Split: Split: Nula (5yr old English Cocker Spaniel)

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Split: Split: Nula (5yr old English Cocker Spaniel)

Ruth

Guest

Sheena, I thought you were joking a bit and exaggerating, but nope, she really does stink! She even walks away afterwards lol! My poor baby! It’s her birthday today! She’s 6yrs old today, and in 3weeks it’s the anniversary of when I met her for the first time and knew she was for me instantly! I treated her to a couple of small Kongs filled with butternut squash, some poached salmon and I mended her favourite toy, Mr Sheepy. She seemed pleased. She bought him over this evening wanting to play!

Ruths_Nula_bedtime_800x800_1668

Seems odd not going for a long walk and giving her a doggy birthday cake but I know she needs to rest and I didn’t want to upset her tummy. Getting nervous about her PCV tests on Monday though! Other than the Atopica and stomach protection, what else should I be asking the vet? I have started the slippery elm now and milk thistle now. Having an MRI on my hip to see how bad it tore when it dislocated a few weeks ago, and it’s an hours journey to the hospital, so bit worried about leaving her so long. Do you think she’ll be ok? Think I’ll take my parents up on their offer to check on her. I hope all your furry ones are doing well! Xxxxx

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Ruth

Guest

Oops, missed out ‘tomorrow’, it should be I’m having my MRI tomorrow. Xxxx

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admin

Keymaster

Hi Ruth
Oh no – these smells are no laughing matter (well they are really)! I’m sure it’s the prednisolone as Worzel became less smelly (he still has his moments) when we were able to reduce the dosage. I will be thinking about you both on Monday – let us know how her blood test goes when you get a minute. The “nervous about anything and everything” goes with the territory of AIHA/IMHA, so don’t be embarrassed – we are ALL the same. I’m sure she’d be fine for an hour, but I didn’t leave Worzel at all at the beginning because it played on my mind. I got 2 minutes up the road in the car & said to Phil – one of us needs to go back – it’s daft, I know, but that was how worried I became. Just ask your parents to stay with her in case you get delayed – it will play easier on your mind & you need to get your poor hip sorted (sounds really painful – hope all goes well for you).
The Atopica dose & stomach protection questions need to be asked, but everything else seems covered to me, unless anyone else can think of anything? Don’t let them rush you into any reductions in prednisolone (or any other meds) for a while – have a chat with everyone on here – I promise you Nula needs to be completely stable before contemplating any changes.
In the meantime, I hope Nula has enjoyed her Birthday – give her a big hug from me & my boys. You’re right about trying to keep her calm – I know that’s not easy – because they are in need of lots of rest & sleep. You might start to see her muscle tone reducing a little – don’t worry as that’s a “usual” side effect, but it obviously makes them a bit more prone to injuring themselves if they over-exert. Worzel looked a bit like a barrel belly with stick legs at one point when he had been on the meds a long time – probably a build up of wind? Only joking.
Lots of love to both to you – we are yelling “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” over the English Channel – hope you can hear us! Keep those clothes pegs handy.
You are doing a great job Ruth – and well done Nula for being such a good girl.
Sheena, Worzel & Ollie xxxx

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admin

Keymaster

Aw, I love Mr Sheepy!

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Linda

Guest

Hi Ruth. I love Mr. Sheepy too. Never have I seen SO many sheep, as in the UK, so I can understand the ‘little sheep’ – very sweet that Nula is happy you mended him/her for her. Happy Birthday Nula – we are so glad you are here with us to celebrate this very special birthday!!

I know it’s weird – all the changes, but you will be glad you took it easy with her AND feeding her only what is needed. You’re doing a great job with Nula – so glad to her response. Glad she’s on tummy protection and VERY glad about the Atopica.

As Sheena mentioned, when Nula has been stable for a while, her PCV is up – and it’s suggested to wean her – do it SLOW, SLOW, SLOW. You may very well be back at square one if not and with Nula going so low and the past history of needed transfusions, that would not be good. But going slow, she should be able to handle it just fine, I’m sure though. :)

Again, Happy 6th Birthday Nula. We send our love and huge, huge birthday girl hugs,

Linda and Sadie

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Linda

Guest

Oh, sorry Ruth – I will be thinking of you with the MRI. Wishing you the best. I hope you’ll be better in no time!!

xo Linda

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Vally

Guest

Happy Birthday Nula!!! See only 6 years old and she’s smart enough to walk away from those horrid nasty smells.

Mr Sheepy is so cute. Does Nula rip his guts out? That’s what Bingo does with all his toys. Only problem with Bingo and his toys, I have to cut out the eyes or anything else that he’s likely to rip off first and possibly swallow. He hates squeaky toys. They upset him if they squeak and he goes off to hide shaking and won’t come back out. So if I find a really cute toy, the eyes, and squeak has to be cut out of them. That leaves the perfect opening for Bingo to then rip the toy apart and pull out all the stuffing.

Good luck with her test. Everything crossed for good numbers. Don’t panic if it’s a little down. The numbers can vary by how much water they’ve drunk, the time of day, how stressed they are when tested. All sorts of things. Having said that, we want good numbers Nula. Your mum has worked hard for you so be good.

When stable, as the others have said it’s really really important, don’t race the weaning. We’ve all learned the hard way and say it over and over – go slow.

You take care of yourself too, Good luck on your MRI.

Love Vally & Bingo

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Ruth

Guest

Hi Vally, yes she does! Hence mending him lol! She particularly likes to rip apart squeaky toys. I think she thinks she’s killing them! Vets went ok. From being admitted to today, she is down in weight just over a kg. They described her time not eating at the vets as prolonged anorexia? I’ve not heard it used with dogs before? But she’s eating for England since coming home so hopefully that doesn’t matter now. Get her PCV results tomorrow. Her temperature and mood they’re happy with though so that’s good. So just keep plodding on I think. I did say again about the muscle twitching and I’m going to try and get a video of it for her. So we’ll see what her PCV says and keep at it. I hope you all and your fur babies are all doing well. Xxxxxxxxx