Jump to content

3greys2cats

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    868

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Posts posted by 3greys2cats

    Kidney Disease And Lumbar Sacral Stenosis

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    We have been fighting the battle of LS for almost 2 years with my sweet Max, he started on Metacam 1st almost 3 years ago and then we discontinued because he was vomiting and losing weight. Last year at this time we did bloodwork before a dental and it revealed elevated Liver numbers, we took him off Metacam and also had an ultrasound done of Liver, Spleen, Kidneys, Spleen was mottled and other organs ok, we waited 2 weeks and did a repeat of his blood work and numbers were good so we went ahead and did Dental, he was almost 12 @ the time. His LS has gotten really bad and he started falling so we put him on Rimadyl in December and then added Gabapentin in February, have covered every hardwood floor and built a special step to get in van so he could continue coming for walks. Fast forward to May, Max is struggling with steps out to yard to potty, not wanting to eat, lethargic, coming in van for walks with Flower but very short walkies. We have decided its too hard and stressful for him to go to the Vet so we have a Mobile Vet who has done a complete evaluation on him, bloodwork and Urinalysis and Creatnine/Protein ratio 2 weeks ago revealed that he has lost more than 75% of his Kidney function and that he is dumping Protein in his Urine, PLN, proteinuria. We are struggling with all of this and trying to keep him comfortable, we have taken him off Rimadyl and he is on Gabapentin, Tramadol, Enalapril and baby aspirin for his Kidneys and have changed his diet to lower protein. He has always been a picky eater so I am still giving bits of meat and salmon oil, trout treats with Omega's and Cosequin. Not sure what else I can do but I have been doing Reiki on him and have tried to tell him during our sessions that it's ok to "Let Go", that Mommy will be ok. He is my 1st Greyhound, the one that started my obsession with the Breed and I got him when he was 2, he will be 13 in October but I am not sure his body will make that date :( I so wish that I could carry him around but he is literally one of the tallest Greyhounds, 32" @ the shoulder and like a small pony, it's not possible. Please keep Max in your prayers.

    Prominent Hind End Weakness

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Prednisone suppresses the Immunity system, anti-inflammatory, can cause problems with liver, kidneys, many bad side effects. NSAID's are anti-inflammatory, some are non-steroidal(Metacam) but given along with Prednisone could cause stomach bleeding. An NSAID like Rimadyl along with Gabapentin would hopefully help Kasey with pinched Nerve. My Vet has explained that Gabapentin works differently and is an entirely different drug category, pain med that works in the brain, sends signals that there is not pain, relaxes them and therefore works well with an NSAID which is more like aspirin. Hope that helps a little :)

    Prominent Hind End Weakness

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Thank you 3greys. I think I'll do the twice a day 200mg dose each time for now and see how it goes. It's tough - having him for 10 years (seeing all these life cycles) - but I'll do everything in my power to keep him comfy.

    He is beautiful and I know how you feel, Max is our 1st Grey, the "one" that started it all, we got him Oct 2004, over 10 years ago, I am connected to him heart and soul, he is cooked for almost daily and is given anything and everything he wants!

    Prominent Hind End Weakness

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted · Edited by 3greys2cats

    So, back from the vet. The lady that was going to do his appointment (that owned 2 greyhounds) had to leave to tend to her daughter at home, but she spoke with us in the parking lot and concurred with what I thought was LS causing the issue. She pushed around on his spine and watched him walk and move and sink.....

     

    We went inside and another vet did x-rays of his spine. The gap between the vertebra's are not very definitive. But his symptoms certainly are. He became very weak as we gabbed at the office and agreed it's LS. I asked what her secondary diagnosis would have been if I didn't suggest LS and she said, something else neurological....

     

    I let her read the article of Stack. She said that she is not comfortable giving an injection, and the owner of the clinic has never apparently heard of depo for this issue. She suggested we see a neurologist and that the only remedy is surgery. She will speak to the neurologist and get his take on depo and will get back to me early next week. I refused surgery.

     

    We did get gabapentin. She suggested to give him 1.5-2 capsules 2 to 3 times a day. Capsules are 100mg. Side effects apparently make him either really sedate or really excitable. Anything else I should watch out for? He's had his first dose tonight. It obviously won't stop the weakness, but I guess it will make him more comfortable. Is the dosage and amount correct? I've actually never had to use any pain meds to manage pain.....how do I know he's not in pain - when he's weightbearing after 5 mins when he wouldn't have been in the same situ yesterday? If it doesn't stop the sinking, how can I tell?

     

    I can't fix this and I feel a loss of control. The good news is there is no sign of arthritis (I don't know what to think about that, I think I would have preferred that answer because that is pure pain management). He's the best looking 12 year old greyhound many have seen. He's alert, not incontinent, and still has pretty decent walks. I think I've caught this at one of the earliest stages it could be caught. While he's always had some evidence of this problem, it's only come to the forefront over the past couple of months. When I mentioned the vitamins, etc, he's been on, she seemed to allude to the fact that they weren't necessary because they wouldn't help this LS issue.....but look at his condition otherwise - if I didn't give him vitamins etc., would he still be the best looking 12 year old you've seen? Sigh.

     

    Thank you all for your help. Seems I didn't need a vet at all, well maybe just to get the meds.

     

    What's next? I want to convince them to do a depo injection.....what do you guys think? Pros, cons? Also, should I suggest them to give me muscle relaxants? I also asked for an all clear for a chiro treatment. She was hesitant and asked me to hold off a little longer and she'll get back to me after talking to the neuro dudes. I don't want to exacerbate the issue.

     

    Sigh

    This is exactly how it went for us @ Vets, Max is very healthy for a 12.5 year old, decent walks most days but difficulty getting up from floor, dragging his back feet but still trots when walking, still has all his teeth, got the same diagnosis, LS/Neurological and not seeing Arthritis. We were already on Rimadyl, had been on Metacam and discontinued because it caused stomach issues, we added Gabapentin 300 MG once daily and it made a huge difference. We have a lot of stairs and he is up and down deck stairs multiple times daily to get out in back fenced yard, they are carpet covered and have backs on them, we have no choice but to do inclines, we live on a hill and it has helped keep him going this long for sure. Sending you lots of hope and hugs for Kasey, it is really hard to see them decline, trust your instinct on what he needs, you know him better than anyone. Just wanted to add that when changing NSAID, need 7 days out of system before trying new one.

    Prominent Hind End Weakness

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    We are struggling here with Max who is 12.5, he is on Rimadyl, Gabapentin and I give Cosequin chews, my DH built a special platform to get into van for walks, special carpets everywhere, he still enjoys 2 small walks a day but this winter is making it difficult for him. Wanted to also add that I have just become certified to practice Reiki on animals and he and Flower are loving their treatments, it is absolutely helping his mobility, he melts into the carpet so..this is one more non traditional form of healing that may work for you. I am going to start practicing more on doing distant healing too, it can also be used to help transition peacefully when an animal passes.

    When The Cold Is Dangerous

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Poor Yurtie, we are dealing with the same here in Southern NH and it is getting tougher for my 2 to deal with the snow. I have a fenced yard on a hill here and we snow blow/shovel paths that now resemble tunnels through walls of snow. Poor Max who is 12 is and is having problems with weakness in his hind legs is suffering just getting down the stairs to get out there. Flower hates it and waits until she is ready to burst to go out there. I put double layers on them, for Max, he gets a polar fleece with polartec shell with snood that covers over his ears and butt and then another fleece over that, Flower gets 4 legged pj's and a coat over that and I coat their feet with all natural balm, 4Paws, works well to keep paws from cracking. We only get" business done" in this weather then back in, their bodies are not able to handle this winter from hell, we are all really tired of freaking snow and cold!!!!

×
×
  • Create New...