Good thoughts for Austin (Outdoorschik)

That was a long evening. 

Well the xray didn't show much which is good. It can't rule out a spinal tumor or cancer though, that would require an MRI or CAT. His drugs are all switched around. Added Pred, Added injectable Buprenorphine, muscle relaxer methocarbomol, continuing tramadol (after I run out of the buprenorphine) and tomorrow as soon as the pharmacies open he's getting a Fentanyl patch put on to better control the pain which lasts for 3-4 days. She says that if there is no improvement by Monday on this new regime, or if it gets worse than it is a bulging disc that will not heal without surgical intervention (which we won't put him through) or a tumor/cancer on the spine. Blood work was great for an old dog :). He's way out of it but seemingly resting more comfortably and the Fentanyl patch should hopefully do the trick ... it takes 12 hours to kick in so cross your fingers I can find someone open tomorrow closer than the e-vet (my vet is not). So ... we hope, hope, and hope that he shows improvement by Monday, because I hate the alternative. She gives it a 50% shot.

Goodnight all!
 

 Been watching for your update. Glad to hear that the e-vet gave you pain meds for the ol' guy. We'll be keeping you in our prayers that he'll have an easier time of it. Hope you all rest easy tonight. *hugs*

Austin being in way less pain and able to relax is such a positive thing after all he (and you) have gone thru with his terrible pain. I hope that the Fentanyl patch helps him a lot and that with being pain free he will be able to start drinking and eating. If you feed him kibble, you could perhaps let the kibble soak a good while and pour the rest of the water over so that he gets both drink and food at the same time.

Keeping him in my thoughts and hoping that this combo of med keeps him comfortable and that he starts to heal.

I'm so glad that he's doing a little better today.  Hang in there Austin!

Methyl carbamol should do the trick -- it's not a controlled substance so vets are more apt to use it than valium  But it should do what you need it to do.

Take care -- been thinking of you all day.

Just throwing my good thoughts in for Austin.  He's very lucky to have you to look out for him.

Just got my power back, it was off since yesterday evening.

Hang in there Austin.  Sounds like mum got some good medication for you.  I'm so happy to hear you're dealing with the pain better and that the xrays didn't show anything alarming.

The whole patch thing would have had me freaking out to no end.  Kudos on handling it so well.  Glad his body started to get used to it.  I would have been scared to death also.

I'll keep saying some prayers for you Austin and will continue sending you some healing vibes.

Johnny & Tessy

Just checking in to tell you I'm thinking of Austin and sending healing vibes.

It's understandable that you are conflicted about Austin and his chances of improvement.  We can't judge from afar but it does sound like his quality of life is pretty bad right now.  That doesn't mean that in a day or two things won't improve.  It's always a tough call and your head and your heart aren't always on the same page.  I know you only want what's best for this dog but sometimes that is so hard to determine when you don't have a good diagnosis.  Praying for you and please give Austin some gentle belly rubs from me.

 I haven't posted yet, but I have been checking this thread every day, usually several times, hoping for some progress for Austin.  Each time I check in, I do it with my heart in my mouth.  Sounds like he has earned a cushy retirement for sure, and this situation is just beyond unfair.  Poor guy.  He shouldn't be having to deal with this, and nor should you.  Still sending my strongest healy vibes for Austin, and hoping beyond hope that he starts improving very soon.

Well it's a bit of a roller coaster here ... this morning I was SURE he was worse, but throughout the day today, he's been doing quite well. Letting me give plls without screaming in pain, turning his head in both directions, holding his head higher, acting like he's "thinking' about eatting (not eatting yet, but much more "ok" with syringe feeding if that makes any sense), and being more interested in life/petting/attention in general. This is sooo tough since he's on the fentanyl patch right now so I worry that the second it wears off we'll be at square one again. Well, we'll see ... based on this I'd say cautiously there may be some improvement...

He's a great, hard-working, dog that's had a really neat life ... as Chuffy put, it, he sure HAS earned a cushy retirement, here's hoping with all fingers and toes crossed that he gets it. It just doesn't seem fair that a dog like this might have to go out in such an uncomfortable, sad way. This is a dog that should go to sleep by the wood stove and just not wake up one day, not have to endure nerve related pain.