Pet Lovers

[NickNack]

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@SugarPuff wrote:

@NickNack I'm so sorry Frankie isn't feeling better.  I mentioned to you when this started that our dog went through something similar a year ago.  Please consider getting an emergency appointment with the Vet school urology department (you probably need a referral).  I'm sure your vet group is top notch but this has been going on for almost 2 weeks now with little improvement. Sometimes as fresh set of eyes makes a difference. 

The Vet school has EVERYTHING right there to do the necessary diagnostics and it won't take a week to get results.  Our dog ultimately required surgery and a strict diet for about months post op but she is 100% fine now.   I guess it's possible Frankie pulled something in his neck but if he still won't  won't turn his head to the left by tomorrow its needs to be further evaluated. l would think he would be able to turn it slightly after the pain med and muscle relaxer  has taken affect.  It's so hard to watch our pets suffer and my heart goes out to you.  

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@SugarPuff   Thank you.  They sent the culture to the Vet School.  The Vet School is short staffed right now, and that's why it took a while to get it back.  The BRAF test has to be sent to the company that makes the test I think.  They work closely with the Vet School on everything if necessary.  It will be two weeks on Saturday.  It would take a long time to get an appt. with a Urologist at the Vet School.  I'm all for seeing specialists but don't think it's necessary right now.

Frankie seems fine and she turned her head to the left a little while ago.  I think she had a spasm last night that caused her to cry out.  I appreciate your input.

My Vet refers me to the Vet School when it's necessary.

[noodleann]

@NickNack , I feel so bad for you, dealing with this and concerns about your sister. You're ideally dedicated and informed, and I'd have to know a lot more than I do and have a case that mirrors Frankie's to second-guess anything you're doing. It's really easy to forget that when we have animals who are ailing and the cause is a mystery, there's often a period of waiting, whether it's for labs, another expert's evaluation of the data, or seeing whether medication works and watching for side effects. We remember the outcome when it's over, but not the process and the hours, days, or even weeks of being on tenterhooks.

So good that you're patient, methodical, and unflappable. We're with you, NickNack.

[NickNack]

Thank you so much @noodleann .  I really appreciate your support.

[qvcfreak]

Thanks for the update, will keep praying for Frankie. 

[Drythe]

@NickNack 

{{{{{Hugs}}}}}

To You, Frankie, and Henry. ♥️

I am so Sad for you all of you.  It is just awful when our Babies are not well, we want to FIX IT, and of course everything takes time. That Helpless feeling, about your little girl along with all the other trouble we are having, I just hate it for you!

I know you are on top of this for sweet Frankie, and that you are absolutely the best Advocate - Mom she could have.  It sounds as though your medical group is on top of things, and following up with your questions, but of course you worry.

Just a thought for what it’s worth.  We did have a dog with whom we tried GABA, and he had similar reaction in terms of the howling.  I mean Serious, terrifying, send you flying across the room to check, sounded as if he were being dismembered, terrified, LOUD, howling.  Will never forget it.  It was not until the second or third day of being on GABA.

GABA can can cause some pretty severe psychological issues for some people, I’m sure you saw the warnings in your reading.  That is what our vet thought happened with our dog, that he woke up very mentally disoriented, and physically off balance and had a bad, bad response.  So, maybe Frankie woke up, off balance, and very confused, and it frightened her badly.  Thus the howling.  I wonder if you and your vet might want to consider another pain solution, especially as you mentioned she is ‘not herself’, maybe it’s the meds.

Please write a long post, let us know how things are. I am sending, best wishes, and Light along for y’all.

[Sammycat1]

@NickNack 

How's Frankie doing this evening? How are you holding up?

[NickNack]

@Drythe   That's so interesting about your dog's howling on gabapentin.  That's exactly the way it was with Frankie.  I copied it to my notes and have emailed it to my Vet.  I switched her to 1/2 tablet last night.  I haven't seen her wobble or stumble/fall so far today, and she's been up for an hour.  

She didn't have any trouble going down the three steps to the yard this morning.  She was hesitant last night, and I thought I was going to have to carry her.

Thank you and everyone else for your input on gabapentin.  Even if she does okay on 1/2 tablet I want to switch her to something else.

Edited to say:  As the day has gone on she has wobbled and fallen a lot.  Thank you so much.

[on the bay]

@NickNack -

Oh sweet Frankie and you!🙏🏻 

We're with you Frankie!

You get better sweet girl ok?!🙏🏻 heart:

[NickNack]

@Drythe  and everyone else who has been so nice about Frankie.  She is no better today and seems a little worse.  I called my Vet, and she thinks it could be the gabapentin but thinks it's more likely a disc problem.  She discussed that with me yesterday, too.  She said the gabapentin gets out of your system quickly and will definitely be out in the morning.  She's on a very low dose--was 50 mg. but I cut it to 25 mg. last night.

She said if she gets so she can't stand up to take her to the Vet School as an emergency immediateliy.  You can take them overnight.  She will call me at 7:30 in the morning to see how she is.  If she is no better she's sending me to the Vet School for an emergency MRI.  I'm setting my alarm for 6:00 so that I'll know for sure how she's doing.

Thank you all for listening.  I really needed this forum during this time.

[Sammycat1]

@NickNack 

Poor Frankie!  Use your dog mama's intuition and whisk that pup for emergency treatment when you think it's time. One thing I've learned in dealing with animals in serious medical situations is to go with my gut.

Once we had a pet going through three potentially life-threatening things of unknown origin all at once. I was getting sick of the "let's watch and wait" type of approach when I could see him dying in front of my eyes. And this is a practice I think walks on water!

Once he passed through the storm and we could take him home, I thanked a vet tech for all they did to set him right.  What she said I'll never forget:  "He's better because of your persistence. You pushed us hard right when he needed that."

We stand with you at the ready with prayers and positive wishes.  Keep us updated as your able, and please give Frankie a smooch from me.