Cinder needs Prayers

[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

[Freedom]

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!

[Pinot's Mom]

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

Yes, do please let us know.

[Laura's Babies]

Prayers from us here in the deep south for Cinder, may a full recover be just around the corner!

[ChrisH]

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

Yes, Diana, please do. I am sure there are many of us who would be happy to chip in whatever we can. {{hugs}}

Prayers and healing thoughts continuing.

[lizbud]

Any news on Cinder? I don't have a Facebook account so keep checking here
for any news.

[4 Dog Mother]

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.

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!

[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.