My Goodness....What a week last week has been. I'm so glad to start a new fresh week today!
So as for the bird...we never saw any evidence of it at all again. I mean...come on! I think it is crazy :crazyeyes: that she ate a bird and nothing...nada...in her poo. Not even a feather! How can they digest that...they must have some crazy effective stomach juices in their little bodies. When I read Rich's post about Stormy eating a bird and never seeing it again, I couldn't believe it, but now I do!!
So as for her back and the potential arthritis that our regular vet saw...we saw a Orthopedic Surgeon at the specialty hospital where her neurologist is located. He was really nice and I really liked him! They looked over her whole chart (nice that they already have it there) and the xrays I brought him. I love how they always comment on how big and extensive her file is (that's our Penny...never an easy case :rolleyes:) He completed a very thorough physical exam as well. The conclusion...she is completely fine and normal (well...as normal as Penny can be)! He did see some signs of Spondylosis (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spondylosis) but it is very minimal and extremely common in any kind of dog. He said that dogs can have it all along their spine and never show any symptoms or ever have an ill effects from it. He said it was nothing to worry about and no prescriptions were needed and no further diagnostics. He just said to keep watching her like we do and if we ever see any symptoms (they are the same symptoms that she would have if she were having a neurological problem) to bring her in.
So....$400 later Penny is okie dokie!
a relief, an expensive one, but a great relief, I´m sure. Sounds like you´ve found a great surgeon there too.
Yucky bird incident, isn´t it amazing she could have digested the whole caboozle?!!
I'm so glad to hear Penny is just fine!! :apls:
YEA!!! So glad Penny is okie dokie!!!
Boy I missed a lot with Penny!
a BIRD??? A whole bird? *gack* I agree you would think you'd see SOMEthing in the yard. I'm envious of her digestive system!
Yeah I'm learning stop going to the Docs they just keep finding things wrong or scaring you with things that turn out not to be wrong. :) Same with vets! So glad the news was good on Pennys back. My Dane, Fred, had extensive spondylosis from puppyhood on, his poor spine bridged and thickened so much he ended up with a big pointy hump in his back. He suffered excruciating pain from it until it bridged, then it was more of a chronic pain and stiffer but not the type of pain that had him screaming before that. My vet also told me the majority of dogs over the age of 7 have it to some extent like you said though many will never have symptoms.
I hope you will have a breather now, Penny no more scares or bird snacks OK!!
Quote from: Dee Dee and Hallie on April 21, 2009, 10:44:56 AM
Yeah I'm learning stop going to the Docs they just keep finding things wrong or scaring you with things that turn out not to be wrong. :) Same with vets! So glad the news was good on Pennys back. My Dane, Fred, had extensive spondylosis from puppyhood on, his poor spine bridged and thickened so much he ended up with a big pointy hump in his back. He suffered excruciating pain from it until it bridged, then it was more of a chronic pain and stiffer but not the type of pain that had him screaming before that. My vet also told me the majority of dogs over the age of 7 have it to some extent like you said though many will never have symptoms.
I hope you will have a breather now, Penny no more scares or bird snacks OK!!
I'm right there with you on the doctors and vets...I hate getting so worked up and then it doesn't turn out to be anything. I hope you're doing okay - I was just telling Drew the other day that I was hoping everything was better with you.
Gads Kari I re-read what I wrote...I'm sorry, I hope I didn't make it sound like Penny is doomed to the kind of spinal problems Fred had! (don't you love it when you have something scary going on and someone tells you an even scarier story!!) What I "meant" to imply :) is that the symptoms of spondylosis vary widely and that Fred had a very severe case, which started out as a very severe case (rather than progressed to one). So I would think Penny will never have any problems from hers. I think you and Drew have donated to her vets yacht funds enough for this lifetime! :thumb:
I'm doing OK thanks for asking, I'm still struggling with this stupid stomach thing (I call it gastro-mysterious) I just want it to go away. They haven't diagnosed it yet but it's down to a couple of things they can't do anything about so I'm dragging my feet on getting the last test they want to do done. It will be a several hour thing and I don't want to leave Hallie that long (I have no one I can really trust here anymore to check in on her). Thank goodness for Hallie she keeps me going and laughing LOL. My advice for when our furkids get sick is...stress as little as possible, I REALLY messed myself up from the anxiety over Hallie's problems last year, the others have pretty much resolved themselves but this one is hanging on.
Quote from: Dee Dee and Hallie on April 21, 2009, 11:47:25 AM
Gads Kari I re-read what I wrote...I'm sorry, I hope I didn't make it sound like Penny is doomed to the kind of spinal problems Fred had! (don't you love it when you have something scary going on and someone tells you an even scarier story!!) What I "meant" to imply :) is that the symptoms of spondylosis vary widely and that Fred had a very severe case, which started out as a very severe case (rather than progressed to one). So I would think Penny will never have any problems from hers. I think you and Drew have donated to her vets yacht funds enough for this lifetime! :thumb:
I'm doing OK thanks for asking, I'm still struggling with this stupid stomach thing (I call it gastro-mysterious) I just want it to go away. They haven't diagnosed it yet but it's down to a couple of things they can't do anything about so I'm dragging my feet on getting the last test they want to do done. It will be a several hour thing and I don't want to leave Hallie that long (I have no one I can really trust here anymore to check in on her). Thank goodness for Hallie she keeps me going and laughing LOL. My advice for when our furkids get sick is...stress as little as possible, I REALLY messed myself up from the anxiety over Hallie's problems last year, the others have pretty much resolved themselves but this one is hanging on.
Oh No! I didn't take it that way at all :grin:! Easier said than done on the not stressing part! I am such a worry wart! Other than my parents we don't have anyone we trust either to leave Penny with so hopefully we never go on vacation at the same time! I really hope you get to feeling better and get this diagnosed. We're thinking about you!
Ka-ching !!! LOL - but at least you have peace of mind !!! And having the docs that close is great !!!!
Go Penny !
well, that's the good news/bad news thing.
The bad news of course, is the arthritis in the spine, but the good news (aside froma COMPLETELY digested birdie) is that you have a series of baseline tests to work from should anything (God forbid) happen to her spine.
Looks like you have done yor research and know the warning signs. Remember, though, that the dog only knows two thing: "I feel good" or "I feel yucky." They don't worry about the what ifs and the possible future!! Thatthought has helped me a lot dealing with Loki.
Best wishes for a long, healthy life for Penny. SHe has a great set of hu-parents who love her!!!
DeeDee do you not leave Miss Halie alone when you go to the grocery store the tests usually do not last very long now days. It is good for dogs for us to leave them alone once in awhile. Patches is left in her crate when I go to the store or doctor usually maybe 2 hours tops. If I go with MIL to Indian hospital and will be gone all day I have a Pet sitter come let her out.If winter leave Buddy loose in the house some time I leave him in the back yard Pet sitters are licensed and bonded the one I know lives down the street from me she has some she stays at their house all weekend. Always good to have a back up plan remember when you had to go to the ER was not good for either of you check out some Pet sitters you might find a really good one.
I know I really should get someone lined up but I can't find someone I can totally trust. I know of a sitter and she came and visited and I signed paperwork and the whole thing but when it came down to it, I just couldn't have someone I didn't really know come in when I wasn't here. I have neighbors I could probably ask but again I have silly reasons on each why I wouldnt feel comfortable with them. I rarely go to the grocery store since I mainly drink ensure now but when I do she goes in with me. The test I am supposed to take lasts a minimum of 4 hours and it is a 2 hour drive each way so she'd be alone at least 8-9 hours. You are right though things like trips to the ER aren't planned and there needs to be a backup. I need to find someone and start their intensive Hallie Care 101 training! :thumb:
Kari how is Penny feeling now is she doing OK?
Quote from: Dee Dee and Hallie on May 06, 2009, 02:18:55 AM
Kari how is Penny feeling now is she doing OK?
Thanks for asking ! She seems to be doing fine - back to normal...but you know me...I hold my breath for the next issue that is going to come up :idiot:!
I'm with you with the worrying Kari! You can tell yourself it doesn't help...but that doesn't help either. LOL. I'm so glad to hear she is doing so well!! If nothing else they do teach us to enjoy every minute. Keep it up Penny grrl!
Where can one sign up for Hallie 101 training? :grin:
Kari, I am so glad to hear Penny is okay! YAY! :apls: