Thanks for the update Val I have been thinking about him this morning.
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Thanks for the update Val I have been thinking about him this morning.
Val, I'm praying for Duke, and I'm really happy that he seems a bit perkier. Hope the news from the vet is positive. I think he has one of the most beautiful doggie smiles anywhere! :D (((hugs))) to you and your boy.
Oh, Val, I'm sorry to hear your beautiful boy is unwell. Prayers and positive thoughts on the way.
{{hugs}}
Hi Valerie,
Just checking in for any news on Duke.I've been thinking about the both
of you all morning.I hope you are able to share better news on your sweetie.
We're through at the vet and headed home. His bloodwork results should be in tomorrow afternoon. I've got onre more pain medication for him called Tramadol. It's got a light dose of opiates in it. Hopefully it will help. The vet did a lot of muscle tests on him and said his muscles are still strong. There is a small relfex delay with his back left leg. Also, xrays show both hips have lots of sharp fragments in the ball joint area where it should be smooth. When he shakes his head, if he's standing, he falls. The vet said that it could be a degenerative neurological disease that German Sheperds sometimes get. We're going to see if Duke will eat some boiled chicken tonight. If he doesn't eat by afternoon tomorrow, I'm to call them. He siad his hear looked good and clean. I think I've remembered everything the vet said. I was kind of nervous because he's a new one and I'd never seen him before. He made a great first impression. He's very kind and thorough. Thanks so much for all of your good thoughts and prayers. I know we all have to accept the fact that one day we'll have to part with our special pets but it always seems too soon to think about. I'm hoping this new medicine helps Duke out a lot and that he improves. I'm not ready to let go yet and I don't think he is, either.
Your sweet sweet boy is in my thoughts. The Tramadol should help with any pain he is feeling, so rest assured about that. I hope you can get him to eat something. You might want to try tripe.
You will both be in my prayers. {{{HUGS}}}
Sounds pretty positive to me. I do hope Duke's appetite perks up some
too.Buddy was Shep/Huskie and had some of those same problems with
hips,back legs & spine.I hope that this new medicine will help Duke get
around so much easier. Please give your boy a big hug from me. :)
I hope you can get him to eat some tonight. Has he been going to the bathroom okay?
http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/frown.gifQuote:
Originally Posted by dukedogsmom
Val ~
Do a Google.com search for "Degenerative Myelopathy", which is probably
what the Vet mentioned.
"Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) was first described as a specific degenerative neurologic disease in 1973. Since then, much has been done to understand the processes involved in the disease and into the treatment of DM. Hopefully, this will help you understand the problem and to explain further the steps that can be taken to help dogs afflicted with DM.
The age at onset is 5 to 14 years, which corresponds to the third to sixth decades of human life. Although a few cases have been reported in other large breeds of dogs, the disease appears with relative frequency only in the German Shepherd breed, suggesting that there is a genetic predisposition for German Shepherd dogs (GSD) in developing DM. ..."
Duke may also bebefit from high doses of Glucosamine / Chondroitin / MSN -
to help the Athritis - did Doc mention any of those supplements??
Smokey's "Trick Knee" and Bowser's "stiff rear end" are both helped by the
Glucosamine.
And now that poor Bowser has been diagnosed as having Degenerative Myelopathy http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/frown.gif
in his left, rear foot & leg - he's switched to a generic combo of
Glucosamine/Chondroitin/MSN
together with 400 IU of Vitamin E every day.
There is no cure for canine DM - the supplements may slow it down or help
to ease the discomfort.
Something to Note:
With DM - the dog really doesn't feel "pain" -
because the disease robs him of feeling in the effected limb.
"Pain" may, however, originate in joints suffering with Arthritis.
"Not being Hungry" is NOT symptomatic with Degenerative Meylopathy.
We'll say some Prayers the Duke starts Feelin Better!!
{{{Hugs}}} from Phred
I hope Duke decides he hungary enough for a little something tonight, Val. The news from the doc sounds pretty optimistic, keeping paws crossed the blood results are also good.
Phred, sorry to hear about Bowser. I noticed him draggin that back foot at the picnic, wondered if maybe he had a mini-stroke. Hope the new meds help him feel better.
Duke has eaten 2 small boiled chicken breasts but I still can't get him interested in his other food. He's going to the bathrrom alright. Hasn't had the big one today but I'm not too concerned since he's barely eaten anything. I'll see how he does in the morning. He's drinking water fine.
Thanks for the info Phred. I'm not sure if he has that or not. We should know more with the bloodwork, hopefully. I'm going to give him the first of his new medication tonight.
Thanks for all the good thoughts. They've really helped.
Hang tough, Duke and Val. We're out here hoping and praying that everything is going to be ok. :)
Positive thoughts and healing prayers for Duke. I'm so sorry he is feeling this way. :(
Please get some rest Val - Duke needs you to be strong for him. Hugs to both of you.
Betty
It's great to read that Duke did eat something, even though it wasn't his favoroite "boiled egg".
I'm hoping that Duke will have a great rebound in due time!!!
Phred offered a lot of useful information!!!!
Prayers for you, and for your wonderful dog, Duke!!!!
Is there any way for those 'sharp bits' to be removed from his hips? Or for them to be dulled down somehow?
Wishing all the best for Duke!
His muscles still being strong is good, as is his eating the chicken, a big improvement on eating nothing.
Prayers and positive thoughts for a hopeful diagnosis from the tests, and for your dear boy to be feeing more agile very soon.
Sending big http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...lies/Hugs2.gif to you both.
Keep on eating something Big Guy!! You can do it. Mom and Pet Talk need for you to get well real soon. Thoughts and prayers still there for you guys,Val. {{{{{HUGS}}}}}
I just saw this. I'm glad he ate his chicken. I hope the new medicine has him feeling back to his old self.
Oh Val,
I'm so sorry to hear about Dukie. I just read this thread and want you to know that I love him as he is Doogie's best bud, AND I know you love him more than anything in the world. I'm glad he's eating and drinking again. You and Duke will be in my thoughts and prayers.
((((HUGS))))))) and lots of love,
Donna
I'm so sorry to hear about Duke. I'll keep him in my thoughts.
Val, I am so sorry to hear that Duke isn't feeling well. I am praying that he will be feeling like himself again real soon. I love Duke, he is one of my favorite here at Pet Talk. Give him a hug and a great big kiss from me, please!
Sending lots of Hugs and lots of Love to you and Sweet Duke,
Willie
Lots of good thoughts and prayers coming from me for sweet Duke. Please keep us updated on his progress.
Val, I am so very very sorry! :( You and Duke will be in the thoughts and prayers. I hope he is alright.
Val, I'm so sorry to hear Duke isn't well. :( I hope he'll continue to eat more and more, and get better!
Sending lots of positive thoughts.
((((hugs)))))
Val, my heart goes out to you as you treat Duke. I know how much we suffer too when we see our pets decline in health.
Duke's still only eating chicken so far. I'm going to try and mix a little of his canned food in a few minutes. I've been making sure he's been getting rest today. I really don't want to go to work tonight. He's going to stay I'm mom's bedroom tonight. I don't want him being by himself. Poor guy looks at me so sad. I know he doesn't feel completely well. I think the new medicine is helping slightly. I probably won't get the bloodwork results until Monday now. I'll just be glad when he feels better.
Love to you and darling Duke
Val, I'm sorry I'm just reading this. Please know you and precious Duke are in my thoughts and prayers. Duke has a special place in my heart and it grieves me to see he hasn't been himself. :( Do you still have my number? Don't hesitate to call if you need to talk. Lots of hugs and many prayers going your way.
Dear Duke, I'll keep you and your mama in my thoughts and prayers. Please feel better soon darling boy.
I keep checking in for the latest update. Keep the faith, Val. I've got my fingers crossed that Duke will feel better soon. It is so hard to see them not eat. Sometimes you want to say, please eat so I feel better.
Hope Duke is feeling better soon.
I wish I hadn't come to work. I'm sitting at my desk fighting back tears. Duke only eats the chicken when I feed it to him in bites. I'm so worried about him that I'm making myself about sick. I only came in because we're so short handed but I'm pretty much a basket case. Thanks for all your kind words.
Val, could he just be a bit under the weather? We humans get minor illnesses but Duke can't communicate that to you.
Think of it like an aging human, we have our bouts with things but every bout with something isn't the big one, I know its hard not to but try not to make yourself sick over this, Duke needs you healthy.
My heart is breaking for you Val. I am hoping everything will be better soon. I know how hard this is for you. :( {{{{{HUGS}}}}}
I feel your despair.
So , HOLD ONTO US!!!!
I am praying that Duke is going through a PHASE (treatable illness) now!!
I am praying that this PHASE will pass.
{{{HUGS}}}} dukedogsmom----- :(
I'm so sorry that things are so hard for you two. I am praying hard for Duke. :( I want him to be happy again.
I hope this is just a temporary tummy upset Duke is having and that he recovers soon. I will send prayers and thoughts that he will bounce back and be his old self soon so you don't have so much worry. Hugs to you and Duke.
Val you are in my thoughts {{Hugs}}. Good vibes on the way for precious Duke.
{{HUGS}} For you both.
Aw, Val, it is so hard being at work with a sick dog at home. I clearly remember how it was, years ago, leaving my souldog Max home while I was at work. {{big http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...lies/Hugs2.gif }
Prayers & positive thoughts continuing for dear Duke boy, and you too.
Val I am so sorry you are having to go threw this. I know how bad it hurts to see them in pain. My dearest Graham went well before I was ready to let him go. I still hear him bark when I come home every day and he's been gone for 2 months now. It was truly the hardest thing I've ever had to go threw with my dear boy and my heart is still broken. I can't seem to get over the grief. I am so sorry that you are having to go threw sweet Duke going threw the aging process. It's not easy for anyone, especially those that have the pleasure of being owned by their heart-dog, dog of a lifetime.
I don't come on PT very much but was so sad to read this. You are in my prayers and I hope, regardless of what happens, you can focus on the good memories you have with your precious angel boy. I hope the meds he's taking help and you get some more years out of him. I'd hug you if I could :( I know how much it hurts.
Love,
Leslie and family