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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

loofa update again...

93 replies

JaxTellersOldLady · 25/11/2010 22:28

Just need to ofload really and try to get things straight in my head. I havent really said an awful lot recently about him because I am in total turmoil.

his mouth is a lot better, his paw was a lot better, tonight limping again, had a look, which he really didnt want me to do, cant see anything really, but it is red inbetween the toe where he had the yukky bit. This week he has been up to the loo during the night every night.Sad

Today he has had a seriously dodgy tum and he could poo through the eye of a needle. Going to the vets tomorrow, but him immune system is low and he is getting one thing after another. EAch week it is something, and each week we are reviewing at the vets. Just when I think we are turning a corner the next day it all starts again.

He isnt the happy puppy we got, he looks like a hat stand, cant get any weight on him, no matter how much I feed him, bulked out but still bland food.

Have had a long chat with my friend who is also breeder and she understands how I feel. Have spoken to DH too and I think we really need to make a decision for my poor puppy. He is a fantastic dog, but I just feel that we cant go on like this. Mostly for his sake. He grunts and groans and sighs and it breaks my heart to see him like this.

Before when his mouth and insides were a total mess, his saving grace was that he was still happy in himself and eating, now he isnt happy and although eating and is ravenous it is due to the steroids not him.

sorry this is so long, you dont even need to reply, I just needed to write it down.

Vets tomorrow with a urine sample.

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JaxTellersOldLady · 14/01/2011 13:48

Vet just called me. Under todays xray she saw what looked like a dislocation, which could be caused by the severe swelling on that toe. She tried to asserbate (sp) it, but couldnt get much liquid out, so thinks it is soft tissue swelling. Doesnt rule out anything in there, so she is going to have a good look.

She wanted to check with me first as to whether to take a biopsy because it could be a growth... unlikely she said, but still possible. So, a bit of proper anaesthetic to put him under and yet another biopsy for him. I am going to pick him up at 6ish this evening.

He is going to have an extra long, extra strong dose of antibiotics and hope this is a stubborn infection and it will clear.

Fingers crossed, otherwise he will have to get a bit chopped off of his toe. Shock

I think I have the unluckiest dog in the world!

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kid · 14/01/2011 16:21

Poor loofa, he has had a rough deal so far. But the important thing is, he is strong, fighting his problems and is very much loved. Wishing him a speedy recovery xxx

JaxTellersOldLady · 02/02/2011 22:12

not been in The Doghouse for ages, its quite quiet in here. Grin

Thought I would do a quick update on the Jax household dogs.

well, Loofa has had his foot op, stitches out and is on the mend. Back up to proper dog weight 37.4Kg and again, food and meds cut back. Back to normal walks and playing with his girlfriend in the woods.

he is on a long dose of antibiotics to kill off the Staph in his paw and hopefully things should be back to normal (ish) again in this house.

Puppy doing fab at classes, works a treat - although I have had to cave and get her a Halti, the pulling was doing my head in, but I know it is a tool not a solution! Wink

hope all is well with everyone else.

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kid · 02/02/2011 22:24

So glad to hear all is well in the Jax household

lead pulling is a nightmare for me too. I call Teddy all the names under the sun while I am walking him Blush

Vallhala · 02/02/2011 22:59

I was wondering where you'd got to last night, oddly enough. Was wavering between pm-ing you to ask after you and worrying that that would be rude and intrusive.

I'm SO glad the lil fella is doing well, really, really pleased to hear it.

Welcome to the lead-pulling, you'll-have-me-on-my-arse-in-a-minute-you-black-and-tan-hairy-bugger Club! :o

kid · 02/02/2011 23:55

I get so cross with being dragged down the street! I even have to put my trainers on to walk the dog as I know thats the only footwear that will keep me on my feet!

They do grow out of lead pulling, don't they? Confused

JaxTellersOldLady · 03/02/2011 10:29

hi val and Kid. no intrusion to PM me, feel free anytime you fancy a natter.

I cant stand when they pull on their lead, it drives me to insanity and it was getting to the point where I said to DH "thats it! she can go!" obviously I didnt mean it really, but I was getting so frustrated and when we went to puppy classes it was hell and wasnt enjoying it. I know the trainer is a halti hater, but you know what? It works for me and she is a superstar again in class. We are both enjoying it now and I enjoy taking her out. She prances on her Halti, it is so funny to watch her.

I had an op on my spine a couple of years ago and twisting/pulling/lifting heavy things really aggravates the old injury, so a halti is for me... although I have been told a loopi is good, more like a harness.

Anyway, all fine here. Dogs zonked out, covered in bloody mud in the bloody muddy house. I do wash my floors at least twice a day, but the garden and fields are like mud pits. hey ho.

Hope all is well with your lot of gorgeous dogs too. Grin

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JaxTellersOldLady · 20/02/2011 23:15

While I am hiding out here for a while thought I would update you on Loofa.

He has been steroid free for nearly 2 weeks now!

He is full of energy, not scoffing food like a starved animal, his weight is steady, his muscle tone is getting back to normal. The only downside is his coat is a scurfy mess underneath, but I think that is to do with the steroids etc. His mouth looks good and he is a happy happy dog.

Keeping him on Burns Brown Rice and Duck for now and giving him treats (natural) and avoiding 'trigger food' as much as possible.

Am going to be able to walk him twice a day now, he needs it and so do I. After a year I have a almost normal dog.

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Vallhala · 20/02/2011 23:19

Yay! Keep it up fluffball!

This is REALLY creepy though... yet AGAIN I was only thinking of you and Loofa earlier today and yet AGAIN you appeared as if by magic!

Spooky!

kid · 20/02/2011 23:57

Thats good news Smile

My previous dog had bad skin, vet said he was allergic to fleas or pollen. We were advised to treat it by spraying the affected skin with aspirin dissolved in water. It wasn't all over his skin, just some patches and it seemed to do the trick.

JaxTellersOldLady · 21/02/2011 08:19

he doesnt have fleas and there isnt much pollen about this time of year. His skin is ok, its just his coat is a bit scurfy underneath, nothing a good bath and groom wont sort out. There is an awful lot of mud dust coming off my dogs at the moment with all the mud that is about. Driving me crazy.

I will keep an eye on him though, might change his food in a while.

Val, I am sure I inboxed you a while ago, maybe not, but thought I did as I hadnt seen you around.

We must have some sort of doggy connection. Grin

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JaxTellersOldLady · 20/04/2011 08:55

We have been keeping an eye on Loofa - his mouth was 100% better, pink/black gums, roof of mouth and under tongue and then last night after a late run DH & I noticed that his mouth was quite red, waited until he was cool and it looks like a new blister is developing.

I have been trying to think if there is anything he has had to eat that may have triggered it and apart from the odd scrap or two the only thing he has had 'new' was a raw, large, marrow bone. He hadnt had a raw bone since before his mouth was sore, wonder if there is any connection.

Will keep an eye on it and if it doesnt improve itself will get him to Vets.

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kid · 20/04/2011 09:40

Aww, poor loofa
Is there any chance that the bone scratched him which could cause the blister?
At least you are vigilant and know it's there so can monitor it closely. Fingers crossed it goes down quickly by itself x

Vallhala · 20/04/2011 10:14

That would be my guess too, Kid, a scratch or a sort of bruise turned into blister where he's been chewing at the marrowbone and maybe thumped it in his mouth as he did a grab to pick it up IYSWIM.

I hope it goes away and causes him no more problems, I really do.

((((((Loads more gentle hugs Loofa))))))

JaxTellersOldLady · 20/04/2011 12:28

thanks, he is fine in himself - still my snuggly hairy baby, he is chasing hovver flies in the garden at the moment while pupstar looks at him despairingly. We are off out for a walk soon with 4 children, 3 dogs and 2 adults... this will be interesting as havent walked puppy this place before so lets see if she has cloth ears or is my shadow today!

It could have been the bone, we will keep an eye on it - have to say the bone he loved, he stayed out in the garden with it, gives it up to me without any fight or grumble and takes it gently, unlike Puppy who made me hold it while she nibbled it then took it away, flattens her ears, wags her tail and growls if I go near. Needless to say, I DID take the bone away, did food refusal, pretended to eat it like a numpty and gave it back, took it off her and did the same again until she just spat it out when I said OUT. Bless her, she is a minx.

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kid · 20/04/2011 20:11

sounds like they are so different!
Hope your walk went well!

JaxTellersOldLady · 21/04/2011 11:43

well loofas mouth is still red, but OKish, maybe the hot weather, who knows? Will keep a very close eye.

Yesterdays walk was fab, needn't have worried about madam, she follows Loofa and doesnt go far from him! He is fab and doesnt bother with anyone or anything so all OK. got back, hosed dogs down, gave kids ice lolly and relaxed in the sun.

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kid · 21/04/2011 14:06

Sounds like you all had a lovely day yesterday

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