Saturday, October 22

Oberon and Jack

Miss  161

Well. Oberon is happy. Playing. Eating. Not falling, but ... he's "wobbly." His movement are not deliberate and strong like Izabella's. When he gets on the sofa he falls into it with a loud thud. When he walks his foot falls are super loud. Yes, Iz is much younger, but I'm comparing the Ob I saw before all this happened to the Ob I've been observing all week. So I'm eagerly awaiting Monday's laser appointment.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Since our last visit to Dr. Beckett, it's been a great two days. Oberon has not fallen, not panted (from excessive prednisone), and not listened to me. He acts like an empowered 8th grader. Perhaps I've spoiled him somewhat since he became ill. Today's visit was great as usual. Cold laser for 5+ minutes. In the car with no stumbling, no tripping. Quiet ride home. But at home he would not get out of the car. It took 3 tennis balls, one raw hide chew and 37 minutes. Hmmmm. This is not the first time that he's needed coaxing to get out of a vehicle once home. Ideas anyone?

Monday, October 10, 2011

What a happy Columbus Day! From the minute he awoke, Ob showed a non-ailing side. He was like the Oberon of last summer. Alert, agile, playful and mischievous. Through the large glass door facing the south woods he spotted a circling hawk (or vulture) and cheerfully barked. I let both dogs out for their morning thing and Ob stared into the sky lifting his head and bending his neck backwards. Looked painless. He engaged Izabella in play doing that play bow thing, and chased her around the house. And even grabbed for my new fuzzy slippers when he came back to the house.

The minute he saw me take his halter from the peg by the door he was eager to go. He stood by the car waiting while I took care of a few last things. Getting in and out of the Mustang is no longer a problem. He whined during the ride to South Glastonbury. Maybe he was singing. I need to get one of those collars that interpret dog-speak. If anyone has used them, send me a note.

He was squirmy at the Vet's today.  He loved the laser the first time, but since he's been moving his head from left to right, appearing not to enjoy it. Maybe it's the goggles. He's worn goggles with the top on the car down...just for effect. Today was his 7th laser treatment. He slept on the ride home and now he's sitting on the coffee table watching leaves fall as I blog outside on this beautiful day.

October 8, Saturday

Today Oberon is exceptionally puppy-like. He's gone through the garbage, taken all of Izabella's toys and barked at the fire works coming from somewhere west. He gets on furniture easily .... yes, I allow that. He does his business easily without stumbling, and does not fall down while turning or on wood floors. His gait is different from 3 months ago. He used to walk and run silently as if on air barely touching the ground. Now his movements are loud and somewhat rough. But he moves and doesn't fall and is happy as am I. Pretty good, huh?

Friday, October 7

Around 10:00 AM Oberon went and sat next to the car. Guess he was ready to go. Anywhere. Today's ride was less articulate than yesterday's. He made much less noise. I wonder how much of the distress is the narrow, cramped "back seat" or can it be paint or is it excitement. Today's weight was 103. Pretty much regular plus or minus one pound. Lucky Dog!

Laser was administered by Dr. Webb today. Ob looked great in his goggles as we did in ours. Treatment was 5.5 minutes. The trip home was short. I'm staining my deck this weekend. No dog park. Sorry Ob. Again he's lounging on the sofa happy not to be wobbling anymore. Next appointment Monday.

It's 7 PM. He shook his head and rattled his ears Doberman style and took Izabella's toy away from her. She stood silently and watched wordlessly. Ha! Is that a Dobie with a serious problem in his neck? Great Day. Except for the staining.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

ObDobe

Ob cried all the way to our 11:00 appointment. He even reached for me with his giant paw. When we got to South Glastonbury he immediately calmed down and wanted to go see the sheep. We walked along the side of the road littered pleasantly with black walnuts. A very unsteady walk yet he did well. I tripped twice.

Black Walnuts -
The Wild Vegetarian Cookbook

I wonder what it is about sheep that makes Ob so interested and so calm at the same time. Should I get sheep?

Inside he started "zenning" out right after the first needle. Ob is the poster puppy for acupuncture.

Based on his physical exam etc. it was decided to decrease his prednisone to 10mg every 3 days and to continue with laser 2x a week rather than 3x and acupuncture 3x a week.

He's sleeping next to me after inhaling his supper and I am terribly grateful to Dr. Beckett and his wonderful staff for lifting this part of my life.

A Different Kind of Day

On Wednesday our appointment was for 11 AM. Ob was pretty mopey all morning. I had both dogs in the family room with the door closed because my mother's care giver fears dogs. One can see into the room because it has glass doors. Alina actually noticed first that he looked out of sorts. Normally he would at least stand up when he saw me or her through the door. When it was time to go he gave me a hard time over the halter. Didn't want to put it on. I said the magic words, "Want to go for a ride?" and he let me put the halter on. Ob had trouble getting into the the car today. He fell. I had to help him by lifting his butt. He whimpered all the way to Glastonbury, about a half hour ride. He sat like always butt on the seat, rear legs sideways, front legs on the floor, but today he tried to rest his head on the passenger head rest. I think his neck hurt.

He was unusually squirmy during the 5 minute laser treatment. Got back into the car with no problem, and did not make a sound the entire ride home. Hmmmm. Big difference.

Last summer at the beach without Izabella.

I'm wondering if I perhaps do too much with him going to the park and all. Or maybe Izabella is too rough. This morning for the first time in a long time she tried initiating play with Ob by jumping on him. I stopped it of course, but maybe ....  Ugh.

Tuesday, October 4

No vet appointment today, so we went to Bicentennial Park ( the dog park), walked the path 2x, went to Subway for a veggie delight and home. No issues with getting in or out of the car. Ob always eats his meals, always ...  He's such a good dog.

Monday, October 3

Off to Glastonbury for a cold laser treatment after a long long walk in the park. I used my iPhone app to measure the distance. We go a little over a mile each day of up down rugged path. I can tell he wants to be off leash. Too many variables. Deer, other off leash dogs, folks fearful of big dobies. It was a great day. No problem getting in and out of the car at all.

Ob loves the sheep on Dr. Beckett's property. I do too.

Arkansas Connection

I wrote to Lesa telling her about the laser. Checked back after midnight and there she was on VetTv talking about laser procedures on dogs and cats. Actually showing videos of treatment and pet parents telling of how well their dog has responded to laser treatment. It's a great site : http://vettv.net  This was a good weekend for Ob. He ate like a horse, went to the 150 acre dog park (on a harness and leash) twice each day and did not exhibit any signs of pain.

One big problem , the one that led me to seek help, is the problem of descending stairs. Sunday afternoon I took him to the golf course. At one end is a pavilion on a hill where folks can have picnics. It can be accessed by 20 concrete stairs or by going around, through the woods etc. We went around. Played in the little stream, then I let Ob to the top of the stairs not breaking stride. He didn't hesitate to go down. So.... why isn't he able to go down the stairs inside the house? The problem must be more psychological than physical.

Also all through this "event" I've been closely watching "how" Ob gets in and out of the car. There barely is a back seat. I disengage the passenger seatbelt and move the seat way forward. The first several trips to South Glastonbury he appeared to trip over his own legs getting in. He also appears to not be able to get into a comfortable position. He sits rather like a person front legs on the floor butt on the seat sideways. First several trips he fell getting out of the car. Sunday's park excursions Ob had no car issues. In and out like a pro.

Friday Live

On Friday walked the entire perimeter of the dog park. 150 acres of up, down, and squirrel inhabited before our appointment. Ob showed no signs of "wobblers." He's gotten used to the harness yet command (tug/release) from a choke collar hasn't transferred. I think my right arm measures 5 inches more than it did at the beginning of this week. He still stands in that sloping coyote stance, but has not fallen even on my slippery hardwood floors. When we came home from the vet, he engaged Izabella in play, ate (inhaled) his supper like a horse and took to the couch at 7 PM. He's still on 10 mg of prednisone every other day.

Saturday Ob and Iz watched while I sanded the deck. Exercise, food, play, and activity was moderate.

Sunday Ob and Iz decided to investigate the CT State Fish Hatchery. It wasn't such a good idea. I now have poison ivy on my ankles. The dogs had a great walk, no poison ivy. Oberon looks and acts so much better. Our appointment for another laser treatment is at 10 AM tomorrow. The situation with Oberon is so hopeful. 

A Midsummer Night's Tale

Oberon, a Delta therapy dog, suddenly became frightened to descend the stairs. On July 8, 2011 he refused to leave the bedroom in the morning. At first he just sat at the top of the stairs, then after a while he howled. I used all kinds of treats and promises. I needed to get ready for work and couldn't leave him there for 9 hours. So I carried my 110 lb Dobie down the stairs. Oh, Oberon is 7 years old. 

I don't remember previous trauma. He either works with me at the hospital or stays home, inside. He's never left alone. 

I took him the the Kensington Bird and Animal Hospital, his regular vet on Tuesday because I noticed his hind legs were oddly positioned ... spread apart and his posture was different. He had that German Shepherd "slouch" or maybe I should liken it to the slope of a coyote.

So the GP vet suggested a neurologist AND a cardiologist ... she detected a murmur not evidenced before. OK ....

The neurologist strongly recommended I have him evaluated by a cardiologist because "treatment" surgically or chemically would involve his heart. This neurologist suggested Wobblers or trauma.

Off to Tufts. Tufts cleared Ob. His murmor was not grave. We started 20 mg prednisone 2x a day.

I phoned my Dr. C at Kensington and we talked and talked. She suggested I pursue an approach that was the least invasive. I decided on an MRI. The MRI showed a cervical  cyst. The Dr. C and I spoke  again. In the meantime I lost my job. Position eliminated. So now my best friend is sick and I have no money.

Dr. C put Ob on 20 mg of prednisone 2x a day. She suggested again that I look for alternative treatment. Alternative to surgery. My research showed surgery was not often successful taking into account his age and most important the location of  the cyst.

So I kept hunting for alternatives on my Mac.

I found Dr. Beckett. His practice was near. His first acupuncture treatment was on August 9. He also gave Ob Chinese herbs. 


Beckett & Associated Veterinary Service

With each acupuncture Ob appeared less "wobbley" less stressed. He followed me upstairs two times and wasn't able to come back downstairs and had to be carried. The prednisone has been decreased over this time to 10 mg every other day. Dr. Beckett then suggested cold laser. He recently acquired a laser


Companion Laser Therapy

On September 27 Oberon had his first cold laser treatment. I dropped him off at 1:30 PM and he was ready to go home at 3:30 PM. It usually doesn't take this long. The laser company was teaching Dr. Beckett's staff to use the laser.

While driving home he sat in a twisted position. Looked terribly uncomfortable. Tiny back seat. 15 minutes from home he started stressing audibly. But when we got home he was fine. 

He tried to engage Izabella, 2.5 year old Dobie, in play. ate all his food, drank adequate water, and went to his couch. Ob appeared fine.

September 28, the next day was our second laser treatment. He couldn't get in the car fast enough. He seemed to enjoy the treatment that lasted just a little over 5 minutes. I was present. The laser was a tool much like an ultrasound hand held device attached to it's own computer. Everyone in the room wore goggles even Ob. His treatment consisted of gentle massage to his neck. I could barely see a light, there was no sound, and I was told that Ob would just feel warmth. 

After treatment I took him Bicentennial Park, a dog park he enjoyed 2 years ago. He totally recognized it. I kept him on a harness and leash. We walked about .5 miles. It was very humid. Ob was panting. Pred panting? Heat panting? 

Drove to another another park with a clean brook. He walked in the water. Again something we haven't done in several years. This time when he tried to get into the back seat of the Cobra he fell. Seems his hind legs just didn't have the strength. I truly blame myself. Too much, too soon. 

At home he engaged Izabella in play. Even teased her with a toy. Inhaled his supper and took to his couch.

Tomorrow we'll do a short walk with lots of rest stops and try to rebuild Oberon.  His lower lids are droopy and slightly red, but so perhaps are mine. What a day. 

I don't know how to begin to thank Beckett Vet in South Glastonbury, CT. Dr. Beckett, Dr. Webb, the staff, the sheep, et al are truly holistically  healing us both. 

Next laser appointment is Friday. September 30. Tomorrow is another day.