Kelly_Louise

Thanks kiwigirl - she'll sure get a load of those!!!

Thanks Loraine, yes it is a very long wait. I just want her home so she can relax... I hate to think she's frightened of what's going on. Should be home soon - she went in at 8.30ish this morning so she's almost done her time!! Results tomorrow... not sure whether they come in early or late though. Feels we are forever waiting - I wish it was more simple and we were doing something to make her feel better already.

Great news on Dida's check up Man... just shows what alot of love and care can do for a dog's health!! I think you have played a big part in her miraculous recovery. These diseases can be so unpredictable... on deaths door one day, but when on medication they can be absolutely normal and happy. I'm sure that Dida will continue to stay strong with the support of both yourself and your partner as loving owners, and the ARH who are fantastic and very thorough. Very glad you've had such good news Man, hope it continues. I loved the pic of her in Chloe's cushings thread - Dida is such a lovely and smiley girl... it's hard not to adore her!!!

Shy is not the word - shameless is more like it. Just like Chloe, likes to flash his bits around. We do tend to humanise these situations - my mum did especially, but realistically it's kind of like a human child having surgery. Yeah, you feel bad that they will feel pain and not understand why - but it's for the best, so we do things to ensure they are comfortable and know their limitations. It's a few weeks of confinement, but the end result should be back to a fairly normal life... and once that day arrives, the last few weeks are forgotten to the pooch - they don't hold a grudge or feel sad about the 'time' they have lost... they just get back out there and resume as if nothing had happened. Although the post operative care seems long and scary, the reality is that it's not as bad as it seems... and it's not cruel etc as some people think that it might be. Ohhh, I wish I had time for a massage... one of these days!! If OH loved me as much as my puppy dogs did maybe he'd give me one!!! LOL. I'm sure if they had opposable thumbs they'd do it themselves Thinking of taking some much needed holidays soon... start some work on Sasha and some of her issues and generally spend quality time with my babies.

Wow the physio sounds great - and I'm sure it will be a massive benefit for him!! Sounds like everything is exactly on track, and you should take most of the credit for that HH!! It's a tough gig, and you've done marvellously. As for the incidents - well they are inevitable, no matter how well prepared etc you are!! They are very unpredictable creatures, just when you think you've got the routine down pat and start to let your guard down a bit, hey presto here they are doing all the things you've desperately tried to avoid them doing... and looking mighty proud of themselves for doing so (while your mind goes into panic and you start to think of all the things that could have possibly gone wrong)!!! Little buggers. Looking back now, although surgery seemed so scary - if you are prepared etc it's not all that bad, and the dogs don't really 'suffer' as such do they? They cope amazingly well, kind of like a human going through surgery... I could do with a bl00dy massage...

Thanks mate - I hate leaving her for the whole day. When I was talking to the vet yesterday, I thought I might try to suss out how she is when we leave her there (ie, copes fine, is anxious, upset etc)... I didn't want to be direct cause I'm not sure I was ready for the answer... so i just threw into the conversation that I wanted to take her in early to get her out of there as early as possible as I feel she might 'fret' in there for so long. He had a little chuckle and said 'i think you might be right'... OHHHHHHHHHH, why did he have to say that? Now I feel she must get very upset . But it is for the best, and I know the nurses etc in there are very good with the animals and try to be as kind and gentle and reassuring as possible. Poor girl. Hopefully once she's back on meds she will remain fairly stable for a while again and not require testing too frequently...

Final urine analysis in today... no infection present Means the long 8 hour cushings test tomorrow for Chloe - poor girl she frets so much. You'd think she'd be used to it by now Bless her brave little heart. So tomorrow we find out if it's the cushings returned (likely) or that she has diabetes insipidus as well (would be rare and very unlucky). The sooner we know the sooner we can start her meds and she can feel better.

That's all anyone can really do... in these situations it's always best to have a specialist opinion and get as much information on all the different options, success rates and compatibility with each dog to find the best solution.

Your original post did indicate that a dog would need to be confined for 6 months due to the cruciate injury. I, along with others that have chosen to go down the surgery route, did not want you to mislead people. While it's great you've given an alternative and had some success with it, doesn't mean it will work for everyone or suit each dog's circumstance. Many people have had fantastic results with surgery, particularly on larger dogs. Some have tried alternate methods and had success also. It should be more about what best suits the dog and circumstance, rather than what we think in our opinion should be the right way. I'm glad you have stopped your dog from jumping... with any kind of scar tissue build up, muscle strengthen solution it renders the knee still fairly unstable and allows the injury to re-occur if not careful, as there hasn't really been any change other than the muscles have been built up to help support the knee. The simple answer to your threads question though is yes, sometimes for best quality of life our dogs do need to go under the knife. Not always best either, but sometimes it is.

Awww thank you kiwigirl - that means an awful lot Chloe does have that ability to melt you - she does it at the specialist hospital too, they all love her. I think it's her gorgeous grey face, and her courage and heart. But I agree there is something very special about an old dog... Thank you for your support - it's lovely. Let's hope I can come on here and post about Chloe for many more years to come ;)

Thanks for that Loraine - great idea. I spoke to mum who has a good friend who runs a pharmacy - I told her to ask, you never know... any possible saving would help :D And thanks for your support - I know I panic alot but i can't bear the thought of losing my girl just yet, or her suffering. The thing about this disease is that every experience is different and unpredictable... so you never know what to expect And being our first time through it all is tough on us all. Spent a lovely lazy afternoon with Chloe today. She is drinking and urinating quite a bit, but not necessarily to the point that it's drastic. She does seem a bit dull, but funny how she perks herself up for the things she loves. When she saw me from the backyard she raced the entire length of the yard, up the steps and straight up on me But she's tiring easily, so we had a nice lie around, tummy scratches, back scratches, and of course... a tonne of kisses and cuddles, and she wanted me to hold her paw all the time. I don't know what my mum will ever do without her, Chloe is her constant shadow... nothing makes Chloe happier than mum pottering around the backyard so she can follow her around while mum chats to her, brushes her, pats her, shows her interesting things. It's quite a lovely sight.... So is Chloe following my 91 year old gran to the freezer, just hoping that she might drop something that she can scoff. So my lovely old girl is hanging in there... bit slow but the fire is still there.

My girl isn't that small so she would need six months to recover fully from having one leg done. Six months is not generally needed for one leg - both legs maybe, but not one. Chloe had hers done, she was older so her bones healed slower - and she did not need 6 months per leg. I've not personally known a dog that needed to be in recovery for 6 months for one surgery, more like 3 months per leg. I would seek another vets opinion should your girl ever become lame again. Please don't discount surgery as an option should it ever come to that - the results can be amazing. But I'm glad it's worked out for you guys and you have been able to avoid surgery. No one wants to put their babies under the knife, but I guess it's the results afterwards that sways people. It may not be for everyone, but I felt surgery was the best option for us and would recommend it with the fabulous results we've had. Thank you for introducing a new alternative for people to investigate Many may benefit.

Exactly, and chances are if the dog is jumping 2 metre fences - the injury will most likely flair up again at some point. It might also damage the meniscus, and once that is damaged to a certain extent can be EXTREMELY painful for a dog (even more painful the the torn ligament) and requires surgery to be removed. Personally, I'd rather pay the money and have the surgeries done (and I did and she was out of action for 9 months) and have a more permanent, more stable solution. But that is just my preference. I hope your girl continues to improve and stay so mobile.

Thanks Man, good advice! Chloe also likes mandarins, but mainly just the seeds Although they are checking to discount an infection, the specialist doesn't believe that she has one... basically he wanted to test it just so he could definitely rule out that it could be anything other than the Cushings disease return. But, I must say, if it was just an infection I'd be a very very happy girl - a treatment of antibiotics is much cheaper than her Cushings medications!!! :D I think Chloe will be going into the ARH very early on Tuesday morning for her test - will be an all-dayer so I hope she doesn't get too upset. They are so lovely there that I know they take special care of her (and she is such a frequent guest they all know her well and greet her as if she was the only customer they had ). I hope you get some good news on Monday and they are happy with Dida's progress... I'm sure they will be she seems like a very happy girl in those pictures.

Oh thank you Man - that is too adorable!!! Gave me a good chuckle!! Just heard from the specialist and all the bloodwork came back really really good - actually he was very impressed with all the other levels and her general condition. I can't tell you how happy that made me, brought a little tear :D So just waiting on the urine analysis results - and the verdict is that it's most likely the Cushings returned as everything else has been ruled out, and he doesn't think that there was any infection in the urine (but test still to confirm that). The only other option he said it could be diabetes insipudus (sp?) but he said it would be VERY rare and unlucky if she was to have both Cushings and that form of diabetes. So if the urine analysis shows no infection by Monday, she will be off for the very long Cushings test to definitely confirm that it's the Cushings returned - and determine what dosage meds she should go back on. So at least there doesn't seem to be any nasties. I'm disappointed that the Cushings is back - however I'm stoked with how happy he is with her condition, and said that apart from the Cushings everything seems to be very much on track and working well. Yaay Chloe.

Still no news yet... I might try again - just don't want to seem too pushy (but when it comes to my Chloe I am :D ). Wow that is a MASSIVE saving on your boys meds - IF ONLY Trilostane could be bought cheaper elsewhere - even for a pensioner (like my Gran) they can't be bought any cheaper (and I'm sure you understand why I've tried that ;) ) Does your little guy have issues with his ears, or does it just come and go? My patience is quickly running out today

Still waiting for him to call me back hun, I think the specialist is in a consult. The day has gone fast, and yet waiting for these results has seemed like a month... :D I actually have quite a bit of faith in the specialist and his gut instincts, he's very good and I trust him alot. Bless him he drew a picture and tried to explain what he was thinking yesterday to my dad (who I doubt understood a word of it - I'm usually the translator ). He does try very hard to make sure that we understand what is going on, why and what is required and expected. He also understands that the financial burden is great, so tries to do what he needs to do with the least amount of testing/costs, but without compromising Chloe's health. Still, it doesn't make the 'official' verdict any less nerve wracking...

Great news! Actually when I read your post I'm thinking 'is it that time already'... I'm still living back in Thursday That is a fantastic result so far - really can't ask for much more can you? The hardest part is kinda over. I too would only use the sedative if I've exhausted all other natural means and entertainment ideas. Might be good for them to give you some in case of emergency - but yeah can't keep him on those all the time (although it would probably be a hell of alot easier :D ) Best of luck at the physio today - will be eager to see what kind of exercises etc they do, cause we didn't go through all of that. Great job HH and Asher YOu've both done very well!!

Thank you all for your support. As long as Chloe continues to cope with her Cushings (if that is what the tests show) then we will push on. The thought of having to let her go was killing me I'm not ready to say goodbye yet... but I guess we never are right? Praying that the specialist is right tomorrow and it's confirmed...

Well Chloe's specialist has called me - he does not have the official blood/urine results as yet - but he believes that it is just the Cushings coming back. Which, even though not ideal, is good news for us. Cushings we can kinda deal with. Still not official, but he said he gave her a very thorough examination, checked her all over and is happy enough with his initial view that allows him to believe it may be just her Cushings flaring up again, and he does not believe she has diabetes. Can only keep fingers crossed that's all it is. Thank you to so many of the lovely people that have sent messages of support - I appreciate it more than I can say, as does my old girl Chloe for all the prayers. :D

I guess that it depends on what you need the information for. If you want the xray results just to confirm if your suspicions are correct - then I probably wouldn't and just keep managing him as best you can. When Chloe blew her cruciates she would also change her favoured leg, perhaps one gets sore from taking all the wear and tear for the other after a while? If you want the results to make a decision on his future, then yes I would consider having them done to see the extent of what you are dealing with. That's how I would look at it, hope it helps

Dida looks fantastic, what a miracle!! Here's hoping for further good news ahead. Sometimes our furry friends can really amaze us with their strength and tenacity. I'm really very happy that you've had such a great result Man and Dida.

Thanks hun... the problem is, her eyes are more than prepared to fight because they don't know what lies down the track, and because if I asked her to she would. And I don't want her to experience that. I know there will be some good days, but there is no miracle that will turn back the clock and make her well again. A good result from the tests would be miracle enough for me. Even if it's just the Cushings back (and the original test was incorrect), then we'd keep on going. At the moment a positive result would make me happier than winning lotto. But we are not giving up yet - I guess I'm just preparing myself for the possibility that we may have to consider what's really best for her.

Damn it HH, just got into work and im in tears again... but thank you for your words. Not sure I can tell you what they mean. I did alot of thinking and soul searching all day/night. There were many tears, more than I can say. There is nothing I wouldn't do for my girl, honestly. I'd spend every last cent I had. She has never let me down once. Through all her health issues, we've given her every chance - she's taken it, marched on stoically and sometimes even conquered it. I couldn't be prouder of her. And I know, whatever the result today - should I give her a chance she will do the same thing - fight on till the very end. She would do that for us, I have no doubt. But at the end of the day, the result today could mean another of her organs affected, and endanger others. If the result is not what we are hoping for, then it could mean the beginning of a slow decline for my beautiful old girl. It could mean more frightening tests, more up and down health. We can delay it all with meds and she could have many more good days... but the one thing I never want is for her to experience an organ failure or severe health trauma as an inevitable result of these diseases, or have some good days and have an horrific end. I don't want her to feel more pain or fear. She doesn't deserve that. I can't tell you how horrifically hard it is for me to even consider this, but I do it because of my unconditional love for a dog that has been my loyalest friend, and family member for the past 11 years. I feel I owe her that for all she has given us. So depending on the verdict today, I feel ready to make the right, and tough decisions for Chloe. I will weigh up all the options, and what will serve her best. Sometimes you have to realise when enough is enough, and I can't keep asking her to fight battle after battle for our sake. I know she would, but I couldn't live with myself. All I can ask is that you pray for a good result for my baby. She has the courage to see it through, she just needs some luck to come her way.

Thank you both Loraine and Glenda for your support, it means a great deal to me Let's just keep all fingers and paws crossed for some good news tomorrow. Can only hope, and take it one diagnosis at a time...