I hope she gets up on her own soon. I can't imagine how scary it must be for her not to be able to move. :( Good thoughts for Cinder:love::love:
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I hope she gets up on her own soon. I can't imagine how scary it must be for her not to be able to move. :( Good thoughts for Cinder:love::love:
I'm just seeing this, I'm sorry. Yes, prayers from here, too! :love: Poor baby...
Are there any other symptoms? How is Cinder today?
Diana, let me be blunt and open.............so we can do the same.
Do you need some financial help here? Just let us know.
:love::love: Gini
I know it is frustrating at the start. You start giving the meds, and so want her to feel better and MOVE!
The joints are inflamed and swollen and sore. The meds need time to reduce the swelling, and to block the pain. I do hope you see improvement soon!
Yes, do please let us know.Quote:
Originally Posted by gini
Prayers from us here in the deep south for Cinder, may a full recover be just around the corner!
Prayers for some improvement soon and more later.
Lots of prayers and positive thoughts are being sent her way.
Yes, Diana, please do. I am sure there are many of us who would be happy to chip in whatever we can. {{hugs}}Quote:
Originally Posted by gini
Prayers and healing thoughts continuing.
Any news on Cinder? I don't have a Facebook account so keep checking here
for any news.
Wouldn't have done you any good even if you had looked on Facebook because the last few days have been crazy! Cinder isn't improving very much. She still can't walk but occasionally "scoots" around. I am very disappointed We have gotten the hang of getting her in and out now but as was said it is very hard on the joints especially for someone who already has arthritis. My back hurts, my knees hurt and my wrists hurt! But I am sure Cinder isn't feeling that great either. I will have to call the vets tomorrow.Quote:
Originally Posted by lizbud
As far as money goes, we are okay now but I don't know how long that will last if we have to get into specialists etc. I think Phred's sister Nancy might be able to send me more. We can go on a wait and see how things go and I will let you know when I am out of what I have now. I have not contacted Nancy yet because as I said things have been a little crazy around here. I work as a church secretary and with Easter coming there is just a lot more to do than usual and I have a new pastor (boss) who is only here on weekends when I am not and really doesn't know how long it takes to do anything and keeps e-mailing me with more things that needed done by this weekend and then letting me know he is disappointed because I am not getting every thing done. I only work 24 hours a week and they don't want me to work over time so it is getting a little difficult. He and I are going to have to have a little talk when things settle down. I have been there 7 years and havvenn't had a raise yet. They are slowly going broke but yet when they decide they need a projector to show the words of the songs etc. on the wall there is money. They are starting a new website that is not going to be cheap. There are only about 55 people coming on Sundays and this new pastor thinks this new website will bring more people in. They really have very little to offer so I really don't think the website is going to do what they think it might. Any way, since I took Wed. off I had to work Fri. Only I couldn't get all the stuff done so I worked Sat. tooo knowing I won't get paid for that day. Christy is working part time now so I can't work over because most afternoons I have to pick them up after school and watch them til she gets off. So much to do so very little time!
Anyways keep praying for the Cinder girl, she is such a good and sweet girl. Now if I could just keep her from barking she would be perfect!
You could post a "wanted" on Freecycle for a projector for the church, you never know, someone might have one they'd be willing to donate. Poor you, and poor Cinder, I was hoping she'd be feeling somewhat better by now. You'll all be in our prayers.
Thank you for the update, Diana.
Sorry to read that dear Cinder hasn't shown much improvement. :( Continued prayers being said for you both. {{hugs}}
Continued prayers for Cinder and your family.
Oh dear. When you get a chance, remind how old she is? The constant barking, is there an obvious reason, is she barking AT something? Or just barking? We had a family dog who at age 18 started barking just because, it was sign the end was near. The vet told us to keep our hands away from her mouth as she really didn't know what she was doing and could bite us. I point this out as you say you have the grandchildren in the afternoons.
I am so sorry to hear that Cinder is not improving and will keep her and your family in my thoughts. Hopefully things will improve with a little time. Meanwhile, please hug that that lovely girl for me:love:.
Prayers that Cinder will make improvement in the coming days and weeks.
Are her front legs strong? If so, you might want to think ahead to the possibility that she might do well with a wheel cart for her back legs. When Myndi had the issue of her back legs giving out, I had looked into the possibility of this. Fortunately, the meds are helping her for now, so that option is now on the back burner.
In Cinder and Smoke's Bio, Phred said that Cinder was 10 years old. That means she's about 12 or so.
Please Cinder, stay with us, girl.
Hi, All - I haven't been able to check the PT postings for a few days, so this was also a surprise for me. Poor Cinder - she has had some tough times in her life. She's around 13 (Phred had indicated approximate date of birth as Jan 1, 1999).
Thank you Diana for hanging in there and to Carl for all that you are doing to help her through this. I know what a challenge it can be to be a caregiver and have other obligations needing your attention at the same time. I wish I were closer to help with the day to day care.
You can PM me with information about the financial needs – or send me an e-mail (I believe that you have my address). I'm sure that Phred, Bowser and Boots are around, sending positive thoughts and prayers. Thank you to everyone in the PT family who are keeping the prayers coming – I know this would make Phred very happy. We're keeping them coming from over here.
B&L's Mom2 (aka Phred's sister)
Diana,
Thank you for the update. Sounds like you are busier than a one armed paper hanger.;) I am so sorry for
the not only full, but overflowing plate of things you have to deal with lately.I don't wish to denigrate your pastor,
but it seems to me he could show a little more empathy & Christian charity for the yeoman's job you are doing
for him & the church. He sounds new & inexperienced. He needs to realize that people have family & a life
beyond the church.
Prayers that Cinder show some improvement soon. I hope the Vet has some other ideas to help Cinder.
(((Hugs)))
Just checked in for an update. Continuing prayers and good healing thoughts for dear Cinder. And the same for her wonderful caregivers. You're doing all you can and more! Thank you. :love::love::love: Loves from me, Cali and Diego.
I'm sorry to hear that Cinder isn't showing any signs of improvement.:( Lots more prayers and positive thoughts are going out to her and you and your family too. Please take care. (((HUGS)))
Sending more thoughts and prayers to Cinder!
Dear Cinder, I know the vet will be contacted today. Praying there are more steps to take to help you feel better, girl.
Continued prayers for Cinder. I hope she improves.
Continuing my prayers for Cinder and all the hoomans who are helping Cinder!
I replied to the facebook post but just incase you didn't see - please look into accupuncture! If there's a local vet that does it, it's worth atleast getting a console about it. Natural Herbs and accupuncture does wonder for the older pups that have a hard time getting around!
I'm sorry I have been so negligent about responding here. The grandkids are in New York with their father this week so a little of the busyness has been cut down. Although I miss them like crazy!
I took Cinder back to the vet yesterday. I am just so happy that we have such good vets. After we discussed how Cinder was doing, he said "I have been thinking so much about Cinder this week. How could I not? Her symptoms fit one thing but not completely. I am just not sure where to go from here." He wanted me to take her to the Ohio State Medical School Vet Clinic which is where I took Snoopy. It is a very expensive place to take her especially since you all have given me several options to try first. (and he has admitted that he isn't sure they can give me much more help than he has). I just haven't decided where to start. Kay has suggested acupuncture - I don't think anyone in town does that but the vet thought there is someone in Toledo. Amy said Spot has had laser treatments - the only problem with that the vet said is that we need to have a better idea of exactly where the problem area is. And when I went to see him, I didn't take my purse as I have enough to handle and therefore did not have the name of the drug several of you have suggested (Adequan). I did find out later that they have used that - I just don't know if that is a good option or not for Cinder. He said he would support us in whatever we decided to try.
By the way, Phred had already been giving both dogs Glucosamine and we have continued to do so since they have come to live with us.
As an aside that was a little funny, the vet said did you take her to a groomer? Her coat is so pretty today. I laughed and said no, I have been brushing her every night - now she is a captive and can't get away from me because she doesn't like to be brushed. (I think that has changed some because she now likes it when I get down by her and just sit there and brush and brush and tell her how good she is and how pretty she is - there is a few other dogs that think she is being spoiled and aren't so thrilled about the time I give her although a couple of them are much like she was and really don't like to stand still long enough to be brushed thoroughly.)
It is so hard to watch her like this because it came on so fast. Before that everyday as we walked the hallway from my bedroom to the kitchen she would walk ahead of me and keep looking back and giving a little jump like a puppy does when they are excited about going out. I can't imagine her having to live like this the rest of her life.
And by the way, by Phreds timeline she was 13 in January.
With Spot, we started with X-rays to see where the problem was. We knew it was his leg, but weren't sure hip or knee. I would think (though I am not sure) it would be the same with accupunture.
We also have a place by us that does massage and water therapy (it is just off Secor before, you get to Alexis). Ralph has golfed with the owner. Maybe we could talk to them and see if they know anyone that does the accupunture or if they have suggestions.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cincy'sMom
Sounds like a good idea. It would be good to know where the problem is exactly, or what all is involved if there
is more than one thing causing the problem. Can Cinder stand at all?
Oh dear, so hard! I guess you need to figure out where / what the issue is. And with most things, the sooner that step happens, the easier it is to heal / recover.
How is Cinder doing now?
I'm not replying often, but do check on this thread. Cinder is in my thoughts.
I will help with money if an expensive treatment is needed.
Well, I just got off the phone with Nancy (Phred's sister) - she was calling to find out how Cinder was doing and I decided it was time I put it on here. Cinder has degenerative myelopathy.
This is taken from Wikipedia: Canine degenerative myelopathy (also known as chronic degenerative radiculomyelopathy) is a progressive disease of the spinal cord in older dogs. The disease has an insidious onset typically between 7 and 14 years of age. It begins with a loss of coordination (ataxia) in the hind limbs. As of July 15, 2008 the mutated gene responsible for DM has been found present in 43 breeds including German Shepherds, Boxers, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, and both breeds of Welsh Corgis. The disease is chronic and progressive, and resulting in paralysis. The myelin is an insulating sheath around neurons in the spinal cord. One proposed cause of degenerative myelopathy is that the immune system attacks this sheath, breaking it down. This results in a loss of communication between nerves in lower body of the animal and the brain.
Degenerative myelopathy initially affects the back legs and causes muscle weakness and loss, and lack of coordination. These cause a staggering affect that may appear to be arthritis. The dog may drag one or both rear paws when it walks. This dragging can cause the nails of one foot to be worn down. The condition may lead to extensive paralysis of the back legs. As the disease progresses, the animal may display symptoms such as incontinence and has considerable difficulties with both balance and walking. If allowed to progress, the animal will show front limb involvement and extensive muscle atrophy. Eventually cranial nerve or respiratory muscle involvement necessitates euthanasia. Progression of the disease is generally slow but highly variable. The animal could be crippled within a few months, or may survive up to three years or more. This is not the news we wanted to hear. We love Cinder so much and she has been so healthy and to have this just suddenly attack is not what we expected. She is doing a little better than she was - she can now go out by herself but can't get in unless we help her up the steps. However, we don't look forward to what the next months will bring. I will write more in the next couple of days but have to get off now. Please keep those prayers acoming.
I am so sorry to hear this. Prayers for Cinder and your family.
I interviewed an author who had a book on this subject, I will try to dig it up for you. Essentially, there's nothing that can be done to stop the disease, and it is more common in Shepherds for some reason, probably genetics. But if Carl is handy with tools, maybe you guys could build her a wheelchair/cart to assist her back legs. It is a progressive disease, and a lot of research is being done, but there's no reversing it right now.
Here is a link to a drug I have heard of being used sometimes. It worked wonders for a friend's dog. Don't know if it could help you out. Ask your vet about it.
Hope things improve.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bethanechol
More prayers headed Cinder's way...
Prayers for Cinder! This must be so heartbreaking for you. :( Check out Bethanechol that Sasvermont mentioned.
There are also medications that suppress the immune system, which would slow the progress of the disease. My sister had MS, and had regular treatments of prednisone or solumedrol (sp?).
More huge prayers!
I'm so sorry to hear this.:( Lots more prayers and positive thoughts are being sent Cinder's way.