Spondolosis Anyone??????

[ToriFan]

Hey Kate!

Give Bart a hug for me. Keep me posted. Lars has been having a lot of good days lately. Finally got Lily out of her e-collar for good. I'm trying to get things back to normal -- whatever "normal" might be.

Maybe the hyprothyroidism will be the answer to stopping the progression.

Take care,

Amy

 

[Poohsmom]

Hmm,Kate,the info you mentioned about your vet thinking there may be a link between congenital Hypothyroidism and spondylosis is interesting. When Dozer was diagnosed as being epileptic,the vet(not our normal one but dtill in the same office) ran a series of blood tests,one of them being for his thyroid.It was just the basic test to check his T4.Levels were ok. But something keeps sticking in the back of my mind.Dozer is scheduled for his phenobarb levels bloodwork on Sept.6 and I've asked the dr to run the full panel. It'll take about 2 weeks to get the results back but then we'll have an accurate test.I'm going to ask him his thoughts on this new scenario.

Keep us posted on Bart and his vet visit.

Sue and the kids,Pooh,Bownser,Dozer & cissy
Buddy & Dusty,romping at the bridge

 

[Cindy Creel]

My second boxer had this and it was severe. She also had a cancerous growth removerd from her leg at two. She was also 2 when they discovered Spondolosis. she lived to be 10. She did take the meds that you have discussed. I hope everything goes well with all of the boxer babies that have this.

 

[BXR RYD]

Hi Guys,
Well Cooper seems to be doing ok.....he has become lazy though and I dont know if it is the meds or if he is in pain.
We see the Neuro Dr tomorrow and I am SOOOO nervous about it.
I was wondering myself about the thyroid as we also tested Cooper for it too but he was fine....from what I understand it is also genetic/hereditary so I wonder why breeders dont test for this like they do hips??????
I also wondered if size or weight might play a roll to this as well???????

I will let you know what I find out tomorrow.

 

[Kate Rowles]

Good luck with the Neuro tomorrow. Give Cooper a big (gentle) hug & tell him we are all rooting for him. Very best wishes are winging their way accross the Atlantic to Cooper & all the Boxer babies out there suffering with this disease!!

Bart is at the Vets tomorrow also. We'll be back in touch then.

Kate

 

[Mandy1155]

We saw the vet on Saturday. She said there isn't a whole lot we can do besides be careful she doesn't jump off high things or act totally crazy.

What suggestions did your vet give you? Are any of you looking into surgery? My vet said she doesn't need it.

 

[Poohsmom]

BXR RYD- Just wanted to let you know that me and the kids are sending out lots of positive thought vibes for Cooper's neuro visit tomorrow. Give Cooper a great big hug from us and know that we will all be there in spirit with you tomorrow. Be sure and update us later if you can.
Did your vet do a complete thyroid scan? A full panel is 6 tests.T3,T4,free T3,free T4,T3 & T4 antibodies. I got this info from a google search.Ask your vet what kind of thyroid test he did. When Dozer was initially diagnosed,the vet told me that if the basic test comes back from a CBC workup,and the initial test levels are ok,they don't normally do a full scan. But I've had several people suggest that I should have it run.So,when he goes back for his pheno level check,this is one test I've insisted on having done. If his seizures are being caused by an out of whack thyroid,I'd rather have him on meds for that instead of phenobarb.But I do realize,too,that the tests may show nothing.

Mandy1155-Our vet also recommended that we try to keep him from jumping or acting too crazy.But he did have me start Dozer on 1500 mg of glucosamine/chondritin daily. I've also ordered Glyco Flex III for Pooh,but I'm going to start Dozer on it as well. I figured that it couldn't hurt.
OUr vet hasn't said anything about surgery.I was too stunned at the news to even think to ask about it.
My biggest problem has been my folks. They don't really understand the depth of my/our committment to our dogs. Last night I was talking to my dad,telling him about Dozer's latest diagnosis,all he could do was tell me that I should have him put down-he'd be better off .I was heartbroken and told him that that isn't even an option at this point in time and how could he even suggest that. To them,dogs are disposable. I can't begin to count the dogs they've had,and then got rid of because they didn't have a "perfect"dog. When Pooh had her pups,they asked for one for themselves and I told them no. Sometimes I feel like I'm the odd ball in the family I am the only one to have a complete and utter passion for animals,my sister and brothers want no part of pets. Oh well,their loss. My skinkid is grown and out on his own so now these four furry angels are my babies.

Geez,didn't realize how long this was,oops,anyhow, lots of hugs and kisses to all the other babies in this little group. We'll all get through this,together !

Sue and the kids,Pooh,Bownser,Dozer & Cissy
Buddy & Dusty,romping at the bridge

 

[Mandy1155]

Poohsmom-thanks for the advice. I will get her gluc/chon supplements.

It's so hard to keep a boxer from acting crazy. I am just glad she is over her "burning" phase. She used to do it ALL the time. I think that would be bad now.

I know what you mean about parents not understanding! Mine just wish I would trade all mine in for skin kids. My dad said something about the dogs going out in the backyard when I had skin kids... what a joke! I would never consider it!

 

[Poohsmom]

Mandy1155-Pooh is 8 and she still burns !! In fact,since she's been on the Rimadyl,in combination with losing a good bit of senior girl spread,she has become really active again. In fact,I caught her and Cissy doing burns around the house !! The only thing she wouldn't do was chase Cissy up the stairs!
On the glucosamine/chondritin,my vet told me to go to Walmart or wherever and I could use human grade, so I got their brand-Spring Valley-1500 mg.Plus I'm waiting for the glyco flex I ordered to come in. Make sure it is ok with your vet first,though.

Sue and the kids,Pooh,Bownser,Dozer & Cissy
Buddy & Dusty,romping at the bridge

 

[Kate Rowles]

Hello Everyone

Bart's blood test has come back with his Thyroid levels now too high! So the vet has reduced his drug Soloxine and has prescribed Metacam to reduce the inflammation caused by the Spondylosis. He is also sending off Bart's x-rays and medical notes for specialist opinion. However we have another wait on our hands ~ possibly up to 10 days. Of course when I have further info I'll share it with you all.

Sadly Bart is still very sorry for himself; almost completely disinterested in everything. He's also drinking a heck of a lot & I can't leave him for an hour without returning home to a 'puddle'.....yet he can go through the night, lie around and has no urgency to go out to pee. The vet seems to think that the inflammation surounding his spine may be causing this problem too.....

Just like you all my furbaby is everything to me & I will do everything in my power to make him well again. A few people I know don't understand - just like you said Phoos Mom!

How did Cooper get on with the Neuro?

It's great corresponding with you all. Bart & I really appreciate it.