pottydotty

A little update on Charlie. He's still doing fine. Not had any more episodes. Here's Charlie and, Sam. My babies... :wub:

Really nice story. Shame there was no pic, but lovely happy ending and it's great to hear how so many people banded together to save the dog!

I have to say Rosie is a doll! What a lovely kissy face she has!! Great vid, loved it!

Thank you! Happy Christmas!

I do hope so. He's in a very playful mood this evening. I taught him to wave about a year ago and he keeps waving at me, or at least he thinks he's waving at me.

It's Thursday night, doggies tucked up in bed and still no more episodes (Monday morning being the last one. I'm unsure why we're not having any more episodes, but thanking god and being very grateful at the same time.

Charlie has always been on the furniture and since he can't see, it is far safer to put him on the sofa/arm chair where he is happiest and content. He's pretty good at staying put but there are cushions galore to prevent a long hard landing if he chose to leave the sofa with out me noticing/being there to prevent this from happening. It's difficult but so far all has been good. The vet believes that if Charlie is given any more pain killer than already prescribed, any further pain would be masked and the condition could get worse. If I use up the tablets that I have left (1 and 1/2) and then Charlie continues to have episodes, I have to go back to the vet - it will be then (based on what she has to say) when I decide to seek advice from a vet in another practise. As far as this vet is concerned, if Charlie is recovering, then additional pain relief will not be needed. When first prescribing pain relief (Rimadyl), the vet said this would not interfere with his diabetes. As of this moment (9.38pm) we have been doing ok. His last episode was Monday morning and he has not had or needed any pain relief since, Monday Morning. He's in my bed now fast asleep. Before Charlie was diagnosed with diabetes, he was on cortaflex but then I took him off it. I have put him back on it. It might not help this condition but it certainly won't hurt him - vet not convinced at all with cortaflex. I'm trying to stay positive. I know that things might go down hill, but for now, we have done so well. The pain relief I have left will last 6 more times. Hopefully he'll never need it.

I can't see another vet saying that much different? I mean, I wouldn't put him through surgery as it is quite a long haul ( reading up on this) so I don't disagree with her with regard to this. I was a bit surprised at getting no more pain killers (for when needed)? Or being offered anything else? Charlie hasn't had another episode since yesterday morning. Longest we've went without one - he had a 1/4 of pain killer yesterday morning and nothing since. The most scary part is when he eats but last night and this morning went well. I hope this is a something which will continue. What I have noticed is that his front paw is normal. Previously his right paw sometimes would not open fully. He is still a bit wobbly on back end although I notice this more when he goes into the garden - snow and hard grass does not help.

Charlie has continued to have episodes over the weekend but only once and in the morning. He had one this morning although no hunching of back and tightening his neck. Not happy though and in some discomfort - gave him 1/4 pain relief tablet. Charlie went to see vet this evening and was back to normal. She couldn't see any sign of discomfort. Of course that doesn't mean we're not going to have another episode and no doubt we will in the morning after breakfast. She said I didn't need to come back to see her unless things change. Things like unsteadiness and weakness in the front legs for instance. I have 1.5 tablets left and when I asked if I should have some more to take me over the xmas period, she said I should not need them, if I do, then I need to come back so that she can decide what's best, but giving more pain killers would not be the right course of action. I can only hope that his episodes are short. Hopefully he won't have many more or at least they will be few and far between.

Thank you, blackmagic!!!! xx

This morning, Charlie had another episode before he finished his breakfast. I sat him down and tried to keep him still. 20 mins later not too bad and I gave him quarter pain relief tablet. Short while later I hand fed rest of breakfast and give him his insulin jab. Took him to the garden to pee and poo and he did ok. Settled him down. He was doing ok and about 11 ish back into garden for another pee. Settled him down again and still doing ok. We didn't go to the vets today. One of the reasons, I didn't want him travel so I rang vet and let her know how he was and she was fine with this. We will be going on Monday though. Had to leave him as I needed to go out. I returned about 3.40pm and he was fine. He went into garden and he was fine. I put him on sofa and he was fine. About 15mins later I heard him whimpering and when I came back into the room Sam my other dog was next to him so, not sure if he came over to see why the whimpering or he caused it - Charlie was having another episode. I held him for about 10 mins settling him and he was getting over it quite quickly, I then gave him a quarter pain relief tablet. He was panting a little though, although he didn't look pained in the face. He then settled down. Later he went out for pee. 7.45pm I fed him his dinner. Put dish on the first stair. All was fine afterwards. He then went into garden for pee. All is still ok. I know I'm waffling on but I am trying to give you a clear picture as possible. I don't know if I should be carrying on, or should I be thinking along the lines of what I believe the vet is thinking and letting Charlie go - this is not what I want, never would I want this and if I can carry on keeping him as pain free as possible, then I will but I have to say, I can't see him recovering? I look at him now and he is looking fine and behaving fine but he did have a quarter pain relief tablet a few hours ago.

Here's Charlie about 30 mins ago (excuse the dramatic eyes, he has cataracts due to the diabetes)... And just now...

It's after 8.30pm and all is still well. Charlie got his dinner at 7.45pm and he was fine afterwards. I fed him off a plate which was sitting on a small box. I don't know whether that actually made any difference or what, but I thank god that he hasn't had another episode. I dread breakfast. Charlie had a total of half a pain killer tablet (Rimadyl Pal) this morning maybe that's why he is still ok? We are off to the vets in the morning, appointment is at 10.10 so I will be asking the vet many questions and hopefully we are in a better position thereafter.

I have an appointment in the morning to see vet. I rang today and asked about xrays. Told this would not help since we are dealing with soft tissue and would need an mri. I was told they would have to refer me but see no point as having an mri will not help since charlie is not a candidate for surgery due to his age, diabetes and blindness. I was told it is a long and difficult operation and a very lengthy recovery time and this would not be fair on charlie. I was told that he will not recover without surgery and it will only get worse over time... ... Basically, there is no hope?! Charlie at this moment is fine. I allowed him to walk in and out of the garden himself as this seems more comfortable for him. He peed and sniffed around whilst in the garden. He is on chair where 5 mins ago was playing... he rubs the top of his head on the chair. He was wagging his tail and generally happy. How unfair is thhis. I am not looking forward to feeding him this evening - vet has said to put the dish on the first step of the stairs?

The vet believes it to be a slipped disc (and from description given to other on net this too have said so/similar) and vet suspects his front legs will start to give and then his back legs until paralysed. Re pain relief. As she was given him the pain relief injection on Monday (first time this problem occurred) she said she doesn't want to have to do this too many times (give pain relief) as it will mask any pain and not do him any good? I understand this but unsure? Yesterday at vets she gave another injection and gave me 3 tablets. Tablets to be given when he needs them - half once a day or a quarter twice a day - going back to vets Saturday am. When he has an episode he hunches up and neck his thick and he is in pain - head down. Looks very much uncomfortable. You can't move his head upwards as he cries out. Panting yesterday when we went to the vets due to pain. Once pain releif kicked in and he rested he was fine and was fine when we got up this morning, had his pee. I gave him his food and then we were off again. He is doing ok at the moment. I gave him quarter of tablet. I turned my back for a couple of mins and he got off the sofa and was just sitting on the floor. He was not good. I put him back and gave him another quarter of tablet. Later I took him out for a pee and he wasn't too bad. Carried him back in. He is sleeping and seems more rested. Not happy in cage but will be trying again this evenning. I will sleep down stairs with him so this might get him used to it so that he can be in it during the day?