Just a quick update on April

    • Gold Top Dog

    Just a quick update on April

    April is doing okay, not great, but okay.  Tomorrow is her last day for prednisone, her pain pills are gone as of yesterday.  She is walking okay, but does not do much of it, in the evening now though, she gets her toys out of her box and plays, then looks for a bone to chew on, this is encouraging anyway.  She eats well which is a good thing.  I have been giving her her meds in hamburger, so now every morning she sits and waits for her hamburger, hmm another habit. Smile She is such a good little dog, I take her out to potty and she does her business and comes right back to me to be carried inside, she is not supposed to do any steps and she doesn't want to either.  She is holding her head up well, the only thing is when she does walk for a bit in the house, she sometimes goes a little sideways, and her tail which was always up over her back hangs quite a bit, so I guess there is some damage there, we take her back next Tuesday on the 4th of December so we will know at that time for sure what has to be done if anything and I sure hope not anything!  I'm thinking about buying a wagon to take her out when she gets a little better, to at least get her out in the neighborhood, what do you think of that idea?  After our trip next week, I'll post again.  Thanks again for all your concern.

    • Gold Top Dog

    Aw, Sweetpea, we're all hoping you'll be back to yourself in no time.  I've seen some cute little doggie strollers that might work for her.

    • Gold Top Dog

    A wagon can be an AWESOME help -- we've used one for several of our dogs.  Because she can walk until she is tired and then IN the wagon -- so you don't run the risk of her over-doing.  but you can still do a full 'walk' -- Make sure you get one with a long enough handle so YOU are comfortable walking (i.e., don't just get a tiny child's wagon because it's 'her size';)

    I always make a pad inside (last time I just used two bathroom carpets from Wal-mart - turned the edges under and sewed them together for a nice cushy pad that fits the inside perfectly!!) -- if you want to see pics of what I've done in the past let me know. (I think there's one in the gallery of Kee's new Radio Flyer).

    Please talk to your vet about doing some acupuncture.  Honestly this isn't weird stuff -- they are teaching it at several of the vet teaching hospitals (U of FL has a huge acupuncture dept for both small animals and their large animal studies).  Why?  Because it works -- particularly in injuries like hers.  it does NOT hurt and boy it can sure help.  http://www.tcvm.com -- you might want to use the locator and find vets in your area and take the list to YOUR vet and see if he is familiar with any of them. 

    That would *not* be to leave your vet -- but rather to simply add accupuncture to help continue healing.

    • Gold Top Dog

    I'm glad to hear that there is progress - I would say that wanting to play with her toys is GREAT progress. 

    I'd look into the acupuncture.  Prancer had it last week - it doesn't hurt.  She did flinch a wee little a couple of times but my little maniac actually stood -- completely still -- for 30 minutes with the needles in her.  I was holding her on the table and after about 10 minutes I could feel her putting just about all her weight against me - must have felt real good - Prancer doesn't sit still for anyone, EVER.  

    Acupuncture certainly won't make matters any worse and it may really help.

    Wishing you and April the best !

    • Gold Top Dog

    Awww, glad to hear that she's still making progess! Get well soon, Little April!!