juliepoudrier Posted May 9, 2014 Report Share Posted May 9, 2014 Tommy, I know it's not your dog, but when I go through stuff like this with my oldsters and get frustrated, I just keep reminding myself that every day I have them is a blessing, given the alternative. It does help. And they can't help it. J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GentleLake Posted May 9, 2014 Report Share Posted May 9, 2014 ^^ This! I was reminding myself of it almost daily when Tilly (~16.5) was refusing to eat, fighting with me about taking meds and/or peeing all over the carpet. ;O) But each additional day I have with her is a gift, and I'm very thankful for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvw Posted May 9, 2014 Report Share Posted May 9, 2014 I agree!! Every night when I'm getting up for the third or fourth time during the night I just remember all the years she would reliably hold it for up to 12 hours. I try to just cherish every second with her Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B Point Posted May 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2014 All of these stories are very inspiring. Thank you. This morning I took Tio to the park and he was doing very well using both back legs. Running around actually.... AND...he had a pee for himself which is very positive.@Juliepoudrier.. Ya, I've been thinking of asking the vet about taking him off the Pred but I think he's just weighing out the good and the bad and that's how I look at it as well. His main concern is reducing inflamation. Tio has another week to go on the meds and judging by today's progress I'll keep him on this track at least for a few more days and then talk to the vet. Here he is BTW.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GentleLake Posted May 10, 2014 Report Share Posted May 10, 2014 Great to hear he's out and about and doing better! You must be thrilled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvw Posted May 10, 2014 Report Share Posted May 10, 2014 I am so thrilled for you and Tio!! I'm always looking for updates. I think about you two often Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue R Posted May 10, 2014 Report Share Posted May 10, 2014 Out of curiosity I have been researching wheel chair harnesses but man,,,a young Border in a wheel chair just seems so wrong.. He'll be one year old next week.. Anyway, one day at a time for now I guess. Thanks, Chris A dog in a dog wheelchair can be a very happy dog. They don't sit and worry about what they can't do, they are just glad to be able to do what they can do. They are fortunate in many ways that they are dogs and not humans. Very best wishes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maralynn Posted May 10, 2014 Report Share Posted May 10, 2014 So good to hear that Tio is happy and improving!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urge to herd Posted May 10, 2014 Report Share Posted May 10, 2014 Great news - he's looking good! Ruth and Agent Gibbs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy Coyote Posted May 10, 2014 Report Share Posted May 10, 2014 Julie: We are starting to get a better handle on dealing with a dog that drinks too much water. The weather has been really good so the big dogs have been able to stay outside. They would just a s soon be outside anyway. But putting a tarp on the kitchen floor and then using pee pads on it or towels that can just be washed works pretty well. I'm afraid the kitchen is really starting to smell like pee. It just seems to seep in everywhere. I'm going to Swifter the floor one more time and see if that doesn't help. Our problem right now is that the dog really needs to go out at least every 4 hours and I can't be there that often. But the owner will be back Monday afternoon and she stays at home so she can get her out often. And she is on some meds that should help but it can take 30 days for them to kick in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy Coyote Posted May 10, 2014 Report Share Posted May 10, 2014 Tio looks great! Something is working right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Camden's Mom Posted May 10, 2014 Report Share Posted May 10, 2014 Tio looks amazing (and so so happy) in the photo you just posted! I can only imagine the smile on *your* face when you took that picture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G. Festerling Posted May 10, 2014 Report Share Posted May 10, 2014 What a beauty. He looks great. On the pred.....yes, I know the sie effects only too well. But the most pronounced side effect of this horrible drug is that my Blimp celebrated her 15th birthday in March. She has been off and on it for 8-9 years of her life. Whenever it was plausible...we took her off. But for most of those years she was on some sort of dose of it. However small. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B Point Posted May 11, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2014 Tio looks amazing (and so so happy) in the photo you just posted! I can only imagine the smile on *your* face when you took that picture. Ya...he looks pretty normal in that picture but still really floppy and limpy. Why so long on the steroids G. Festerling... if you don't mind me asking?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G. Festerling Posted May 11, 2014 Report Share Posted May 11, 2014 She was diagnosed with IMHA around 6/7 years old. With several relapses in the beginning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliepoudrier Posted May 11, 2014 Report Share Posted May 11, 2014 TC, You need to use something that will actually destroy the odor, like an enzyme-based cleaner. I use Odo-ban (not enzyme based), and it works really well, with a smell that isn't too offensive to me (I'm sensitive to perfumy smells). If you think urine has seeped through cracks, it may be helpful to spray/pour whatever cleaner you use and let *it* also soak into the cracks before mopping it back up. J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy Coyote Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 Where to do you buy it? Owner is coming home today - thank goodness. I think Addie is getting better. I don't think she is drinking as much water now so maybe her pills are starting to work. When I got there at 6 this AM there was one wet place on the tile but there wasn't a lake like we had before. And the water dishes aren't empty. The vet said something about just withholding her water but I don't want to do that. I feel like if she needs to drink there is a reason. She is very overweight and I was kind of surprised that her glucose levels were OK. That's good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B Point Posted May 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2014 Quick question for you folks... Tio has hit a bit of a plateau in his recovery and I think from now on it's going to be pretty slow going. We are trying to reduce his prednisone dosage down over the next few weeks but the vet wants to keep him on the Clindamysin for the next two to three months.... Here's my question.... What do think of taking these antibiotics for that length of time? I'm not a big fan especially considering we never did get a conformation on what exactly is causing the myelitis. The spinal tap results were inconclusive. And.....it's more than $200 a month for this shot in the dark treatment... For the time being I've started ordering the meds in 10 day intervals just to see how things go. Tio a few days ago.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Camden's Mom Posted June 19, 2014 Report Share Posted June 19, 2014 Somehow I missed your last post... looks like it was almost a month ago at this point. Anyways, just wanted to comment that Tio looks like he's doing well. Obviously he's dragging that back right foot but otherwise his mobility seems much improved based on your earlier description. I know you said he's hit a plateau and that recovery has slowed a bit, but I was just wondering how he's been doing since you posted this video? BTW, Tio is such a beautiful dog. Seriously, that thick coat and those white tipped ears... what a looker! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B Point Posted June 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2014 Cheers Camden's Mom,, Yes, that was about a month or so ago and he's about the same these days..... I have a feeling that's about as good as he's going to get. He certainly is a handsome boy and he has the sweetest disposition as well. Even some of my neighbors who aren't dog people often comment on how good he is. It's such a damn shame he's been stricken with this. Continued good thoughts for you and Camden as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shetlander Posted July 14, 2014 Report Share Posted July 14, 2014 How is Tio doing these days? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B Point Posted July 14, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2014 How is Tio doing these days? Hey Liz, All things considered....quite well I guess. He is off the Clindamycin with no ill effects. So, its Pred and diapers indefinitely. He goes through about 5 or 6 diapers a day despite the fact we try to take him out every few hours. It's a chore putting the booties on and off every time he goes outside as he's still scuffing his rear paws. He still manages to go for a good walk and run on the beach... The incontinence seems to be getting better especially through the night....but I feel now he has forgotten how to hold his pee during the day. Another frustrating point is ...he never really learned to lift his leg when he was healthy so now he often just pees on his back paws and pees while he walks so I have to shower his legs after each session outside. The Pred seems to be working so we'll deal with the urination re-training at a later time. That's going to be a significant challenge. Continued best wishes to Quinn as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackdawgs Posted July 14, 2014 Report Share Posted July 14, 2014 You may want to work with a rehab vet. If you can't find one in Japan, you may be able to find one in the US who will work with you via youtube and email. There are very easy strengthening and priopioception exercises that may help your dog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B Point Posted July 14, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2014 Thank you Blackdawgs... It's something to start thinking about for sure. My wife also wants to find a acupuncture specialist although I'm a little more skeptical about that one.. Whatever works though I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shetlander Posted July 14, 2014 Report Share Posted July 14, 2014 I missed this thread when it started. What a long ordeal it has been for you all. I am glad to hear there is progress, even if it has been slow. You and your wife have truly gone above and beyond for Tio. What a lucky dog he is to have such dedicated people. I am sending healing prayers and mojo to your beautiful boy that he will make a full recovery and life for all of you can return to normal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.