Smokey, Phred's lil grey FurPup, needs PT Prayers for his bum knee

[Cinder & Smoke]

Pain Relievers ...
There are loads and loads of sites on this subject,
Pros, Cons, it gets mind boggling.

Agreed.

I'm of the mind to continue with the 30 days of Rimadyl
(75 mg split into two doses per day) -
till we determine what the problem is and develop a treatment.

I'm reminded of the theories that both of the "older" Vets that looked after
First Shepherd Casey proposed to treat her early-onset Arthritis in her hips.
Both Docs were of the "old school, country Vet" mindset, and both advised against
using the "new, high-powered" pain relievers to eliminate "discomfort".
They both preached that reasonable pain (or discomfort) was the body's only way
to warn that an activity was more than said body could tolerate, and to stop or
reduce the offending activity. TOO Much pain relief turned off the "warning" message
and suggested to the Dog that nothing was wrong. Without any pain "warning",
the Dog was very likely to overdo his/her activity level and begin causing
permanent damage.

It seems to be a fine line between pain relief and excessive de-sensitizing.
I need to be able to draw that line for Smokey ... I can't stand idle while he's suffering
with constant pain; but he also needs to know that he has limits that must be heeded.

It's not going to be easy to slow down my lil Jack-Rabbit wannbe.

THANKS Again for all your expressions of concern and Good Wishes.

/s/ DogDad Phred, "Gimpy", and Cinder.

[lizbud]

Agreed.



It seems to be a fine line between pain relief and excessive de-sensitizing.
I need to be able to draw that line for Smokey ... I can't stand idle while he's suffering
with constant pain; but he also needs to know that he has limits that must be heeded.

It's not going to be easy to slow down my lil Jack-Rabbit wannbe.

THANKS Again for all your expressions of concern and Good Wishes.

/s/ DogDad Phred, "Gimpy", and Cinder.

One thing I would advise though is to not let him do any more jumping
up & down off the bed. That's got to be even more damaging to his knees.

I know how hard it is to watch them every minute, but I'd try to eliminate
any added strain if you can. Does your Vet want to wait & see before
making a decision on a operation for Smokey's knee?

[Logan]

Gosh, I'm sorry to hear that Smokey is ailing, but I know that you and the vets will do the right thing for him. Please give him one more gentle hug from me, please.

Logan

[Randi]

Yes Phred, it's difficult to draw that line, but I agree that it's probably not good for Smokey to jump around too much, it's very likely that he'll overdo it, if there's no pain warning.

I'm keeping you and Smokey in my thoughts. How's he doing today?

Take care!

[gini]

Phred, first off, I am so sorry to hear that Smokey's knee is causing him trouble - and you, a great deal of worry.

It seems to me as I follow your threads - that you are always pretty busy - helping out the neighbors - tracking down a pup that is injured and going to the vet with the pup. Is it any wonder that you may have missed the sign from Smokey on any given day?

You ARE a GREAT DAD to Smokey and Cinder - you always have been.

You are getting excellent advice on this board - and also from your vets - let's just hope that Smokey is comfortable with the medication and that he will improve.

In the meantime - many, many {{{{hugs}}}} for you. Don't forget to take good care of yourself during all of this!

[Husky_mom]

I just got to read the whole thread.... I´m so sorry Smokey is not doing good... my heartfelt wishes for a recovery... hoping in the best way possible...

hugs to you... don´t be harsh on yourself... it could´ve been anyone of us...

we are here to support and help you...

keeping you all in our thoughts....

[Cinder & Smoke]

After 5 pill-days ... Smokey would probably say "I'z jest PHINE!"

A bit of a fib, but not too much of a stretch of the overall truth.

* He hasn't *yipped* in pain since Thursday
* He's back to standing up quietly, and lying down with his characteristic *FLOP*
* He hasn't missed a meal or a treat
* He *put up with* Miz Molly (BIG Foot) from Unka Pat's & Miz Joan's Ranch -
Cali & Molly spent the weekend with us whilst Mom & Dad did a family reunion.
"Putting up with Molly" involves repeated invitations to play -
Molly delivers her play invites just like Smokey does -
with the Nose PUNCH into the invitee's ribs. *oooof!* ...
And the occasional Full-Body SLAM.
When he REALLY didn't want to be bothered by her, he'd either hide between my feet
or hide under the BigBed - a space that's a bit 'tight' for Miz Molly.
--------------------------

I *AM* trying to limit his Jack-Rabbit running & jumping ... but since he LIVES for those
activities, I have to try to not break his spirit while still guarding his knee and leg.
He seems to be self-regulating like he did as a youngster when his knee was bothering him ...
He'll just ever-so-slightly *tuck* the bum leg and only let it make ground contact to
help with turning and balancing. When he takes the four front steps in one flying leap,
he does tuck the leg and only lands on three.
We won't discuss how he manages to start in a SIT behind Cinder (who ALWAYS
goes first) and PASS her on the landing two steps above the basement on the way down.
Maybe I should start sending him down to the Bus via the front steps and the yard.

We're supposed to *wait* till September 6th - but I'll be calling for an appointment
with Doc B on the 2nd - when we get home from the Findlay Gathurin.
We'll take more X-rays to determine if things are changing in the knee.

>> Your wonderfully Kind thoughts, Prayers, and suggestions are APPRECIATED!!

[Taz_Zoee]

I've been keeping up on Smokeys progress. I am glad he continues to improve each day. Way to go Smokey.....and Phred!

[zippy-kat]

One thing I would advise though is to not let him do any more jumping
up & down off the bed.

Sounds like someone needs to put on his carpenter hat and build a ramp up to the big bed! No jumping on or off and dog still in the bed -- a win, win situation!

Continued thoughts and prayers!

[lizbud]

Sounds like someone needs to put on his carpenter hat and build a ramp up to the big bed! No jumping on or off and dog still in the bed -- a win, win situation!

Continued thoughts and prayers!

Might not need the hat & tools. I just thought of the stairs I made for
Buddy after his surgery. Glued together 2 inch styroform slabs to made
steps & used wide enough slabs that the stairs wouldn't tip over. (used 2 slabs per step)
It was super light weight but worked great getting Buddy in and out of the
car.

How's Smokey been feeling? Hope the meds are still keeping the hurts
away.

[Cinder & Smoke]

Might not need the hat & tools ...

How's Smokey been feeling?
Hope the meds are still keeping the hurts away.

SmokeMuttz here ...

The ole gimpy kneebone an leg are doin purdy *Phine* since I been gobblin
the lil candies Dac B sent home wiff me. GOOD Stuff!

Now 'bout this 'Step Idea' ...
I telled Dad, since I hardly use the big konkrete steps sittin between da yard anna
frunt porch, the probability of me usin steps tween da floor anna BigBed
were purdy near slim ta none.
But Dear ole Dad hadda **idea** ...

He's had a big, round, padded, (UG-lee gold color) foot-rester thingy that's been
sittin inna living room and then unner the dining room table since affore I got here.
Guess whut's takin up space inna Bunkroom now?

We had "Step Class" inna bunkroom last nite ... whadda circus dat wuz!
He moved dat stoopid foot thingy all around da BigBed ... I musta been told UP and DOWN
a hunnert tymes ... managed to *miss* da foot thingy almost ebery tyme.
He tried ta get Cinners ta 'show me how' ... she jest looked at him wiffa
'are you kra-ZEE look' and side-stepped da stoopid thingy.

I s'poze we'll be trippin an stumblin ober that foot thingy till Daddy-O furgetz
it's there some nite an does a header tryin to get to da baffroom at oh:dark:thirty.

Now iffin I had a Rocket-Pack ... bed jumpin mite be even more *phunn*!

Hoomins ... whudd'le they think of next?

/s/ SmokeMuttz - the sometymes Gimpy Wun

[lizbud]

Hey Smokey, good to know that your dad's way ahead of me in
his thinking of ways to make you comfy. take care sweetie.

[cassiesmom]

SmokeMuttz, how's your knee? I hope it is much better, so you can have tons of fun at the PT Dog Park Picnic.
One of your many fans,
Elyse

[momoffuzzyfaces]

I just saw this. I'm so sorry but so glad Smokey is doing better. Lots and lots of prayers flying from here. The kats all have paws crossed too.

Smokey, take it from someone else who has a bum knee, accept all the help you can get. You'll feel better in the long run!!!

[Ginger's Mom]

LOL, wish I could have witnessed the "step class."

Hey, not a bad idea there, Smokey, you don't need steps to help you get up and down, you need a rocket pack to power you up and down. I like it.