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BauersMom

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    Osteo Thread V

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    I can certainly see Kyle's point and the one-sided issue in that article. It is a personal opinion piece, and not worth much in the way of helpful information. [How many NGAP adopters with limping dogs and clear x-rays did the author totally freak out?]

     

    The reality is a personal decision, period. If you think it is wrong for you and your dog, then don't do the amp. If you do, then do it. I will not chastise anyone for making either decision, and I am not going to debate over what is "right" for anyone else. I think everyone in this thread feels the same.

     

    But I will say one last thing and then I'm out of this discussion... while I find most of the article to be lacking, this sentence is just downright silly:

     

    "Our vet prescribed Rimadyl and Tramadol, two drugs that always spell ‘terminal’ to me because that’s what we use on almost all of our terminal dogs."

    Osteo Thread V

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

     

     

    Yes, there are definitely quality of life issues that need to be taken into account. In our experience, most of the "bad" reactions were transitory. Or at least of no longer duration than similar reactions (diarrhea, inappetance, pain) that non-osteo dogs can experience for less life-threatening medical issues. I do know that if Dude's quality of life had gone downhill at any time during his treatment, with no hope of recovery, we would not have hesitated to make the decision to end his suffering.

     

    I think most people who are facing the osteo decisions are right there with you. Most of the bad reactions I've seen or experienced first hand were transitory, and if I had thought Berkeley was suffering in any way, I could not have hesitated to make the decision.

     

    Perhaps a small percentage of folks let it go too long, but that isn't an osteo-specific scenario.

    Osteo Thread V

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    With all due respect, Kyle, I think it's a personal decision. I sent Phene to the bridge one week after he was diagnosed, just after he first painful episode. I never even increased his meds. It was not a decision I made out of ignorance. I think it was a decision I made out of compassion. Not everybody wants to take the amp route. In my situation, I thought extending his life would be a selfish decision, knowing that his pain would return, as would the possibility of his breaking a leg. I needed to keep him safe and out of pain, and for me letting him go seemed to be the most compassionate route. Osteo is extremely painful and almost always terminal.

     

    I have full respect for those who have gone the amputation/ treatment route, but I made an informed decision based on lots of research.

     

    I think you misunderstood Kyle's point. He's not saying that opting for euthanasia at the time of diagnosis is ignorant, he's saying that the author of the article saying "there are no options other than euthanasia" is ignorant.

    Fda Report On Diamond Facility

    in Food and dietary discussion

    Posted

    I'm wondering if, and how often, FDA does routine inspections of food manufacturers? I agree that the problems found at the Diamond plant are concerning, and I'll be watching to see how they respond. However, for those who decide to switch to other foods, how do you know that the manufacturing facilities for other companies are any better?

     

    People don't know about the other facilities. They're making the decision based on the evidence we DO know about Diamond. If you can read that report and continue to trust Diamond manufacturing, I find that more concerning than trusting a different company who has yet to have any report published about them...

    Icky Question: Pre Vulva Tuck Pics?

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Here's something that's been REALLY helpful for my cats with their old-cat UTIs: homeopathic Cantharis. I use it myself, and all of us can attest that, if you hit it as soon as you see signs, it can knock down the UTI without having to resort to a long course of antibiotics (and all that implies). Not every single time, but MOST times. That said, I have long since added pure cranberry juice to their wet food, and they not only like it, but the combo (wet food + cranberry) seems to have taken care of the problem all together. :) Not sure how this would translate to a dog (yet), but it's worth a try!

     

    As for being played, that too is possible! :lol Good luck!

     

    I have a friend who is dealing with some urinary issues with one of her cats, so I looked this up... it's made from beetles? And it's an.... aphrodisiac? :huhhttp://beneforce.com/informationfaq/homeopathic/cantharis.htm

    Need Help With Pilling

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted · Edited by BauersMom

    I had a similar problem with my 13 year old. I would have to wrestle her to be able to pill her, and even then, with all the squirming, I couldn't get the pill in far enough so that she couldn't yack it up. Fighting with my geriatric dog just wasn't what I wanted to do anymore so for everyone's sake we had the meds compounded as liquid suspension, and then it was much easier to shoot it in her mouth. Not an option for all meds, but thankfully was for what she was on. This won't help you now but may be worth the owners looking in to if she continues to refuse the pills...

    Osteo Thread

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    For some reason, I had the moment Berkeley broke his leg hit me at the gym today unexpectedly. I choked back tears... and have been feeling pretty down all night. It's so hard. It'll be two months on the 12th, but it's still very raw for me. :(

     

    In some better news - my husband and I are working out a fundraising effort for OSU for our upcoming marathon/half marathon. As soon as we have the details, I'll pass them on.

    Limping After Zoomies?

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    I would do some forced rest first and see if it resolves in a few days. If not, then I would go for a vet visit. Could be a lot of different things, and he may need a short course of anti-inflammatories if it's a soft tissue thing.

     

    I would do some forced rest first and see if it resolves in a few days. If not, then I would go for a vet visit. Could be a lot of different things, and he may need a short course of anti-inflammatories if it's a soft tissue thing.

    Osteo Thread

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Berkeley's limp was intermittent and for a period of a few months, went totally away. Every case is different.

     

    Have you checked his pads for anything that might look like a corn? Limping can be any number of things, so try not to worry until the vet visit! (I know, easier said than done)

    Osteo Thread

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Hurley was helped to the bridge at 4am our time. His heart was failing. No one else knows yet and I just feel like I can't sleep without letting someone who cares know. He had a really good run and he is always with me.

     

    Godspeed, Hurley. :bighug

    Osteo Thread

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Edited to add: we took him to the evet since the breathing was labored and we were hoping it was pneumonia or something.

    The news is not good : Hurley's lungs are full of metasteses. We have him on prednisone until the appt Monday to discuss palladia or other treatment. She assured us that we are not at the end yet but it will be soon.

    I'm just putting it all into perspective now. I was supposed to be enjoying my time with my sister(whom I haven't seen on 6 months) this week and instead I have some important decisions to make. I'm glad she will be here with me though!

     

    I am so sorry!

     

    Crap, what a week. :(

    Osteo Thread

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    I knew it, I just knew it. Clear x-rays of his lower leg. But I knew he had osteo even though the vet did not believe me. Tonight Sam went out after dinner and his shoulder shattered. There was nothing that could be done and we helped him to the bridge.

     

    I am so sorry. :( Hugs to you.

     

    So, Hurley has been coughing and sputtering and making choking sounds off and on, sporadically for about a week or so. Tonight, I came home and he sounded like he was choking again. We tried to write it off and not worry each individual time but it's obviously a pattern. His breathing sounds a little noisy now, he tried to pretend it's not happening but I can hear it. :angryfire I booted up the computer to ask whether this means lung mets and founf the thread about Charlie (which was a surprise to me from hiding under my rock so long) Charlie, you are the strongest greyhound I know and we will all get through this! Anyway, I will obviously take him in for xrays but I don't know if I should rush in now (I'm supposed to meet my husband and a friend in an hour and a half for a drink) or tomorrow but certainly I will move them up to this week (they were scheduled for May 1)......and try not to freak out until I know the truth.

     

    I was supposed to be posting that all was good, we had just visited the holistic vet and got our recommendations but I may have to wait on that now.

     

    I need more time, dear Hurley Dawg!

     

    I would definitely get it checked out - hopefully it's nothing!

     

     

    My hound, Huck just got the word he has Osteo today. Started limping about a week ago. I took him to the vet the same day and she treated him for muscle pull. Limp got worse. We went to Charleston Veterinary Referral Center today and got the word. I am in a state of shock and don't know what to do. He is the IBD dog and has never had a really good day on this earth. He just turned 6. Vet in Charleston said it may be worthwhile to try palliative (medication and radiation therapy) while attempting to gain control of his IBD. If his quality of life appears to improve with further IBD treatment, we may consider amputation and chemo. The vet phoned in Tylenol 3 last night, but the drug store in this one horse town closed early. I was really blind sided as I thought we were going to Charleston for a pinched nerve in his neck.

     

    So sorry to hear about Huck. :( You are going to need something stronger than Tylenol (heck, I wouldn't use Tylenol at all...?). Can he get deramaxx, tramadol, and/or gabapentin with his IBD treatment?

    Legs Limping/crying

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Thanks. I just called a different vet that does digital xrays to ask about pricing since my regular vet does not have digital. They did not feel xrays are needed because he is not constantly limping. But I guess they will do it if I insist?

     

     

     

    If the limp is unexplained, or doesn't resolve with rest and NSAIDs, it's worth an x-ray. How often it happens is not as important a measure, based on my own experiences.

    Bridge Angels In April 2012

    in Remembrance

    Posted · Edited by BauersMom

    I was thinking how much this month is starting to remind me of last October when we lost so many :(

     

    I was thinking the same thing this afternoon. Each of these recent losses has me crying all over again.

     

    The October pups, including our Bee Wiseman, have been gone for six months now. I really miss my girl today. I miss her everyday. :(

     

    We were in that October crew too, with Ivy. This is shaping up to be one of those months where you're afraid to look in Remembrance for fear of another loss.

    Osteo Thread

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted · Edited by BauersMom

    I just wanted to send good thoughts. strength, and love out to all the osteo pups and families out there, the H+M board has been a sad place today for our little group....

     

    Agreed. Hugs to everyone dealing with this nasty disease, whether a new diagnosis or facing the hard decision. It just... sucks. :grouphug

    New To Limping

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Elowyn went to the vet today after I woke up to her hopping on 3 legs again. We did a lymes test to rule that our first and of corse it was negative. We then did x-rays of her hips, left knee, and paw. She said for the most part everything looked fine, but there was one area that may be questionable in her distal femur. I did try to look through her racing history to see of any injuries but I didnt see anything that was noted. She does have a small scar on her knee so there is a chance she had an old injury. I told the vet about OSU and she said that would be a good idea to have them look at it. So I'm going to pick up a copy of the x-rays and send it out for review. Thanks for the advice.

     

    If you didn't get high res versions, it may be worth getting them - I know OSU requested them before they would make a call in our case. Fingers crossed for you.

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