macoduck

Rita is gone. Born 1/3/12 Adopted 12/12/20 Gone 4/26/24 It was just too much for her little body. Rita had been steadily losing weight, down 5+ pounds since December. She was always a picky eater and the worst at trying any form of pill taking. Despite assurances that "most dogs like" the low fat Rx canned food, she wouldn't touch it. Not heated, not with any kind of appetite stimulant (crushed and stirred in, not with chicken and defatted ground beef. It had been nearly 14 hours since she'd eaten at this point so I tossed everything away and just gave her the chicken and ground beef. She woofed it up but it would not be nutritionally enough long term. She was getting wobbly lately. Blind in one eye and the depth perception worsening in the other, she started bumping into things in the house like doorways and the refrigerator. She could never find a treat if I put it on the floor. Instead I would bump her nose with it, hold it right there, and eventually she'd figure it out. When she'd go outside she would turn right (the good eye side) and patrol the perimeter. If she had to potty, she'd turn left. At night, even though we have lighting, I'd go with her and shine a flashlight so she could find her way back without bumping into the picnic tables. Rita was not an easy dog to love at first. She peed in the house so many times despite tethering and taking her out frequently that I was ready to give her back from the group. She must have heard me because almost overnight she stopping peeing indoors. Rita's favorite toy was a ball, any ball, even when she couldn't find it. I had to make it bounce near her so she could hear the bounce. Then she'd go thisaway and that, slapping the ground until she found it. She would never cuddle, never roached, never let me rub her belly. Only ear scritches and chin rubs were permitted. I'd made an appt to let her go on Monday, but by Thursday afternoon it was obvious that it was time. "A day too soon" is what it needed to be. Her passing at the vet office was gentle and swift. And finally, when she was gone, I cuddled with her and rubbed her belly.

And she's gone. Born 1/3/12 Adopted 12/12/20 Gone 4/26/24 It was just too much for her little body. Rita had been steadily losing weight, down 5+ pounds since December. She was always a picky eater and the worst at trying any form of pill taking. Despite assurances that "most dogs like" the low fat Rx canned food, she wouldn't touch it. Not heated, not with any kind of appetite stimulant (crushed and stirred in, not with chicken and defatted ground beef. It had been nearly 14 hours since she'd eaten at this point so I tossed everything away and just gave her the chicken and ground beef. She woofed it up but it would not be nutritionally enough long term. She was getting wobbly lately. Blind in one eye and the depth perception worsening in the other, she started bumping into things in the house like doorways and the refrigerator. She could never find a treat if I put it on the floor. Instead I would bump her nose with it, hold it right there, and eventually she'd figure it out. When she'd go outside she would turn right (the good eye side) and patrol the perimeter. If she had to potty, she'd turn left. At night, even though we have lighting, I'd go with her and shine a flashlight so she could find her way back without bumping into the picnic tables. Rita was not an easy dog to love at first. She peed in the house so many times despite tethering and taking her out frequently that I was ready to give her back from the group. She must have heard me because almost overnight she stopping peeing indoors. Rita's favorite toy was a ball, any ball, even when she couldn't find it. I had to make it bounce near her so she could hear the bounce. Then she'd go thisaway and that, slapping the ground until she found it. She would never cuddle, never roached, never let me rub her belly. Only ear scritches and chin rubs were permitted. I'd made an appt to let her go on Monday, but by Thursday afternoon it was obvious that it was time. "A day too soon" is what it needed to be. Her passing at the vet office was gentle and swift. And finally, when she was gone, I cuddled with her and rubbed her belly.

It's bad, really really bad. Rita is 12, and had ok-ish kidneys when I adopted her. We monitor them every 6 months. Compared to the last one in Dec 2023 and 6 months prior, her numbers have gotten much worse. Today she got subQ fluids. Vet (my fave was off today) said we could do daily subQ. She even called my fave vet for input. The subQ hump hasn't even gone down and she's drinking water like crazy. There are no further treatments to try. The pancreatitis indicators were off the chart. She got a Cerenia shot and Rx canned food and metroniadizole. "Most dogs like this food", nope. As hungry as she was she said no, even when I added a little chicken and canned appetite stimulant that she liked before. There are no further treatments to try. I was hoping she'd make it through the weekend, but now I am not so sure. I'd made a "goodbye" appt for Monday afternoon just in case. We'll see how she does tonight. I am not optimistic that she'll make it comfortably that long. Leishmaniasis put an extreme burden on her body and over-stressed kidney function is common. Although the majority of her lesions were fading away, I have found some new ones.

Rita needs some backnforthing. Bloody diarrhea 2 nights in a row. Straining when outside and only getting squiggles or plops. Puked bile this morning. She's been eating good since I got back from GIG, but she didn't eat but maybe 1-2 meals while I was gone, or Noah snagged them. This means she didn't get her medicine. She's looking around for breakfast now but I'll fast her until she sees the vet. Leaving shortly to get her in as a walk in. While I saw vet yesterday with Howie I told vet how she her Leish lesions were nearly gone. Last night I found some had popped up on her ears. This is no bueno. She's a tough liddle podenco and I hope some metroniazole (sp?) will clear her up.

The Macoduck household is getting its rhythm back, albeit slowly. Between them, NoAh, Howie, and Rita might have eaten four meals over the 3 days I was gone, which means no meds either. Flashy is happy to be home. NoAh is happy that Flashy is home. Rita's tummy isn't quite settled yet so she's getting just a few sprinkles of Owelo carrots with her food. Howie's getting his bum glands violated today plusalso a bordetella vax. When I go to Mtn Hounds the end of May he will be going to camp. He did well there when I boarded him the several days of wallpaper removal/painting fiasco at home. He even let one of the nice young ladies hold him in her arms.

Chris, what is the tree with the pink flowers? They even had Chia hounds at GIG! Resting up to prepare for FancyToo's backnforfing... Cynthia, the procedure is called "Superficial Digital flexor Tenectomy/Tenotomy".

No bandana, Vanessa, but I did have a headband. This year's dinner/party night's theme was Woodstock so everyone dressed in tie-dye outfits. It started at 6 but I didn't gt there until after 9pm becuase of the lost doggo, so all I got were mashed potatoes and gravy. That looked better than the mystery meat and didn't taste too bad cold. I cut this photo of me from a group shot of GFNC people who attended. I look like I have vintage troll hair and I think the headband was an improvement since it covered the hair sticking straight out from over my years.

Catching up: Cindy, try come meclazine for Lacy's tumtum. Same formula as dramamine but mucho cheaper. It will be easier to order online since very few pharmacies carry it. Only one independent pharmacy had it here. Non-Rx and easy to snap in half for a Lacy-sized dose. My vet suggested it for upset tumtums. None of mine get carsick but if I see them eating grass, they get the pill. https://www.amazon.com/RELIABLE-LABORATORIES-Meclizine-12-5-Caplets/dp/B01J92PCE8/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2ZKC71ILC7M7F&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.HLHjv8uBBx174PaC69-i49xynNf0InQO5zo0Urlf6gR8mzYXbSIm8f8g9LcTl9MzFzOK4WYPlcYKkYo1UJYNgeoxy-Yxbs5WLCgoQXItCCah5P3CW3DLIf7Oq8yEwLB32bIlVz3LrwHKdWzBGWLKxDjhScqrdtuNQcryR80aSeKiFaJRsuu7SHuHR39Upk2QhCMm6t9M-Ay3ZNxAm2y-Z-lVbcTWY6NgLguOhKTvkuc.-KRWIFbqJGbysc8p525F0AhvasnSk32cMR9XTo7WDK0&dib_tag=se&keywords=meclizine+12.5+mg+tablets&qid=1713785919&sprefix=meclasine%2Caps%2C215&sr=8-2 Miss RE CArol "GIGabyte" - good one! Between the dampness outside, drizzly/misty rain, and wind, my hair was a mess. Even the FrizzEase couldn't control it and I refuse to use hairspray. Oh well, no one was expecting me to look glamorous. Cynthia, the vet who spoke at GIG said corn hulling and dremeling are no longer the preferred treatment method. I took some photos from her lecture and will post them later. It is a different version of the tendon release surgery, but instead of doing it from the underside of the foot, they do it from the top. Immediate relief and you don't have to worry about keeping that underside of the foot clean. Good news for Tinker. Sending good thoughts for FancyToo. Elizabeth, I was able to peel my compression socks off and take real showers at GIG. Still, I struggled even getting them on with the powder. I definitely need to resume stretching exercises for the right hip. I only wear those socks when I'm traveling or know I'll be standing for a long long day. I didn't take any photos of Flashy, sorry. The drive to GIG up I-95 was awful. My hotel room door wouldn't lock and I could push it open with a finger. I thought I'd lost my driver's license, credit card and room key, but I didn't. I'll post the story about the lost windsprite later along with some other GIG drama later.

Left at 7am, got home at 4pm. Too exhausted to read the 4 pages I missed. Flashy did great.

Well how about that? I'm here before Kathy! I'm here now but will be heading out in a few minutes with some carrots for Kiva. Nancy and Mary Pat, let's text each other when we arrive in town. Kathy, give a text when you get to GIG, I presume on Friday or Saturday. Chris, powdering the compression socks did help to slide them on with less struggle.

I GT messaged you my phone number and sent another one just now asking if you want me to bring some Owelo carrots for Kiva. I hope to be on the road by 5am.

Kerry and friends, this powder came very highly recommended for bleeding. If I hadn't already had Bleed Stop (for people) I would've bought this. But I have it now and like that I can get it into hard to reach places. Multiple places sell it. https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/farnam-wonder-dust-wound-powder-4-oz

Great idea about using the powder, Chris!! I have some Anti Monkey Butt powder that is so much better than any other brand I've tried. And before anyone says it: I to knot have a monkey butt.

Having knot yet completed my first this morning I read this it iz Patriots' Day in Massy Choo Choo) dey wurke don bilding a beeg wooden feeder to hold da rownd bales fur da cows as everyone in Massy Choo Choo is required to build a big feeder on this state holiday. Robin, that's a shame about losing the apartment and sweet that owner valued you and Kevin as tenants. And should the new tenant turn into a non-rent paying squatter the daughter will learn a hard lesson. Good news for Doug is a relief, for sure. Nancy, did you have your MRI yet? Got a Tinker update for us, Lucy? Have a good time on your trip, Elizabeth! Is this to see the newish baby? BananaMan, aka Richard, will survive with Jupe's nudging. I know you will be missing your sweet boy. O!C Nancy, what a well earned reward. You should earn one for all your farm duties and especially in dealing with the fickle summer employees of the past. I hope that Pap gets improved INR results today. Kathy, I am so envious that you are getting new windows. My house was built in the 1970s. To economize we put storm windows for added insulation, but they are screwed in and the upper and lower sections don't move so I can clean the glass. Now we could afford to replace them, but the hassle of doing so would be overwhelming. Instead, I'll blame all my dirty windows on the dogs. Finishing up the last of my To Do list for Gettysburg. Hubby has written instructions for feeding the dogs but has declined a tutorial. I think NoAh, Rita, and Howie good survive on just cookies if they had to. Berg Nancy, Carol Goodwin won't be at GIG. Her 14 year old Starr is too weak, even though he is still eating. Decision time is coming. Cindy, Nancy, and Kathy: if I look like crap when you see me at GIG it's because I will knot have been able to shower and wash my hair. My left knee and hip are uncooperative when putting my compression socks on so I might just leave them on and take bird baths instead of a shower. (Yes, I know they do need to be removed at bedtime.)

Mary Pat, I'll be lookin' for you! I'm going to the Groovy night too. I might leave Flashy in my room though. Who was the GT member who has a vending both at GIG? I can never remember his business name either.