor said he could try to break the pain cycle by giving me a strong pain pill which would I would need to take on a weekend as it would make me groggy or prednisone.

I think the important thing is to have it checked out if it continues.

Feel better soon.