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MerlinsMum

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    I Need Lots Of Good Thoughts For The Wizard

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    I have fingers crossed for clean x-rays.

     

    Having been through the same thing last week with one of mine, I know how you feel. I hope you have the same positive outcome that we did.

     

    Oh that's terrific, thank goodness! You must be so relieved.

     

    I will be sending good thoughts your way as well.

     

    I have had a series of REALLY bad things happening in my life, so when Breeze started limping I was certain this was going to be... well you know what I thought... I took her right in and had x-rays done. Vet thought he saw a spot and sent them to OSU. They thought there might be something there too. Of course at this point I am DYING!!!! Vet said to re-do in a couple weeks. We went thru the same thing again, no one could say for sure, so they scheduled a FNA. The day it was to be done I was wiping the mud off her feet before we got in the car and I found a spot on her foot... A CORN!!! No one in the world has ever been so happy to see a corn.

     

    Hoping you find out it is nothing to worry about!

     

    Julie, I was holding my breath while I read your post! I have always hoped that my hounds would never get corns, and now here I am almost wishing for it to be just that...

     

    Thank you all for your good thoughts, they are so appreciated.

    Question About Fasting Before X-Rays

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted · Edited by MerlinsMum

    Batmom, thanks, does that include his meds? He usually takes Metronidazole after every meal. Or should I wait to give it to him when I give him some kibble after the x-rays? :unsure

     

    Oh, I didn't see Chris' post about meds! Thanks!! The worry of another flare-up is very much on my mind. I am expecting it, in fact. So I am keen to give him his meds in the morning even though he can't have food.

     

    The appointment is at 8.30.

    I Need Lots Of Good Thoughts For The Wizard

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    When she examined him, Dr. Katie was of the opinion that it was likely arthritis, and -- I know, it's crazy -- I am desperately hoping that tomorrow's x-ray will confirm that she is right.

     

    Going through something similar (Joe's exam is tomorrow); I very much understand how hopeful you are for a touch of arthritis! Joe has also gotten a bit gimpy after zoomies, then recovered in a day or so; this time it seems weird, so to the vet we go! Hubby's upset that I want it to be arthritis -- he hasn't read GT! Fingers crossed for the "good" diagnosis for both boys!

     

    Best of luck for Joe's visit tomorrow as well :goodluck :goodluck :goodluck

    Question About Fasting Before X-Rays

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted · Edited by MerlinsMum

    I made a separate post because my other one is already quite wordy :rolleyes:

     

    Merlin needs to be fasted for his x-rays because he is probably going to get a sedative (he gets anxious at the vet these days), as I am told that shoulder x-rays can be difficult if the patient doesn't stay still.

     

    Two questions:

     

    1. Doe sa fast mean a full 12 hours, or can I give him some food at 11pm? I am concerned about him fasting because of his IBD issues and an accumulation of acid in his stomach if he has to go without food.

     

    2. They told me to "pick up his water" tomorrow morning. Does that mean no water AT ALL tomorrow morning?? Or can he have a little drink around 6am? The appointment is at 8am. I hate the thought of him being thirsty, it's very humid here at the moment.

     

    Thanks for anyone who has any advice.

    I Need Lots Of Good Thoughts For The Wizard

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted · Edited by MerlinsMum

    Many of you know that Merlin has IBD and has had horrible flare-ups since March. He is now on 1000mg of Metronidazole (Flagyl) a day and WHAT a difference! :wow His appetite has been wonderful, his energy is wonderful, his cheekiness is back with a vengeance. :wub: We haven't been able to catch a breath and celebrate, though. About a month ago, before his last flare-up, Merlin did zoomies in the yard and subsequently developed a limp on his front left leg. We thought nothing of it - it has happened before following zoomies, and in the past the limp disappeared after a week of no running and shorter walks. Except that, this time, the limp hasn't gone away. In fact, it's gotten worse - a LOT worse. We didn't talk about it in depth with the vet sooner because we had to deal with another flare-up a couple of weeks ago - his worst to date, as it took him so long to recover from this last one :(

     

    But last week I took him to our vet to have his leg examined - they were busy from an emergency so we rescheduled the x-ray for tomorrow. When she examined him, Dr. Katie was of the opinion that it was likely arthritis, and -- I know, it's crazy -- I am desperately hoping that tomorrow's x-ray will confirm that she is right. Two things give me hope:

     

    1. I keep a journal of his medical issues (by the way, for any of you with iPhones, I use PawCard, which is free from the App Store - not sure if it's available on other platforms as well, but I LOVE it.), and looking through it, I noticed that he had the same issue with that same shoulder last November, than again in February.

     

    2. Earlier this year he developed a protuberance on his left foot and we x-rayed it. Nothing there. But we noticed that he does NOT like us touching his left foot at all. He trembles sometimes when I'm squeazing it. What if he broke his toe or something? We thought it was his shoulder, because he stretches and then seems to feel better, but we could well be wrong.

     

    I don't know. The vet says that if it were cancer it would most likely have gotten worse, and it hasn't. Well, that was true of things until this last week. He used to limp every time he got up. Then he'd stretch, and he'd be okay on his walks. Over the last week, he drags and walks with difficulty and his limp is pretty much constant :cry1

     

    I just don't know what to think. I just need tomorrow to come fast and I need it to be over, because I NEED TO KNOW. I can't sleep, I have no appetite, I am one big messy knot of worry :(

     

    Please - I need lots of good thoughts. Keep Merlin in your thoughts tomorrow at 8.30am. My baby boy HAS to be alright. He just has to be.

     

    Thanks...

    Gigi Crossed The Bridge Today

    in Remembrance

    Posted · Edited by MerlinsMum

    :brokenheart:cry1 :cry1 :cry1:brokenheart

     

    My heart sank long and deep when I saw this thread. I thought she may have had a bit more time... She didn't. I am so terribly sorry, Jessica. I will never forget Gigi; she was such a character. I remember how your pretty girl made me laugh when she came to playgroup and did her twirls. I feel honored to have met her and to have even had the pleasure of dog-sitting her once. 

     

    But no one knew her the way you knew her. You went through a lot together, and I know she has left an indelible mark on your heart. Be gentle and kind to yourself, and give yourself time to grieve her terrible loss. I hope that one day, in the not-too-distant future, thinking of her will bring more smiles than pain.  But it is not today... Today, hold on tight to your Lizzie, and lean on us for support. sadhugsmiley.gif

     

    Rest in peace, Gigi. :gh_run2

    Scout

    in Remembrance

    Posted

    I am so sorry. Clearly Scout was a very special girl. Her life was taken away far too soon, but it's very apparent that you gave her a very happy life. Rest in peace, sweet girl :gh_run2

     

    :grouphug :grouphug

    Is It Okay To Give Flagyl On An Empty Stomach?

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted · Edited by MerlinsMum

    Thanks for the link, Jey, and thank you to everyone who clarified that it's Slippery Elm Bark I should be looking for. Maybe I gave the vet the wrong information.

     

    Budesonide is a great alternative to pred for IBD. Budesonide targets the gut and doesn't have the broad systemic effects of pred. It also doesn't lead to muscle wasting and weight loss. The only side effect we experienced is fur loss. Spencer has been on it for a little over two years and we've been able to decrease the dose down to .5 mg every three days. It isn't cheap, but it's worth it. We started with 3 mg and worked our way down. We have it compounded at a pharmacy in AZ called Roadrunner. Let me know if you want the contact info. They are used to working with vets and ship fast and economically. (I think they overnight the first order with free shipping, IIRC.)

     

    Thanks. I mentioned this to my vet a few months ago, and she said that if she ever put him on Budesonide, it would only be after trying Prednisone, if the side effects of Pred were too much for him. Not having any experience of the drug, I have looked it up, and I have found several very positive reviews of the use of Budesonide over Prednisone in veterinary practice, so I am planning to bring it up again with my vet when I talk to her next week. We had discussed the possibility of giving me some pred to administer for a little while when I see Merlin start to go off his food again (the very first symptom that a flare-up is developing - it starts about 7-10 days before the full-blown flare-up).

     

    Now for the good news: Merlin is officially EATING!!! :yay :yay :yay And what's more, his stool this morning, while still diarrhea, DEFINITELY looks as if it's firming up!! :yay :yay :yay :yay

     

    But wait! There's more :P

     

    Yesterday afternoon something changed and he started to feel better. I know because his eyes had been lifeless, his demeanor was subdued, he hardly got up for anything, he just wanted to be left alone (it was breaking my heart :cry1). But yesterday afternoon, after I played Stuffy Wars with Sagan, I left the stuffed toy on the carpet and went into the adjoining room to lie down on the futon for a few minutes, as I'd had an exhausting day at work. Then I heard a bounce and DH saying "What are you doing Mr. Merlin??" with amazement in his voice. I got up and Merlin was doing his goofy twirl in the living room with the stuffy in his mouth :wow I was overjoyed, we both were. So I'm hoping hoping hoping we've turned a corner :goodluck :goodluck :goodluck

     

    He loves this A/D stuff. I am now feeding him some wet I/D, some I/D kibble, and then smearing the A/D all over it, so that he will eat the I/D too. And so far it's working! He even asked for more food after breakfast this morning, but I don't want to overload his stomach at this point, so I didn't give him extra. I might give him some more at lunchtime. I know that the A/D diet is only meant to be temporary, so I want to wean him off it and back onto the I/D as soon as possible, but I also don't want to rush his recovery.

     

    Thank you for your continued good thoughts!!

    Is It Okay To Give Flagyl On An Empty Stomach?

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted · Edited by MerlinsMum

    Hello everyone. Well, the results came back. It's definitely NOT pancreatitis, the GI panel ruled it out. His folate and cobalamine levels are within normal range too. My vet is still sure it's IBD and since Merlin has not eaten any solid food other than a couple of cookies since Saturday night, she suggested upping the Flagyl from 500mg daily to 1000mg daily. She also gave me a different food to try - a high calorie food "recuperation" food - that's given to dogs and cats to get them to eat - A/D. Apparently it's not quite as easily digetible as I/D but it's still gentle on the stomach. We'll see. all I kmow is that my wizard who has not eaten for three whole days DEVOURED it. Let's just hope that he keeps it down and that it doesn't make his bloody, liquid diarrhea even worse (is that possible?)

     

    If increasing the Metronidazole dosage doesn't help to get him through this tough spot and doesn't result in firmer stools, the next step is starting him on prednisone :cry1 I'm VERY apprehensive about that. I always knew it was a possibility that we would have to put him on it, Dr. Katie and I discussed it months ago. But I have heard about the side effects of pred and about how hard it is on the system, and it scares me quite frankly. I am also about to hit one of the busiest times of the year at work and I'm in a new job with a new boss who is understanding but nowhere near as laid back and understanding as my previous boss when it comes to animal companions. She also doesn't know me as well as my previous boss, so I don't think she understands quite how important Merlin is to me. Very nervous about that.

     

    Anyhow, I thought I'd update. Thanks for you continued good thoughts. To those who asked about slippery elm bark - I have to admit that I am not a supporter of homeopathy (in fact I spend a fair amount of time online criticising it, to be honest), and although I have not had time to read up about slippery elm extensively, what I have read appears to show that it has not been subjected to any scientific studies, or shown to produce verifiable results. However, since several people brought it up and cited good results with their pups, I asked my vet about it. She consulted an ex-colleague who told her that she has a very hard time finding slippery elm in the United States. She suggested an alternative - marshmallow root powder :huh I know nothing about it.

     

    Anyone?

    Coughing Food Up During Meals?

    in Food and dietary discussion

    Posted · Edited by MerlinsMum

    Yes, I would definitely try adding some water to the meal. My boy Sagan does the same thing, and Merlin does too sometimes. When I wet his kibble he stops.

     

    They both use Brake-Fast bowls. Merlin doesn't need it anymore, but he is scared of thr shiny metal ones so I keep using it. Sagan eats every meal as if he hasn't been fed in a month :rolleyes: and something tells me that's not going to change.

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