Nothing Else They Can Do

[RallyValley]

What size are dogs like French Bulldogs and Boston Terriers? They could be more 'manly' small breeds.

[Kissindra]

I'm glad he's happy in and of himself, hard not to be with such loving family around him

Just a thought - there are people who make individualised aids for people with disabilities, the sort of stuff which is never mass produced because it is usually for an individual need or situation and has to be designed from scratch. Maybe someone like this could help with designing and making a brace for Charlie?

My friends dad used to do this, if you like I could ask if he might know who to get in touch with.

[Jed]

That's not good news. If he was my dog, I'd go to see a naturopath - Robert McDowall in Sydney maybe, to see if there is something which will help the bone to regenerate --- or try Chinese medicine. Sometimes, alternative medicine helps where traditional fails. I don't suppose it is skeletal scurvy is it? I would have thought he was too old - but don't know enough about it.

Other dog - bigger than Charlie would be problematical, and livelier would also be a problem - so a terrier wouldn't be the go

I am also voting for a Cavalier, and from one of the "old" quieter lines. And of course, from a reputable breeder with suitable lines. Plenty of cavs do agility etc, and do well. Maybe the oh could pretend it is a Newfie? Or a rottweiler?

Wish I knew more about min pins!! Maybe that could be an option, but I think maybe they are too active ......??

[W Sibs]

PS - what IS it with men & "macho" dogs?

I have no idea. when my boyfriend said that, I burst out laughing... it's a fact in our relationship that I'm more manly then he is. he is the one in the kitchen baking and I'm the one at the garage servicing our cars!

LuvMyCav... I will pass on the message to the boyfriend from Charlie and Leah!

thanks everyone for the kind words. Charlie is awesome.. so it's very easy for the boyfriend and I to look after him. he is just so good and happy, that's impossible not to feel positive around him.

[W Sibs]

That's not good news. If he was my dog, I'd go to see a naturopath - Robert McDowall in Sydney maybe, to see if there is something which will help the bone to regenerate --- or try Chinese medicine. Sometimes, alternative medicine helps where traditional fails. I don't suppose it is skeletal scurvy is it? I would have thought he was too old - but don't know enough about it.

Other dog - bigger than Charlie would be problematical, and livelier would also be a problem - so a terrier wouldn't be the go

I am also voting for a Cavalier, and from one of the "old" quieter lines. And of course, from a reputable breeder with suitable lines. Plenty of cavs do agility etc, and do well. Maybe the oh could pretend it is a Newfie? Or a rottweiler?

Wish I knew more about min pins!! Maybe that could be an option, but I think maybe they are too active ......??

That's another option we can look into... it would be very interesting to bring Charlie into my mum's chinese doctor and see what his reaction will be, when I ask him for his suggestions!

[Loraine]

I am so sorry that Charlie now has ot live with this problem. It is quite amazing how dogs will adjust to things. I applaud you and your BF for you ongoing and determined care of Charlie.

[W Sibs]

I am so sorry that Charlie now has ot live with this problem. It is quite amazing how dogs will adjust to things. I applaud you and your BF for you ongoing and determined care of Charlie.

Yeah. I find it really amazing too how fast he accepted what he has and move on. Not sure if he fully understands or know... but he isn't at all bothered by stuff we don't let him do. He just goes off and do something else.

[corvus]

my boyfriend heart set on a finnish lapphund (he loves kivi - corvus's dog). me... i think i will be happy with any breed! lol

Aww, isn't that funny. My OH likes Charlie very much, too. Sorry to hear everyone has drawn a blank. It must be so frustrating.

FYI, my corgi, Penny, had back troubles when we got Kivi. She was a bit sturdier than Charlie, but she was old and already arthritic. She had a degenerate disk up just above her shoulders. Kivi never touched her if she didn't want to be touched, but Kivi is about the most submissive dog on the planet. Penny made it clear when she didn't want to be messed with and he respected it. It was hard on him, though, because he really wanted to play with her and snuggle with her and towards the end she wouldn't let him anywhere near her. I think we were extremely lucky with Kivi, because he had endless tolerance and patience for Penny.

I'm pretty happy with Erik as a small dog. He's short and portable, but he's very outgoing and drivey and he's tough. He doesn't think twice about doing all the things bigger dogs do. He loves big dogs! He's like a Kelpie in a smaller, stocky body. He's definitely the kind of small dog a man can have without feeling silly. Also, he looks like a short wolf. He's very solid and muscular for his size, though. Lots of little dogs feel intimidated by him. He is their height, but they can see he's considerably heavier and stronger.

Big hugs to Charlie. Hope he can come to some of our future beach parties.

[Sheridan]

Honestly, I would be wary about getting another dog at all. If Charlie is ill then another dog could stress him out and make it worse. When my last dog was sick, he just wanted to be left alone.

[W Sibs]

my boyfriend heart set on a finnish lapphund (he loves kivi - corvus's dog). me... i think i will be happy with any breed! lol

Aww, isn't that funny. My OH likes Charlie very much, too. Sorry to hear everyone has drawn a blank. It must be so frustrating.

FYI, my corgi, Penny, had back troubles when we got Kivi. She was a bit sturdier than Charlie, but she was old and already arthritic. She had a degenerate disk up just above her shoulders. Kivi never touched her if she didn't want to be touched, but Kivi is about the most submissive dog on the planet. Penny made it clear when she didn't want to be messed with and he respected it. It was hard on him, though, because he really wanted to play with her and snuggle with her and towards the end she wouldn't let him anywhere near her. I think we were extremely lucky with Kivi, because he had endless tolerance and patience for Penny.

I'm pretty happy with Erik as a small dog. He's short and portable, but he's very outgoing and drivey and he's tough. He doesn't think twice about doing all the things bigger dogs do. He loves big dogs! He's like a Kelpie in a smaller, stocky body. He's definitely the kind of small dog a man can have without feeling silly. ;) Also, he looks like a short wolf. :p He's very solid and muscular for his size, though. Lots of little dogs feel intimidated by him. He is their height, but they can see he's considerably heavier and stronger.

Big hugs to Charlie. Hope he can come to some of our future beach parties.

Awww... my boyfriend is going to read this and will want one even more!

I love Erik, he sounds like a character!! ;) So much personality and completely fearless!

But, he will definitely be too much for Charlie to handle.. ;)

We will try to make the next beach party...

Honestly, I would be wary about getting another dog at all. If Charlie is ill then another dog could stress him out and make it worse. When my last dog was sick, he just wanted to be left alone.

Actually, Charlie loves other dogs (especially puppies). When he was having a bad day, the only thing that perked him up was when his best mate, a beagle, comes over for a visit. they just lay around and snuggle... it very cute. I wouldn't consider getting another dog if I thought it will harm or stress out Charlie out at all. I know it would be harder then normal to have a puppy around with Charlie. But, when the time comes, we are all ready to put in all the work to do it to make sure that everyone is happy.

We are thinking stage at the moment. When the time is right to get another puppy... then we won't mind waiting for the right one to come

[Quickasyoucan]

I would second looking into natural remedies. I was sceptical about acupuncture till I tried it, best thing I ever did. I think it can really help with pain management.

[Jigsaw]

So sorry to hear that there's nothing more to be done for little Charlie. Is there any research on humans with vanishing bone disease that you can look at or can you contact human drs about it? Definitely try some other routes like chinese medicine, acupunture, may give him some relief if nothing else.

Have a look on THIS website for handicapped pets. A plethora of harnesses, wheelchairs, bootees, braces for our pets!

[W Sibs]

So sorry to hear that there's nothing more to be done for little Charlie. Is there any research on humans with vanishing bone disease that you can look at or can you contact human drs about it? Definitely try some other routes like chinese medicine, acupunture, may give him some relief if nothing else.

Have a look on THIS website for handicapped pets. A plethora of harnesses, wheelchairs, bootees, braces for our pets!

Answer is no. They don't know enough about it... some of the treatment they use on human is very extereme for Charlie (who is treated as a human toddler).. like radiation treatment. that's a bit too much to put a pup through, even when they aren't 100% sure it would help him.

ohh.. thanks for link. i'm going to have a look!

[poochmad]

Along with other DOLers, I have been someone following Charlie's diagnosis threads from the beginning. I'm very sorry for you that the news is not what you hoped.

I agree with Poodlefan, matching Charlie's temperament, size and activity level to a small sized dog like a Cavalier is a good idea. I also understand your reasonings behind thinking of getting another dog for him; I'm sure DOLers on here can attest that an elderly dog's activity level (and zest for life) increased when a young pup was introduced.

However, should you choose a larger dog, can I suggest that you get an older dog (many breeders have dogs for good homes all the time), that way the dog's activity level would be pretty obvious and you will be able to know exactly what you are getting. Although I recommend a smaller dog with a similar temperament, a lot of large dogs are very calm as well.

[Sheridan]

Honestly, I would be wary about getting another dog at all. If Charlie is ill then another dog could stress him out and make it worse. When my last dog was sick, he just wanted to be left alone.

Actually, Charlie loves other dogs (especially puppies). When he was having a bad day, the only thing that perked him up was when his best mate, a beagle, comes over for a visit. they just lay around and snuggle... it very cute. I wouldn't consider getting another dog if I thought it will harm or stress out Charlie out at all. I know it would be harder then normal to have a puppy around with Charlie. But, when the time comes, we are all ready to put in all the work to do it to make sure that everyone is happy.

We are thinking stage at the moment. When the time is right to get another puppy... then we won't mind waiting for the right one to come

It's amazing how dogs very quickly get over other dogs, especially puppies, when they're sick.

[Simsim]

Accupuncture sounds like a potentially good idea. They can do stuff which blocks nerves which cause pain. But I don't know about Chinese medicine. Chinese medicine is very well honed for PEOPLE and Charlie is not people... As well all know ppl and animals metabolise things in very different ways. So I would therefore be wary about feeding Chinese medicines to dogs... unless of course you know of a Chinese herbalist who knows what's good for dogs and what isn't etc. I haven't heard of anyone who does this but that isnt' to say that there isn't anything out there. Also, if you do end up going to a Chinese herbalist, make sure that theyre GENUINELY understanding you. Language barriers can cause massive problems and being Chinese myself, I know the tendency in the Chinese culture towards smiling and nodding when they actually have no idea of what's going on... One more thing. Chinese medicine is often not for the queasy... there is all kinds of junk in there... for example... ground up cockroaches... *shudder*

Best of luck with Charlie, he looks like such a sweetheart and is very lucky to have a mother like you.

[Ons]

I'm really really sorry to hear about Charlie devastating

I'd look at a cavalier too. Your OH best not tell my dad that they aren't men dogs - Dad and Mum have Katie and Kyra Cavaliers and Dad, a non dog lover, adores them especially Katie who follows him around constantly whilst he is gardening. Cavaliers are really sweet and seem to be settled when you are and active when you are, may be ideal for Charlie.

[W Sibs]

Honestly, I would be wary about getting another dog at all. If Charlie is ill then another dog could stress him out and make it worse. When my last dog was sick, he just wanted to be left alone.

Actually, Charlie loves other dogs (especially puppies). When he was having a bad day, the only thing that perked him up was when his best mate, a beagle, comes over for a visit. they just lay around and snuggle... it very cute. I wouldn't consider getting another dog if I thought it will harm or stress out Charlie out at all. I know it would be harder then normal to have a puppy around with Charlie. But, when the time comes, we are all ready to put in all the work to do it to make sure that everyone is happy.

We are thinking stage at the moment. When the time is right to get another puppy... then we won't mind waiting for the right one to come

It's amazing how dogs very quickly get over other dogs, especially puppies, when they're sick.

Noted. Thank you. I will keep that in mind

[Jed]

That's not good news. If he was my dog, I'd go to see a naturopath - Robert McDowall in Sydney maybe, to see if there is something which will help the bone to regenerate --- or try Chinese medicine. Sometimes, alternative medicine helps where traditional fails. I don't suppose it is skeletal scurvy is it? I would have thought he was too old - but don't know enough about it.

Other dog - bigger than Charlie would be problematical, and livelier would also be a problem - so a terrier wouldn't be the go

I am also voting for a Cavalier, and from one of the "old" quieter lines. And of course, from a reputable breeder with suitable lines. Plenty of cavs do agility etc, and do well. Maybe the oh could pretend it is a Newfie? Or a rottweiler?

Wish I knew more about min pins!! Maybe that could be an option, but I think maybe they are too active ......??

That's another option we can look into... it would be very interesting to bring Charlie into my mum's chinese doctor and see what his reaction will be, when I ask him for his suggestions!

I would also try a good naturopath - which is why I suggested Robert McDowall. It seems, from what I understand, that Charlie's system is not absorbing/using Vit D and/or calcium. Therefore the simplest answer would be to get his system to do that - sounds easy - but it's not, although it may be possible. It's not something vets learn, so I wonder about a naturopath to try to get his system to work.

[casowner]

Take a look at this site, I have used their products with success for a broken vertebrae on a joey, one for seizures and my little dog has had success with the Congestive Heart Failure formula. I don't advocate natural medicines normally but these have really helped me lately, when I was told there was no hope

Holistic Animal Medicines Degenerative Spine

Edited February 25, 2010 by casowner