Ginny

[snowbunny]

Tarty McTartFace is back again with a vengeance. Poor Shads!!

 

[SwampDonkey]

Norty lady

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

Tarty McTartFace is back again with a vengeance. Poor Shads!!

As a lady of a certain age myself, I am inspired by Ginny. If she can be Tarty McTartFace in her golden years, perhaps there is hope for me.

 

[Candy]

As a lady of a certain age myself, I am inspired by Ginny. If she can be Tarty McTartFace in her golden years, perhaps there is hope for me.

I'm sure there's hope for you Emily!

 

[snowbunny]

We took Ginny to the vet this evening to have a check over. The Trocoxil, which did wonders for a long while, doesn't seem to be having much effect any more and her pain levels are certainly increasing. She had an X-ray which showed spondylosis on her spine in two places, not surprising considering her amputation and age. The vet asked about what chondroprotector she is on and was very happy with the constituents of the one we use, so that's a bonus. We're taking her off the Trocoxil and putting her on Tramadol for a month (I know she can tolerate this, because she was OK with it after her surgery) after which she'll have another review. She may go onto an injection in the new year. I'm not sure what this is, but I know it's not Cartrophen just because of the frequency. To be perfectly honest, after half an hour talking to the vet (who is lovely but speaks INCREDIBLY quickly) my mind was melting a little bit and so I tuned out to the details, knowing we can review that at the next appointment. I'm back with the four of them next week for vaccinations anyway, so can have another chat then.

As well as changing meds, we're going to start using a heat pack on her spine (if anyone has any recommendations before I start Googling, hit me!) and manipulating her joints.

It's so sad going through all this with the thought of "the inevitable" in the back of my mind. I'm lucky that I've not yet had to say goodbye to a dog who was entirely mine. Somehow family dogs where my parents had the ultimate responsibility were different. But, for now, I have to remember that she is loving life - she still plays her nonsense games with me which make me belly laugh - and she isn't thinking yet about the next stage. I need to be more dog.

 

[Lab_adore]

I need to be more dog.

This. As hard as it is

 

[kateincornwall]

Fiona , as many people used to say to me during Sams journey with lymphoma , our beloved dogs live in the moment , the future means nothing to them . Having said this I do understand your thoughts completely because I had them too , big hugs xx

 

[Boogie]

 

[Jacqui-S]

from me too, and a few

 

[Stacia]

Very hard for you @snowbunny, Ginny seems happy at the moment and long may that last

 

[Granca]

from me too, with even more .

 

[Naya]

@snowbunny - I use wheat bags which go in the microwave for a few mins. They are good as can just rest of her back when she’s led down or walking about.

 

[Atemas]

It’s inevitable that you will think what next etc. Bottom line we somehow try to prepare ourselves for them not being here and knowing when the time is right to let them go. I do wish we could all think dog - it seems so much easier

 

[Oberon]

Apart from knowing what your ‘line’ is I don’t think you can be prepared. So I would try not to think about it. Enjoy her company and burn those memories into your brain.

 

[edzbird]

I try to be Dog about it, I really do. It's possibly the hardest responsibility I have ever shouldered.

So I would try not to think about it. Enjoy her company and burn those memories into your brain.

This is the most valuable piece of advice.

 

[Beanwood]

I am curious regarding the decision to prescribe Tramadol. Having a similar discussion with our vet, the opinion was that there was a lack of evidence regarding pain relief with tramadol (for dogs).

 

[Candy]

@snowbunny .xxx

 

[Jacqui-S]

I am curious regarding the decision to prescribe Tramadol. Having a similar discussion with our vet, the opinion was that there was a lack of evidence regarding pain relief with tramadol (for dogs).

Really?
That is interesting. I'm not sure how much it helps Lilly.
We are weaning her off her steroids so WE can hopefully go back to NSAIDS

 

[Cath]

I use wheat bags which go in the microwave for a few mins.

I have used these when I had whiplash, they really did help me. Love to you both

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

Toughest thing in the world to look at our beloved older dogs and not think of what's coming. I had some (a lot) of days with Brogan that I didn't succeed, but in his wisdom he just kept happily going on and looking at me like "What on earth are you crying about NOW?" when I had meltdowns.

You're right, we all need to be more dog.