Jack's DM

[dafzichu]

Thanks for the info. My mom was saying how Bunni wants to play with her when she gets home from work so Bunni is constantly walking back and forth following my mom around, but falling as she goes. My mom wanted to leave her in her cart for the time it takes her to hook my grandmother's IVs up and start dinner, basically so she would fall so much following her all over the house, but she didn't know if an hour was too long.

I think that it is the bending that bothers my mom's back, so just the bending to put her legs in bother her. I think what she is trying to avoid is putting her in for just a little while, taking her back out of it and then putting it back on later. She would like to just keep her in it for a longer period of time, so she can follow her from room to room and then they can a little bit of playtime in while she is in the cart.

I did want to mention this to you. Before we realize that Bunni had DM, she was getting acupuncture of severe arthritis in her knees. She had about 8 sessions back in the fall and it really helped, so my mom decided to take her back to see if it might help with some of the falling she is experiencing now. They went this morning and my mom said she noticed a big difference in the amount of falls since they have gotten back. So, my mom has decided to start taking her more often to see if that helps her a little, the vet agrees it is worth a try. I wanted to mention it to you, not sure if you have anyone in your area to do it or if you have tried or would want to give it a try, but I figured I would mention it.

 

[SherylM]

April, thanks for the info on acupuncture, I have thought about it but there is no one close to me who does it unfortunately. I know a lot of DM dogs that have it done and it does appear to help some. I think thats a great idea for your mom to let Bunni wander around the house in the cart with her. I wish we could do that with Jack but we just don't have the room. And there's the stairs to think about too! Is your mom giving her any supplements? Also, does your mom have a sling to help with Bunni? We have a sling that we use to help Jack get from room to room if he wants to be with us. We just slip it underneath his belly to support his back end while he walks. Does your mom have carpet or hardwood? We have hardwood but have layed a "runway" for Jack made out of no slip carpet runners!

 

[dafzichu]

I hope Jack is doing well. My mom has decided not to use supplements for Bunni. Bunni is quite picky and it is very hard to get her to take anything without just jamming it down her throat. We just ordered a sling last night for Bunni, hopefully that will save my mom's back. They have quite a few 'runways' at their house too. Bunni uses them to get from room to room.

We finally did go to see the neurologist. Obviously he can't say positively, but he said her symptoms fit DM more then anything else. We are looking into some hydrotherapy to keep her a little more active (she loves to swim), we have the cart and we are going to continue acupuncture, so we will keep pushing forward.

You've been so helpful, thank you so much. I know this sounds wrong, but I am glad there is someone else going through the same thing, it really helps that we are not alone in our struggle. Thanks again.

 

[RoxiesEcho]

I'm glad to hear Jack is doing well. I know what you are going through having been through it with our GSD. Now that Jack's legs are crossing make sure that you keep a close eye on his nails. This was about the time that Roxie started to drag her toes. It didn't take long to wear the nails down to the quick and cause her to scrape the top of her feet. We got her all weather booties that had rubber bumps on the bottom. It helped her with her traction and kept her feet safe. It is so amazing how they can stay their same happy selves while these changes to them effect their mobility. Much love to Jack!

 

[runboorun]

I am just chiming in to tell you what a good job you are doing with Jack. I lost my first Boxer, Boo, to DM. Its been 4 years. I can't believe how the time passes, but I still miss him, and reading your account of Jack brings back memories of him.
I found your post because one of my current Boxer is losing the use of his rear legs now. He's been tested for Cushings and it was negative, and I don't think its DM since he knows where they are, they are just getting weak.
Anyway, your post brought back thoughts of Boo and I wanted to tell you and Jack and all of the others that live with DM to keep on keeping on. take care.