Four medications …

Ned playing in the snow!

Our 13 year old pointer-collie is now on four medications because he shows signs of pain with his arthritis, muscle loss and failing hips.

He is on Cosequin which I pull apart and mix into his food. He is also on Deramaxx which he takes as a treat. He gets one Tramadol at bedtime which seems to help keep him comfortable through the night.

We are having routine bloodwork done on him. He has one slightly elevated liver value and everything else is normal. I have purchased a liver supplement and we are trying to give it to him once daily. It needs to be given 1 hour before a meal or 2 hours after a meal and I’m struggling to get it in him properly everyday! I am hopeful it will help keep his liver a little safer since he’s taking the nsaid daily. Thankfully, he is on the low end of the dose currently.

It is so difficult to see him age. He’s always been such a happy and playful dog. It is hard to see him have a bad day, struggle to get up and down, fall and to be grumpy!

Missing Manda

Manda went to heaven in November 2007 at the age of 18.

She was diagnosed with “heart disease” several years ago. She had a heart murmur for many years which us unsymptomatic so she didn’t have any treatment for it. However, I always kept her on a healthy diet, knowing that a heart problem was impending.

After our greyhound, Russ passed away from cancer, Manda, our pomeranian started having health problems. Her heart murmur got worse. Within six months after his passing, Manda had to start medication for heart disease.  It was my first experience with seeing a dog grieve over the loss of another dog.  She really missed him and it harmed her health.

I don’t remember the exact date but I remember the signs, symptoms and being at the veterinarian as Manda was diagnosed with renal failure or kidney disease. (I hear the terms used interchangeably.) We began more medications. Life was managed with “pee pads”, gates, nice kennel type play pens and lots of love.

She had given so much to me for so many years. I couldn’t turn my back on her now in her time of weakness and need. During the last month of life, we managed although I could tell the quality of life was declining. Manda never did “doggy things” anymore. She just wanted to sleep. She didn’t seem comfortable even with high doses of about 10 different medications which were given around the clock. She was high maintenance by this time and a special needs dog but I never begrudged a single moment spent taking care of her and I never begrudged a single penny spent on her.

A couple of months earlier, started this little “shiver” thing. She would do it as I took her outside. She would do it when I took her to the vet. She would do it when company was at our home. I assumed she was scared because she was blind and deaf by this time.

On Manda’s last day, we were at the veterinarian because it was obvious to me that she was doing worse and medicine wasn’t managing her pain. After diagnostic testing, it was revealed to me that Manda had a tumor in her neck the size of my thumb. She also had kidney stones and even more arthritis was visible. Her trachea was also collapsing more.

Afterwards, I believe the “shivering” was from pain from the tumor in her neck. It’s just my opinion. The times she would “shiver” seem to be when I was lifting her or putting her down. I’m not sure I should of assumed she was simply frightened.

Afterwards, I got to thinking about those last couple of tough weeks. I took her to the vet asking if they could tell she was really doing worse. I just needed someone else to be able to see what I was witnessing. The testing showed that she really was doing worse. My bubbly demanding little dog was not the same little dog.

I remember many years ago when the veterinarian found the heart murmur. I was told at that time dogs can live a long time with heart disease and that it could be something else that takes Manda. That veterinarian was right, Manda didn’t die of heart disease. We managed it. She didn’t die of kidney disease. We managed it. She died because she had a myriad of health conditions including arthritis, a collapsing trachea, kidney disease, heart disease … and then the kidney stones and tumor in her neck.

After my loss of Manda, I suddenly had two free hours each and every day. I never realized just how much time I spent care giving until she was gone.

I miss my little dog so much! She was always under my feet. There are still mornings I wake up and move carefully because I’m expecting my tiny dog to be somewhere. Losing my dog has been very difficult.

~Trina

Dogs are so awesome!

Manda’s Last Days

I could tell she was growing weaker. I could tell she was having more bad days than good days. She was developing more problems.

She still asked for food but ate it a lot slower. She still greeted me when I woke her up. She was always happy to know I was nearby. She handled not seeing or hearing so well that most people wouldn’t realize she had any difficulty with either.

I optimistically called the veterinarian and made her an appointment telling them “she’s doing worse”. Her veterinarians, Dr Elizabeth Lauron and Dr Gale Kerr and their staff have provided excellent care for Manda for many years. I left the house alone with Manda saying we’ll be back soon.

I have utmost confidence in them. I had every belief that we could just add more medicine to her regiment of already taking 7 different medications three times daily. Dr Kerr seen Manda on this day and an examination and testing revealed that in addition to renal failure, congestive heart failure, and a collapsing trachea, Manda now had kidney stones, one of which was in her urethrea and a mass on her neck which was the size of my thumb. The mass was not visible to the eye or when touching her neck. It was obviously causing her problems though.

After seeing the results, I called my husband and he joined me at the vet’s office. We had to send Manda to heaven where she’ll get to run and play with our greyhound Russ who went to heaven in 2003. We had 18 great years with Manda and are thankful God sent her to us to love. She added so much to our lives and we miss her terribly.

This happened on November 22, 2007. My husband is a stand up comedian and he had a show that night. We had planned for friends to join us at the show and we had made plans to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with them. They are great friends and they offered comfort, love, support and didn’t judge me when I excused myself and went to bed while they stayed awake with great conversations until the early morning hours.

The veterinarians and their staff sent us a beautiful arrangement of flowers which lasted through the holiday seasons. The funeral home even called us. The urn is done beautifully.

I’m so thankful that I got to hold Manda during the euthanasia. She wasn’t scared or stressed. I am grateful that she went peacefully without struggle.

I miss her so much. She’s been my faithful little companion for many years. I miss her demanding yet loving attitude. I never begrudged a dime that I spent on her nor a moment that I spent with her or caring for her. After she was gone, I suddenly had two extra hours in each day. I didn’t even realize her care was taking any amount of time.

Nedd is doing well. He has missed her and is adjusting. He is 12 and this is his first experience being the only dog in the house!

If you’re looking for the best veterinary care in the Columbus OH area, please contact Elizabeth Lauron DVM and Gale Kerr DVM at 614.871.1111.

If you’re looking for entertainment for 2008, check out my funny hubby at: www.MartyDaniels.com.

Still going!

Manda at nearly 18 years old, with heart disease, congestive heart failure, renal failure, arthritis and a collapsing trachea is still going strong. She is also nearly blind and nearly deaf. She has also started having “episodes” where she collapses. It’s only happened three times within the last three months … so we’re not doing a lot about it.

She still greets me at the door, recognizes people and pets she knows, wags her little tail, loves to eat and loves to be with her human family. As an old dog, she no longer tolerates nail trims or being brushed even though she use to enjoy being groomed when she was younger.

I cherish my time with her. She thinks taking her seven medicines every day is a treat! She spins in circles as I prepare her meds two or three times daily. I admire her attitude and spunk! What a life lesson!

Quality Time for my Geriatric Dog …

Manda is 17 1/2 years old. You may have already been following her story. She has good days and bad days because of heart failure and renal failure. She also has a collapsing trachea, arthritis and is anemic.

She has a great attitude. She is still as demanding as she was when she was young. She no longer tolerates being brushed or having her nails done; which never was a problem until the last few years. She doesn’t see very well and will walk into things occasionally. She doesn’t hear very well and no longer hears the tone of my voice.

I still try to spend time with her. I no longer take her places unless I am traveling overnight. She doesn’t enjoy it like she use to. She doesn’t mind the hotel stays as long as she has her mesh kennel. She doesn’t like to be picked up or held any more. She doesn’t want to sit and watch Letterman with me at the end of our days as we use to. Instead, she lays on her own doggy bed next to my chair. She no longer jumps on and off the bed; instead, she sleeps near me on her own blanket. She no longer plays and doesn’t seem to enjoy a walk anymore. While I try to spend quality time with her, basically, it consists of sitting on the floor or ground with her and gently petting her. Her little tail wags as I tell her how much I love her and that she is beautiful. That seems to be the extent of our quality time together at this point.

During the last few months, she has really bonded with my husband. They always liked each other, but now, there’s a new bond. I am the one that forces meds down, gives subq fluids, cleans her body even when she doesn’t want it done and he’s the one who only offers her gentle touches and food! It’s been hard to see but I’m glad they’ve bonded.

When she is left alone, she waits by one of our desks, knowing that when we come in, the computer is one of our usual first stops! She patiently waits under the computer desk. I’ve moved a doggy bed into the office to help keep her comfortable.
~Trina

12 million to “Trouble”; the dog

This week, I read an interesting news report about Leona Helmsley, the late US hotel billionaire leaving 12 million dollars to her dog, “Trouble”. While Ms. Helmsley was known as the “Queen of Mean”, I can only imagine that there were some shocked humans at the reading of the will.

“Trouble” is a beautiful white Maltese who will receive the best of everything for life and will someday be buried beside Ms. Helmsey and her late husband, Harry.

It was reported that her brother will receive 10 million and will have the privilege of continuing to provide “Trouble” with a pampered lifestyle; two grandchildren will receive 5 million only if they visit their late father’s grave at least once a year and the other two grandchildren were excluded due to reasons which are known to them.

Okay, from what I’ve heard, it sounds like she really earned her title of “Queen of Mean”. I have to wonder though, was it survival? Did she experience a grand failure of mankind to drive her to the point of leaving a trust of 12 million to her beloved dog?

Arthritis ???

He’ll be twelve years old in November. Most of the time he acts like he is still three. Lately, he’s had a few times of being stiff in the neck and slower getting up and down. He’s also had a few times of being reluctant to climb stairs.

We’ve taken him to the veterinarian twice for this problem. Since he is a senior citizen and a 55# dog, we had a senior wellness workup done for him. His bloodwork and urine was normal. He had a few days of a muscle relaxer and Rimadyl. He responded well and was back to normal very quickly. A couple weeks later, the same stiffness came back. We treated it the same only this time, after the Rimadyl, we began a daily regiment of Cosequin only.

Now, a few weeks later, it’s back again. I’m looking at options. I’ve heard so many negative things about Rimadyl that I’m afraid to use it on a long term basis as a maintenance drug. I’ve increased his Cosequin since there’s varying doses on the back of the bottle. I’m hoping that helps.

I am researching adding fatty acid tablets and special diets. I’m also reading about some other supplements, holistic treatments, natural dog care and even acupuncture that folks have told me work well for arthritis in dogs.

It sure is hard to see this great dog age! He’s the smartest dog and just lives to love and play.

He’s typically daddy’s boy…until he doesn’t feel well and then he only wants me! It’s really a neat experience to see our dog suddenly become my boy and only want comforted by me when he is feeling ill. I didn’t realize a dog would react the same way that a child typically d0es when ill.

We’ve always said Nedd is almost human and is our son. I guess he’s proving us right!

Still treating Heart Disease & Renal Failure

It’s so hard. She has both heart disease and renal failure. As we treat one, we make the other worse.

I am praying she isn’t suffering. I’m not always sure as the last few days have been really rough. She has had continuing loose stool which is caused from a “bad gut”. She has been up nearly every night with a coughing/wheezing episode. She is panting more and more.

Her medicines are increased and we’re moving toward every 8 hours instead of every 12 hours with the veterinarians advice.

She is currently on Tramadol, Benazapril, Aluminum Hydroxide, Sulcrafate, Sub q fluids every other day, Furosemide, Famotidine, Hydrocodone and Pet Tinic. She thinks she is getting treats because most of the meds are hidden in something yummy. I don’t administer the subq fluids as I should because she runs and hides which makes it really hard for me to do. She doesn’t like the sulcrafate slury but I give her the pet tinic afterwards so she tolerates it pretty well.

She can’t hear or see. She still greets me with a wagging tail. She spins in circles as I prepare her food. She still barks and is demanding. She uses pee pads as she can’t always wait on someone to be able to take her out. She is still bright and alert.

I keep praying she’ll pass in her sleep someday. It is so hard to watch her body fail.

mean people!

I went to the pharmacy this week to pick up a new medication. The pharmacy assistant picked it up, read the label and began snickering.

She said loudly across the room to her co-workers and the pharmacist “she’s buying “blah blah blah” for a dog”. The staff all laughed. The pharmacist laughed and said “you’ll want to keep it near a door”. My heart sank as everyone had a rude laugh. I was fighting back tears and decided to just laugh with them instead of crying.

How can someone be so insensitive? I obviously love my pet if I’m going to spend money purchasing meds for her. I believe it is my responsibility to care for the creatures God has put in my life. He created them. Would He want any less for His creations? My pets have been through a lot with me. They’ve been loyal companions all of their lives. How could I turn my back on them when they need me the most?

“blah blah blah” represents a big long name that I can’t pronounce or spell. We’ve have difficulty finding meds that my little dog can tolerate. This specific pill is over $1.00 per pill. For those who are great at math, I paid $10.98 for 10 pills. Fortunately, Manda is a small dog and takes 1/4 of a pill twice daily.

Unfortunately, she’s not tolerating this pill well either. I can assure you, if the veterinarian doesn’t have her next med in stock, we’ll go to another pharmacy.

You’ve heart stories about all of the dogs I’ve loved. Most of you have heard about the dog mentioned in this blog. She’s my oldest dog, Manda and she is in declining health. She’s the little fluffy one in the pictures. She’s now 16 and has an enlarged heart, grade 6/6 murmur, a collapsing trachea, elevated liver and kidney values. She still eats, drinks, greets us with a spin and a wag, plays and is alert even with diminished vision and hearing.

Manda, my princess, my baby,
she’s bossy, she’s demanding,
she’s high maintenance and worth it,
Manda doesn’t give up, she keeps a good attitude,
Manda is so strong, Manda fights for what she wants,
there’s a lot of life lessons I’ve learned from Manda.