Just Fun

So Dakoda is doin really good.  He is on a new pain med to manage his hip and he seems to be doin better on it than the other one he was on.  He is playin more with me and the other dogs and it really makes me happy to see.  He is startin to act the age he is as opposed to actin like he was 10 like he was doin.  Hopefully I will have some pictures comin soon.

Hehe

bath time

Guarding the steam mop

Bath time again

I know I know

I'm horrible at keepin these things updated...bite me.  Lol!  Dakoda is doin well.  You can tell he still has some pain but it doesn't stop him from runnin and jumpin and playin like a puppy.  So I guess he isn't in that much pain.  He isn't on pain meds anymore but he is still on his supplement and his anti-inflammatory.  I want him back on the pain meds but mom said its good for them, just like humans, to feel alittle pain so they don't over do it and injure themselves.  It makes sense but I still feel bad for him.  But he is just as cuddley as big of an attention hog as always :p

For the Hell of It

Dakoda is doin good!  He was off of his pain meds and anit-inflamatory for about a week so he started limpin again a little bit but he is back on his meds now so it's startin to get better.  We are gonna start goin to the dog park atleast four times a week startin next week along with the rest of the pack.  I wonder how they will all do.  Guess we will see!

Finally an Update

I'm back and can start keepin this up again.  Dakoda is doin so much better!  He really doesn't limp at all anymore!  He has a bad day now and then but it doesn't last long.  He jumps and runs and plays like he is a puppy again...though he is still only 3.  Lol!  We did learn that he is scared to death of thunderstorms.  So now everytime one comes around Mom has to build him his little tent so that he feels safe.  His little tent is a blanket infront of the computor cover the leg cavity area or covering one of the dog beds between the computor desk and the couch.  Its soo cute!

Pics

all doped up after the vet appt

"Taquito!?"

First Specialist Appointment

Ok so now its not an ACL Tear.  Dr. Purnell took more X-rays and we saw that Dakoda does have some degeneration goin on on his femural head so that may be part of our problem.  He thinks we may mostly be lookin at a muscle injury.  Somethin right up by the socket cause there is more laxity goin on that in his right hind leg and the pain is definately comin from his hip area.  He also drew some fluid from Dakoda's joint that did not come back normal.  It is supposed to be a syrupy color but actually came back orangey which shows we may have some bleedin from whatever is damaged goin into his joints.

First step...2 different pain meds multiple times a day until ???.  Glyco-Flex III twice a day for 6 weeks then once a day there after.  Limited activity (no playin, runnin, or jumpin) for 6 weeks.  He has another follow up appointment to see where we stand in four weeks.  Unfortunately I won't be here so my mom is goin to take him and send me copies of all the paperword as well as a detailed letter on what the doctor said and then we will go from there.

Dr. Purnell did mention the S word (surgery) but he thinks that might be premature right now.  So we are takin this first step.  If the 6 weeks of limited activity doesn't work then I am lookin at 3 weeks of in-patient physical therapy which will run me $1,275.00.  Ouch!  So everyone cross your fingers that these next 6 weeks proves to work!  Keep Koda in your prayers (and my sanity if you can spare me a couple seconds) if you would't mind.  I get the feelin we are gonna need alot of support.

Everythin will work out though!  The Gods and Goddesses never give us more than we can handle and everythin is a learnin experience!  Just gotta keep the chin up, chest out, and a smile on the face, and keep marchin!

We're Off to See the Specialist

Well we have an appointment Friday at 1000 hrs to see the specialist and see what all our options are.  Spendin $85.00 that I do not have to my name. :o oh well...we will see what he says and go from there.  I'll come up with the money some how...

Heard From the Vet

Well I heard from the vet and told her that he is doin a little better on the pain meds but he still limps and doens't put all his weight on his leg.  She is recommendin him to a specialist.  The office visit to this specialist is $75.00 and he will tell me whether he thinks surgery will be beneficial, if its our only route, if we have other options, or if it may heal on its own over time.  Surgery is $1000.00 for an ACL tear...so if surgery is our only option...I may have to think about gettin rid of him...I really hope it doesn't come to that though.  Cross your fingers.  I'm about to call the specialist and make an appointment.

Another Pic

Catch Up

I took Dakoda to the vet and they did x-rays and they didn't see any hip dysplasia or degenerative bone issues.  So thats good.  The vet does think that he may have an ACL Tear in his stifle so she put him on two weeks worth of pain meds and she is gonna call me in a week to see how he is doin.  And then we will go from there.  She did mention a specialist however but if it is an ACL Tear Erin told me the names of a couple regular (not specialists) vets who can take care of him and it won't cost a fortune like a specialist would.  So I will let y'all know more after about 4 more days.

Can't Wait Any Longer

Dakoda has gotten real bad.  I am gonna have to take him to the vet.  As of tonight he won't even walk on his left hind leg.  I'm just gonna go in for a regular exam instead of goin in to have him examined for hip dysplasia.  I am makin the call tomorrow mornin. :(

Wait and See

Well Koda has been on those supplement/meds I ordered for almost a week now and I don't see any progess but I also don't see and regression.  All the reviews say it took about two weeks so I guess I will give them another week and a half and hopefully they work.  I hate seein him in pain.  But I don't have the $200.00 to $300.00 for the vet just for the evaluation alone.  Ugh!

mmmmm....

Well I can definately tell which hip it is now that is givin Koda problems.  Its is his left hip.  I could tell by his gait all of a sudden.  It's gettin worse...maybe I should call the chiropractor again...I really hope this joint supplement that I ordered works.

Woohoo!

So Koda loves his new bed!!!  I owe Mrs. Patricia a great big hug the next time I see her.  Maybe I'll go buy her a new plant.  she would like that!

Thanks Mrs. Patricia!

A family friend of mine gave me a dog bed today and I'm hopin that it will help Dakoda's hips until I can get him his orthopedic bed!  Thanks Mrs. Patricia!

Another Pic

Pictures!!! Hooah!

Yes my dog is spoiled!  LOL!  Thats the way all animals should be!!!

First Step or technically the second

So I have made the first step...actually I guess its the second since really the first was takin him to the chiropractor...anyway I have made the next step, lets say that, I called SmartPak and the woman recommended this

http://www.smartpakcanine.com/productclass.aspx?productClassid=2941

so I went ahead and ordered the 180 count bucket which will last 90 days.  I should get it within 3-4 business days so I will keep y'all updated on if I see improvment or not.  The woman said that alot of people use this supplement for their dogs who have hip dysplasia and they are all really pleased with the results so I have a good feeling about this.

I did call the vet also to get a price estimation.  If Koda doesn't need sedation and stayin the day it will be just under $200.00 for the exam and the x-rays.  If he does need sedation and does need to stay the day it will cost just under $300.00.  So I am gonna hold off on the vet for awhile and just see how these meds and everythin I get him helps.

I also got him those paw-pads so that when we go to mama's and daddy's house he doesn't slip around on their tile and hard wood floors and so that it is easier for him to lay down and get up.  Once I get about an extra $100.00 I'm gonna get those doggie boots that have the traction on the bottoms.  They will be cheaper in the long run compared to spendin $15.00 each week for the paw-pads.  These are the boots by the way
http://www.smartpakcanine.com/productclass.aspx?productClassid=4613
and he will need the socks to make sure they fit and stay on
http://www.smartpakcanine.com/productclass.aspx?productClassid=7049

Step 1...go to chiropractor...completed
Step 2...get supplements and paw pads...completed
Step 3...gettin the dog bed and sheet
Step 4...stairs to the bed and the ramp for the truck
Possible Step 5...take Dakoda to the vet :(

I wonder if I should have Koda seen every 2 weeks by the chiropractor or what...I think I'm gonna make him (the chiropractor, not Koda) some blueberry muffins.  LOL!

I really hope I am doin the right thing!  I hate seein my babies in pain!

This What I Am Gettin Dakoda to Help His Hips

http://www.smartpakcanine.com/ProductClass.aspx?productclassid=5252

http://www.smartpakcanine.com/productclass.aspx?productclassid=5249
to make cleanin his bed easier

http://www.smartpakcanine.com/ProductClass.aspx?productclassid=457

http://www.smartpakcanine.com/productclass.aspx?productClassid=6035
for when we are at mom's and dad's house

http://www.smartpakcanine.com/productclass.aspx?productClassid=3042
I'm either gonna buy this or I'm gonna make somethin similar out of wood and carpet.

Then I am also gonna make him a 3 step stair for my bed at 36" high by 24" wide by 36" long.  I am gonna put carpet on top of the stairs also so that he doesn't slip.  (I'm hopin my dad will help me build this)

I'm hopin all of this stuff will help his hips cause hip dysplasia is a degenerative thing and it will get worse.  It will eventually lead to surgery and I really hope to prolong that as long as possible.

The Bad Luck Carries to My Dog???

So I guess the "first time horse owner bad luck thing" doesn't carry over to dogs as well because Dakoda isn't my first dog.  LOL!  I wouldn't say we are havin a streak or anythin this is really the first problem I've had with him.  I think he may have hip dysplasia.  I did some research on it last night and it sounds right.  So I took him to the chiropractor today and he adjusted Koda's hips and he seems to be doin a good deal better.  I'm gonna get Koda a hip supplement, a ramp for him to get into and out of my truck, stairs for him to get on and off my bed, and an orthopedic bed.  I'm hopin that all that will take the stress off of his hips and they won't get aggravated as much.  That and I'm gonna see about regular chiropractor visits for him and I have also called the vet to see what information they can find for me and see if maybe I should take him in for x-rays so that I know for sure whether it is actually hip dysplasia or not.  I need to get all this done before I leave though.  So wish us luck!  If anyone is curious here is a little info on hip dysplasia....

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2084&aid=444

Meet Dakoda!!!!

So I know I kinda wrote about Koda in Sebastian's spot but I have decided to start one for Koda as well.  He deserves to feel special also!  LOL!

I got Dakoda, I wanna say sometime in October, so I will be makin his birthday October 1st.  I don't know his real birthday cause I adopted him from the SPCA.  But he is turnin out to be the best dog ever! (though I may be a little biased!  LOL!)

Here is a link on the American Eskimo Spitz breed if you are interested.
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/americaneskimo.htm

Meet my male 2 year old American Eskimo Spitz!!!