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Archive through November 19, 2007

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions ARCHIVES: Oct. 2007 ~ Dec. 2007: Hairball Haven: Dogs: Archive through November 19, 2007 users admin

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Ducky
Member

08-27-2000

Thursday, November 15, 2007 - 9:29 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ducky a private message Print Post    
Hoping they find the answers for Mags so that she will be able to take her medication as well as eat soon. Special thoughts going out to Mags on her getting better soon Kstme.

Ophiliasgrandma
Member

09-04-2001

Friday, November 16, 2007 - 8:14 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ophiliasgrandma a private message Print Post    
BG, thanks for sharing that precious video.

Kstme
Member

08-14-2000

Friday, November 16, 2007 - 10:55 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Kstme a private message Print Post    
Bluegrass, that's so cool! The ultimate boy and his dog. WONDERFUL! Thanks for sharing!

I'm waiting for the dr. to call. She doesn't know if she'll get the results today or not, but I'm waiting.

Mags ate most of a half egg and about 5 kibbles, this morning. She took all her meds with a minimum of grumbling. She slept well last night, which is good.

She is having a lot of difficulty relieving herself. The vet hadn't known about this until I told her last night when she called to check on Mags. It just seems that her whole body is shutting down without any reason. She's such a trooper and her tail wags anytime she walks across the room. Our hearts are breaking for her. She's such a sweet natured pup. I wish we knew 'what' was causing all of this!

{{{{{to EVERYONE}}}}}

Ophiliasgrandma
Member

09-04-2001

Friday, November 16, 2007 - 4:18 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ophiliasgrandma a private message Print Post    
Poor Meggie baby. I'm still praying all will be well for her.

Serate
Member

08-21-2001

Friday, November 16, 2007 - 9:14 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Serate a private message Print Post    
My prayers are with you and Meggie.

Serate
Member

08-21-2001

Friday, November 16, 2007 - 9:18 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Serate a private message Print Post    
OK so this seems trivial in retrospect, but Jack got banned from PetsMart Grooming Center today. I was told they were afraid they were going to hurt him he jerked his head so. I thought I saw him bite the groomer, but she insisted no he didn't, and that wouldn't stop her from grooming him. But please don't bring him back. She said I need to find somebody that will sedate him before grooming, or get the meds from my vet and find somebody that will work on sedated animals. Is this normal and is it safe to sedate animals once a month or more? I have to stop by the vet's on Monday to weigh Jack and get his heart worm meds so will ask them there. Just wanted to know if anybody here has had to have their dog sedated to get him groomed.

Kstme
Member

08-14-2000

Friday, November 16, 2007 - 9:47 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Kstme a private message Print Post    
Serate, talk to your vet. I, personally, would NOT sedate my dogs nor would I 'want' to return to PetsMart! I do my own grooming because a groomer said Oliver bit her and I asked, 'What did you do to him?' I have two friends who are groomers and I have learned a whole lot about the industry over the last 10 years. You need to really go out and interview prospective groomers. Ask them if you can stay during the grooming session. Be firm! But, do, talk to your vet first.

Didn't hear from the dr. today. Mags is still the same. She did eat more ice cubes today, though. It's so sad.

Mameblanche
Member

08-24-2002

Friday, November 16, 2007 - 9:49 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mameblanche a private message Print Post    
(((KSTME)))

Biscottiii
Member

05-29-2004

Saturday, November 17, 2007 - 3:13 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Biscottiii a private message Print Post    
Serate, just sticking my nose in here. I've seen your pics of Jack and have wanted to tell you what a cutie he is. Have been loving the pics and the stories.

As far as the grooming goes, my sister in Phoenix has 3 Shitzus too. A couple of years ago, she had taken her little boy dog (1st Shitzus, and he was a little Rascal too, she had always had Pound Puppies before). Took into the neighborhood Petsmart for grooming, he was a youngster I believe less than a year old maybe his 2nd cut. She even splurged on the 'super duper' more pricey groom.

They never said anything!!!, but that night he was hurting & whimpering so she checked out what was bothering. The groomer had knicked him. Sis was HOT! Went in and they had lots of blame passing, puppy wouldn't hold still, couldn't behave, etc. etc.

Store Manager (male) came over, trying to pass the BS line also, saying the groomer who had done the job was THE Grooming Manager & most experienced they had. (Lady sure wasn't there that day, emergency day off, probably knowing there was going to be one seriously unhappy pet-parent.)

Sis yelled at Male Store Manager "How would you feel if someone took a chunk out of YOUR pecker?" Man cringed, almost doubled over and STOPPED making excuses. He gave her the name of their off-site independent vet (very gentle man and excellent vet) automatically paid (they sure didn't want a law suit). She had to put salve & antibiotics and all that stuff for a week or so, hard to keep the area clean and puppy from licking the wound. But had to worry that her pup would be traumatized every time he had to get groomed.

Since then, Sis wouldn't dream of taking him back to that particular store. She found another groomer, that works as some sort of vet assistant with her own vet, who also works parttime at a different petstore, I think it's actually another Petsmart across town from her. Sis will only let that person be the one to groom her dogs, not just walking in and accepting any available groomer of the day.

So not all groomers, no matter how many years of experience, are alike. Actually, my sister's own daughter is also a very good & gentle dog groomer working in another state (even does cats which are more difficult specialty). When kid's home on vacation, she grooms them and haven't had a problem since. Also, Sis got some sort of de-matting type comb/cutter and learned a little about how it's done, so she can do a little herself to cut down on costs.

Just saying. Puppies jump around more than older dogs, that's part of being a Puppy! I would be asking your vet or friends for groomer referrals before sedating.

Biscottiii
Member

05-29-2004

Saturday, November 17, 2007 - 3:44 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Biscottiii a private message Print Post    
Serate also, not wanting to sound gross here, but something to consider if/when the time comes. When her little guy had to be fixed, he was AKC but she wasn't looking to get into the puppy trade.

Sis paid a bit extra so that when they did the fixings the vet also removed the unneeded testicles at the same time, rather that just doing the nip&stitch. Made it easier and less difficulty during future grooming. Just something to consider.

I may be a cat person, but gotta tell you that if I WERE ever to get a purebred dog I would probably get a Shitzu, myself. Yeah, ol' Aunt Bisc has babysitted them plenty so they have a place in my heart. What a sweet and funny breed. So happy & loving, they just make us laugh!!!

Kstme
Member

08-14-2000

Saturday, November 17, 2007 - 12:26 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Kstme a private message Print Post    
The biopsy came back. Mags has hepatitis and pancreatitis. Both mild. Mags is more chipper this morning, but she's drugged to the hilt, also.

Has anyone in TVCHland had to deal with these diseases in dogs. The only dealing I've had, were two humans, who have both passed away from them.

Ophiliasgrandma
Member

09-04-2001

Saturday, November 17, 2007 - 1:20 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ophiliasgrandma a private message Print Post    
I've known several humans who have survived the above. Hope springs eternal. She's going to be okay, Kst!

Mameblanche
Member

08-24-2002

Saturday, November 17, 2007 - 3:30 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mameblanche a private message Print Post    
(((KSTME & Mags))), your best bet for topnotch pet advice here is DogDoc. :-) IMHO. Here's hoping little Mags will ace this and come through like a trouper. Gentle Hugs, hon!

Kstme
Member

08-14-2000

Saturday, November 17, 2007 - 4:55 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Kstme a private message Print Post    
Thekid, Van (maggie's breeder), and I had a long discussion regarding Maggie this afternoon. We are all trying to decide 'what' is best and reasonable for her and me.

We are going to give her the two weeks the vet wants. If, at the end of that time, there's no or little improvement, we will do what we have to do. Right now, this has cost me over $2000. I am on a limited income and I just can't afford all these procedures if Mags is going to be chronically ill. I feel I am letting her and Tommy down. CRAP!

Mame, I 'know' Dogdoc is part of TVCH, but I don't 'know' him. I don't feel comfortable bugging him.

Mameblanche
Member

08-24-2002

Saturday, November 17, 2007 - 4:57 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mameblanche a private message Print Post    
KSTME, do you have pet insurance? We don't, btw. But sometimes I think we should... but we haven't gotten around to doing anything about it yet. I wonder how many folks here have pet insurance and if they felt it came in handy.

Kstme
Member

08-14-2000

Saturday, November 17, 2007 - 6:22 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Kstme a private message Print Post    
Mame, no I don't. When Mags and Ollie were little, we looked into it. It goes up for each year of their life. You still need to pay, out of pocket, for any procedures and you are reimbursed for what they cover. There are a ton of conditions and procedures the ins. doesn't cover. That was 8 years ago and I don't know if it's changed. As the dogs get older the premiums skyrocket.

I've always kept a doggy fund in a separate savings account. With Cami's EColi, last month and Mags, this week, it's drained. I've had to draw from one of my cd's and I don't like doing that. Granted, I have a lifetime income, but it's NOT that great! <probably more info than i should have given >

Kstme
Member

08-14-2000

Saturday, November 17, 2007 - 6:35 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Kstme a private message Print Post    
meant 6 years ago...the brain has left the building and the body...

Biscottiii
Member

05-29-2004

Saturday, November 17, 2007 - 7:02 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Biscottiii a private message Print Post    
Oh Kstme and Mags! My heart is breaking for You and Thekid and Mags. All I can do is send positive vibes that her outcome improves. I can totally relate as to how fixed incomes play a part in limiting one's choices, no matter how hard one wishes they wouldn't. Sigh!

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Saturday, November 17, 2007 - 8:07 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
Kstme, Dogdoc is a woman (around our age) who is very generous with her advice to clubhouse members. When she gets time to hit this thread, she probably won't mind giving you some general thoughts.

Watching2
Member

07-07-2001

Sunday, November 18, 2007 - 12:53 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Watching2 a private message Print Post    
((((((Kstme, The Kid & Mags))))))))) I feel so bad for all of you. I hope Mags improves and you don't need to think of any other alternative. Sending healing thoughts your way.

Kstme
Member

08-14-2000

Sunday, November 18, 2007 - 8:00 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Kstme a private message Print Post    
Thank you so much, OP, Mame, Biscottiii, Watching and Juju. You truly are helping us through this.

Juju, <blushing> thank you for the correction! I would love to have another opinion on Mags longterm outlook.

I have a friend, in Seattle, who has a Cairn with pancreatitis. We have talked about Maggie, but her dog was almost at death's door when it was diagnosed and now is on 6 meds a day. She can afford it. Her dog, also, has seizure issues, but never had the hepatitis.

Maggie's hot spot seems to be improving and not so itchy. This is one good sign. She ate all her dinner last night! Another good sign! She is still having so much difficulty relieving herself. It hurts to watch her.

There's not more we can do for her now. Keep those fingers crossed that her blood test, in two weeks, comes back with positive results.

{{{{HUGS to EVERYONE}}}}

Retired
Member

07-11-2001

Sunday, November 18, 2007 - 11:42 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Retired a private message Print Post    
(((Kstme & Mags))) Yay for good signs!

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Sunday, November 18, 2007 - 11:56 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
{{{Kstme and Mags}}} Ditto what Retired said!

Supergranny
Member

02-03-2005

Sunday, November 18, 2007 - 4:53 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Supergranny a private message Print Post    
OH Kstme! I've been so busy and I am just catching up with the news about Maggie. I feel awful for you but your last post sounds more positive. My prayers are with you and hoping Maggie comes thru with a minimum of expense.

Been there and done that when our little frenchie Sophie had a herniated disc and the operation cost $3600. DH had a hard time with that and I flat out told him that I would not have her live with that pain and did he want to have her put to sleep. So we ate lots of beans and casseroles for a couple of months. You are probably like us...hit that middle income where you get too much to qualify for help and not enough to afford these expensive treatments.

But I have this feeling that Maggie is going to get better and her treatment won't be prohibitive!

Meggieprice
Member

07-09-2001

Monday, November 19, 2007 - 5:56 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Meggieprice a private message Print Post    
(((((kstme)))))

I have another picture of little Carter- pretty old one- he was seven weeks and is almost 12 now but you bet I will have new ones soon! Friday I fly to Ohio to get him- can't believe it is already here....