[SweetSunshine]

Heidi got injured somehow.. we arent sure how. And she's got it bad in her back right now. She doesnt want to move or anything. I am having to put a bowl of water and food in front of her while she lays down to get her to eat anything. Tried giving her some prednisone after calling the vet last night . That isnt helping any . So I called this morning and they want to see her at !0 am.

Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers if you will. She is like a baby to me. Not used to see her like this , she's always so spunky and full of life. I said her birthday hit her hard Thursday. She turned 12 then. I just want to make it all better for her.

{{{{{{{{{{{HEIDI SUE}}}}}}}}}}

[sabby]

It's so hard when our animal loves are in pain and we don't know how or why. I wish you both luck and hope it's nothing serious! {{{{SS & HS}}}}

you and Heidi Sue are in my heart.....love, pat

[bipolar_bear]

((((((((((((((Heidi Sue & SS))))))))))))))) I hope things went well at the vet. You are both in my thoughts.

[SweetSunshine]

Well she's got Canine Disc Disease. Meaning its like when humans get ruptured discs. . She fell off the back of my dads chair a couple years ago. And she had this back then also. But it seems to be worse now because she doesnt want to walk at all. We have to keep her on strict rest for at least 3 weeks minimum. Meaning no walking, running,no stairs, or rough housing ( which she rarelydid anyways) and no jumping on and off furniture. We have to carry her down the back steps from now on to go outdoors.

She was given a IV Cortisone shot. And some Duralactin caps to be given the rest of her life. That is supposed to help with the musculoskeleton system. And some anitbiotics for a throat infection. . When we get her all better she also has to have a teeth cleaning while under general anesthesia. And prednisone pills to be given daily and gradually weaned off.

If the disc disease gets worse.. which her reflexes in her back legs are not good right now ... she may end up permanently paralyzed back there. Then we will have to decide what we want to do as far as trying a cart out where she will be able to walk but only her front legs and the cart will be on the back to hold her other legs up and wheels . Or.. and GOD help us that this doenst happen yet that we would have to put her to sleep.. I cannot bear for that to happen. She is such a sweet dog.. I just love her with all I have. Please continue to keep her in your t houghts if you will !! It would mean so much to us!!

Hugz
Bethy

[jammerlich]

Bethy, there is surgery for that; but, it's expensive and it must be done within a certain amount of time. Our canine child has the same problem and the vet told us that the reason she had trouble moving the back end was because the spinal cord is being pinched. He also said that if it becomes pinched completely or severed, then surgery must be done within 24 hours to prevent permanent paralysis.

So far, though, we haven't had to go that route. Bed rest and steroids have done the trick. She hates it and it feels cruel; but, it's for her own good. Being a parent is hard sometimes, isn't it? It's so hard to keep the from jumping and running. I don't want to "protect" her so much that life isn't fun anymore. We try really hard to find a balance between what the doctors suggest and what leaves her with a good quality of life.

I know it's difficult and scary. I'll be thinking of you both.

I am so sorry Heidi Sue is hurting.. and YOU too!

Our pets are family and when they hurt, we hurt. I'm glad the vet found out what was wrong. Animals are resiliant and I'll bet she will adapt well. Every dog I've ever seen with one of those carts seemed very happy to me! And I assume most of them had full use of their back legs at one time, so they seem to have adapted very well.

Heidi Sue and your family will be in my thoughts. She is so lucky to have you!

(( HUGS ))

ECHOES

[(JD)]

Awww I'm so sorry. You know many dogs are quite happy in those carts! I hope she feels better soon. (((hugs)))

[SweetSunshine]

Thanks everyone for your well wishes..

She is still not doing well. She wont eat or drink.. therefore I cant get any of her medication in her at all. She is soo weak looking right now. I am beside myself as to what to do for her. I have never seen her so bad as she is right now.. Please keep sending your thoughts , prayers .. good vibes .. whatever it is you do.. we need them!!

Thank you!!
Hugz
Bethy

[SweetSunshine]

Well we just took her to our Veterinarians house. She looked her over and wanted to keep her for observation for the rest of the weekend. If she is better tomorrow we can pick her up .. if not it will be Monday. She looked so sad when we left her. I feel so bad for her. I cant keep from crying because last year with Jorgie keeps coming back to me. I dont want to lose my sweet little doggie. I'm sorry.. I'm just so scared...

i understand. i have a cat, Amsu, who is 19 and i know what i'm going to be dealing with soon. my menagerie will hold you and Heidi extra close tonight and help you deal with this........love, pat

[Boopers]

I'm so sorry. Our pets become our children. I hope your poor Heidi will gain strength and start eating and drinking again. I know this is a horrible time for you and sending my prayers.
Linda

[SweetSunshine]

I'm sorry I forgot to update you today. She is still with our vet . And they will be taking her to the office with them tomorrow to do some tests. Maybe. I realized that I ( stupidly) did not do anything with our deceased cats toys till Wednesday night . I had Thanksgiving out here with my husbands family and my dad. We did notice her acting funny .. but not this down like. And the vet thinks that she is depressed also. So my husband and I think that she may be affected by this. I am going to try to talk to my vet tomorrow first thing in the morning and see what she thinks.

I am not dealing well with her not being here either. I tried so hard to go to bed. But as soon as I entered the room I started crying. I took her favorite toy up with me Mr Ducky. A stuffed long armed long legged stuffed green duck. with sqeakies in the belly and hands and feet. I snuggled up with it.. Sorry I know I am old enough to not sleep with a stuffed animal.. but I needed something of her close to me. And I just sobbed. She always got in bed with me kissed me before she got under the covers .. Ohhh those icky licky's!!!! But she was so sweet about it. Its like she couldnt hug me .. so I get a kiss instead. I just miss her so much.. and I want her to be ok. I dont know what else to do for her. We've been thru so much together the last 11 1/2 yrs.

Please continue your thoughts and prayers for her. Thanks so much everyone for what you have done..

Hugz
Bethy

[Sarah116]

Awww!, poor Heidi Sue! (((Hugs of hope!))) I hope it goes well and I am glad you take such wonderful care of her! Do you have any other pets?

[SweetSunshine]

Just got a call from the vet. Heidi is in alot of pain. They think it is pancreatitis . Thats what Jorgie had . Thats why we had to put him to sleep. They are doing a specific blood test for this and will be sending it out to get checked. Other things they said it could be is a possible tumor, or gastroenteritis. They took xrays. It showed a large heart shadow which could be a problem or it could be normal for her since alot of toy breeds have this. Lets hope that its normal .. otherwise she may go into CHF.. Congenital Heart Failure. She also had arthritic lesions in her back where she has pain.

You guys I am beside myself here... I am bringing her home this afternoon. I want to be happy about this .. and I am but then I am also scared that I wont be able to help her get better. She will be on a liquid diet of water, ice and pedialyte.

Please keep your thoughts and prayers good vibes coming to her.. Last night was hell for me not having her here . Dont laugh.. I slept with her Ducky toy.. I know silly. But I had to have something close of her with me.

i'm not laughing at you. one of tippy's collar is fastened onto the headboard of my bed and the beaded one is around my camera strap. i understand, perfectly, what you are going through. my thoughts are with you. love, pat

[January]

Oh no!!!!

((((((((((((((( Beth, Hubby & Heidi Sue )))))))))))))))))

I so hope and pray she recoveres quickly.

Hugs,

Jan

[Boopers]

Oh Beth,

I'm so sorry to hear this!! My prayers are with you all!!

Gentle hugs,
Linda

[SweetSunshine]

Thanks so much you guys!!! I am happy to report she is getting lots of kisses and hugs and cuddles . I was just down on the floor with her while she is laying on her big pillow. Just watching her breath and being so thankful she is home with us.

She is doing better. Not out of the woods though. But she wants to eat now . So we have her on a bland diet of boiled chicken or hamburger and rice. I decided the chicken and rice sounded better than boiled hamburger lol. EWWWWWWWW! She is doing # 2 .. more solid now . Which is good. She has her prance in her step now too. That is more like our Heidi Sue.
I got her some steps to go up and down to get on her chair or on the bed. The vet would rather have her doing steps than jumping with the arthritic lesions . And best of all .. her little black beady eyes are starting to glisten again. All this is putting a smile back on my face .. even if it is early to do so. She is the one of the most important things in my life that makes me happy to be alive.

Hugz
Bethy

Bethy,

I'm so glad your HeidiSue is back home with you and she's feeling a bit better. She's very lucky to have someone like you that cares so much for her.
Pets can make such a difference in our lives.

Bethy and HeidiSue

[SweetSunshine]

I am glad also Mandy!!! She was so funny last night. She actually got on her back and was wiggling around and snorting lol. I know it doenst sound like much but she did it for almost 10 minutes lol. So I think for sure her back is feeling better since she did that and then I think her appetite is up too . She is eating her bland diet( boiled chicken and rice ) like she cant get enough. And she is starting to want to go bye byes . Which I am not letting her yet . As she needs the rest and she likes to go back and forth to windows at times. I love this dog... She is soooo cute and precious!!!!!!!!