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Gibbs has a muscle spasm. Again.


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At least that's what the ortho vet strongly suspects. The last one was 11 months ago. I started playing fetch again with him about 2 months ago ~ only for very brief periods, only on level ground, only a couple times a week. And he's been fine.

 

Until I got home from work today and he was doing that tucked tail/hunched back thing. Dr. Gurevitch said that if it happened again we should do some kind of imaging, to see if it's a disk problem. Sigh.

 

On leash only until we find out more, poor boy. Will keep you posted, please send good thoughts.

 

Ruth & Gibbs

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Sorry to hear this. It does sound like imaging might be in order to rule out any spinal issues.

 

Something to consider: as someone who suffers with muscle spasms, I can tell you that the cause is often a lack of minerals in the diet. Potassium and magnesium are especially important for muscle health as well as a number of trace minerals. So much of our farmland is depleted of minerals, causing much of our food (including meats) to be deficient in these important minerals. I take potassium and magnesium supplements daily. If I don't, spasms get worse.

 

I also use ionic trace minerals (https://www.swansonvitamins.com/swanson-ultra-concentrace-ionic-trace-mineral-drops-8-fl-oz-236-ml-liquid). It doesn't taste great so I often "forget." If I forget for any length of time I'll start having spasms again. I also add it to my dogs' water bowl.

 

So this may be something to discuss with your vet if this continues. A simple blood test can check for potassium and magnesium levels (possibly other essential minerals as well?).

 

Hope Gibbs is feeling better soon. Sending all kinds of good thoughts his way.

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Hooray! The tail was in full motion when I got home from work about an hour ago. I don't know whether it hurts to do the wagging, or whether he's just in such pain that he's got to tuck his tail under his belly, from these spasms, I just know that a wagging tail is a wonderful sign!

 

We're going to nose work tonight. But not to agility Saturday, definitely too soon for that.

 

Ruth & Gibbs

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Pupdate ~ Gibbs is doing much better this a.m. Tail wagging, had a great time at nose work last night. Let him off leash for a morning sniff, he trotted about. This episode is much briefer than the first one, thank goodness.

 

Will continue using a ramp for him to get in and out of the car.

 

Thanks for all the support, guys.

 

Ruth & Gibbs

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Day 3: Happy to report that all seems well in Gibbs World. I'm still cautious, and will be talking to the vet next week about some imaging, as well as looking into some doggy conditioning exercises.

 

We took a trip to the local feed/pet supply place, which is always a treat for Gibbs. Literally ~ as in he gets a lot of treats while he's there. The staff give him treats at the counter, and other customers give him treats, even. There was a 4 or 5 month old retrieverish type puppy that he got to say hi to, and he always likes puppies.

 

Not going to finish out the agility classes, nose work and trick training will do. Dang.

 

About 80% sure I know what triggers these spasms, now. So we'll be avoiding zoomies in the back yard, which involve sideways hopping up onto and then down off of the terraced area at the back. Only about 10" high, but the whole sideways/uneven footing/twisty body at zoomie speed is what caused the problem. He was doing zoomies the day before he had the first episode, and zoomies again the day before this one. No More Zoomies.

 

Thanks again for the good wishes!

 

Ruth & Gibbs

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