Thank you Leah.

 Quote: Joyce Salazar

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Pain is a hard issue to see, unless it is a blatant injury. But in some cases, dogs seem to not show outward signs of pain. ...

Many or most dogs, I think, are hard-wired not to show pain/weakness.

This makes it hard for us to manage it for them.

I try to keep in mind the manifestations that I can pick up on, like loss of appetite, lethargy, etc.

Once the dog is vocalizing, I think it usually means that the pain is very bad.

BTW, I meant to mention what a good med tramadol can be (IMO).

 Quote:

BTW, I meant to mention what a good med tramadol can be (IMO).

This is good to know because I was wondering if it would help her or not? She is on 50 mgs 2X a day.
I hope it helps her to be comfortable.

The upside to the steroids is that she is not itching(Atopic dog) at all now that she is on the Dexamethasone.
I know that generally steroids are bad, but in this case we have to see if it will help her.
I am already seeing an increase in her water drinking.

I've had what I thought was very good success using tramadol with both dogs and myself. What a great alternative I think it is to Vicodin, etc. When it first came out and was not available in generic (just as Ultram), it was very expensive. Now it's reasonable, and it doesn't present anywhere near the problems (for me) of Vicodin or Codeine, etc.

I have also had good luck with tramadol. I use it from time to time for myself and Nico has some on hand for the days she moves really slow.

My mom's dog was on it for several years with and her kidneys and liver tested fine the entire time and she had no gastric issues with it.

Joyce...a couple of times, you've mentioned "holding her leg up" when you take her out to try to do her business.

I don't know if you mean that literally, but have you tried putting a towel under her towards her rear and assisting her that way? Like a huge sling...

leih

Yes, we did try the towel and for some reason, she won't walk when it is around her supporting her?

So, I have found that if I either support her there in the abdomin myself or hold the leg she will try to walk and do her business.

Unfortunately, it is raining this AM (Sunday) so it will be another challenge to deal with, as our yard is a mud pit right now.

Her behavior has become so mellow, as she has always been the one who could play 24/7. I don't know if it is just that she has resigned herself in knowing she can't do these things or if it is some depression setting in? Probably both.

She seems comfortable and likes the general massages and TLC that I can give her. I hope we can find out more on Monday and run some more tests.

I have been reading up on DM(degenerative myelopathy) and wondering that despite her young age of 2 1/2 that she could have this? It is tough sitting around not knowing anything.
But, just trying to keep our chins up and have a relaxing day inside the house.

It makes me feel a bit bad for my other dog, because all the attention has been on her the past two days. Luckily, he is a mellow guy. He doesn't understand what happened to his play buddy though.

Joyce, I'm sorry to hear she is having such a hard time (and you!). We'll be eagerly waiting to hear how it goes tomorrow. Have you thought about calling her breeder to see if she's seen this in any of her dogs before? Sometimes breeders are good for info since they see so many things.

Just wondering about nutritional supplements.
Kaia is already on 1500 mg of Ester C and gets 400 IU of Vitamin E
as well as therapeutic doses of salmon oil.
Alfalfa & kelp, with her raw meals.
In addition some veggie puree and several times a week, she gets frozen blueberries too.

Anyone hear of upping Vit E to 800 IU's?

First of all Thank you Lori for your kindness, it is really appreciated.

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Have you thought about calling her breeder to see if she's seen this in any of her dogs before? Sometimes breeders are good for info since they see so many things.

You know, maybe I am just being sour grapes right now. But if only I knew now what I didn't know then about so many things that I have learned here on LB; I would never have chosen this breeder in the first place.

Back then before I got Kaia this breeder looked steller to me, (keep in mind I am a novice) and didn't know half what I know now about vaccinations, diet, etc. I had yet to find Leerburg.

Kaia having atopy and if it somehow turns out that she has DM, then for sure, I believe that this breeder is highly under-educated about the certain protocols for vaccines etc, that I tend to believe are the reasons why Kaia is suffering from all kinds of immune issues.

But that said, I don't yet have a diagnosis yet, so in fairness, I will just have to wait until we find out more.

I can tell you one thing, and that is now that I do know more, I will definitely be much more discerning about future breeders.
This particular breeder is a far cry from the kind of breeders that Ed and Cindy were, when they were breeding.

I don't think I want this person's advice, in short, because this person doesn't uphold the things that I now know to be so important to the long term health of the breed.
She looked impressive with having highly rated pedigreed dogs with good hips and elbows, but aside from this, I think she fails my newer feelings toward canine health in general.