greysmom Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 I'm confused at this point which vet is handling her treatment? Not always, but usually, there will be different symptoms with a heart issue - dizziness, coughing and/or wheezing, overall weakness and lethargy, vomiting, nausea. Limping isn't one of them. You girl *could* have had some sort of TIA event, or spinal stroke. Dogs can and do recover from them all the time, but you need a good diagnosis to work off of first. Quote Chris - Mom to: Felicity (DeLand), and Andi (Braska Pandora) siggy by Chris Harper, on Flickr Angels: Libby (Everlast), Dorie (Dog Gone Holly), Dude (TNJ VooDoo), Copper (Kid's Copper), Cash (GSI Payncash), Toni (LPH Cry Baby), Whiskey (KT's Phys Ed), Atom, Lilly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betty_joanne Posted March 26, 2019 Author Share Posted March 26, 2019 NIlla is going in for a mri on Wednesday morning. We saw a different vet at the same vet clinic that we went to last Wednesday. The vet told us that he felt the heart is not causing the pain that she is in and an ultrasound would not be a good option because he thinks that the issue is on the lumbar part of the spine and also possibly a groin ligament injury(in addition to the spinal cord injury). He is thinking either FCE or a spinal cord injury/issue of some kind. He is confused that she is in soo much pain though because a FCE almost always does not cause this amount of pain almost a week after the injury/incident. Nilla has lost 2.5 lbs and thankfully she isn't dehydrated. Also, we were given samples of CBD chews to give to her. She is almost out of Tramadol but we have found that the Gabapentin actually seems to work better for her. She is starting to adapt to being on just her three legs. She still wants me to carry her outside but then she hops really fast back inside once she is done. Quote Chocko, Nilla, and Comet Queen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 Glad you are seeing a different vet, this new one sounds more like he knows what he is talking about. If he is right about possible causes, it makes sense the Gabapentin would help her pain more. I hope you get some answers and it (whatever "it" is) is treatable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby172 Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 Jacks hip flexor (groin injury) was extremely painful. He was non weight bearing for a significant amount of time which is why I thought it was osteo. Good luck, I hope you find the answers and can come up with a treatment plan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betty_joanne Posted March 28, 2019 Author Share Posted March 28, 2019 NIlla has compression in her spine at the t9-t10 vertebrae. Mostly likely IVDD. The mri showed nothing abnormal about the hips. Today, she will get a stem cell injection into her spine with hopes that it will improve her condition. We will bring her home tonight. Tonight we will have spent nearly $4,000 on her diagnosis and treatment. We will not do back surgery on her. If the stem cell injection does not improve her condition and she does not start eating again we will have to let her go. It is not what we want to do but we have to be realistic about her condition and pain. I can't believe she went from acting like a normal, healthy dog to this in a just 4 days. Quote Chocko, Nilla, and Comet Queen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby172 Posted March 28, 2019 Share Posted March 28, 2019 Best of luck, hope the injection helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted March 28, 2019 Share Posted March 28, 2019 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newgreymom Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 Please keep us posted... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BatterseaBrindl Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 Quote Nancy...Mom to Sid (Peteles Tiger), Kibo (112 Carlota Galgos) and Joshi. Missing Casey, Gomer, Mona, Penelope, BillieJean, Bandit, Nixon (Starz Sammie), Ruby (Watch Me Dash) Nigel (Nigel), and especially little Mario, waiting at the Bridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 Hoping the injection helps your sweet girl! Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betty_joanne Posted March 29, 2019 Author Share Posted March 29, 2019 (edited) We picked up Nilla yesterday and she is doing well. She did not eat last night but that was to be expected due to her coming off of the anesthesia. This morning she has already eaten a couple of milk bones, cesar turkey wet dog food, and a frosty paw. She is putting a small amount of weight on the bad leg and it is paw side down 90% of the time when she decides to put it down. She is still limping and her left leg muscle has atrophied a lot. The amount of muscle one can lose in just over a week is just crazy. We are so happy! Edited March 29, 2019 by betty_joanne Quote Chocko, Nilla, and Comet Queen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 :pepper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cleptogrey Posted March 31, 2019 Share Posted March 31, 2019 (edited) if you are not seeing improvement do make sure the next x-rays are digital. best of luck. Edited March 31, 2019 by cleptogrey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betty_joanne Posted April 14, 2019 Author Share Posted April 14, 2019 Update: Nilla is doing well after her stem cell injection. She still is not using her back leg fully but is putting weight on it more frequently as time goes by. She still becomes a pretend three legged brindle kangaroo in the backyard though. Her eyes are bright again and she is happy and eating good. We are happy she is doing well because our oldest has become sick and we are waiting on his pathology results. Our vet looked at his lymph node cells(taken from left and right side on neck) and said they look highly suspicious. Our first half of 2019 sure has been difficult. We are used to having healthy dogs and now that two of them are seniors and starting to have issues it is heartbreaking. Just two weeks ago I thought we were going to have to put Nilla down and now this. We got Chocko first and he is my husband's heart dog. He was the very first greyhound anyone in my family saw in person or touched. Yep, we went home with the big, black, and handsome office dog at the track. Best decision ever! Quote Chocko, Nilla, and Comet Queen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3greytjoys Posted April 18, 2019 Share Posted April 18, 2019 So glad to read that Nilla is improving. Continued positive thoughts for Nilla, and now Chocko. Having nursed multiple geriatric Greyhounds into their mid-teens, it's remarkable how well they can pull through some medical set-backs and recover with appropriate veterinary care and quality home care. If Nilla's traffic paths are hard surface flooring, please consider adding cheap runner rugs (with safe, rubber, rug-gripper mats placed underneath) for improved traction/mobility. If needed, a Help Em Up harness could be very helpful when assisting a hound during potty outings. https://helpemup.com/ Thank you for keeping us updated. Hopeful thoughts for Nilla, Chocko, and family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betty_joanne Posted April 29, 2019 Author Share Posted April 29, 2019 UPDATE: I don't even know what to say. After doing better for almost four weeks Nilla took a turn for the worst. She stopped using her left leg again and appeared to be in pain.I didn't even need the technician to explain the x-rays today. Her Left pelvis and femur have been completely destroyed by osteo sarcoma. Amputation and/or chemo aren't even an option. I have to say good bye tomorrow. I feel horrible that she was in pain for so long. The difference between the x-ray last month and the one today is incredibly heartbreaking. Two cancer diagnoses in less than two weeks. There are just no words to describe how I feel right now. Quote Chocko, Nilla, and Comet Queen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnF Posted April 29, 2019 Share Posted April 29, 2019 I am so sorry that it has worked out this way for you, and please don't beat yourself up over it. You and your vet did your very best to help Nilla get better... you gave her time. Sadly recovery wasn't possible and now you are carrying out the unspoken promise we all make, that when we have done all we can, pain becomes uncontrollable and all hope of recovery is gone, then we let them go with love and compassion. Absolutely no blame here at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houndtime Posted April 30, 2019 Share Posted April 30, 2019 I am so sorry for the sad up date. I do hate cancer. It is the thief who robs us, everyday, of those we love. Cancer sucks. Quote Irene Ullmann w/Flying Odin and Mama Mia in Lower Delaware Angels Brandy, John E, American Idol, Paul, Fuzzy and Shine Handcrafted Greyhound and Custom Clocks http://www.houndtime.com Zoom Doggies-Racing Coats for Racing Greyhounds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted April 30, 2019 Share Posted April 30, 2019 I am sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BatterseaBrindl Posted April 30, 2019 Share Posted April 30, 2019 so very sorry... Quote Nancy...Mom to Sid (Peteles Tiger), Kibo (112 Carlota Galgos) and Joshi. Missing Casey, Gomer, Mona, Penelope, BillieJean, Bandit, Nixon (Starz Sammie), Ruby (Watch Me Dash) Nigel (Nigel), and especially little Mario, waiting at the Bridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramonaghan Posted April 30, 2019 Share Posted April 30, 2019 I'm so sorry. Quote Rachel with Doolin Doodle Dooooo, boss cat Tootie, and feline squatters Crumpet and Fezziwig. Missing gentlemen kitties Mud, Henry, and Richard and our gorgeous, gutsy girlhounds Sweep and Willa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
palmettobug Posted April 30, 2019 Share Posted April 30, 2019 14 hours ago, JohnF said: I am so sorry that it has worked out this way for you, and please don't beat yourself up over it. You and your vet did your very best to help Nilla get better... you gave her time. Sadly recovery wasn't possible and now you are carrying out the unspoken promise we all make, that when we have done all we can, pain becomes uncontrollable and all hope of recovery is gone, then we let them go with love and compassion. Absolutely no blame here at all. Yes, this. These hounds are extremely stoic at times, never letting on how much they hurt. Quote Current Crew: Gino-Gene-Eugene! (Eastnor Rebel: Makeshift x Celtic Dream); Fuzzy the Goo-Goo Girl (BGR Fuzzy Navel: Boc's Blast Off x Superior Peace); Roman the Giant Galoot! (Imark Roman: Crossfire Clyde x Shana Wookie); Kitties Archie and Dixie Forever Missed: K9 Sasha (2001-2015); Johnny (John Reese--Gable Dodge x O'Jays) (2011-19); the kitties Terry and Bibbi; and all the others I've had the privilege to know Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted April 30, 2019 Share Posted April 30, 2019 Damn shame-how awful. I feel your vet failed you. I’m terribly sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shannon Posted April 30, 2019 Share Posted April 30, 2019 Words can’t express how incredibly sorry I am to hear this sad news. I am absolutely heartbroken for you and your family. I Wishing you peace during this difficult time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiveRoooooers Posted April 30, 2019 Share Posted April 30, 2019 Please know that you are in our thoughts. So very sorry. Quote Old Dogs are the Best Dogs. Thank you, campers. Current enrollees: Punkin. AnnIE Oooh M, Ebbie, HollyBeeBop (Betty Crocker). Angels: Pal . Segugio. Sorella (TPGIT). LadyBug. Zeke-aroni. MiMi Sizzle Pants. Gracie. Seamie . (Foster)Sweet. Andy. PaddyALVIN!Mayhem. Bosco. Bruno. Dottie B. Trevor Double-Heart. Bea. Cletus, KLTO. Aiden 1-4. Upon reflection, our lives are often referenced in parts defined by the all-too-short lives of our dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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