Tubby's having a bad night :-(

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Just so you guys know, I'm not going to post on every minor up or down Tubby has, but tonight he is he worst I've ever seen him.

It all started this morning. Remember I said that as long as he's right there for his treats every morning I wouldn't worry? Well, he wasn't there this morning. He was laying in one of his favorite spots and wouldnt' come, so I picked him up and carried him to the kitchen for his medicine and treats. He only nibbled at his treats and didn't even look twice at Peanut's - highly unusual. When he went to walk away, it's like his back legs wouldn't work correctly and he stumbled a bit. I picked him up and carried him to the bedroom for a drink of water then put him on the bed. He stayed for a bit, but then jumped down and stumbled back to his purr pad where he started the morning - and that was where he was when I left this morning.

When I came home, he did get up to greet me, but again his back legs weren't working right. It's like he was tripping over himself. He did beg while we had dinner and even ate what we gave him - whew! I checked the litterboxes and he had been in them and used them, and the food downstairs had been nibbled on, but I can't tell if that was T or P. So after dinner he stumbled to the back door to go out in the garage, which is normal, but made me so sad because it's like his mind still wants to do what he normally does, it's just that his legs aren't cooperating.

After we were out in the garage for a bit, I carried him upstairs to snuggle for awhile. Well, he wanted nothing to do with that and only wanted to get to his little bed, which is where he is now, fast asleep.

It was even so bad that Terry - who never notices anything like this - made the comment that Tubby was having a tough time of it tonight and is moving a little slow.

It's unusually warm and very damp around here, and I'm hoping it's just the dampness that's making his arthritis flare up? Does that sound right for those of you with arthritis yourselves? I did give him a baby aspirin this morning but can't see any benefit of it as of yet. Hopefully it will kick in and kill some of his arthritis pain. Any other suggestions anyone may have are more than welcome. I just don't want him to hurt. He was perfectly fine and acting completely normal as recently as yesterday.

I just feel so bad for my big boy.

[Jods]

I'm sorry Tubby's having such a bad day... I know a girl that has arthritis in her knees and it acts up when its raining. I hope this is the case. Get well soon TUBBY!!

[prechrswife]

I'm sorry that I don't have any helpful advice. Hopefully someone will know more than I do. Watching a pet age can really be a tough experience. I hope Tubby will have a better day tomorrow.

[jenluckenbach]

No real advice, only {{{{HUGS}}}} for you both and prayers.

[slick]

Oh Debbie, I'm crying as I read this. Poor little Tubby. I sure hope it's just the arthritis and nothing else serious. Could he have just jumped down from somewhere and pulled a muscle? I'm sure that's what happened to Max recently because he was walking the same way for a couple of days, then it cleared up by itself.

I still have his picture up at work here so before I leave to go home I'll give him a kiss and a scritch along with lots of prayers that he gets better soon.

Email me anytime you need to talk.

{{{HUGS}}}
slick
xoxo

[cubby31682]

I am so sorry to hear about Tubby's walking troubles today.
I can say though from personal experence that my arthritis kicks it in over drive before it rains, during and after. When it snows out, I can feel it really bad. There are days that I don't want to get out of bed because of it. And truth be told I have had a hard time walking because of mine. My knees will go out because they hurt so bad and I can't stand to stand on them. I hope that this is a one or two day thing for Tubby. Good luck with him.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Thanks everybody. He's still sleeping, but has switched positions about 4 times - almost like he can't get comfortable.

Slick, I keep forgetting about Max doing that and I guess it's possible. Tubby normally sleeps with me at night but gets up before I do, so it's possible when he jumped out of bed he strained something.

Cubby and Jods, thanks for the insights on the arthritis. I remember hearing stories like that so that's what I was hoping it was. Jods & Cubby, is there anything you do when it flares up bad? Like, if I put a heating pad under his bed, would that help or will that make it worse?

And thanks to everyone for the good thoughts, prayers and especially the hugs. I need them right now.

Oh, and Peanut is being a very attentive little girl tonight. I'm on the computer doing school work and she hasn't left my side all night - not even when her daddy came upstairs. It seems she can tell I'm upset and wants to assure me that she's doing good and is her bouncy sweet adorable self - so look at me meowmy!

[Jods]

Yes, heat does help my friend a lot... She has one of those heat up rice bags you put in the microwave and she also stays off it for a while... So I guess if this is what it is rest and heat will help, but I guess it would be hard to keep him resting... Hope he's feeling better by tommorow...

[QueenScoopalot]

Poor Tubby. I hope it's only a touch of athritis, and not anytihng serious. If I recall correctly he's on Cosequin isn't he? A heating pad set on low, and covered by a thick bathmat, or padding may make him more comfortable. I hope Tubby feels better tomorrow. Give him a kiss for me. On the lips!

[sirrahbed]

sorry Tubby is having such a bad day. I know it is very hard to watch and wonder what hurts and why (((HUGS))) Hope tomorrow is *much* better! Rain is always so hard on arthritis - even mine

[rosethecopycat]

The stumbling part makes me think of something neurological rather than arthritis.
Does T have a DX of arthritis already?

I'd think an Xray of the spine may be in order. Something pressing on the spine to make him lose control.
Does he have any problems controlling his functions?

If it is arthritis, there is a drug called Metacam but it MUST be carefully dosed!

[AmberLee]

{{{Debbby}}} -- adding your family to my prayer list.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Thanks again everybody. Terry just had popcorn and Tubby loves to have popcorn with his daddy. But he didn't even hardly lift his head. I took a piece over to him and he didn't want anything to do with it.

Rose - The vet never did an x-ray, but felt his spine and prescribed Cosequin and baby aspirin for the arthritis. He's usually ok, not as fast and spry as he used to be, but not stumbly and listless like tonight. So far all functions are working ok, and I will continue to closely monitor them. The second I think it's too long in between trips to the litter box, he's off to the vet - even if it's 2:00 in the morning!

Thanks Jods and QSA for the advice on the heating pad. I'll get it going for him and hope it's just the weather.

And thanks again for all the prayers, positive thoughts and hugs. They are needed and appreciated.

And yes, QSA, right on those little black lips!

Oh, and I'm off to bed now, so I'll let you all know tomorrow morning how he's doing.

[dukedogsmom]

I so hope he's feeling better tomorrow. I would take him to the vet asap to see what's wrong. He's not very old, is he? I hope it's something simple and can get him back to his old self.

[jazzcat]

((HUGS)) to both you and Tubby!!! Prayers on the way that Tubby is just having one of those off days (like we all do now and then) and that he'll be eyeing Peanut's treats in the morning and sharing daddy's popcorn tomorrow night.