Molly, 13 yr, shih tzu - lhasa aspo - Molly has passed

HAPPY (belated) BIRTHDAY!!

I've just been catching up and very pleased to hear that things are improving with Molly.

I was also interested in reading about the cost of pills - I've always been totally horrified by the cost of pets meds in Canada but don't think I ever paid anything like $20 / pill for metronidazole (although have yet to purchase from my current vet - now I'm scared!!), however I remember my previous Canadian vet charging me different amounts for the same pills and when I queried it the Receptionist did tell me that the vet did have some flexibility in pricing. It seemed that I paid less on an initial visit than on a follow up, possibly because they charge more for the initial visit???

So I would definitely query the pricing with them.....

Well on tonights walk we had a minor set back. We went with a friend and her dog and walked a bit further than I've been taking her. First poop, was formed but a bit soft, second was not good and third was just a bit of liquid. Hoping it was due to, one the longer walk, you know how that can affect them, and second to her getting scared at some other dog barking and trying to take off and high tail it home. Hard to do on a leash, but she was trying. So we'll see what tomorrow brings. I made some more rice for her tonight.

On a good note, I've noticed since she has been on the chicken and rice for the last couple weeks that her tear stains and saliva stains are getting much better. Darn grains in dog food. :( Drives me up the wall sometimes what they put into dog food. A bit of corn I could handle but when that is one of the first ingredients, it can't be good long term. Even supplementing it with chicken.

I've noticed she is barely drinking any water though, and luckily I am making the rice with extra water, so she must be getting moisture, but I worry it's enough to keep the crystals at bay.

hugs,
sharlene and Molly muffin

Little wench made a liar out of me by going and getting a good drink of water, after I just said I worried about it. So, never mind all that. :D
On other good note, she has not vomited once during any of this and she still wants to run around with her stuffed toy in her mouth and periodically throw it into the air and attack it. I think she "feels" alright, just darn runs. Maybe this was just a one off. :confused:

hug,
Sharlene and molly muffin

hmmmm...oh little Molly...still a bit off with those poops I guess, but not acting at all sick which is so good and no vomiting thank goodness!!

Maybe she needs more metronidazole...I don't think she was on it long enough, just my opinion but that was a pretty short course, it's usually a bit longer and it does usually eradicate pretty well especially if it's not a crazy bad case.

Love that she went in for a big drink and you had just written otherwise...isn't that always the way! ;) Good that she's drinking though!

Barbara

Ahh, sorry to hear that she's back on the poop wagon. Maybe it's just what you said, or it's the very last of the upset.

So glad to hear though she's feeling ok. They sure do keep us wondering.

Sharlene:
I hope there are no more seats left on that poop wagon! It is so hard to watch that, and have them struggle with the runs. Tipper has had them on occasion before ever getting sick, and it's as if she knows she is sick, and always looked at me like make this stop-help me. Hoping it gets better as the weather is cooler and she can enjoy it outside. Blessings
Patti

Hi Sharlene, darn it I thought Molly was over this epidemic!! So frustrating eh! Yep I will put it down to the walk as well... sounds like she likes her food too!

Just in case any of Flynn's treatment for his upset tum helps he is on just the one protein source, venison in his case and a grain free biscuit which is also venison plus potato. Cut out all other non doggie food snacks plus probiotic, plus losec, plus Metamucil for a little extra fibre. I mix his probiotic and the Metamucil in 50ml of water and add it to his venison and he tolerates it really well.

Hope she has a good rest of the day and NO MORE RUNNY POOPS MISS MOLLY!!! xx

Oh yea, molly likes her food just fine thank you. Not like before, when she would have days she just grazed at her dry food. Nope, she LOVES this chicken and rice mixture, or Just the rice plain, or just the chicken, or combination possibilities (I really only see the two options, but who knows) She even loves the probiotic sprinkled on top of either of the above. She thinks it's a treat and doesn't need anything else.

Poops...what poops. Two walks on leash and one run around the back yard (has to verify that nothing was in her area while she wasn't looking) and not a poop to be seen. Nope, nodda, not interested at all. Peed, sure, she peed here, there and everywhere to make sure everyone still know which trees were hers, which yard was hers, etc. But a poop? Nope.
We still have another walk later on. Just just had her dinner, so who knows, maybe that will push something out. ROFL

I told her Molly, knock it off, you are confusing people on the forum!! She just batted those baby brown eyes and jumped up on my leg to see if I had any chicken hidden anywhere. (like I am carrying ground up chicken in my pocket down the street!!! I'd be swarmed by every dog in the neighborhood!!)

And so, the saga continues.

Cool food regime Trish. (hmm, considering Metamucil)

Barbara, I know, she lives to confound me and does a pretty good job.

Judi and Patti, not on the poop wagon, refuse to get on the poop wagon, think we're hanging off the side attached by a string, just trying to get away from the darn thing. (shhhhhh it smells you know) hahaha

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

No poops is good!! Probably had a good clean out on the walk :) So least it is not pouring through her gut!

Right, I have procrastinated here long enough this morning. Going to take Flynny and meet a friend for lunch at a café across the other side of town, so better get my A into G!! It is cool out there and we will have to sit outside with the boy in attendance so he is going to wear his All Black jersey as we have a big rugby game on tonight against South Africa so Flynny can show our team support :D:D

Will check in tonight and hopefully we have good poop reports all round! xx

My dog's labs came back high liver enzyme last year. Every re-test her Alka/phos came back higher. The last test came back 1300. Gave her Denamarin for a year and didn't help at all. They mentioned Cushings but she didn't have high water intake and really didn't have any symptoms until recently. She started eating like a starved animal, steals cat food every opportunity, and constantly whines in kitchen for food or dog biscuits and has become very annoying. She was obsessed with eating. She also began urinating everyday inside. Just had the Dexamethasone Supression test done and she has Cushings(pituitary type). Today was 4th day of Lysodren and she has stopped urinating in the house and isn't acting so aggressive eating but still eats faster than she normally ate before. I order a slow eating bowl a few weeks ago because she was literally gobbling her food up. I feed her half of her food then give the 1/3 of 500 mg. Lysodren in a piece of cheese. Then give her the rest of her food. I hope this avoids stomach problems. She is doing great so far. I know her kidneys, liver and heart will be affected if I let let it go untreated. Her water has decreased by 1/4 of a cup. She weighs 15 lbs. and drinks 2 cups a day and eats dry food but I add water to it. They say her water isn't excessive. I am afraid of the medicine but all the different meds. sound risky. So far so good!! I am happy I found this forum. It helps us cope with our furbabies illness. The information on this site really helped me understand Cushings and will help me do the best I can for my Daize. She is Rat Terrier/Chihuahua and is 12 yrs.

Sharlene...sounds like Molly is doing great and no poops means her system is righting itself! (that's how I like to think of it) Too funny that you told her she was confusing the forum!! :D Love that!

The Canadian weather front has reached New York this evening! Couldn't be happier about that. It's nice and cool, the a/c is off and I'm looking forward to wearing a jacket in the morning!! :D

Yes, I think Molly is off the dreaded poop wagon...she doesn't need that ride anymore! :D

Barbara

oh Molly, you and those baby browns can get you anything, work it girl!

Hi Daize's mom and welcome. I dropped by your thread to say hello to you and Daize. We're so happy you found us.

Oh Letti, she works it and then she works it some more. I'm such a sucker for those eyes. LOL

Barbara, whooo hoooo for canadian cool! LOL Yes, it is true, I think we jumped the wagon. Another firm poop finally tonight, so I think her system is clearing up. I'm still doing the rice/chicken thing, but am adding in her dry kibble in the morning and evening meals and just giving rice for a treat during the day or mid snack if she is acting hungry, which she does just to get some more rice.

I never knew dogs were that partial to rice! Do all dogs think this is the greatest thing since ham or something? I'm amazed.

Hugs all,
Sharlene and Molly muffin

:D I know--rice! You'd think I was giving Trixie prime rib! Glad she likes it because it really helps sometimes!! :D

Hi Sharlene,
Obviously, your discussion with Molly over John's poop chart helped. :D In spite it all, she aims to please!:D I am glad to hear that she's doing better.

Yes! Dogs love rice! It is a treat, because they NEVER get it when they are well. It is like a child getting their tonsils out. They get to eat as many Popsicles as they want. ;) xxxx

Okay I have got to share this. Only on here will the joke really be appreciated.

So, last night, I made a dish of garlic rice and black pepper chicken, which is all cut up after cooking and mixed in with the rice. (one of those I worked late tonight, easy dinners). So my husband comes home (you see where this is going right) and I hand him a bowl of chicken and rice. He looks down at Molly who is eating her dinner and as I am taking a drink of ice tea, he says "you're feeding me dog food????!!!! :eek: )

Needless to say I spit tea out over the counter as I cracked up laughing, while he stands there looking mortified. I said, it is NOT the same thing at all. He takes a bite and he said, well this is really good, I see why Molly likes it so much.

:D:D:D:D:D:D
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

ROFL - That is hilarious Sharlene! Well, he now understands why Molly likes it so much!!! :D:D Thanks for sharing! :)xxxx

Sharlene:
That is so funny, your hubby cracks me up. Hope Molly is doing well this morning. We have great cool weather and Tipper is loving every second of it. I got an email form Diamondback so I hope Tipper's 5mg is on the way and is here soon, she is not doing well this week and I am scared. Blessings
Patti

Poop Patrol report :) All is well, poops consistently firm, transitioning back to kibbles. :)

Yay! And this episode is over. :)

Next up - So, we have these rather steep stairs to the basement. Molly has never had an issue with them. On Saturday, I was outside by the screen door and molly came up the stairs and must have missed one or two, I heard a bit of scrambling and came running in just as she bounced up to the top. So I figured she didn't do any damage, whew, she immediately went outside and ran down the deck stairs and later back up them. However, now when she goes downstairs to the basement, she doesn't want to come back up.
She'll sit at the bottom of the stairs and bark at me, while I encourage her to come up. She has come up twice and always gets to the top, and starts jumping for joy, but once, she got within 4 steps of the top and stopped, got turned sideways and then couldn't come up any further, she went back to the bottom. So I went down to the bottom and got her to go up in front of me, and she did, didn't miss a step either, then bounced around because she was so happy she had made it. I noticed that she skipped the last step and goes for the 2 step jump just to get to the top though. I wonder if she did this before I and I didn't notice and this is what she missed. Scares the crap out of me, but I don't want her to see me worried.

Now I worry that she'll go down while I'm not home and she'll fall coming up. There is no rail on the left hand side and if she goes over, she'd get hurt. :( So, something new to think about. *sigh* I told hubby, we might have to put up a baby gate while we aren't home.

Molly is pretty happy still, running around like her normal self, finding mischief. Now she has just developed her own neurotic issues too. :)

hugs all, have a good week.
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Sharlene...it's too funny about your husband and his rice bowl supper!! hahahaha....glad that he dug right in though! Even though it wasn't the same he probably knows whatever Molly is having would probably be good enough for humans! :D

So I can 100% see your dilemma about the steps! I assume that Molly has to go up and down those steps during the day when you're at work? If she doesn't have to go down to the basement for any reason then I would gate the stairway. Probably everything would be fine but if you're going to be worrying it would be better to just keep her off those steps...why have that worry unless of course there's reason for her to be going up and down. :p

Glad the poops are back on track! yay! :D

Barbara

HA!!!!
I can't believe that hubby thought you would actually feed him dog food :)

Sharlene:
When Tipper first developed issues with her back and legs she would go down the stairs and not want to come up. The Laser Dr. told me this can mean leg or back issues. I have read of other dogs on here having back issues. As the muscle goes and everything sags it pulls down on their back. I have seen several say back comments on here. Could Molly have a back issue? I am glad the poop is under control, as that is a worry also. Blessingss
Patti

Oh that is brilliant (see, I understand what you are saying - good aren't I ;) ) and your hubby's timing was impeccable.

Even better news that Miss Molly is back to solids now although the stairs do sound like a concern. If she doesn't need to go down to the basement when you're out I'd be inclined to put a gate up, for your own peace of mind if nothing else.

Exactly! Hubby is a very quick wit and his specialty is in his timing. It use to be a real hazard when we were dating and were out at restaurants. Over the years, I've usually been able to tell when one is getting ready to come my way and not be taking drinks or bites of food at the same time, but every once in awhile, he'll still catch me. His delivery is completely deadpan too. Such a brat!!

Molly doesn't have a bit of problem running upstairs to bed. She is just having issues with the stairs up from the basement. Tonight she went galloping down them, then barked because she didn't want to go back up, so this time I let her out the downstairs slider to the back yard. She acted like she didn't want to come up the deck stairs to come in, or she was ignoring me, anyway, I went down the deck stairs to see if there was an issue and she starts wagging her tail and then hightailed it right up the deck steps (14 of them) as fast as she could go. I think it is only those specific steps she doesn't like. I think it is because they have a steeper incline than any other stairs in the house, so I might just block them off during the day when I'm not here, that way I won't even have to think about or worry that she is stuck downstairs for some reason. She doesn't need to be down there, just Thinks she does.

Have to say if she is sleepy all bets are off and she will decide she can't possibly go up Any steps or jump anywhere and wants to be picked up. The only time she Ever wants to be carried anywhere.

I don't know Patti, she has always had some rear weakness, from having that deformed joint groove. So she's had problems before where she'll decide not to jump up for some reason if she has hurt it. She was off her glucosomine for 2 weeks during the diarrhea episode and that might have made her feel it all a bit more. So, not sure if it is a high cortisol issue or if it is just that joint that bothers her at that incline. Think her back is okay, it's never been a problem.

She doesn't act like she is in any pain anywhere and like I said, she can manage every other staircase we have, just not those, so psychological or physiological in nature, I'm not positive, maybe a combination.
She can just keep herself out of the basement and out of trouble and we'll all be happy. LOL or at least I will be and by extension, hubs will be too.

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Love hearing those Molly stories, your hubby cracks me up!!

Sharlene... Keesh started the same thing for some reason. He is ok on the carpeted stairs to the second floor. He's fine with the cement stairs outside coming onto the porch and the back cement stairs coming into the kitchen.
He has decided now though that the wooden stairs in the garage are completely a no go. He will go down them, but won't come back up. I have to open the garage door, so he'll go around to the front door and come in.
I don't know if it's something to do with wood or what! He hasn't fallen down them ever, but he has had missteps on the carpeted stairs yet still uses them.
I can't figure it out, but at least Molly is small enough to pick up. Not so much with Keesh :o

I guess Molly knows how to get her mama to carry her. ;)
I think Boriss has a few neurotic issues as well or he acts like it to get me to do what he wants. lol
Glad to see Molly is still ruling at your house. She's a good girl. :D

Just dropped by to say hi and hope you and Molly are doing okay.
Hugs Sonja and Apollo

Hi Sharlene

I am wondering if Molly got a fright coming up the basement stairs for some reason. Once Flynn was coming in the back door and it was windy, the screen door swung shut and whacked him on the rump, now he will not come through that door unless I am there holding the screen back and he still gives it a very suspicious look as he passes by! Sounds like she is OK on the other steps, maybe it is the incline. I have been semi looking at houses to buy, anything with stairs gets crossed straight off the list! Lucky we have a lot of single storey houses on the market! :D

I am having a very relaxed Sunday, I have good friends who are twins and they turned 50 on Thursday. They always have their party together but for this big one they decided to have them separately. So we had the first one on Thursday and the second one last night! I'm all partied out for the week but it has been great fun :D:D Back to work for rest I reckon, hope you and Molly are well and have a great week! xxxxxx

Yes I think she did give herself a scare when she missed a step and did a bit of flailing around till she got up them. Now she doesn't want to do the last couple steps up. I wish we had a single level home, they are pretty scarce around here though. Land at a premium in the city, I guess and even though our lot is pretty large, we have 2 sets of stairs inside the house. The ones going down to the basement level is I think a steeper incline than the ones going up to the bedroom level. So she has issues with that even though they are carpeted. I think I'd like to have them completely changed out and made more standardized. She'll run down them, then wants to go out the slider to the backyard, where she'll sniff around and then go up the deck steps to the slider on the main level. She is a funny thing.

Oh those birthday parties for turning 50 are definitely ones that take some recovery time. You attended 2 this week. Oh my I need a nap just thinking about it. hahahaha

Yep, Molly knows how to rule the roost around here. LOL She is spoiled rotten and that is our fault. I can't say that I regret anything though.

Sonja, so nice of you to drop in. Sorry to read that your hubby is having health issues. I hope that all turns out well.

Molly is fit as can be right now, seems to have recovered just fine from her couple weeks of tummy upset and be back to normal. She's in full act out mode right now as I haven't had as much free timely to spend playing and taking longer walks. Work has been hectic and I'm not seeing a real let up for the immediate future. Just try to fit as much in as the day allows for. :) (If not Molly might take over the entire house, like she hasn't already LOL)

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Glad to hear that Molly is doing well

Sharlene:

Just checking in on Molly and hoping things are still going well. We are loving are cooler weather, as I am sure you are too. Blessings
Patti

It's great to come on here and read about good news. Give Molly kisses from me and Keesh.

Hi Sharlene:
Tipper and I are absolutely loving the cool weather. Keep sending more our way! Hope Molly is still doing well. Blessings
Patti

It's getting to be that time of year, fall, when we get cold for a couple days and then warm for a couple. Back and forth.

Molly is doing fine, but she doesn't want to Just eat her dry food for dinner. She wants rice, or chicken or something on her dry food. In the morning she has a bit of wet on it, so I can get the liver pill down her.
Every since she had the tummy upset though, she thinks she needs rice with every meal. That can't be good for her, so she doesn't get it, but it is definitely a battle. If I put even a bit of rice kernals on it, she'll eat the whole thing. If I don't, she'll leave it almost completely! I have a brat!

She is fine though, just her normal Molly self.
hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Hi Sharlene,
Rosie acted the same way following her spay/ear flush. She decided that she preferred soft food with shredded chicken and broth and refused to eat her kibble once she recovered. I have just now transitioned her back. It took forever, in baby steps. Once they've had the good stuff, it's tough going back. It's like us vacationing in and eating gourmet meals. Then returning home with no food in the house and end up eating dry Cheerios for dinner. ;):D

I am relieved to hear that Miss Molly is still a brat. I wouldn't want her to change too much.:D I want her to be the usual Molly self.;) xxxxx

Hey Sharlene... welcome to my world of human food versus dog food. It's a battle for sure, and I have actually given up. Keesh won.

I spend more time at the stove cooking for him then I did for anyone in my household - LOL .

He's really bad though. If he doesn't like what's on the menu that day, he goes without voluntarily. He I believe is the king of brats. At this stage of the game, I give it to him. He has mostly kibble, but you know he'll go for days at a time without eating if there's no goodies in the bowl. I gave up cause he has to eat. I've called him far worse then a brat though, believe me.

Hmmmm what's going with these little gourmets!! Trixie is never picky and will usually eat anything. I give bites of kibble when she is begging at the table...I never eat a bite of food without two eyes staring me down!! Unless we're eating out of course. ;) Anyway lately when she begs and I give the kibble she's actually taken it in her mouth and dropped it right on the floor!! :confused: She's holding out for something better!! The only other thing I'll give from the table is bits of bread and rice. If neither comes her way she'll take the kibble....but she's not happy about it!! :D
Glad Molly is doing fine! Oh, and the rice thing is so crazy isn't it? I had a little rice left over so put it on Trixie's plate with fresh turkey and her usual dog food and she ate the rice before the turkey!! Can't believe she'd go for rice over turkey but that's what happened! :p

Barbara

yes they are little gourmets aren't they. All 3 of them. hmmpphhh. She won't be joining me at La Castile any time soon, that's for sure, can you imagine, I'd have to order Prime Rib, medium rare for her. :D

Judi you can join me but leave Keesh at home! rofl Those two would be a dieting terror if they ever got close to each other. :eek:

Sometimes I play attack with Molly's kibble when she won't eat it. If I throw a piece she will go for it, jump all over it and then eat it if she thinks I'll take it away. If I do that enough, then she'll go to her bowl and eat the rest. However!!! Yes, there is a however, if you do this too much, then she'll sit at her full bowl of food and bark at it, because she wants you to come throw it for her to play with before she eats. Demanding little thing isn't she. Try explaining that to your guests. Sorry she isn't barking at you, she wants to play with her food.

LOL Well, we love them for all their little quirks that keep things interesting. :)

hugs,
shalene and molly muffin

Sharlene:
I have done that very same thing with Tipper if there is something I want her to eat like a heart worm pill. She turns her nose up at it so I tell her I am going to eat it, and make eating noises, this disturbs her and she takes it. The things we do to get these babies to cooperate is so funny when you think about it. Hope Molly is doing well. Blessings
Patti