Dear Heidi and Shelby,
it seems like the perpetual black cloud that has been hanging over our head is still there...and it stretches on. Heidi, you saw the surgeon on Wednesday, and we found out that fortunately, you did not blow out your knee. The Dr. thought that your cruciate was fine, and and the possibility of tearing your meniscus without blowing the cruciate too was very unlikely...possible, but unlikely. She thought it could be another ligament that was irritated, as the swelling in the knee was more medial (inside), or a bursa. Either way, the instructions were the same-icing, range of motion exercises, PT, and rest. We have a follow up next Wednesday to check on your progress.
Well, the good news is, is that there is progress to report.You're now weight bearing on the leg, and able to get around better. You actually went on a short walk around the neighborhood tonight, and hardly limped, or even paced at all. GREAT NEWS! We came back and I iced your leg, and you even jumped up onto the couch on your own (while you were unsupervised!) The gabapentin that the Dr. gave you also seems to be helping. Not enough to make you loopy or forget that you have some pain (which slows you down), but enough to dull it.
The only other problem, is that on tonight's walk, you decided you needed to potty. When I went to go scoop, it was fairly loose-I guess not giving you your flagyl this morning made a difference. I didn't give it, because when you went poop for the first time the other night, it was completely solid and formed. So, I gave it to you tonight. I also have been mixing kibble in with your chicken/rice/baby food mixture so that might have made a difference as well. I want to make sure we take care of this bug all the way. I'm a little concerned about this, but hoping that a few more days of flagyl and bland diet goodness will help.
Now, onto my little Shelby. You my dear, have decided that you do not like that your sister has been getting more of her fair share of attention. So you had to do something to get some too. Yeah...the way in which you did it though...no a good idea. Granted, it wasn't your fault. It was an accident. You were standing close to the book shelf while I was feeding the fish, and one of the cats knocked over a knick-nack. It hit you, but I didn't see where. You squeeked and ran away under the table. When you came out, I thought it had hit you in the foot. But a little while later, when you jumped on the bed, I saw you squinting and your nictating membrane was up. I grabbed an ice pack and held it on your eye, but it didn't seem to alleviate the pain.
I called the vet AGAIN, and we went in to see the opthamalogist, Dr. Marrion as she really loves you guys. She stained your eye and found a scratch on your cornea. GREAT =0( She gave us some meds and said hopefully that these would work on your eye to help heal the scratch and prevent it from turning into an ulcer. She also gave you tramadol for your pain. She said to see her next week for a recheck. Great. Now you and Heidi have appointments on the same day. At least I can save on the gas driving down there...yeah. Theres the silver lining. The real good news will be that your scratch has healed, instead of it turning into an ulcer and needing surgery. Now THAT will be a silver lining.
So that's where we stand now, girls. Waiting to see how your rechecks go next week. Lets hope that Heidi's leg, and Shelbys eye, have healed. Lets hope this black cloud has some light behind it...
I love you girls,
and will always take care of you,
xoxo
Friday, October 5, 2012
Monday, October 1, 2012
Sick Puppy
Dear Heidi,
You're scaring me. You have been vomiting and had diarrhea for about 4 days now. Nothing I have done seemed to help-not fasting, not a bland diet, not slippery elm. So finally, before you got too dehydrated, I decided to bring you into the hospital. I called and made the appointment yesterday, after I had shown you some food (boiled chicken and rice) and you promptly threw up just at its smell. I made the appointment for 10:30 this morning with a different doctor than you usually see, because she was at a CE lecture in CA.
But this morning, you decided to make me worry just a bit more! I put all 4 of you out, and when you came in, you immediately lie down. When I called you up, you had an extremely hard time getting up, were wobbbly when standing, and then revealed that you were standing on only 3 legs. You were non-weight bearing on your right rear leg. I feel terrible that I don't know what happened, because I wasn't watching you. Did you slip on the wet leaves on the deck? Slip on the stairs? What happened?
So, you rested with me the rest of the morning, and then I got you up to go to the vet. When we got there, I wrapped you in a blanket and carried you in. The room tech, and then the dr. asked me all kinds of questions regarding your GI upset, and your lameness. I don't think I did a good job explaining...I felt like a neglectful mother. But the dr. was able to decipher what I was trying to remember and tell them.
She wanted to do some bloodwork, give you fluids and some injections. Unfortunately, the two issues do not help each other...they cant give you pain meds, because of your upset tummy, and the fact that your NSAID intolerant (they put you into renal failure). So the plan is to try and get your GI tract back in shape, and then deal with your sore leg.
They gave you sub-q fluids, pepcid, cerenia and buprinex all by injection, and sent you home with flagyl. As soon as your belly gets better, we will start gabapentin for your leg, and if that and rest doesn't help, we'll see the surgeon. The dr. we saw had another dr. feel your leg and agreed that the knee was inflamed, but you didn't blow it out (we hope). Everyone agreed it was probably soft tissue, so as of now, xrays weren't needed. They were also not needed for your abdomen as it is unlikely you have a foreign body.
When I took you home, you were pretty out of it. The burpinex made you pretty tired and you panted all the way home, sitting beside me in the passenger seat. We had to stop at Walmart to get you some baby food and pick up my prescription. You didn't move the entire time I was in the store. When we finally got home, I carried you into the front yard, thinking you would have to pee. Instead you had more diarrhea, this time with a touch of blood. You almost couldn't walk into the house. I put my Patriots blanket onto the floor, and you lied right down. After I had gotten settled, I put you in bed with me. That's where you've been all day...sleeping. I just took you out again, and saw how much pain you are really in. You limped around, a tripod, and wouldn't do potty for me. It was hard for you to get into the position because of your leg =0(
I'm going to continue to watch you, and carry you around for as long as it takes. I want you to rest your leg, and we need to get your GI stuff under control. I'm going to try and feel you a little more later tonight, and hope that stays down...otherwise, its back to the dr.
Please get better my love...I hate seeing you in this much pain and discomfort. Your so stoic, I know you must be in a lot of pain in order to show it. I hope we can figure all of this out...
I love you,
xoxo
You're scaring me. You have been vomiting and had diarrhea for about 4 days now. Nothing I have done seemed to help-not fasting, not a bland diet, not slippery elm. So finally, before you got too dehydrated, I decided to bring you into the hospital. I called and made the appointment yesterday, after I had shown you some food (boiled chicken and rice) and you promptly threw up just at its smell. I made the appointment for 10:30 this morning with a different doctor than you usually see, because she was at a CE lecture in CA.
But this morning, you decided to make me worry just a bit more! I put all 4 of you out, and when you came in, you immediately lie down. When I called you up, you had an extremely hard time getting up, were wobbbly when standing, and then revealed that you were standing on only 3 legs. You were non-weight bearing on your right rear leg. I feel terrible that I don't know what happened, because I wasn't watching you. Did you slip on the wet leaves on the deck? Slip on the stairs? What happened?
So, you rested with me the rest of the morning, and then I got you up to go to the vet. When we got there, I wrapped you in a blanket and carried you in. The room tech, and then the dr. asked me all kinds of questions regarding your GI upset, and your lameness. I don't think I did a good job explaining...I felt like a neglectful mother. But the dr. was able to decipher what I was trying to remember and tell them.
She wanted to do some bloodwork, give you fluids and some injections. Unfortunately, the two issues do not help each other...they cant give you pain meds, because of your upset tummy, and the fact that your NSAID intolerant (they put you into renal failure). So the plan is to try and get your GI tract back in shape, and then deal with your sore leg.
They gave you sub-q fluids, pepcid, cerenia and buprinex all by injection, and sent you home with flagyl. As soon as your belly gets better, we will start gabapentin for your leg, and if that and rest doesn't help, we'll see the surgeon. The dr. we saw had another dr. feel your leg and agreed that the knee was inflamed, but you didn't blow it out (we hope). Everyone agreed it was probably soft tissue, so as of now, xrays weren't needed. They were also not needed for your abdomen as it is unlikely you have a foreign body.
When I took you home, you were pretty out of it. The burpinex made you pretty tired and you panted all the way home, sitting beside me in the passenger seat. We had to stop at Walmart to get you some baby food and pick up my prescription. You didn't move the entire time I was in the store. When we finally got home, I carried you into the front yard, thinking you would have to pee. Instead you had more diarrhea, this time with a touch of blood. You almost couldn't walk into the house. I put my Patriots blanket onto the floor, and you lied right down. After I had gotten settled, I put you in bed with me. That's where you've been all day...sleeping. I just took you out again, and saw how much pain you are really in. You limped around, a tripod, and wouldn't do potty for me. It was hard for you to get into the position because of your leg =0(
I'm going to continue to watch you, and carry you around for as long as it takes. I want you to rest your leg, and we need to get your GI stuff under control. I'm going to try and feel you a little more later tonight, and hope that stays down...otherwise, its back to the dr.
Please get better my love...I hate seeing you in this much pain and discomfort. Your so stoic, I know you must be in a lot of pain in order to show it. I hope we can figure all of this out...
I love you,
xoxo
Friday, September 28, 2012
Sore Sniffer
Dear Shelby,
You have a sore sniffer! Momma found a gauge on your nose last night, and it looks pretty painful. Of course you'd never let on...your stoic attitude means that if I wasn't so obsessed with checking every square inch of you every day, I may not have even noticed. You haven't been pawing at it or anything. But, my poor baby, its pretty red-raw, and your little nose print circle things are scraped off =0( I put some vitamin E oil on it last night, and it looks better. Of course you wanted to lick it off right away, but even your long Shelby tongue couldn't quite reach it all.
I think what happened, is when I brought you over "other mummas" (my mothers) house, her dog Brandy, stuck her paw through the gate and scratched you good. I know you try and be on your best sheltie behavior, but it is truly hard when Brandy is around. Shes young, and doesn't always necessarily speak good "dog". She thinks that your "mean teeth" aren't scary at all, and that by you growling at her means you MUST want to play. I try and keep her separated, but sometimes accidents happen. And I think this was one of those times.
I'm sorry I didn't keep a better eye and protect you more. I'm usually better at that. And I'm sorry it took me so long to notice your poor nose. I'm going to get the vitamin E right now, and put some more on it to see if we can heal it a little bit quicker.
I promise to keep a better eye on Brandy next time we go over, and not let her harass you as much. Again, I'm sorry I failed you.
Mumma loves you so much, my little snuggler,
xoxo
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
My first book...any help is appreciated!!
Dear girls,
Ive decided to pursue my dream and write a new book called "Letters to The Bridge". Here is what I have been sending people to explain it:
Hi everyone,
My name is Jenn, and I am going to be writing a book called "Letters to The Bridge". This book will contain letters from every day people who are grieving the loss of a beloved pet, no matter how much time has passed.
I am looking for people to volunteer to write these letters to their pet and they just might make it into the book. I'm looking for letters 1-2 pages long, telling your pets story. I would also love to have a copy of your favorite picture of your pet.
Please email letterstothebridge@yahoo.com with your letter in the body of the email, rather than in an attachment.
I'm writing this book to help people who are going through the immense grief that comes with the loss of a loved furkid. I want people out there to know that they are not alone, and that millions of people all around the world have the same feeling they do...and how therapeutic writing can be. I was inspired to collect these letters by all of the notes that were written and hung as memorials at the Dog Chapel at Dog Mountain, and by the book "Beezer and Boomer" by Doug Koktavy (this is a book written about his two labs and how they go through the living and dying process).
If anyone would like to help me with this project, please email me at the link above. You can also visit our face book page by typing "letters to the bridge" in the search box.
Thank you for all of your time, help, and stories in advance. Hugs to you all,
Jenn Whalen
What do you think? Ive had this idea for a long while now, but I am finally getting up the nerve to do it. Ive already emailed a publisher, and am waiting eagerly to hear back. I don't know how many people read this little blog of ours, but if anyone would care to write, or pass around the message, I would be so thankful. I'm trying to reach as many people as possible to give them all the opportunity to tell their special, one of a kind, beloved pets story.
I love you girls to the ends of the earth,
thank you for being my co-authors,
xoxo
Ive decided to pursue my dream and write a new book called "Letters to The Bridge". Here is what I have been sending people to explain it:
Hi everyone,
My name is Jenn, and I am going to be writing a book called "Letters to The Bridge". This book will contain letters from every day people who are grieving the loss of a beloved pet, no matter how much time has passed.
I am looking for people to volunteer to write these letters to their pet and they just might make it into the book. I'm looking for letters 1-2 pages long, telling your pets story. I would also love to have a copy of your favorite picture of your pet.
Please email letterstothebridge@yahoo.com with your letter in the body of the email, rather than in an attachment.
I'm writing this book to help people who are going through the immense grief that comes with the loss of a loved furkid. I want people out there to know that they are not alone, and that millions of people all around the world have the same feeling they do...and how therapeutic writing can be. I was inspired to collect these letters by all of the notes that were written and hung as memorials at the Dog Chapel at Dog Mountain, and by the book "Beezer and Boomer" by Doug Koktavy (this is a book written about his two labs and how they go through the living and dying process).
If anyone would like to help me with this project, please email me at the link above. You can also visit our face book page by typing "letters to the bridge" in the search box.
Thank you for all of your time, help, and stories in advance. Hugs to you all,
Jenn Whalen
What do you think? Ive had this idea for a long while now, but I am finally getting up the nerve to do it. Ive already emailed a publisher, and am waiting eagerly to hear back. I don't know how many people read this little blog of ours, but if anyone would care to write, or pass around the message, I would be so thankful. I'm trying to reach as many people as possible to give them all the opportunity to tell their special, one of a kind, beloved pets story.
I love you girls to the ends of the earth,
thank you for being my co-authors,
xoxo
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Business Cards
Dear Heidi,
what kind of business are you running? Every where you seem to go, you need to leave a peemail or "business card" behind. I don't understand how you do it. You seem to empty your bladder before the walk, but you always seem to have some stored up in reserves to leave your calling card behind.
Well let me tell you, I know networking is important and all, but do you need to leave your "card" repeatedly on the same walk? I think peeing 15 times in a brief walk is a little...excessive. How many calls are you really getting back?
But you're not just leaving your information, you're also getting other dogs messages as well. How many times is it really necessary for me to turn around on our walk and find you several (SEVERAL) feet behind because you had to stop and pick up your peemail. Again, I don't know what kind of business you're running, but if you could start pitching in for the house bills, that would be great!
And Shelby, I appreciate you supporting your sister, but picking up her business habits are not necessary...unless you want to start paying bills too!!
I love you girls,
xoxo
what kind of business are you running? Every where you seem to go, you need to leave a peemail or "business card" behind. I don't understand how you do it. You seem to empty your bladder before the walk, but you always seem to have some stored up in reserves to leave your calling card behind.
Well let me tell you, I know networking is important and all, but do you need to leave your "card" repeatedly on the same walk? I think peeing 15 times in a brief walk is a little...excessive. How many calls are you really getting back?
But you're not just leaving your information, you're also getting other dogs messages as well. How many times is it really necessary for me to turn around on our walk and find you several (SEVERAL) feet behind because you had to stop and pick up your peemail. Again, I don't know what kind of business you're running, but if you could start pitching in for the house bills, that would be great!
And Shelby, I appreciate you supporting your sister, but picking up her business habits are not necessary...unless you want to start paying bills too!!
I love you girls,
xoxo
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Little things...
Dear Heidi,
Today we got some great news. I had found small lumps in your breast tissue a little while ago, and had them tested; they came back as fatty tissue, or a "lipoma". Well, the other night, I found another one that I knew was not there at the last testing. I decided to take you in this morning and see our favorite vet, Dr. Bennett, so she could take a look.
Well, great news again. She tested the new one, and retested the others and they all came back as lipomas! Yay! No more MCT's, and no mammary cancer =0) They're little lumps, but boy do they give you a big scare when you find them!
When we got home, you showed me something that reminded me to appreciate all of the other little things-instead of dwelling on the little things that you cant do, or that are becoming more difficult with age, you showed me the little things that you still CAN do...and reminded me that if you need help, you'll ask for it.
I had just gotten into bed, preparing to write this blog, and Shelby jumped up with me, as she always does. You started to bark, so I told you to "find your stairs" and see if you could make it up. I waited for a minute and then saw your fluffy head and ears peek over the end of the bed. I patted the mattress while encouraging you to "come up". You turned around skillfully on the top stair, looking like you were going to head back down, but you surprised me and jumped up on the bed! You COULD do it!!! I was so proud, and told you so while I kissed and snuggled with you.
It was really important to you to be able to do it...you had a happy look on your face, and a triumphant gleam in your eye as you made it all the way up. I'm so lucky that I'm paying attention enough to notice these little things that you and your sister do every day. Like still wanting to play a hard game of frisbee. Or Shelby rolling in the wet grass this morning. Little things that just make me happy, seeing you happy. I hope to never see those go away...
Thank you my loves, for all the lessons you've taught me, and are still willing to teach...even if your student is a little slow...
Lots of love,
xoxo
Today we got some great news. I had found small lumps in your breast tissue a little while ago, and had them tested; they came back as fatty tissue, or a "lipoma". Well, the other night, I found another one that I knew was not there at the last testing. I decided to take you in this morning and see our favorite vet, Dr. Bennett, so she could take a look.
Well, great news again. She tested the new one, and retested the others and they all came back as lipomas! Yay! No more MCT's, and no mammary cancer =0) They're little lumps, but boy do they give you a big scare when you find them!
When we got home, you showed me something that reminded me to appreciate all of the other little things-instead of dwelling on the little things that you cant do, or that are becoming more difficult with age, you showed me the little things that you still CAN do...and reminded me that if you need help, you'll ask for it.
I had just gotten into bed, preparing to write this blog, and Shelby jumped up with me, as she always does. You started to bark, so I told you to "find your stairs" and see if you could make it up. I waited for a minute and then saw your fluffy head and ears peek over the end of the bed. I patted the mattress while encouraging you to "come up". You turned around skillfully on the top stair, looking like you were going to head back down, but you surprised me and jumped up on the bed! You COULD do it!!! I was so proud, and told you so while I kissed and snuggled with you.
It was really important to you to be able to do it...you had a happy look on your face, and a triumphant gleam in your eye as you made it all the way up. I'm so lucky that I'm paying attention enough to notice these little things that you and your sister do every day. Like still wanting to play a hard game of frisbee. Or Shelby rolling in the wet grass this morning. Little things that just make me happy, seeing you happy. I hope to never see those go away...
Thank you my loves, for all the lessons you've taught me, and are still willing to teach...even if your student is a little slow...
Lots of love,
xoxo
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Gastrointestinal pyrotechnics
Dear Heidi,
I decided to make your green veggie mix, because its been so long since you've both have had it. I added: a tomato, green pepper, zucchini, summer squash, a cucumber, green beans, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower and romaine lettuce. It made a great mix that scooped easily into the mini muffin pans that we use to freeze it for future meals. However, when I went to to feed it to you with your Orijen, you weren't very happy. You ate it, but reluctantly. I decided to use what was left (that wouldn't fit in the pans for freezing) until it was gone. You decided not to eat at all last night, walking away from your bowl completely.
I remember speaking to the animal communicator who told me that you didn't like the green mix. But you always ate it. Its good for you, to get fresh veggies, fruit and meat with your kibble. Just the other day I added ground lamb into your food. But you still wouldn't eat last night, even after I explained that it was good for you. So I tried adding cottage cheese. That, thankfully, seemed to do it. You ate it, anyways...even if you didn't eat the whole thing. Shelby polished the rest of it off for you. SHE doesn't mind the veggies...SHE doesn't care WHAT she eats!!
But maybe I made a mistake making you eat it. Because at 4:00 this morning, we woke up to a surprise. Ginny got up and found small droplets of diarrhea all over the kitchen and bathroom floors. I had a feeling it was you because you hadn't been enthused about eating...even thought I picked up a normal poop when we went for our night time walk. I checked your bummy and it WAS you. You poor thing, you had poo all over you and it was clear you were going to need a tubby to get it all off. Great. Just what we both wanted to be doing at 4:00 am.
I gave you the tubby, and you were good to go. I also gave you two slippery elms to try and calm your belly. Apparently those didn't work for you though, because you just came in with a small amount of bloody diarrhea on your bummy again. Luckily I could get this off with some paper towels, and you didn't need a second tubby (thank doG). But now I feel terrible...was it the veggies and cottage cheese? Was it the lamb the other day? Are you just not feeling well, and maybe caught a bug?
I know how you feel, because I have IBS myself. That feeling is not fun. I wish I could make you feel better. If it continues, we'll go to the doctor and try and figure it out. I'm sorry you're not feeling well, and mom will try and make you better. Your spirits are still up, and you still want to play, which are all good signs. I hope you continue to do well, and will keep trying to make you feel better.
I love you, and hope you feel better.
All my love, xoxo
**Amendment:
Shelby started with vomiting tonight after dinner. She threw up about 7 times in 45 minutes, and got to the point that she could not keep down the meds I gave her (pepcid and slippery elm) nor the water she drank. I called the vet who suggested I fast her for the rest of the night and see how she does in the morning. Then she went outside and had a very hard time pooping. When she came in, she had the runs on her back end. I cleaned her up and shes been resting since. I don't know whether they caught a doggy bug, the green veggies aren't sitting well or if it was the raw lamb I gave them the other day... in any case, I feel so bad for them, and am anguishing at the fact I could have caused this. I'll keep the blog updated when I know more, but for right now, they've just got to rest....
I decided to make your green veggie mix, because its been so long since you've both have had it. I added: a tomato, green pepper, zucchini, summer squash, a cucumber, green beans, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower and romaine lettuce. It made a great mix that scooped easily into the mini muffin pans that we use to freeze it for future meals. However, when I went to to feed it to you with your Orijen, you weren't very happy. You ate it, but reluctantly. I decided to use what was left (that wouldn't fit in the pans for freezing) until it was gone. You decided not to eat at all last night, walking away from your bowl completely.
I remember speaking to the animal communicator who told me that you didn't like the green mix. But you always ate it. Its good for you, to get fresh veggies, fruit and meat with your kibble. Just the other day I added ground lamb into your food. But you still wouldn't eat last night, even after I explained that it was good for you. So I tried adding cottage cheese. That, thankfully, seemed to do it. You ate it, anyways...even if you didn't eat the whole thing. Shelby polished the rest of it off for you. SHE doesn't mind the veggies...SHE doesn't care WHAT she eats!!
But maybe I made a mistake making you eat it. Because at 4:00 this morning, we woke up to a surprise. Ginny got up and found small droplets of diarrhea all over the kitchen and bathroom floors. I had a feeling it was you because you hadn't been enthused about eating...even thought I picked up a normal poop when we went for our night time walk. I checked your bummy and it WAS you. You poor thing, you had poo all over you and it was clear you were going to need a tubby to get it all off. Great. Just what we both wanted to be doing at 4:00 am.
I gave you the tubby, and you were good to go. I also gave you two slippery elms to try and calm your belly. Apparently those didn't work for you though, because you just came in with a small amount of bloody diarrhea on your bummy again. Luckily I could get this off with some paper towels, and you didn't need a second tubby (thank doG). But now I feel terrible...was it the veggies and cottage cheese? Was it the lamb the other day? Are you just not feeling well, and maybe caught a bug?
I know how you feel, because I have IBS myself. That feeling is not fun. I wish I could make you feel better. If it continues, we'll go to the doctor and try and figure it out. I'm sorry you're not feeling well, and mom will try and make you better. Your spirits are still up, and you still want to play, which are all good signs. I hope you continue to do well, and will keep trying to make you feel better.
I love you, and hope you feel better.
All my love, xoxo
**Amendment:
Shelby started with vomiting tonight after dinner. She threw up about 7 times in 45 minutes, and got to the point that she could not keep down the meds I gave her (pepcid and slippery elm) nor the water she drank. I called the vet who suggested I fast her for the rest of the night and see how she does in the morning. Then she went outside and had a very hard time pooping. When she came in, she had the runs on her back end. I cleaned her up and shes been resting since. I don't know whether they caught a doggy bug, the green veggies aren't sitting well or if it was the raw lamb I gave them the other day... in any case, I feel so bad for them, and am anguishing at the fact I could have caused this. I'll keep the blog updated when I know more, but for right now, they've just got to rest....
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