Awww, I'm glad that the shots don't bother her.
I'm the same way Patti, I have to look away or leave the room when the needles come out. Such a chicken :)
How are you feeling?
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Awww, I'm glad that the shots don't bother her.
I'm the same way Patti, I have to look away or leave the room when the needles come out. Such a chicken :)
How are you feeling?
Hi Everyone:
Another cool morning here and Tipper had 2 walks already. Still the congestion noises as she tries to sleep. We will see Monday for shot #3 then it should kick in. Well I took the time yesterday to email Dr. Bruyette about Tipper and about how to get research started on this disease. He did answer me, but said he was flying at the moment and would get back to me. I asked him for some suggestions to help Tipper, and about how to start research on this disease so others will not have to suffer thru this. I will let everyone know what he says. If he gives me a way to get this project started I am going to need everyone's co-operation. We may need to raise funds etc. so I will need help. He is one of the few Vets left with a heart to help animals, so I am hopeful he will have good advise. Valerie, I am not usually squeamish about procedures in the vets office because I hold Tipper for everything. I can take any medical procedure they dish out at me, but when it comes to Tipper and getting shots into her muscle, that got to me for some reason. She never even flinches so I am over it. She has always been a real tuff little cookie, and I think that is most of the reason I have her with me today. Jack Russell's can withstand a tremendous amount of pain and never show it. She has never cried out or winced at the vets except for the time he dug in her ear, she let out a yelp so I know that he hit her eardrum. I am praying these shots work. Mel I know you are busy so Tipper the Ripper is sending you hugs and sloppy kisses. Blessings
Patti
Hoping these shots do the trick for Tipper! It was nice and cool here this morning too. It is so nice to be able to walk for awhile and not worry about the heat!
I think things are warming up here but it was nice while it lasted! :p
Barbara
Yay, for cooler weather! Dr. B was very helpful and honest with me. That was exactly what I needed at the time.:) you are still passing that stone. Keep drinking lots of water!!! Big hugs to you both!
Hi Everyone:
I just got the email form Dr. Bruyette. He gave me a few suggestions for Tipper, but I was disappointed in his lack of direction for the research. He only said that it is very expensive, and that studies need to be done on the hows and whys of the formation of these tumors. I wish he could be more specific on where they are doing research on this. I am going to email him back as this answer is just not sufficient enough to do anything with. I am all for someone doing a research project on this, and helping to get it funded somehow. I am not afraid of hard work so I will help with what ever it takes. This disease is awful, and I want to know my baby did not suffer from this in vain. I think about this every nite, and all the others that will come after us if this is not stopped. I may have to leave tomorrow with Tipper as it is supposed to storm, and she just can't handle any more. Hope everyone has a good weekend. Lets put our heads together and get something started to stop Cushings. Blessings
Patti
Patti, Did Dr. Bruyette say if anyone is doing any research on the hows and whys of the formation of these tumors? You would think someone would be even if it is with humans. Dr. B is doing the study on shrinking the tumors but I can imagine the expense of studying the hows and whys are probably outrageous.
I wish I had some ideas about this but I don't. If you come up with something and I can be of any help please let me know.
I feel just like you do. There are too many of our babies suffering because of this horrible disease.
Hugs to you and Tipper.
Hi Everyone:
Tipper had an ok nite, not too much trouble breathing, some congested noise still. I had been noticing Tipper walking funny on her front paw, and turning it under when she lays down which I can't remember ever seeing her do. She has been licking a lot too in that area. When we went out to potty for the last time she walked real funny and held her leg up for me to pick her up. That is rare as she never wants you to help her. I picked her up and carried her inside , and right away she jumped down on my bed. I am afraid to look at it as I had an episode with her yesterday that was very out of character for her. I was in the kitchen and bent down to pet her head, she yipped real loud, and came after me to bite, then turned on my Yorkie and attacked him. I have been thru so much already that although she is extremely powerful I am not afraid of her.I had to pull her off of him and separated them immediately. The yorkie is ok, and I don't know where this came from. She got up on my leg as I petted her head, and maybe it hurt her foot. This is so unlike her. I think she also hurts from the shots, which I am careful not to touch that area. You know how your muscle feels if you have ever had a flu shot? Well I am sure she feel the worse as she has little muscle left on her hind legs. She goes for another shot on Monday and I will have the vet look at her foot. Several times before, there was too much hair in between her pads on her foot and they shaved it out and found a hard ball that the hair had formed that was pressing into her foot. She walks a lot so this could be the reason as dirt gets in there. Last time she even had a small cut from it between the pads and I am sure that really hurts. At any rate I don't want her to start acting out with me as I think she knows I am the only one taking her to the vets where she gets hurt and she is getting angry at me for doing it. I will let the vet deal with it on Monday. That is the reason she is not wanting to walk more than once I think. Hope you all have a nice uneventful weekend with your babies. Blessings
Patti
Vicki:
Dr. Bruyette did not give me specifics so I am going to email him back again, and I will let you know what he says. Blessings
Patti
Squirt has Hobbit feet, very hairy all over, and she gets those hair balls between her pads that hurt when she walks. Kinda like walking with a rock in your shoe I would think. I try to keep that hair cut out and combed so it doesn't ball up....and she hates her feet messed with! :D
By the sounds of things Tipper is just hurting a little and if he's even remotely like me when I'm in pain, I have absolutely no patience and am extremely short tempered.
Hoping on Monday it's all resolved and hope you have a great weekend too.
Patti,
Dogs have been known to nip/bite when they are not feeling well and they are touched. Be very careful when you touch Tipper. I would take the last incidence as a warning and would take it seriously. I am sorry if this is scaring you, but it is time to take precautions for your safety and that of your other animals. Consider keeping your dogs separated at least for now/if not indefinitely. Tipper is unstable. Your little Yorkie needs protection. As far as visitors to the house, I would keep them from touching/bothering Tipper also. Possibly removing Tipper to another room, would be a solution. I have a friend who had a very sweet, loving, dog. The dog became Ill and wasn't feeling at all himself. Things did not end well from my friend or her dog. Please take Tipper's warning seriously. I don't want something to happen to you or someone else. Many hugs,
Yes the poor little Yorkie... how many pets do you have? I remember when Flynn was young if he was sleeping on my bed which he used to do back then and I moved my foot or something he would growl.. I was like right you little bugger and push him right off and he soon learnt not to growl at me or the cats for that matter. Even though Elle is a pain giving him a swipe every now and then, I will not let him retaliate at all... EVER as he might just start thinking it is ok for him to nip at her and he could do real damage. I know it does not seem fair, but that's the breaks I have to protect Mum's cat... don't worry I do give her a telling off if she swipes at him to protect him as well. But he knows it is up to me to be the protector not for him to take matters into his own paws... that is unacceptable. Even if he was sick I would tell him off for what Tipper has done. I hope it is something as simple as a sore paw, I would be having a good look at that as it could just be something simple you could fix at home like matted fur. Tell her to behave and have a good look!!
Oh, I hate that happened! :( I've had it happen both ways - the ill dog as the attacker and the ill dog as the victim, more often the latter in my case. Is it possible that your Yorkie has been getting a bit less attention than Tipper? It would certainly be expected under the circumstances but it may also be giving Tipper the idea that the others in the house have no value and therefore deserve no respect. Kind of an extreme case of jealousy - "You're breathing on my mom!" :D
Looking forward to your report this morning, hoping you both had a decent night's rest.
Hugs,
Leslie and the gang
Oh Patti, I am so sorry that this happened, too. But I have to agree with Kathy that I do not think it is safe for Tipper and your Yorkie to be alone together at any time until you can get things sorted out. For such a wee one, all it would take is one sharp "shake" that is instinctive to a JRT for there to be a tragic outcome :(. Since you say that this behavior is out of character for Tipper, there must be something going on for which we do not yet have an explanation. But that means that another attack may be impossible to anticipate.
I repeat I am so sorry that you have this new added worry. But I do think you need to take extra precautions right now to keep everybody safe. :o
Marianne
Hi Everyone:
Yes Leslie you are right Jack Russells do not have any value of other animals, the only animal Tipper actually recognizes is a horse. I did scold Tipper and she knows she did wrong. She has never shrieked or yipped out in pain ever. I was only stroking her face and head and she has no pain there. The only thing I can figure out is she got up on my leg with her front paws and the foot that was hurting her started hurting as she touched my leg. They can displace aggression onto anything when hurting or annoyed, and she chose Toby as he had the nerve to look at her when she yipped and was close by. I think Tipper was trying to take it out on me for all the vet trips. I think that has been bottled up inside her even though she knows I am trying to help her. I think Trish asked how many critters I have. Well I have the Yorkie, and he is not small by any means- 12 lbs, 2 cats, and a parrot Elvis. You can see them all in my album. I rescued the Yorkie as they were going to do away with him because his ears would not stand up, don't you love people. I do not mention anything about Toby on here out of respect for Kathy, as she lost Buddy and I don't want to draw attention to my Yorkie. I have a lot of empathy for her as she is having a hard time with things. Toby is sweet and cute as a button though. Lucky is my rescue cat that was abandoned in a house when the owners were foreclosed on. I saw the story on the computer, and went and got him. He had been in the house for almost 2 weeks with no food and water with a dog. It's a small wonder the dog did not kill and eat him. A neighbor heard cries coming out of the house and the police came. He is on medicine for liver problems that probably started then, and is fortunate I got him as some would not spend the money on a rescue cat since the medicine is expensive. It cost me 800.00 to keep him as I had to have every test under the sun run on him to make sure he had nothing he could give to my own cat I had. So I often laugh and say he is my free rescue cat. My other cat is 13 years old and is a domestic short hair. Elvis the parrot loves Toby my Yorkie and feeds him and they kiss, and my cat Chance is so gentle with him, they love each other. Tipper does not like Elvis so they stay away from each other. I live in a gated community. There are gates all over the house so Toby is safe. I am not worried about Tipper with me as she is just warning me, she would never attack me sick or not, but she will let you know she means business. I do know my dog, even though in the back of your minds you are probably saying she is crazy the dog is sick and she can't trust it. She will not go beyond the warning point ever unless you are a stranger, and then look out. She is the most loyal protective dog, and my vet said she is the best natured Jack Russell he had ever had in all his years of practice. I think it was the paw thing as when she touched it on my leg it hurt her. I am careful with her always, and will continue to do so. She had a better nite breathing last nite even though right before bedtime some thunder and lightening, and then it was just rain. She was ok with the rain. She wanted 2 walks this morning so whatever was bothering her let up. I will have the vet check those feet and clip them tomorrow when she gets her shot. I think she is ticked off about these shots too. Blessings
Patti
I'm sorry this happened and I just want to add, all dogs have a bite threshold and sometimes we dont know what can push them over the edge. Smetimes we say the incident came out of nowhere when it has been building for quite some time and the pup was starting to be pushed for a few days or a week prior to the incident. So it could very well be something has been bothering Tipper for a few days and this incident pushed her past her bite threshhold.
If we learn to watch their body language, we learn a lot. When people come to our house, we tell everyone, dont talk to Zoe, ignore her 100% and if I see her body language starting to give me the least bit of a signal she is not handling things, she is put on a leash.
Tipper has been so stressed from the storms and if she is having some kind of pain, I think Marianne is totally right, it might not take much to push her past her bite threshhold again.
Hugs and love Pattie.
Addy:
I totally agree so I am being xtra careful with her. Blessings
Patti
Patti,
It is fine to talk about Toby. It doesn't bother me at all!:) I know there are many, many, healthy Yorkies out there playing and romping. That makes me feel warm inside. It doesn't make me feel sad about Buddy. I can manage that one quite easily on my own.;) I had wondered why you rarely mentioned him. I appreciate you thought and consideration, but it is really unnecessary, so talk away. :)
My concern right now is focusing on Tipper's instability. We love our babies so much, that it's easy to miss the messages they are trying to send us. The communication is there, often in their eyes or body language. However, it is not always something we want to hear/see.
Please protect yourself and your other animals while you sort all of this out. Something tragic can occur in an instant. You say that Tipper would never bite you, but you really don't know for sure. All bets are off when they are out of sorts and attacks do happen. Please respect her space while watching for clues and move slowly around her. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF!!! Xxxxxx
Awww Patti,
that is so scary and sad! Daisy has snapped at me in the past, but it was because I accidentally startled her while she was sleeping. No excuse. she did get scolded.
Best to be safe and please keep the other animals safe. You have enough going on.
oh shoot, Tipper must have some pain, poor thing, sending hugs and prayers...
Hi Everyone:
Tipper reluctantly went walking this morning. She was not going to go at all, and changed her mind. This is very much not her, and anything out of the ordinary scares the crap out of me. I am taking her this morning for the 3rd shot, and I am going to get them to clean the hair between her pads, as it could be that. She struggled to breathe last nite a lot. I have the 2 dogs separated at all times now, and actually take Tipper thru the house on her leash. I am being very cautious. I sure hope this third shot helps her as she started this behavior after starting on the shots. I am wondering if that is the pain from them making her not herself? I will post after the vet visit and we'll see if there is any problem with the feet. Blessings
Patti
Hi Patti,
I really don't think the shots hurt that much. Now if the vet is going back to the same spot for the injection over and over, then yes it could get sore there. So ask him to vary the injection site if at all possible to prevent the soreness. Other than that, they just don't feel pain on the same level we do so I don't think the shots would cause her enough pain to change her personality. If that were the case, you would see other signs of strong pain. ;) She may be experiencing pain elsewhere but I really doubt it is from the shots.
I figure it's more along the lines of feeling badly for so long that is effecting her personality. Just like us, when they don't feel well they can get cranky....and when that "not feeling well" goes on for a while, we and they get even more cranky. So I hope the shots help and she is feeling better soon.
Hugs,
Leslie and the gang
Sincerely hope it is her feet and nothing else. Good luck today and I'll be waiting for your update.
Patti, Hope everything goes well at the vet today.
Hugs
Hi Everyone:
Just back from the vets, of course he had to be 40 minutes late and make my poor Tipper get miserable waiting. I sat in the car with her. He didn't even offer an apology, so I said " glad you could make it." He really burns me. So the technician does the clipping and we got to Tipper's right foot and it took all the strength I had to hold her. She did not want that foot touched no way no how. It took three of us to hold her still. There was a ball up in there of fur, so that was the problem. Unfortunately the tech. nicked her and now it is really sore. I held her and told them to do all feet at once. I keep a spread sheet on all Tipper's weight, blood pressure, nail clipping, anal gland cleaning, so now I can add trimming the feet to it. I can see at a glance when she had what done to her. I will just get the feet clipped on a regularly scheduled basis from now on. I told the Dr. what happened with Tipper attacking Toby, he said she has had so much done at the vets she just probably has a lot of pent up anger and took it out on him as she has no great love for him. He said it is highly likely she hurt her foot from the ball in between her pads when she got up on my leg, and just misplaced the anger. He said he would be surprised if she had pain with the laser therapy she gets, plus the shots for her joints. He said don't fault her for this, but just be careful. He said he would be surprised if she ever did it again as she has a wonderful personality, and had to be in really a lot of pain, as she never cries out or bites. Leslie, I know you will get a kick out of this one, I made a diagram of Tipper's back legs and I make the vets mark on it where she gets the injection, so it does not cause her any more problems. They reluctantly mark it, and I know they are thinking I am about as anal as you can get with my dog. I don't care, as long as she is safe and not hurting too bad for their egos. So shot number 3 is done. I am so glad I found out what was wrong with her foot, that is definitely why she would not walk. Mystery solved! Blessings to all
Patti
So glad to hear it went well and that is was the paw. Think maybe I should be going to your vet. No luck here that's for sure.
No you really would not want my Vet he is terrible. I have to keep 3 steps ahead of him to make sure Tipper gets exactly what she needs. It wears me down at times, and I get sick of the conflicts with him, but he is the best of the crap around here. As long as my girl is safe, and her cortisol is controlled I will keep the battle going with him. I have to do it for her sake. If she were not sick, I would be out of there like a rocket! I can hardly stomach the sight of him anymore after all he has tried to pull on me. Keep going it is going to pay off when you get that vet that cares. Blessings
Patti
I guess the vet is right it could be pent up anger, not feeling well, her foot hurts, and here comes this little bundle of Toby to just aggravate her some more. Hopefully it will never, ever happen again.
Glad they figured out what was wrong with her foot.
hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin
Patti, you know that I care about you and Tipper the Ripper.:) I am so sorry that she is out of sorts and I know this pains you deeply.:o Toby was very lucky that he survived that attack physically unscatched. It had to do a number on him emotionally. I feel sorry for the little guy. It can't EVER happen again!:eek::eek:Toby may not be as lucky the next time. He is counting on you to protect him. I am relieved to hear that you have separated the dogs and are moving Tipper through the house on a leash. I hope you are also protecting yourself, as we are all a bunch of worry warts.:o Big hugs,
My first post here on your thread - been so wrapped up in my Poor Pitiful Pia's problems - it's time to branch out and learn more about the wonderful people who are here for me. So if I'm covering territory already discussed in the past, please accept my apology.Quote:
Originally Posted by goldengirl88
Until I moved to California 2 years ago, I was a neonatal and peds ICU nurse. I want you to know that we documented on our medical administration record the specific site every time we gave an injection. We would NEVER give an injection in the same spot twice. Good for you for making that diagram for Tipper's injections.
A thought - have you ever considered giving Tipper the Adequan injections at home and saving yourselves a trip to the vet and all the angst and tension that go along with the visit? I've taught 7 and 8 year olds how to give themselves insulin injections, and it is just not hard at all. If your vet or vet tech would be willing to show you how to do it, it could save Tipper from a lot of anxiety. I gave Pia injections of buprenorphine after she had jaw surgery, and now I'm giving her B12 injections every week. She couldn't care less when I do it, and it's so nice to not have to load her into the car, sit in the waiting room, wait for the vet, get the shot, and then pay that bill.
Tipper's nighttime breathing problems - does she have any cardiac issues? My other dog, Maggie, a Boston Terrier, was having breathing issues at night, panting, seemed short of breath, work herself up choking. The vet heard a heart murmur and so we had a cardiac echo which showing some mitral valve regurg. He started her on a chewable tablet (and she actually does like it and chews it up) called Vetmedin. It helped her immediately, and she's still on it with quiet nights a year and a half later.
It's hard to have a bonehead for a vet, especially when it's the best of the boneheads around. We struggle with vet care where we live because we are in the boonies, and if I hadn't gotten completely fed up and taken Pia to UC Davis when I did, she's probably be dead. I'm fortunate that I have the time to make those 220 mile round trips over the mountain and a car that gets nearly 40 miles to the gallon. Truthfully, I'm not even completely sold on the vets at Davis. For the most part, they're residents who don't have the life experience of a long-time vet, but they do have the experts as teachers and they consult with them regularly, but I have to keep those residents on their toes because this is my Pia, and nobody messes with her!
I hope those injections of Adequan kick in for Tipper. I love the nickname "Tipper the Ripper"!
Patti,
I want to smack your vet but I'm glad that Tipper's paw was easily fixed!
Hopefully there won't be another biting incident.
Watch Toby too please because I'm sure that he's afraid of Tipper now and I would hate for him to expect another bite and go after her. You just never know.
Take care Patti, and way to go with the diagram, you go girl.....Tipper has a great Mom!!!
Bonnie:
I thank you so much for taking the time to give me all this information. I am going to look onto the Vetmedin. Tipper does have a heart murmur with some slight leakage. Had her to the hospital to a Cardiologist. She said this should not be causing Tipper any problems as the breathing issue, but then again I don't trust anyone fully. She does take Cardio Strength, but I am going to look into what you used. I could give Tipper the shots at home. I know how to do them. I had a parrot that had cancer. She developed a bad bacterial infection. She had to have 2 shots a day for a month to get rid of the infection, and I had to do it. It is really tricky on a bird, and they do want to bite you. With Tipper's unpredictability lately, I do not want to anger her any more at me. I would rather she hate the vet, as he deserves it! That is the reason I opted not to give them to her. I have no one to hold her still either, and don't want to chance hitting a blood vessel or nerve and really having problems. It takes three people at the vets to hold her to do the injection. Thank you so much for all the help as I know you have your hands full with Pia. Hope she is doing better. Blessings
Patti
Hi Everyone:
Not so bad with the breathing last nite for Tipper. I don't want to jinx anything and say the shots are helping, but she seems a tad better in so much as fewer congestion sounds. She was fairly quiet last nite. I am keeping her and Toby separated at all times. Toby is upset by it, but I must keep him safe. He is such a sweet dog, even though Tipper wanted to rip his head off, he comes to the gate and tries to make up to her and kiss her thru the gate. His real name is Sweet as Chocolate Toby Boy, on his papers, and he lives up to that name every day. The only problem with Yorkies and the reason why a lot are seriously injured by other dogs is that they will not back down, and continue to yap at the other dog inciting the other dog to really go after them. Toby is no different he is a yapper, I never had such a yappy dog before, and everything I have tried to stop him from doing it has failed. I am having to take Tipper to her Laser therapy today. She has had so much at the vets I hate to do it to her, but I must continue with the maintenance sessions for her to keep on benefiting from it. I can't get a thing done in my house, as I am always running to appointments. Oh well it will be there when I get back! Hope and Blessings to you all.
Patti
Patti, I sympathise with you, and all you are going through with Tipper. When dogs start to fight, it can become a vicious circle, which we the parents unwittingly make worse. A one-time incident freaks us out, we get nervous from then on when the animals are near one another, and they sense that, and thus believe there is a problem, when rarely is it something to worry about.
Separating them when you can't be around is a good idea, until you are confident there is no more trouble. But separating them all the time will make the situation worse. In order to get to the heart of the matter, you need to remain calm, and watch them closely to see what is starting the situation. Never pay attention to either of them unless they are calm, never let them tell you what to do-ie feed them, pet them etc. You must be the calm assertive leader. Keeping Tipper on a leash is a good idea, even if it is just trailing on the ground behind her. Remember, the majority of the time, the dogs are over it immediately, but we make the trouble last. I wish you luck.
Bonnie:
I just remembered that you cannot give heart medication with Vetoryl. I did not realize the Vetmedin was an RX to help the heart pump blood and return it without stressing the heart. That is the one thing they told me cannot be taken. The cardio strength I give her is just a supplement. I will still question Dechra on this specific drug. Did the dog you gave it to have Cushings? Thank you for the help. Blessings
Patti
Patti, Glad to hear Tipper's breathing was better last night. Hope all goes well with the therapy today.
Hi Patti - I didn't know you couldn't give cardiac meds with trilostane, and my dog who takes Vetmedin probably has Cushings, but she's 15, blind, nearly deaf, and has seizures in addition to her cardiac issues. She's a pretty perky little Boston Terrier despite all that. If I had to chose between cardiac meds and Cushings meds, the cardiac meds, for her, would win because she really suffered at night, gasping for air before we started the Vetmedin. If I took Maggie off the Vetmedin, she'd probably leave us much more quickly from that than from untreated Cushings.
Maggie drinks and pees a lot, but not nearly as much as Pia. She is also a foodie. A couple weeks ago, I had a Subway sandwich and set it on the coffee table while I took Pia outside. My blind, old girl managed to find it and was happily munching on it when I came inside. It was so darned funny that it was easy to forgive her on the spot. If only I could transfer some of that appetite to Pia!
I sure hope it's the shots that are helping Tipper. She deserves some consistent success!
Hi Patti,
How is Tipper doing today? Still noticing a problem with that paw? LOve hearing about your whole menagerie. So nice how all the critters get along! Hoping everything is okay and that Tipper is feeling fine.
Barbara
Hi Barbara:
I just got Tipper back home from the Laser therapy. This is the first time she did not tremble real bad. She is starting to learn she does not get hurt at this Vets. She is glad to be back home. She has so many appointments I have to put them on my computer to keep track of them. So we have off tomorrow. We go for shots and blood pressure on Thursday. This running wears me out, and has to make Tipper tired, but she never shows it. I pray to God these shots help her. How has Trixie been doing? She should be getting her ACTH soon? I hope that gets things all straightened out for you. We are getting the heat back again, so Tipper can only be out in the morning. Has Trixie been walking? Blessings
Patti