My worst fear

[Jeri]

Dee Dee,

We're sending rays and prayers that Hallie recovers quickly, and this is the last time it ever happens to her.

Jeri and Kevin

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

Roberta I have been researching Bowen and found some places within a couple of hours from here. I wish I could find one closer but we might consider this once she's not to be confined quite so much. I would do an MRI (I can afford anything for Hallie, I would sell the house if I had to) but at this point it's not warranted. We did an MRI with Fred and it was really hard on him. Hallie's symptoms are pretty mild yet so I'd hate to put her through that. I did discuss it with the ER vet though. How did they determine Olivers was muscular and not disc? I have been wondering how they can tell. This vet was sure it was her back by the way she showed pain when she palpated down her back.

Thanks Mack, Hallie sends kisses back to Willy!!!

Thanks Jeri and Kevin, I know you guys are going through such a dark time right now and I have been thinking of you!

Hallie is feeling quite good today I think. It's hard to really evaluate as I am not allowing her to run around, but I get the feeling she would like to and that she could. She slept good last night and even came under the covers with me for the first time. She is sure she's being starved to death. I cut her back some so she won't gain weight with no exercise. It is so awful not to be able to take her out for our daily walks and training sessions! But I'm just so thankful she's doing ok. I had a scare a bit ago as I was putting her into her crate, she shot back out and jumped her front paws up onto my chair as she does when she wants me to pick her up (I can see I have some training to do there once she is better). So now I'm worried sick over that but hopefully it did no harm.

I talked to two vets this morning and am waiting to hear from the neurologist just for another opinion. Overall I'm happy that she's doing so well.

[Sandishooligans]

This sounds like an excellent progress report.  I'm continuing to send those dachsie rays your way.  Let's hope it was just a muscle thang.

[Rich]

It sounds like a good report on Miss Hallie.  We're following your bulletins closely and hoping that this is something muscular.  Keep on posting.

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

SHe is still doing well I think she thinks there is nothing wrong. She might be a little stiff/sore (maybe) but she is better than at first and perkier. The neurologist called today and scared me to death, they want to see her next week and maybe do an MRI and things, I didn't want to put her through that unless necessary and she is looking so good right now. So after talking to some other vets and Delia helped connect me up we decided not to do that right now, if she is still doing good and I expect she will, we will cancel that appointment for now, next week. I just don't want to do anything invasive or traumatic unless she needs it, Fred had a really hard time with the MRI so I'm leery.

So even though I'm still a wreck, the good and pertinent news is Hallie is still doing quite well. She pooped today on schedule and is peeing fine, she took two trot steps on our way back to the house as I went to pick her up, she stopped as soon as I told her to but I was glad to see how willing she was to do that. When I set her on the floor her tail wags, eyes bright, ears perky and I'm sure she would run into the living room if I let her. Her worst thing right now is she's in her crate at my feet making her quiet little "monkey noises" (ooh oooh ooooooooh) becuase she wants out but if that is our worst problem I'm more than happy!

Thanks for all the support, this is an all too common problem with our guys.

[Leslie]

what meds is she on?

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

She has been on metacam and is doing good on it but I do have a prescription coming in for pred.

[Suzie]

Well nuts. Cannot believe this, my heart just stopped when I read the post title.  Glad she is doing better.  Maybe the Vets have a better protocol for MRI's now...You are both in our thoughts.  It just doesn't make sense!  There isn't a trimmer, more fit, better protected pupper!  Rotten, rotten, rotten.  The Boulder contingent sending all the rayzs they have.  Tried to call a bit ago, will try again latter.  Miss HBB, you can't give your Mom the whimwhams ever again (and your Aunties and Unkas).  Sloppy kisses from all the boyz.

[hildiesmom]

Hi DeeDee,

I'm so so sorry you're going through this will Hallie. Goodness, been there, done that... I've had two dogs go through this, the most recent my Maggie... believe me when I tell you, I never thought she'd ever go down. Sometimes it just happens and there is nothing you can do about it. It is frustrating to be sure.

That said, let me tell you to not panic! Oh sure, you're saying, Right! Not panic? You've got to be kidding! No, really... from what I know (and I've been doing this for over 15 years) and from what you've said about Hallie, I think you are doing everything right.

I'd like to echo what Jen has said though... (she did mention to me that I needed to pay attention to what was going on here) and that is that you should prepare yourself for a good 4-6 weeks *minimum* of crate rest. I know she's told you which supplements to use, so I won't repeat those.

I do think you should get her on an anti-inflammatory (the pred) as soon as possible. De-compressing the spinal cord (reducing the swelling) is the thing that will promote healing more than anything at this point. If you add some supplements (Vitamin C, Fish Oil, Glucosamine) you will limit other damage at the injury site and promote healing. If you really want to be proactive, I highly recommend acupuncture, if there's one near you, because it stimulates healing at the site of the injury, and for most dogs really relaxes them. My Maggie LOVES going to see "Dr. Pincushion"! LOL And she is a dog who does nothing that is not on her own terms.

Don't let the Neuro vet panic you. It really doesn't sound to me that you need to spend the money on an MRI or myelogram just yet. If you've still got good function, and you haven't got a dog who has lost deep-pain sensation, then IMO you are not at the point that you need to put the dog through that. Both of those things require anesthetizing the dog--and honestly, they are not going to tell you all that much, unless you are ready to pursue surgery. And let me just say, having been through this twice, that if it were me I would not be doing anything but crate rest, steroids, supps, and acupuncture just yet. I simply don't think you're there yet. I personally wouldn't do the MRI until you give it a few more days on crate rest to see how it's going. I'm thinking at least through next week, unless she suddenly becomes worse. From what I hear you saying, things are improving, not getting worse, and that's what you need to see.

I know how scary this is, especially when it's your "heart dog". My Maggie was shown (and won) only about a month prior to going down... so I do understand how much of a shock it is. She was retired from the show ring in 2004, but has recovered (after surgery) and rules the roost with an "iron paw" so to speak--I'm sure that Hallie will do the same. I don't think you've reached the surgery decision yet... and I'd tell you honestly if I thought you had... so hang in there, and crate rest, crate rest, crate rest. Crate rest is your friend!  (She will not die from crate rest... even if she tries to convince you that she will!)

Relax a little (yeah right!), have a Margarita, and settle down for the "long haul"! Lots of us have made us through these long crate rest periods. You and Hallie will too.

E- me if you need anything, or Jen can give you my number... you're doing fine... hang in there...
MaryAnne
tealdachs@mac.com
http://www.tealdachs.com

PS--I don't think you've come to the point where you have to *totally* retire her from the ring... but you will have to think long an hard about *any* jumping... so probably Open/Utility are out. (Been there, done that with my sheltie--retired short of Utility due to spondylosis...so even non-dachsies have that issue!) Still lots of "low impact" sports you can do. I have a friend whose dog got his TDX *after* back surgery... so it *can* be done!

[Merion]

Sending HHHHHHH's  & PPPPPPPPP's for Hallie to feel better soon.  Hope it is just the muscles since the two of you seem to enjoy the training and competition so much.  Sure hope you will be able to do some of it again.
Merion & the ZZ's

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

Thanks Merion and Suzie...Suzie how did I miss your call? I must have been outside heaving from nerves or something!  :verdict: I'm whooshed right down to my socks hopefully we'll get some sleep tonight.

MaryAnne thank you so much for writing this all down. Jen told me how knowledgable you are on this (as is she) so I am glad you wrote. It sounds like you have been through the mill as well. Glad to hear it's all been a good ending! Need to keep hearing that.

Hallie is doing well again today but she scared me a bit ago, she seemed very restless and when I got her out of the crate to check her she acted like she was worried and wanted to hide. I sat with her and she eventually settled and fell asleep. I am wondering if she didn't have a bit of nausea from the metacam (have to wait 2 days before starting pred). I hope that was it rather than some pain. She is in the crate asleep right now.

She has been on fish oil, vit C and glucosamine (Cosequin) most of her life so that is already in place. There is not an acupuncturist close to us, the closest I know of that's any good is over an hour away and I'm afraid to take her in the car anywhere yet (what if a fender bender or?) But I am totally open to that.

I totally agree with you on the MRI and/or myelagram. I don't think she's needing that at this point either. It's good to hear you say it though and also I don't think she's a surgery candidate at this point. I have an appointment at the neuro for next Thursday that I dont' think we really need but I will keep through to next week just in case. I am hoping we don't need it! She really is looking very good and I dont' see signs of pain (not counting whatever that few minutes of restlessness was earlier that scared me.) She can shake herself and when I take her out to potty, when she poops I am standing right there ready to pick her up the second she's done because if I don't she will kick her back feet out behind her as usual so she's feeling good enough to do that.

Good to hear about Maggie. I am trying to be brave but boy today was rough, even though she is doing very well it does scare the crap out of me because I just can't imagine being here without her. She's my little angel. Relax...LOL I'd be totally smashed drunk right now if I didn't need my wits about me for her sake.  Me and Margarita could be very good friends...

I am being good about the crate rest. I do get her out as often as I can and have her lay next to me with my hands on her (she is not one likely to get up and take off, she is good about staying but I still am sure I only do it when I am not distracted and actually have my hands around her).  When she looks very bored I will also carry her outside and just hold her and let her smell the air, etc. The vet said that was fine but if you dont think it is please say so. I try to keep her very horizontal. I also have her harness on when she pottys.

I'm trying to not panic too much and say "no more competing" although at this point I could happily fall into the life of an agoraphobic and never leave the house with her again. Amazing how ecsatically happy I was three days ago, and one minute can make you no longer care about anything you enjoyed. (a little sleep and I will stop talking gloom I'm sure :)). My last girl (standard longhair, Jessie) had her UD and 44 OTCH points....and surgery at age 4. So I had already decided when I got Hallie NO jumping. So never planned to take her on to open or utility or advanced rally, etc. We have our RN and one leg on our CD and as of 2 weeks ago, our Schutzhund B title. I just worry about the way she heels, she is very animated, and her head is straight up looking at me, and she just prances... I just wonder if that is good for her little back. Tomorrow was to be our first time in the breed ring, I have registered her with the NCA where you can go for a breed Ch with any dog ineligible for AKC registration (they have to be altered). Hallie loves the fru fru and that is something maybe we can do. I am just so out of my mind with worry right now I can't look ahead to the future. But great to hear your encouraging words thanks so much for writing.

[Barb]

dd - glad to hear that Hallie seems to be feeling ok.  The meds may have given her a tummy ache.  Take a deep breath and relax - HA you say !!!!  I know - much easier said than done.    You are such a great mommy and are doing everything you can for your baby - just take one day at a time.  R&R for both of you !  We are here and are so glad for the updates - keep them coming and we will all continue to send those doxie rays and prayers to Hallie and you !

  from another town in Texas  (I KNOW you are getting lots of support from the Saginaw area !!!!!)

Take care of you - get some rest !

[Roberta]

Remember another thing. You still have her, missie and you will find something else to do, but she will still be there. I personally like a good red or single malt.
Hugs...
roberta

[lotsodachs]

Dee Dee,

I have known you for quite some time, I came here after losing my membership with Dachsie.org, I e-mailed them and asked to be reinstated they replyed with the answer NO. I had to create a new account because I could not remember my old account name and password. I will tell you that you are doing everything correctly. However we have had Modem have soreness and she had baby asprin and recovered nicely. We have recently had Molly have soreness in her neck and she is on prescription medication from our vet. Both are fine to walk. I left Molly down when I take them out to do their business, and she walks through the yard, when she is ready to go back in the house she comes to me and I pick her up and carry her up the deck and into the house. My point is it may not be the worse thing to let Hallie walk in moderation. Do what you think is best for Miss Hallie but exercise is necessary at some point in the healing process.

[KathyP]

DD...will be keeping you and Miss Hallie in my prayers...bless your hearts. I know how upsetting this must be to you. You love your little girl so much. You take such super good care of her that I know she will be ok in the end.
Sending you hugs on the anniversary of your dad's death...that is so hard.