Cinder needs Prayers

[Karen]

Does one of the grandkids maybe have a wagon that you could use to help some of the burden until she's more mobile herself? Poor Cinder, and poor Diana!

[lizbud]

Maybe this would help get her around. http://www.dog-sling.com/?gclid=CIK-...FcMQNAodmkMzZg
I had to carry Buddy with just a beach towel & it is not only hard on your back, it very awkward to manouver
witch puts more strain on your joints. I think a lot of Vets use these for their patients.

More prayers for Cinder. I hope the meds help her get to move or at least stand up which would make
moving her easier. Prayers & hugs.(((Hugs)))

[sasvermont]

I think that's how you spell it. I take it twice a day and could not walk without it. I take three 50mgs. in the morning and 2 50mgs. at night. It seems to work for me. I used to take just 50 mgs. at night, but then found I was in lots of pain during the day, thus the increase. I have no side effects from the drug. I know I need a knee replacement and want to put it off for as long as possible.

I would try to max out the Tramadol, whatever the highest would be for the weight and then back it down a bit. It doesn't make me groggy or tired, it just kills the pain. I hope the Vet prescribed the correct dosage so it will be effective.

Keep us posted.

Lots of positive vibes coming your way.

[pomtzu]

Hoping that you soon see some results from the meds that Cinder is taking. My Pom Myndi has much the same issues and has arthritis in her legs and spine. I have had to carry her up and down steps now for a couple of years (she's 16 and under 11 lbs), but she was doing okay otherwise until a few weeks ago when her back legs just wouldn't support her anymore. I got her right in to the vet and she put her on Tramadol - 1/4 of a 50mg tablet twice a day - and I saw an immediate improvement. She can't take any anti-inflammatory meds because of GI issues, but she has been on the gluco/chrond combo for several years now. I also started giving her massages as Freedom does with Marlin, so between that and the Tramadol, her legs are keeping that little butt of hers from hitting the ground.
Prayers going out to Cinder from me and The Fuzzbuttz here in Delaware.

[Alysser]

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

[Pinot's Mom]

I'm just seeing this, I'm sorry. Yes, prayers from here, too! Poor baby...

Are there any other symptoms? How is Cinder today?

[gini]

Diana, let me be blunt and open.............so we can do the same.

Do you need some financial help here? Just let us know.

Gini

[Freckles]

How is Cinder doing now?

[Taz_Zoee]

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.

[4 Dog Mother]

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.