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!

the $3500 dog

How much will they spend when their dog is ill?

I recently heard about someone who purchased a specific breed of a dog for $3,500.00. I hope this family will love this adorable creature that God made and take incredible care of it.

I personally would never even consider purchasing a dog for $3,500.00. However, I would gladly spend $3,500.00 on my dog. I buy high quality food for him. I buy healthy snacks and treats for him. I buy him toys, beds and blankets. He has shampoo, a doggie bag, travel gear and at least two visits to the veterinarian each year – just for wellness! If he were ill, I’d do everything possible for him and he’s a mutt. I’ve spent thousands of dollars on him over his 12 years of life although I didn’t pay anything for him.

I just have to wonder, how much would a person who spends $3,500 to purchase a dog really spend on that dog each week? What do they feed him? I think my dog is pampered … and only can imagine what a family who spends this amount of money to purchase “Fido” must invest into their dogs’ life! What would their limit be if he were ill?

~Trina

His love for Nedd …

I see it and experience it everyday. They share a special bond. Nedd accepts me into the pack but think of me as a “buddy” who feeds him and takes him out. He comes to me when he’s sick or doesn’t feel well too.  Nedd kisses me and romps and plays with me.  He cuddles with Marty without kisses and gently plays with Marty.  He will let Marty brush him for a long time and barely lets me brush him for a minute!  Somehow, Marty is still the one who Nedd adores!

My “doggy soul mates” have passed on and I miss them terribly. I love Nedd … but it is obvious he’s Marty’s “doggy soul mate”!

Read this recent blog written by Marty. It is talking about the upcoming Oprah show about puppy mills.  It is also a great dog story.

Nedd is truly Marty’s best friend!:

http://humbleoradio.com/oprah/oprah-is-going-to-the-dogs/

~Trina

Nedd and treating his arthritis

We’ve known for over a year that Nedd has arthritis.  He has had about three “flair ups” where he has began limping and we’ve had to give him Rimadyl for several days at a time.

At this point, we are able to treat his arthritis with Cosequin.  He took a large dose for about a month and now he’s on a maintenance dose of one tablet in the morning and one tablet at night.  He thinks it is a treat so getting it in him twice daily is not a problem.

In the last few months, I have noticed him having more difficulty with stairs.  I have noticed him getting off the bed slower.  I notice him choosing to sleep on his dog bed more and more often instead of climbing into the bed with us which he’s always done!

Nedd has always been the most gentle large dog.  He’s fun, goofy and very playful.  In the last year, there’s been a few occasions, and last night was one of them, where he suddenly becomes grumpy.   He was laying in bed with us and we had been loving on him, massaging him, rubbing his ears and his belly and all the sudden he showed his teeth!  I have no idea what happened.  It was strange.  I am trying to contribute it to possible pain in his neck or back and the fact that his Cosequin was about two hours “late” last night.

He acts perfectly fine today.  He is running, playing, happy and enjoyed his breakfast.  I brushed him thoroughly today trying to see if there was a painful spot but he even enjoyed being brushed!

Nedd vomited piece of dental bone …

In the middle of the night, I heard the sound.  I jumped out of bed and ran toward Nedd.  There he stood with the sad look in his eyes, his belly jerking as he vomited by the door.  There was the normal stuff you see in vomit and there was a piece of a dental chew that he had enjoyed while we watched the American Idol last night.  This piece of the dental chew was about the size of the palm of my hand.

I feel like a terrible pet parent right now.  I didn’t even know he had swallowed it!!!  I buy these particular dental chews at the vet hospital because they are of a good quality and are a food product.  They really do help his teeth.  I’ve purchased these for about 3 years and we’ve never had this problem previously!

I’m a little frightened right now.  This is a treat he really enjoys and he has one about every other day.

He acts perfectly fine now.  I gave him a late breakfast and he’s still doing fine.  I didn’t call the veterinarian … at least not yet.  If he vomits again, I’ll be calling very quickly.  I try not to call over every little thing while at the same time not overlooking a health concern.

~Trina Daniels

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

Brushing teeth …

We were visiting relatives and Nedd was with us, of course. He used excellent manners and everyone was so impressed.

Nedd has his own travel bag full of necessary items, such as his Cosequin as well as dental treats, healthy treats, his brush and his toothbrush and poultry flavored toothpaste. One evening, Nedd was knocking at his bag with his foot. The folks we were staying with were amazed at Nedd’s personality and wanted to watch. I went to Nedd and started going through our nightly ritual. I brushed his hair, gave him his Cosequin and a treat.

I then proceeded to get his toothbrush out and his toothpaste. The folks we were staying with couldn’t believe Nedd sat so proud while I brushed his teeth. They couldn’t believe how much Nedd enjoyed it.

I learned the hard way! I had a pom whose teeth I didn’t take care of because I started to try when she was five years old and after she had to have a dental. It was too late. She hated it and I never got to brush her teeth. She refused dental treats. She had numerous dentals in her lifetime. She passed away in November 2007 at the age of 18 with only seven teeth left.

Nedd is twelve years old, has some tartar, has some wear on his teeth from being a power chewer but has never had the need for a dental from a veterinarian.

a great day

Nedd is having a great day. Come to think of it, most of his days are great!

Today, he started off his day as usual with breakfast and playing outside. He spent quiet a bit of time outside sniffing despite the 5 degree temperature.

He played ball, took a nap and just had lunch. This time when we were out, I discovered WHY he was in such a sniffing mood. He is a German Short Hair Pointer and Collie Special Blend … so some sniffing is always expected. This time, he was really being curious about something.

We soon seen a CAT! Nedd thinks they are playmates but most cats usually don’t want to play with him … until they get to know him.

Nedd is napping again while I’m doing laundry. We’ll see what the rest of the day has for Nedd to do and discover.

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.