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Archive through December 13, 2004

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions ARCHIVES: 2004 Nov. - 2005 Jan.: Hairball Haven (ARCHIVES): Dogs (ARCHIVES): Archive through December 13, 2004 users admin

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Abby7
Member

07-17-2002

Wednesday, December 08, 2004 - 8:41 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    

Jasper and Who:
Hugs to you. I know you miss your babies.

Kstme
Member

08-14-2000

Wednesday, December 08, 2004 - 8:44 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Who...BIG HUGS! Tomorrow will be okay, but it's so hard and it's okay to feel the way you do.

Jasper
Member

09-14-2000

Thursday, December 09, 2004 - 12:21 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Big hugs Whoami. I feel for you, I can't even talk about him without getting choked up.Thanks Abby. Each day gets a little bit easier, but then something will just well up.

On a happier note, one of the breeders I contacted called me back for some paperwork, we'll see where this goes. Maybe by spring we'll have a new puppy.

I did check out the shelters and fortuantely there are not a lot of dogs in them, several older ones and 95% pit bulls, which they are working on banning here in Ontario.

Spygirl
Moderator

04-23-2001

Thursday, December 09, 2004 - 3:09 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Yesterday was a tough day for Toby and Henry.

I took them yesterday morning for a dental cleaning and asked that they be examined fully. Here are the results of the exam:

Henry, my 11-year old Pom, has a collapsed trachea. This is very bad news for the little guy. Though common in small breeds, the surgery to repair it is excrutiatingly painful and frightfully expensive. The vet does not recommend it given that the life expectancy for Poms is 12-13 years. I think it was harder to hear that I only have about 2 years at best left with him. He coughs a lot after eating and drinking and I bought some cough tabs to lessen his coughing. That is really all we can do for him. We just pray that he maintains health as long as possible.

Secondly, his knee caps are out of joint, another common thing for Poms. It is causing him mild pain, for which I got some pain reliever and started him on glucosmine/condrotin. Again, it would be another expensive and painful surgery to repair the damage that the vet does not recommend given his advanced age.

Now on to Toby, my 9 year old Dachshund. In May of last year, he had a biopsy for a tumor on the back of his neck that turned out to be a begnin fatty tumor. In that same area, however, there are now several more lumps that concern the vet. We'll be scheduling another biopsy for those spots next month.

The most concerning part, though, is that the patch of skin around that biopsy that they shaved for the procedure has never grown back. I've laughed it off and said that it is no big deal - just probably because short haired dogs don't regrow hair after a certain age maybe. Turns out, it is not natural that the hair has not regrown. The vet believes that there is something wrong with his thyroid functioning. Most likely (and the best news), would be that he has hypothyroidism (low functioning thryroid). The vet noticed that his fur is thin on the sides and thick through the middle. That, in combination with his *cough* larger size and slow hair growth are symptoms. If so, it is an easy fix with relatively inexpensive medication and Toby will start feeling better almost right away.

The worst case scenario is that it is not hypothyroidism and it is Cushing's disease, a tumor on his pituatary gland, or a tumor on his adrenal gland. Those options would be more devestating and difficult to treat.

Sooooooooooo, yesterday, they drew blood to do the thyroid test and we'll have the results back as early as tomorrow (Friday).


For both, their hearts are healthy and strong, their teeth are in great shape. Toby did have to have a tooth fragment pulled from a broken tooth, but all is well in that area.


Escapee
Member

06-15-2004

Thursday, December 09, 2004 - 3:42 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
So sorry to hear the bad things. My horse has cushings, but with medication he is doing much better. It was caught in time, unfortunately for our other horse, we didn't see the signs, and had to have him put down last summer. It's hard.

I wish our pets could tell us when they don't feel so good. I hope that your dogs start doing better real soon. Our chihuahua also has a collapsed trachea, and she is only 4 years old. It causes her to cough every so often, nothing serious. The vet here said getting some weight off of her would really help. We have and she is much much better.

Ophiliasgrandma
Member

09-04-2001

Thursday, December 09, 2004 - 3:54 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Spygirl: If your furbaby has to go on thyroid, be sure to get a prescription for generic human thyroid. You'll have to cut them in half or quarters for your small dog, but they are dirt cheap. I used to have to give them to both my cockatoo and my dog.

Kstme
Member

08-14-2000

Thursday, December 09, 2004 - 4:06 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Spy, I'm so sorry to hear all this news. If you have to give Henry some glucoflex, try Corta-flex. It's a liquid, absorbs into the system faster and much easier on the digestive system. It's may seem expensive, but Henry's so little, he shouldn't need much. Ollie only takes a teaspoon a day, in his food.

Give those babies some gentle hugs! ((((SPY))))

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Thursday, December 09, 2004 - 4:25 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Spy--so sorry to hear that news about your doggies. (And you, too, Escapee about your horse.) Went snooping on the net about the collapsed trachea diagnosis and it sounds as though animals with collapsed tracheas shouldn't be exercising at all--because the trachea collapses whenever the animal tries to take in a lot of air--which would happen with exercise.

I stopped in, though, Spy, to share something scary I learned a year ago about glucosmine/condrotin. I used to take it myself (like a lot of people) for the pain in my back--partially related to arthritis symptoms, on the offhand recommendation from my doc in Delaware. But then I read (somewhere, but can't recall where!) that that the animal-based variety is dangerous. Why? Because it consists of raw material from dead cows. And that means a risk for mad cow disease for anyone who takes it. You are safe buying the vegetarian-based variety, however.

I freaked and decided to stop taking it altogether. You should check in with your vet to confirm the accuracy of what I've related, but just thought I'd caution you.

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Thursday, December 09, 2004 - 4:29 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
.

Kstme
Member

08-14-2000

Thursday, December 09, 2004 - 7:51 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Something very odd has happened with Oliver. I got to thinking about Henry. Ollie has had this cough forever! Only when he eats and drinks. The vet has never thought too much about it and has said it's because he eats and drinks too fast...he does!! I asked a friend of mine(she's vet assistant with 20 years experience) about this, tonight. She said, 'I don't think Ollie has a collapsed trachea. Remove his collar before dinner and see what happens.' DUH Award being given out here!! I can't believe NO ONE thought to REMOVE his collar! It's not tight...none of his collars have been tight, but it must be bothering his neck when he eats or drinks! Very interesting and I thought I would pass this along!

Kstme
Member

08-14-2000

Friday, December 10, 2004 - 12:46 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Follow-up regarding Ollie's collar problem. My friend said that sometimes, as puppies, dogs will somehow hurt the trachea. It usually is nothing major, but will be affected by a collar against it. This seems to be what has happened to Sir O. We've had no coughing or hacking since we removed the collar. Now I have to try to find 'something' that will work, but be different. He has a harness, but OMG, the matting is unbelievable from it. I am thinking a soft round collar...similar to a choke, but not a choke. There isn't a buckle on it.

If anyone has any other ideas, please let me know!!!!



Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Friday, December 10, 2004 - 1:04 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I strictly use a harness on Herc cuz he slips the others so easily. And I take it off each time we return to the house after a walk or whatever. Does Ollie really need to have anything on in the house?

Seamonkey
Member

09-07-2000

Friday, December 10, 2004 - 2:46 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I'm a huge believer in NEVER leaving any type of collar on a dog unless it is under supervision.

I've seen them get hung up on a fence (choke type collars are the biggest danger) or if the dog is loose in a car, on a handle (I also believe in animals being crated securely while in a vehicle), A friend had two labs romping and one got his jaw tangled in the other's nylon choke. Thankfully it was nylon and they quickly cut it but she did have some trachea damage from that.

I know it is convenient to have a collar (or a "handle") in place, but it can be a recipe for disaster.

If I had a dog now, it would be microchipped, like my cat is (of course my cat doesn't go outside, hard to have a totally indoor doggie)

Spy, I'm sorry you got so much bad news all at once..

Kstme
Member

08-14-2000

Friday, December 10, 2004 - 2:55 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Sea, ours are chipped. Oliver can a very big handful and I am here with them 99.9% of the time. He needs to have a collar, unfortunately. I do understand what you are saying, though

Thanks for the input...

Scootersmom
Member

08-10-2002

Friday, December 10, 2004 - 6:14 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Well, dang Spy. Not news you wanted to hear. Dang.

Shorty was diagnosed with a "weak" trachea when she was a baby. So, I'm very fearful as she ages. She'll be 11 pretty soon too. And yes, it is common in small breeds.

Kstme, I've been racking my brain trying to figure out what type a collar Ollie can have. Hmmm

Shorty and Scooter go on walks with a harness, but it's removed as soon as we get home. The matting is a big problem too. :-)

Spy, I just love, love, Henry and Toby. Sending the most powerful, positive vibes ....

Citruscitygal
Member

08-07-2003

Saturday, December 11, 2004 - 3:07 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Our lab Chloe loves to be tethered out front to visit with all kids who pass by on their way to and from the grammar school next door to us (some of them she has known since they were in kindergarten and they are now 6th graders. She can't reach the sidewalk so anyone who doesn't want to interact can pass right by.) For a long time we hooked the tether to her collar. About 2 years ago I noticed she wouldn't bend down to her bowl to eat. If you knew Chloe, you would understand what a red flag that was for me - she loves to eat. I immediately took her to the vet. After xrays, it was determined that she had a pinched nerve in her neck, probably caused by a jerking motion when she got excited and pulled too hard on the tether (or her leash when walking). Ever since then she wears a harness when walking or when tethered outside. She does wear a collar for identificaton (have to think about that now - she's not chipped) but I NEVER EVER use her collar to hold or restrain her. Hubby built her a table to raise her food and water dishes off the floor. I wish I had known sooner about the risks of hooking things to her collar and that having her bowls raised off the floor is better for her digestion and her neck (that applies to any large size dog I think). With her harness, I haven't had matting problems (she's a mixed breed so her fur is longer than a pure bred lab) in fact the opposite - her coat is thinner where the harness rides. She wears it most of the day because she goes in and out often and its faster to just clip and unclip her. It comes off if I know she won't be going out for awhile and at the end of the day.

Just sharing some information I wish I had known sooner. I know we each have to make decisions based on our unique situations.

Keeping good thoughts for Toby.

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Saturday, December 11, 2004 - 6:39 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Kstme (is that short for kissed me?) anyways, why is it that he needs a collar? Identification? Can you leave his collar off while he's in the house?

Kstme
Member

08-14-2000

Sunday, December 12, 2004 - 2:24 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
LOL...Julie, it's my initials plus 'me'.

If you knew Ollie, you'd understand! He's a thief!! I never put up things when thekid was a baby, but I do this for Oliver! At least once a day, he steals 'something' and you have to remove it from him, which means holding his collar. He also has to have his ear drops every other day and he has to have his collar on to them.

Oliver does know sit, stay, come and some other commands...he just 'choses' to 'forget' those things when it's convenient for him!

Anyway, we've loosened his collar about 1/2" and that's seems to make all the difference. He hasn't been coughing for two days!!

Graceunderfyre
Member

01-21-2004

Sunday, December 12, 2004 - 5:57 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
oh Spy I'm so sorry to hear about your babies. I get sad thinking about the fact that DS will be about 13 or 14 when mine passes on. . .

Jbean
Member

01-05-2002

Monday, December 13, 2004 - 5:26 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
spy, so sorry to hear about your little guys. they are both such sweeties. i will keep you and them in my thoughts and prayers.

i have some sad news, as well. my sister's little chihuahua, pedro (you can see hallowween pictures of him in my folder, if they aren't gone yet), passed away yesterday. he got parvo, either from a new puppy they got or another dog he came in contact with. he was only about 8 months old, but he had such a personality! everyone loved him. there was no way not to. my sister is especially devestated, as he was her shadow. he got sick on thursday, and they took him to the pet hospital, and i guess he was just too small to beat it. so sad. gonna try to find rainbow bridge to send to her. :-(


Graceunderfyre
Member

01-21-2004

Monday, December 13, 2004 - 10:31 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
JBean - go to New Rainbow Bridge - that's my friend's site. . .they run a ferret shelter back in PA and they have prints of the poem.

Kstme
Member

08-14-2000

Monday, December 13, 2004 - 11:08 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
(((((Jbean and sister))))) I am so sorry for your sister's loss.

Mocha
Member

08-12-2001

Monday, December 13, 2004 - 12:16 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
((((Jbeanie & Spy)))))

Jasper
Member

09-14-2000

Monday, December 13, 2004 - 1:41 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I'm so sorry to hear that JBean

Skootz
Member

07-23-2003

Monday, December 13, 2004 - 1:59 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Sorry to hear this news JBean.

I received this cute link in my email box this morning and I thought that this thread would be a cute spot to post it.

enjoy - my kids thought it was cute.

http://www.gatrill.com/christmas.html