CJ, just a thought about the ear thing. I've had numerous punctured ear drums and when they heal, they itch like mad. There was also a really loud crackling sound everytime I would swallow. It doesn't hurt, but it's really annoying. Vince may be just reacting to the normal healing process...

Hugs to you guys!!

--Kel
(PS, thank you and Betty for your kind thoughts and words... my neighbor's son has gone through surgery, but they are saying it's not looking good for total recovery ...)

Hey Wendy, yes, when she did it she said it should take two weeks to heal, which apparently is has, the hole anyway, so this last vet said.

The flashlight is great for seeing in there but his ears are huge and although I can't see anything in there, I also can't see where this hole may have been. So I'm totally at their disposal on this one.

I haven't been in to see my vet through all this (other than him initially finding the grass seed in there) and I know he's capable of dealing with this type of stuff. I'm going to give it a bit longer (I promised Vince no more vets for a while ) and see if it doesn't clear up on its own. They say there's nothing in there and it's supposed to be healed.

And yeah, when you live life with guns - hunting, target practice, hobbies...they get pretty casual, pretty quick. And not that they're anything to be casual about, but safety practices become second nature - much like owning dogs, a way of life.

And well... yeah, they can be an incredible way to add a layer of personal protection not to mention, put a stop to a whole lot of "worrying" that may otherwise occur.

We both got such a kick out of that "Old Lady" post, however factual it was or not, it sure added some simple words to our practices.

 Quote: Kelly

CJ, just a thought about the ear thing. I've had numerous punctured ear drums and when they heal, they itch like mad. There was also a really loud crackling sound everytime I would swallow. It doesn't hurt, but it's really annoying. Vince may be just reacting to the normal healing process...

Kelly, you may just have something there. He does it in the morning, pretty much right after he eats. Has done this from the morning after it was punctured. And often after he relieves himself. Maybe those quiet moments where he's quite relaxed, it's more noticeable.

And he will very purposely get up from relaxing, come over to me and shake it quite hard. I haven't noticed it when we're out exercising though, doesn't seem to bother him at all. So what you're saying, with your experience especially, may be exactly what's going on for him.

He can be a pretty sensitive guy in the wierest ways. Something you think should be causing a lot of pain is nothing, and something that should be nothing, kind of bugs him. Interesting.

And Kelly, I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. Prayers are being said.

Just got a call from the vet that has been treating Vince. Really wasn't expecting that but we had a great follow up.

She said very limited exercise for the next few weeks and absolutely no jumping up on anything. She's almost 100% sure we're dealing with a herniated disc. He's had some really quick response to the prednisone, which she left short purposely to test this specifically.

She said if he has the slightest deterioration I'm to call her and they'll get him back on another round. What we're looking for right now is scar tissue to heal it.

The chances of it resurfacing are quite possible in the near future if he is to injure it again, in any way. She said leash walks only.

She was actually a bit concerned about the bump too because it wasn't there previously. I explained what the other vet did and she said if it gets any larger or if there's any sensitivity to also call her immediately.

She had nothing for his ear but I mentioned Kelly's theory and she said that's probably exactly what's happening.

Sheila, you were right. A few conversations and no more stilted communication. She actually seems really concerned and has his best interest at heart.

CJ I wonder if the bump you have now noticed on Vince's back was in fact previously obscured by inflammation and now that that has reduced from the Prednisone treatment, it has become visible. Another in tandem thought is that the vertebra at that point has become slightly out of line..slightly twisted.

So great to hear of the progress made...don't be alarmed at the time it may take to heal....you'll be surprised after a few months how the progress adds up, however slowly it may seem to be happening on a day to day basis.

 Quote: Lisabet Measures

...Another in tandem thought is that the vertebra at that point has become slightly out of line..slightly twisted.

That's what I think too, my dog has this when he hurts himself.

You know its funny, my dog is short backed (more like long legged + steep croup) and Vince is long backed. I have always thought my dog's short back (and steep croup) made him more prone to injury as well...esp when jumping and turning.

I have just had another thought CJ. After a recent spinal injury sustained by my horse I hired a "laser shower" for three months. I had not previously heard of their use but I understood that they were used on the track and I thought well, anything that improves and increases the rate of recovery sounds good to me, so I got one. I understand that they are frequently used in hospitals too, though the intensity of the infrared differs.

Later on, I learned that the "laser shower" has been generally replaced by a "laser blanket," at the track. I guess that giving each horse a twenty minute treatment every day was not as convenient as putting on the blanket!

I do not know if there is a doggie equivalent on the market that you could follow up on!

Hey guys, it's been a few days. I was corresponding with a few of you behind the scenes here and if anyone is interested in any of that, I'd be happy to forward the information to any one, just let me know.

Happy to report that Vince is doing well though. It seems the weakness has been fairly stable this last week, at what I would consider, a very functional level. Thursday morning he seemed to struggle, just a little bit, at getting up. He could have been really relaxed though, but not him at all and I highly doubt it. He's just always "ready" and even thru all this, albeit quite crippled up initially.

But he gains his legs quickly and looks almost perfect out walking. Sitting and downing is a bit slower than normal but I haven't been working those commands (muscles) too often. I think there's still a bit of uncomfortableness with those movements, not that he really shows it, he's just a bit slow.

The bump is still there but the head shaking has decreased substantially. I still get one or two a day but not the "shake his head off" type motion and he just seems a lot more comfortable with that overall.

Hey, a bit of question, and maybe this is one for the vet; but, I wonder if he should still be on some kind of anti inflammatory.

He hasn't had anything (nothing, nadda, no aspirin anything) since his last prednisone, last Sunday, so 7 days now. I have a feeling (and it's just a feeling) that if I call the vet, she may suggest putting him back on the Meloxicam for the small anti inflammitory properties it has.

From his behavior and overall eagerness, lack of any kind of real pain signals, I really don't want him back on this synthetic stuff if I can or should avoid it. (I really don't know much about it).

I was at some training (work related) for a few days this week and in the down time, ran across this health food store. We needed a couple things, so I popped in.

The store owner was incredible. I won't go into the entire conversation, but at one point I asked him (simply out of curiosity) what he would recommend while recovering from a herniated disc. A few questions on his part and it didn't take him long to figure out I was talking about a dog (which I avoided, but he was good ).

Once we had this in the open, he took me back to his personal computer and the screen saver was of his beautiful sable shepherd. 12 years old apparently and was put on derramaxx 2 years ago for Spondylosis. He read up on the stuff and although it helped a lot, he chose not to continue because of the harmful side effects it can have on the organs.

It was so interesting talking to this guy. His next pup, when he's ready, is coming from Kraftwerk (I'm pretty sure that's the name), in Washington, just below us here. I got the full tour of that website too.

Could not believe my luck running into this guy. I hate, I mean I detest shopping but if every shop owner could be like this guy, I'd be out there all day. He was just a wealth of information on all kinds of things.

Sorry, here I go again...but long story short, he recommended this stuff called Curamin.

I picked up a bottle because of it's supposed effect on "human" pain and inflammation, as opposed to Tylenol, aspirin, etc. This guy said its what he's been giving his still, quite active 12 year old shepherd for the last year.

I paid 40.00 for a bottle of 60, so it's not cheap and I read some human reviews the other night but had a hard time finding anything about treating dogs with it. Does anybody have any experience with this or any recommendations either way?

And no worries, I have no plan on getting one anywhere near his mouth at the moment, just wondering if it might be something worth considering.

Oh and Lisabet, those laser blankets sound really interesting. Thank you for that information, I had never heard about them.

Fate clearly took you to this guy, funny old life sometimes!

So pleased there is some improvement, re the Meloicam; Bon was on that for a while a few years back after a bout of lameness, the pain relief was good, but it really messed her gut up, now she is getting older and the old green stick fracture plays up from time to time, I give her devils claw and that always helps.

Thanks for the update, going in the right direction, sounds like he is being a trooper, bless him

It really was Tracey, that fate you're talking about. Not to mention, we had a just a few things in common. Been thru that derramaxx too for the same thing (complicated by a couple of other issues) but a year later and my boy was gone at almost 12. He says his is still enjoying a really good quality of life.

I've heard the name devil's claw. I'll have to take a look at that. Is it specific for inflammation?

And not that I really know anything about this injury, but if I was to give it purely a layman's view on how Vince is presenting, it would seem some inflammation may have come back. The last day and a couple after being on the prednisone had him just a little perkier.

Oh and Betty, I know nothing about his guy but he now knows about a great breeder on the east coast too.