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

nice to be hanging out with you young chicks (lol) i sure do remember my 50th,it lasted a month lol.that was 2 years ago,good Lord where does the time go...but always remember to have a good time and never have any regrets(sober or not :) )...still hang out with the crowd we grew up with(about 30 of us,most of us married our h.s sweethearts,and believe or not most are still married some 25 years !!!)just a little fun news instead of heartache,heartbreak and dispair(spelling looks wrong).just wanna say i will be forever grateful to this special place to get me through the worst days with my baby boy milo.i felt empowered,knowledgable and full of fight for my litl one.it has been 6 weeks now since milo had left me here physically but i have to believe that we will all be together witll ALL our loved ones(furbabies and people)i will keep my eyes on you guys !!! patty(milo)meka xoxox

A month!!! Oh man, Trish, we better start getting rested up. Sounds like it's a party birthday! Patty, you are leading the way for us, (nipping at your heels gal)
Sometimes we need some levity to keep us sane. :) It doesn't mean that we don't miss them any the less, just that it is exhausting to live heart ache 24 hours a day. We need breaks from that sort of grief. :) Meka would give you what for if she thought you were Always sad. (and I'd help her!!!)
xoxox Sharlene and Molly Muffin

sharlene ,you give me happy tears (ok a little sad one as well) and who here doesn't own a one..nevertheless...my michael brings a smile to me every second, as well as,meka.she is now realizing (or not)that her brother milo won't be coming back and is so needy,lonesome,more clingy and hugable and always wants to be held...i hope we can get her use to being solo after 6 years intertwined with her brother...

That takes time. Dogs have their own grief to deal with and their own time to do that in.
hmmm..not really sure how that is going to work, since if we go out to the garage, fiddle around out of sight, they think we've been gone forever! A very interesting problem. Let me know if you figure it out.

:) We all just do what we can, when we can. I use happy, laughter as a defense mechanism probably. :) If I'm making someone smile, then it doesn't feel as worrying.

:)
Sharlene

HI Sharlene

I vote we meet half way to celebrate our big birthdays!!! My guess that would be Hawaii??? Ohhhh sitting by the pool sipping a Margarita, now that sounds like a birthday to remember and I will try and stay up with you till 4am (will work on my stamina)!!

Have a good day, half way through the week tomorrow... well for us Southern Hemisphere ones anyway :D:D

Trish xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hi gang,

Molly has had a sort of nervous habit every since we have had her. She sucks her tail. She does this every night before she goes to sleep, or any time she isn't getting the attention she thinks she needs at that moment. She also cleans her paws every night before going to sleep. She's always done these things. The vet said it isn't allergies and the fur hadn't changed color like it would if she was doing in reaction to allergies, as in constantly I think. Vet said it is a nervous habit.

Anyway, the last time she was groomed, much to my dismay, they cut her tail hair from that nice big puff to short hair. Yesterday she sort of rediscovered her tail (she'd left it alone for a few weeks) and wala she went at it like a motor engine. I see tonight she has made a sore on it. When we tell her to knock it off, she runs and hides where we don't see her and resumes licking and chewing on it. So, tonight I noticed some blood. I washed it off with cool water, but I don't have a cone for her and not sure what to do to make sure she stops this and doesn't hurt herself any more.

On top of that we are leaving Tuesday morning for a week and I don't want her doing this while she is being boarded, even though she'll be boarded at the vets.

So, what should I put on it, what can I get to try and make her leave it alone? (I should say that the sour apple stuff does not work for her, she just licks it off) She had a paw injury once that we borrowed a vets cone for but then returned it once that was healed.

Currently she is laying on her rug chilling and leaving it alone. She hasn't messed with it since I washed it off. I thought for sure she was going to bite me, she normally will try to bite anyone who even touches her when she is tail or paw licking. I've made it a point to touch her and pet her when she is doing it so now she isn't as bad as she use to be, but last night she definitely growled at me when I was trying to get her to leave the tail alone.

Thoughts?

Sharlene and Molly Muffin

That is a hard one, Sharlene. On one hand, sometimes the more of a fuss you make of it (as my Zoe) sometimes it makes them do it even more when it is a nervous habit. Can you distract her with something when she starts? Could she have a Kong to lick out when she starts on her tail or paws? I tried everything last year when Zoe was chewing her paws like crazy, the more I tried, the worse she got, even tried her Comfy Cone which helped her awhile but then she started getting really nippy when I would put it on. I have a cupboard full of sprays and soaks, none helped. Finally I just stopped fussing at her and it got better, did not stop but she wasn't manic. Now for some reason, she doesn't chew them at all.:confused:

Addy what did you put inside the kong for her to lick out? I can try treats, but I don't want her to overly associate getting treat with doing an action I don't want her to do. Yes, the more you tell her no, the more she does. I've tried playing with her with toys to distract but she'll ignore the toys for her tail every time.

Yea, I could see molly getting snippy at the cone too. She didn't like it when she was young and had it on for her paw and I doubt she would do much better now she is older. I'd still try it though if I had one.

Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Hmmmm could you cover it, or would she just get more crazy trying to get that off? I am thinking a little loose sock like thing?? Hopefully her fur grows back quicksmart so she forgets about it again. xxxxx

HI Sharlene,

Sometimes we put a dab of peanut butter in the kong. It usually takes them awhile to work at that getting in there to get every last drop.

So when her hair is longer she forgets about the tail? Hopefully her hair will grow back quick.

When her tail is longer, she has plenty of hair to suck on and never gets near the actual Tail, just the hair. This short hair really did her in though. She'd never had her tail cut like that before. (and never will again if I have any say about it)

I have some all natural peanut butter, I guess that would work when I catch her at it. I worry most when I am asleep at night or at the office during the day. She can get up to a lot of trouble when I'm not looking. :)

Hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Does she eat canned food? I put Zoe's dehydrated food in it so that way she works for some of her dinner but when I need to distract her I just smear some of her canned food in it. They have tons of things to stuff it with if you go to the Kong.com website.

She gets about a teaspoon of can food with her liver supplement sprinkled on it in the morning. (the only way she'll take it) So that is a good idea too. Thanks!

Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Hi Sharlene, how is Molly doing today? Is she still licking at her tail? That is a hard thing to manage, especially once they have licked it to a raw spot. My Angel lab Dakota did that a couple of times on her tummy. I don't know how, but by the time I noticed she was licking, there was already a quarter size or larger spot where the skin was completely gone, and it was completely raw and bright red. It looked absolutely horrid, like a burn! :eek: (One of many Mother of the Year awards I have earned through the years). And of course, with it that bad, she couldn't leave it alone.

I had to get some special cream from the vet, I think it had an antibiotic, anti fungal, and maybe hydrocortisone in it. That was always the only thing that worked, and I had to watch her like a hawk for the first day or two until the cream made it feel better enough to where she wasn't messing with it all the time. At times I covered it for a while with whatever bandage I could keep on it. I hope you can get a handle on it before you are out of town.

Hugs,
Tina and Jasper

Hi Tina,

She left it alone last night and so far today she hasn't bothered it. It's in the evening that you have to really watch her like a hawk. Hopefully it's healed up fine by Monday afternoon when I have to take her in to be boarded. I'm going to see if I have anything here at the house like maybe an A&D cream. I thought neosporin, but molly will probably lick it so the A&D might be better.

We're leaving Tuesday morning, so will be away from 12 - 17 Feb. Our daughter is going to pick her up on Sunday since they only have pickup for 1 hour on Sundays and we won't be in till that evening. Probably exhausted but at least we'll have molly at home waiting for us. I really hate to leave her, I think I probably have more separation anxiety than she does. So cross fingers she does well while there.

Thanks checking in!
hugs,
Sharlene and Molly muffin

She'll be fine. I think we all have those separation issues when it comes to our pups. Dang, I have issues leaving Zoe just driving across town to visit my Mom.

Dont you wish you had a built in babysitter at the house? That's what we need, a doggie nannny.:):):):):):):):)

Just think, no snow, no cold, warm breezes tickling your face, a cool umbrella drink, hot sun.....paradise found:D:D:D:D

You'll be back home in the blink of an eye;) She'll be fine.

Sharlene-I'm sure if you make sure to point out the area to the vet where she'll be staying that they will make an effort to see that she doesn't keep after it. I thought about Neosporin as well, but I figured that would just get licked off. Bailey likes to lick anything and everything. Perhaps the vet could put a soft cone on her for her visit?

I put peanut butter inside the cone and then freeze it. It's always ready (I have 3) and it's been amazingly helpful at times.

Have a great trip! I know what you mean about separation anxiety. I didn't think I'd ever be able to be comfortable boarding Bailey, but sometimes it just has to be done. I'm sure you have confidence in the staff that will be looking after her. We have had to board Bailey a few times, unexpectedly, recently. We also are planning a couple of longer trips later this year. They love Bailey so much and I know she gets the attention she needs while she's there. They talk about how much she likes to be held. Fortunately, she does not pout or have adverse reactions once she is returned home. Absence makes the heart grow fonder!
-Susan

Hi Susan, did I read PJ party at your house! Count me in! :) I'll wear my doggie pj's, bright pink with little white dogs and black bows.:eek::D

I will definitely mention it to the vet staff when I take her in tomorrow. Last night she was at it again when we went to bed and I laid down on the floor with her for a bit. She started off by growling at me and wouldn't let me touch it, then I got a wet cloth and soaked the area really good with cool water. I stayed with her petting her and talking to her till she lost interest and went to sleep. If I can get her to settle down and roll over on her back for belly rubs, then I can pretty much count on her dozing off and being calm. If she has any kind of anxiety it seems she goes straight for it like a soother. (that is what our eldest calls a pacifier)

Molly has gotten better over the separation anxiety over the years (and I've gotten worse). LOL I think much depends on how much time they spend with her. Now they have a doggie day care there too and I think this will be better. More play time out of the kennel area. She did well over our last weekend trip.

Thanks for the tips,
hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Quote:

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Originally Posted by molly muffin

If she has any kind of anxiety it seems she goes straight for it like a soother. (that is what our eldest calls a pacifier)

---

haha, we call it a Dummy! :D

As for the tail, I really don't know! Fraser does something similar in licking his paws. The more I tell him to stop, the more he does it out of plain defiance. But when I start to ignore him (he gets a couple of warnings then I leave the room) he stops (to follow me - cant lick paws and walk at the same time ;))

It may be that when you aren't there to make a fuss over her, she leaves her tail alone. Got a nanny cam you can set up to spy on her for a day? :D

LOL Dummy, that's funny.

Ugh, tail, nope, she doesn't seem to do it at all during the day if I am away and very seldom if I am. This is a purely night time activity. ugh.

I have been looking at something called subclinical cushings this morning. Not in relation to atypical cushings. Mainly trying to still figure out, why Molly continues to suppress at 4 hr and 8 hr on the LDDS testing which is now into year 2 and yet have a high ACTH test, with the ultrasound seeming to confirm cushings or another problem, unknown, but yet, not the symptoms of cushings. So, I came across a mention of subclinical cushings, and found one article that Dr. Feldman contributed on here:
http://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/cont...15/489.extract
Where they were studying inverse LDDS test (which molly doesn't meet) but 5 of the 86 dogs had negative LDDS readings at both the 4 and 8 hour markings. (molly I guess could be one of those rare few)
So, then I found an article that talks about subclinical cushings and I think this is in humans, but I'm wondering if it would occur in dogs too.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21988204

Quote:

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Subclinical Cushing's syndrome is an ill-defined endocrine disorder that may be observed in patients bearing an incidentally found adrenal adenoma. The concept of subclinical Cushing's syndrome stands on the presence of ACTH-independent cortisol secretion by an adrenal adenoma, that is not fully restrained by pituitary feed-back

---

Although they didn't see an adenoma on her adrenal gland in the ultrasound.
It is so hard to try and figure this out, so I'd welcome any input of your thoughts.
I'll pick this up later when I return from vacation.

hugs to all,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Put it all in the drawer untl you get back.


HAVE A GREAT TIME

Drawer shut. :) I am procrastinating packing and have been grumpy every since I took molly to the vets.

They said she shows up with her own luggage. LOL a quilt, her blanket, 2 toys, her SO food, some mature food in case she gets loose stools, her glucosomine treats, her liver supplement, her wet SO food.

It's funny and they were getting a kick out her as she ran up and sat on the scale to get weighed before I could even put the bag down. She'll have extra play time during the days too.

Still, I'm grumpy without her here with me and not being proactive to get going at all.
It is nice to know that the weather is warm and sunny down where we are heading though. I really dislike the cold.

Have a great week everyone!!
hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Have one of those frilly drinks for me! Well maybe more than one. :D Kim

Sharlene, have a wonderful time, and have a couple drinks for me also! ;)

Tina

Have a great time Sharlene. Happy Valentine's day. I am sure Molly Muffin thinks she is on vacation too. She is so beautiful, everyone at the vet's cannot resist her. Love, JoAnne

Have a fab time at your motel Miss Molly....

And Sharlene, make mine a Margarita!! Have fun :D:D

Have a drink for me too!!! Have fun..:D

Have a blast, Sharlene!

i am so sure your molly will be just fine(sure mama has the separation anxiety)you just go relax,get a massage,a few cocktails and chill....we will all be here when you get back !!! patty(milo)meka xoxox :)

I'm so glad Molly likes going to stay at the vet. have fun!

Hey gang. :) Just a quick update. We're home. Molly is home. Yep, glad to see us. I'm exhausted and not sure if I've even covered half the the updates from while gone. I'll have to do more on that tomorrow as I just hit an energy wall and heading to bed. Nothing computes up in the brain any more today. :)

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Oh doh... I think I just said "WELCOME HOME WE MISSED YOU" on the wrong thread! So pleased you are back with Miss Molly by your side :D:D Have a good sleep, hope you don't have work first thing tomorrow :D
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Welcome back!! HOpe you get some good rest. I am sure Molly is so happy to see you.

Whew, nope, today is a Family Day holiday here in Ontario and boy am I glad. I'm not even sure how I'm going to manage tomorrow going into the office, but my email shows that I need to be there, so guess I'll bit the bullet and go in.

I either got bit by mosquitoes or sand fleas, (i think mosquitoes) and boy did I have a reaction to them. All of them have swelled up like crazy and are huge. I can just imagine if this is how our babies feel when they are all itchy that it is just excruciating. ugh. The vacation though was fabulous, speed boats and snorkeling and swimming, too much food, it was all good. Just what the doctor ordered.

Molly is looking pretty good, although I wasn't happy since it appears they didn't put the cone on her to keep her from chewing at her tail. Our daughter called when she picked her up and said it looked painful and raw, so we suggested holding a cold water filled paper towel around it. That usually helps and she hasn't bothered it since we've been home. I'll keep an eye on her though, since I want it to fully heal and hopefully fill in with some more hair. Her tail has never been as fluffy as I'd like but that is because she has always sucked it I think. So, hoping that if we can keep her distracted from it, maybe, just maybe we can get some filler hair growing long enough so she can't get to the actual tail bone itself.

I'm glad to be home, but it's super cold here and they had more snow while we were away. Walkways are messy and a bit icy, so I will be staying inside for the most part.

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

P.S. vets office just called to check on Molly's tail and confirmed they didn't put the cone on her. I told them that I had mentioned that when I brought her in and they said, well, they didn't catch her ever doing it, which I said, well, that is kind of the point, she's sneaky about it, the cone would prevent it from happening. They said that the vet said I could bring molly into have her tail checked out by the vet at no charge. I don't think it needs to be checked out, it's raw from her chewing and sucking it, but nothing that needs to be treated. I'll keep an eye on her and not let her do it. I also noticed that they didn't give her 5 days of her glucosomine treats. hmmm

Hi Sharlene-
It sounds like the vets office dropped a few balls along the way! How is Molly's tail? How are your bug bites? Have they cleared up?
-Susan

Hi Sharlene and Miss Molly

Hope your itchy bites and Molly's tail is settling or I will have to send over cones for you both :D:D

Tomorrow is the last day of summer here, so maybe it is the last day of winter for you?!?! I will be pleased when I do not have to read about all you ladies shovelling snow, power cuts, walking doggies in icy conditions and generally freezing to death. It all sounds incredibly dangerous so my snow free lifestyle :D:D but I guess you get used to it. I lived in London for a year or so on my big OE in my younger days, I got so excited the first time it snowed until I had to walk to work in it .... bejeezus it was cold, my shoes were soaking and my feet froze. I think I may quite possibly have got frostbite, and people do that their whole life. A nice warm temperate country like NZ is the way to go :D:D

Hi Sharlene
Just checking on you and Molly. Molly is a fighter like you.
Thank you for being there for me and so many others.
Hugs Sonja and Angel Apollo

She staggered in from the snowstorm, wet hair plastered to her head, snow flakes stuck to her eyelashes. She walked slowly as her back had gone out with that last lift of the shovel filled with the wet, heavy snow.

With one short breath, she yelled "GET THE GROUNDHOG":p:p:p:p:p:p

hahahahahahahahahahha Addy you kill me. :D:D:D

Trish you described our weather exactly! It rained, it snowed, it did both, and that was just today!!!

Awww Sonja, thanks love, you are such a sweetheart. You know I only wish happiness every after for you and Arial. :)

Molly, well, she is going to need dental work. I'm putting it off until we can get some decent weather. I don't want an emergency to come up during a snow storm. She has to have at least one dead tooth pulled and I don't like the look of a couple of the back ones either. I wish there were doggie dental implants, but doesn't seem to be. Poor thing. Doesn't seem to be bothering her but I want it taken care of as soon as the weather gets better.

The tail saga continues. Some nights she ignores and others she is all licking all the time. Usually just as I'm about to go to sleep I hear slurp slurp and then you hear me saying "top of the voice" Molly, No, Stop it, go to sleep, bed.

Last night I guess I had a bad night, nose has been stuffy, hubs said that I snored, molly made the ruff ruff grunt, and back and forth it went between us until he went downstairs to the couch. I feel sort of bad, but since I've seen her do the same thing to his snoring, which woke Me up, maybe not that bad after all.

Itches. :( just when I think they are going away, they all start itching again. Hubs and a friend both told me I need to get one of those epi pens for allergies, that my reaction seems to be more than it has been previously. *sigh* I guess I'll do that.

On another note. it's been hellishly busy at work, and me no likeee. I'm missing out on my 1/2 day naps with this and now I've just turned down being made department manager. (that would really interfere with any potential naps and summer coming, it'll mess with my afternoon swims too) Yea I Sometimes get to work either half a day or do a split from home. Love that and don't want to give it up.

Hubs now says we should move to Costa Rica. Gee and I thought I was bad. Not sure what happened to my dream of Nice, France or Antigua even. *sigh* He swears he is retiring in 4 1/2 years. We'll see how that goes.

Addy, that's just how I imagine you all hahaha :D:D

Retiring sounds good to me Sharlene, especially in one of those warm places :D:D Sounds like Miss Molly has a habit, hard to break if she is doing it for comfort, little Miss. Wonder what you reacted to, other than the bites... you would think they would be settled by now. Wonder if you got a touch of hayfever from the plants where you went?? Hope it settles soon... nighty nite!