Lady at the vet

I had already started Lady on some meds (Rimadyl and Doxycycline) when I got her home on Friday so I wanted to get her to the vet as soon as possible to make sure we were on the right track.  I called and got an appointment for Monday afternoon. 

She was happy to go along and she didn't seem the least bit fearful or anxious.  They took a blood sample to check basic organ functions and the like.  The vet said that xrays would be interesting but probably wouldn't change our course of treatment, so we skipped them.  She didn't think it was likely to be hip displasia and said that Lady had good range of motion in her rear legs and that she didn't seem to be painful.  There is obviously a neurologic problem; she just doesn't have much control of her back end, and it could be due to DM or severe spinal stenosis (arthritis).  Her spine doesn't seem to bend or flex and it could be that the vertebrae are fused.  Whatever the cause, there isn't much nerve signal getting to the legs and hence her lack of control.  There also really isn't much to be done about it except keep her as comfortable as possible for as long as possible. 


Lady seems happy and content.  She even trots around a bit when she's out in the yard and Clay saw her rolling on her back in the grass.  I take her out with Vince, but not to the dog yard with the others because she would just get knocked over too much.  A good breeze could tip her over it seems and it's really nothing short of amazing that she gets around as well and as much as she does.  She sticks around really well and I don't think she has any interest in running off.  I can carry her upstairs easily enough, but we are encouraging her to stay downstairs with Bremo and she seems happy with that. 

We will have to wait and see if she puts on some weight now that she's getting food.  She certainly has a good appetite and I'm feeding her twice a day.  No one thinks that putting her through the heartworm treatment is a good idea.  We will put her on the monthly Heartguard.  Her heart and lungs sounded normal to the vet at this point.  We will keep her on the current meds and have added cephalexin for a skin infection and gabapentin.  I'm also giving her some doggie vitamins.  It may be time to mix up a batch of satin balls. 


Lady is a good, good girl.  She is grateful for everything you do for her; she gets up to greet me every time I come into the room; she gives a nice kiss.  It's like she's channeling Gypsy and Emmylou both.