Kelsey Not so good
He did the "I call it the knuckle thing with the back foot", and it took awhile for her to put her foot back down flat there. So nerves/messages are not getting through to the backend easily. Her hips are pretty good for her age, he actually said not much deteriation there since last year but now she has this problem. Cruciate is still sore as well so that is not helping at the moment. She is not in pain, she does whimper a bit to lay down or get up and still gets around OK. Just the deteriation will progress and nothing much we can do for her as I don't want her knocked out for x-rays due to her age, just keep her comfortable and when needed on Metacam to help there as well as her joint supplements. Drezzie mom (Chris) I think I remember Drezzie is on Metacam full time is that correct? If so any problems with long term use there?. RON I remember you posted something about that knuckle thingy test ages ago and I can't find the post? Would like to read that again. 
Getting old Sucks  |
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| Aweee... that is so sad I always have a special spot for our older sheepies. (((hugs to kelsey))) |
| I'm so sorry Kelsey is not doing well right now... hopefully the right mix of meds will help her senior years remain comfortable and happy and with you for many more. |
| Sorry to hear about Kelsey. I hope that the Metacam works for her. We've used it here when Frank got neutered. Seems to be a new anti-inflammatory. |
 to Kelsey girl
I haven't used the drugs, but wanted to send get well wishes to you. |
| Oh Kelsey......
http://forum.oes.org/viewtopic.php?p=59072#59072 |
| Aw, poor girl. Getting old does suck. I always get sad when I hear about things like this. Not just because it feels like I know Kelsey from all the stories you share, but I also relate the old girl stuff back to Lucy, who I'm watching age as well. I hope that meds help her so she can move around well and be happy. |
| This was not the news I wanted to hear about Kelsey. It really does is horrible getting old and even worse watching one of your babies get old.
Big Hugs and Kisses to you all |
| Thanks everyone for your kind thoughts. Kelsey is not too bad at the moment, but it will get worse with time as far as her movement goes. So hopefully finding this out will help to prolong everything with comfort in her senior years. She is a determined little minx and I had no idea that she was feeling it, even the vet said her pain tollerance is huge.
Especially after all the manipulation and testing her. She yelped only once  but stiffened up with a grimace look on her face.  Tough Old girl she is, so glad she decided not to have the vet for dinner after all that poking and streching he did with her  .
I knew something was not quite right with her as lately she has been tripping over nothing when she is outside, so that explains everything now and I am better prepared for her old age management to keep her mobile and happy. 
Hopefully not a growth causing it but just a spine/disk degeneration problem as I don't want to risk x-raying to find out which it is. Ron what meds was Jake on for 5 years? And thankyou for finding that post for me to read. |
| The meds were for pain for HD. If Kelsey has DM, she really shouldn't be in any pain.
Let me refer you to these thread and post: When is enough enough? Pain Meds and dosing If she's in pain, the pain meds will help in about 3 days. Also, perhaps the anti-inflammatory properties might help with the DM, but that's just pure conjecture on my part. Please take note that in each case the medicine is used in conjunction with a stomach protective med. I think it is critical that you protect your dog's tummy from these powerful drugs, so check with your vet. |
| The metacam is vet prescribed and to be given with her dinner, it is also for the cruciate problem at the moment to settle that down for her.
The DM is not worrying her. I would of never known she had it only for the fact of that test and the fact she was tripping over nothing.  |
| Poor Kelsey!
Her problems sound a lot like Chummie's. I know that foot placement test very well. I also know exactly what you mean about the stiffening and the grimace.
Chum's therapists recommend foot massage as a way to keep and improve the nervous system signalling. Massaging the feet send signals and the stimulation reminds the system that the feet are there. Chum really seemed to like it. I've heard great things about metacam. If that doesn't work, Chum does very well on Tramadol. And for Chumley, when things got very bad, a couple weeks on prednisone really helped to restore her function by reducing the inflammation which also blocks the signalling. I hope you find a treatment that helps sweet Kelsey manage the pain.  |
 To sweet Kelsey |
| Poor Kelsey!!
How old is Kelsey? |
| I hope that Kelsey is not in too much pain and that you are doing alright with everything that is going on.
Take care, hug the girls for Fred and me. |
| Lisa,
Sorry to hear Kelsey is not feeling well, hopefully the Metacam will work. Give that beautiful sheepie girl a kiss from me. Fingers crossed. Brenda Dudley and Murphy |
 to Kelsey |
Awww, poor Kelsey!!  And poor Lisa! 
Yes, Drez is on Metacam daily and has been for a few years now, just since after her FHO, which was in Nov 04. She tolerates it well and it does seem to help her. Rimadyl did nothing for her and Deramaxx killed her stomach. Drez does the same tripping over nothing thing. Sometimes when she's outside, her back feet will turn on her knuckles and then she'll try to walk on her knuckles, which of course doesn't work. When that happens, her hips can't help her keep standing while she tries to walk, so down she goes. 
The metacam is just an anti-inflammatory and will do nothing to "cure" her. Nothing can cure her, we just keep her as comfortable as we can for as long as we can. If Kelsey is anything like Drez, the spirit is still there in the eyes. The body is weakening, but the spirit is strong! Big hugs to Kelsey! Keep the faith, Lisa! Will keep you both in my prayers! |
| Oh, I'm so sorry she's having a touch time. Get better, Girl! |
| Oh Lisa, I'm so sorry to hear of Kelsey's ailment! If I remember correctly Shaggy was on Medecam and it gave her no trouble and seemed to help quite a bit regarding her ability to be mobile.
I remember searching online once regarding equiptment for dogs whom are having problems with mobility. One was a harness type thing (resembled a saddle) in which the upright could hold on to it in pull up motion to assist their dog when they needed to stand. It seems most seniors have the most trouble when getting up from prone position so that may be a possibility to make life easier for her. Give that beautiful girl of yours a belly rub from me and you're in my thoughts.
Marianne |
| Oh! Poor Kelsey (and Lisa!). I'm glad to hear that she doesn't seem to be in pain, but it's never nice to hear that your poor baby is losing functions...Give her a big hug from me and Barns... |
| I hope the medicine helps her to be more comfortable. Giver her lots of hugs for us! |
| lots and lots of sheepie hugs to the grand old lady |
| Lisa I'm sorry to hear that Kelsey is not doing too well. She sure seems like a tough cookie, ; her determination and your extra special care, will make the difference. Just making her as comfortable as possible in her senior years will mean a lot.
Hugs to you both. |
| Oh, dear.
We all know Kelsey so well, and what a strong and determined gall she is. Metacam is quite commonly used here in Canada, for arthitic dogs....and other pains. Hope she settles down soon into her old self....HUGS! |
| Thanks Chris, the Metacam she is on it for 7 days then weaning down slowy for a couple of days to see how she responds to that and the cruciate. If no luck there, well on it full time then. So that is wonderful to know that drezzie tolerates it full time with no problems.
Did I also mention Kelseys goopy eye  Drops to clear that up also and brie went yesterday too. Had minimal vacs for her and she had her teeth cleaned as well & nails clipped while asleep, heart worm medication to pick up also. My hubby picked Brie up last night after work for me so I did not have to go there again, told him not to LOOK at the vet bill for yestereday(did not want him to go into shock ), just bring it home. It's a DOOZIE for both of them
Thanks Val for the Tip on feet massage too, will be doing that as well. |
| poor sweetie - give her some massage hugs from Bingley and I. We'll be thinking about you guys. |
| Feel better Kelsey |
| Hi, ...it's me Marianne.
I can't stop thinking of Kelsey since hearing the news. How is she doing? The boys are sending her lots of love and sloppy kisses her way. Merlin gives great ear washes to Blue everynight and has volunteered to do the same for Kelsey should she need it.
Marianne and the boys |
| Hi Lisa....Hope Kelsey is feeling a little better...give that sweetheart a big kiss from me and Panda
xo, |
| Thinking about Kelsey and hoping she is doing alright. Someone in this thread mentioned massage, and we are exploring some holistic options with Oscar right now (for allergies and digestive issues). Do you have anyone that you would trust to explore acupuncture and/or massage therapy?
A previous neighbor of mine had a yellow lab who developed issues with her spine when she was 3 or 4 years old (don't know the exact medical diagnosis). Basically, it left Maisie's back end paralyzed. After doing all she could with traditional vet medicine, her docs sent Maisie to an acupuncturist as a last hope. Maisie quickly regained 85% of the use of her back legs, and when I met her, she was 8 years old, and very active. It may not be the right thing for your situation, but just thought I would throw it out there. Sending Sheepie hugs.........Laurie and Oscar |
| She is doing OK Marianne, the metacam is kicking in so just a matter of a week to see if she is going to be on it full time or not. Will find that out when I start to wean the drug back. One thing I noticed and only after 2 doses of the Metacam she is not doing her little groan when she lays down and gets up, so that has obviously made a difference there so far.
Still tripping over nothing, but not as shakey when she stands, must be those drugs 
The DM there is nothing much I can do there for her, but she is not too bad with that, I think most of the pain is still coming from the cruciate she damaged last year, so if we can settle that down a bit again, it will help with more control with the DM as that is only mild in her at the moment but will progress with time. Yep getting old sucks, well Kelsey thinks so at the moment, still trying to be a youngster and keep up with brie. They are not allowed outside together as I don't want brie to send her flying .
Thanks Laurie I am looking into that side of things at the moment, I have a wonderful person that does the Accupressure/muscle therapy stuff, she does horses and canine as well. Little machine that she puts onto accupressure points on the dog to stimulate the muscles and nerves. Been to her a long time ago, so will be making a visit to her for the DM to see how that might help, she also does deep tissue massage as well. |
| Glad to hear that she's doing a bit better. |
lisaoes wrote: The DM there is nothing much I can do there for her, but she is not too bad with that, I think most of the pain is still coming from the cruciate she damaged last year, so if we can settle that down a bit again, it will help with more control with the DM as that is only mild in her at the moment but will progress with time.
Lisa -- I am so glad to hear that the metacam is helping. Pain management is key! I now know this from experience. I am curious though -- at the beginning of this thread you listed a number of possible causes of her neurologic deficits. Was Kelsey diagnosed with DM? I have this vague recollection that Chum's neurologist had mentioned to me that if Chum had DM, there were certain meds they would prescribe to try and reinvigorate the neurons, but Chum didn't have that so I didn't really pay attention. But if Kelsey has it, I could go back and ask for more info on the treatments they do here. Good luck! I wish the best possible outcome for your gorgeous sweet girl. |
| Have you looked into a brace for her legs? Maybe it would help take the strain off the cruciate?? |
| I am not sure what is causing it, still a lot of things to take in at the moment, the vet suspects either a benign growth putting pressure on the spine or just old age degeneration there causing pressure and the signals are not getting through to her backend as it should be. He did suspect DM there but she is a lumpy old girl now with quite a few growths there and some deep tissue ones as well.
So without x-raying we are not quite sure which it is and at 12 I am not taking the risk of heavy sedation or knocking her out to see. 2 years ago she had an operation for removal of an abcess and under that he found a large deep tissue fatty lymphona and took that out as well and she had a bit of a time coming around, plus a bad reaction to the anaethesia, so just not worth the risk to find out exactly what it is.
He actually said, not much that can be done for that problem, but at least we can help with the pain part from her dicey back leg. Thanks susan I might look into that and it might be time to clip her off and maybe look at some sort of Hydro therapy as well as looking into the accupressure, seeing chummie in that pool makes me want to try that with Kelsey. |
| Poor baby. . . Sounds very sensible, particularly under the circumstances. Hopefully, whatever it is can be staved off or at least progress very, very slowly. |
| To you and Kelsey! We hope you have good luck with possible treatments to give her a good quality of life. She is special and strong. |
| Hugs to Kelsey I know how it is when the old gals don't feel well. We are sending good thoughts her way |
| Good thoughts and hugs for Kelsey from Buddy and me.
Alan |
| Big hugs to you and Kelsey. I hope the medication makes her feel better. |
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