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Update on our dog Maddie

kawakii

New member
Hi All,

Sorry I haven't been on much lately as some of you know from an earlier post and apology for missing many at Spyders in the Adirondacks my service dog/companion Maddie has been very ill. Over the last 8 weeks she has lost 8 pounds, gone from 28 -20 pounds, and been in the ER Vet hospital 3 times. The last time during the last day of Spyders in the Adirondacks -- where she was losing her lining of intestines and blood in her stool.

After a very expensive ultrasound,x-rays, blood testing, endoscopy and biopsy she has been diagnosed with Colitis - IBD. They vets have put her on Prednisone, Tylan, Metronidazole, probiotics, enzymes, and special diet. We have tried 5 or 6 different high end foods with the ingrediants that supposedly won't upset her GI track and she has refused them all unless starving. We are now moving onto a RAW diet, pre-made Natures Variety Instinct per vets instructions which will be about 100.00 a month on top off all the medications but as long as the vet feels we can get her quality of life back to a good level we will continue to do what we can as long as we can. We to date have spent almost $8000.00 ( 2,800.00 for endoscopy and 1,200.00 for ultrasound, x-rays).

Today she is doing a little better and even played with her brother for awhile. She has gained 2 pounds back in the last 2 weeks ( so now she is 22 lbs) and we have been able to go for our nightly walks. She is still spending most of the day sleeping or in bed but she always had a tail wag or offers up her belly to Jake or I. The vet says she will keep improving as we fiqure out what works best for her. Her last blood sample came back within normal range and was a relief. Jake and I got to get out on the Spyder today for a few hours which was needed--very needed. All the stress has been very hard on us. Especially since I'm dealing with a pressure sore on the back on my leg from the paralysis and am on bedrest, limited time up in the chair and bike. Dr. allowed the bike as long as we keep it under 2 hours thankfully -- and up only 4 hours per day :( We have had the discussion about selling the Spyder if needed to to repay vet bills even though it would kill us-- we love Maddie more. Right now we are trying to avoid that at all costs since we have put alot into it and well it's really th only bike I'll be able to ride/drive by myself.

Anyways I wanted to say Thank you to the people who have PM'd me and asked about her and checked in. It is awfully nice. She really is like a kid to me, she is my fur-kid. She is a huge help daily for me in the chair and with my own anxiety. I hope we can continue to improve so we don't have to make a hard decision I'm not ready for-- poor girl is barely 6.5 years old. We will always do what is best for her though.

So, Thank you --Thank you -- Thank you for all the well wishes and prayer for Maddie. Keep them coming !

::hugs::

Nicole
 
Sorry to hear of her sickness. Hope she continues to improve. I have a little Boston Terrier and she is my sunshine. You're right, they are like children. I hope you don't have to sell your Spyder, but if push comes to shove, I would do the same thing. What breed is Maddie?
 
Health

My eyes are watering, I can't imagine losing our 12 year old golden and my heart goes out to you and your pup. Both of you get better soon.
Hi All,

Sorry I haven't been on much lately as some of you know from an earlier post and apology for missing many at Spyders in the Adirondacks my service dog/companion Maddie has been very ill. Over the last 8 weeks she has lost 8 pounds, gone from 28 -20 pounds, and been in the ER Vet hospital 3 times. The last time during the last day of Spyders in the Adirondacks -- where she was losing her lining of intestines and blood in her stool.

After a very expensive ultrasound,x-rays, blood testing, endoscopy and biopsy she has been diagnosed with Colitis - IBD. They vets have put her on Prednisone, Tylan, Metronidazole, probiotics, enzymes, and special diet. We have tried 5 or 6 different high end foods with the ingrediants that supposedly won't upset her GI track and she has refused them all unless starving. We are now moving onto a RAW diet, pre-made Natures Variety Instinct per vets instructions which will be about 100.00 a month on top off all the medications but as long as the vet feels we can get her quality of life back to a good level we will continue to do what we can as long as we can. We to date have spent almost $8000.00 ( 2,800.00 for endoscopy and 1,200.00 for ultrasound, x-rays).

Today she is doing a little better and even played with her brother for awhile. She has gained 2 pounds back in the last 2 weeks ( so now she is 22 lbs) and we have been able to go for our nightly walks. She is still spending most of the day sleeping or in bed but she always had a tail wag or offers up her belly to Jake or I. The vet says she will keep improving as we fiqure out what works best for her. Her last blood sample came back within normal range and was a relief. Jake and I got to get out on the Spyder today for a few hours which was needed--very needed. All the stress has been very hard on us. Especially since I'm dealing with a pressure sore on the back on my leg from the paralysis and am on bedrest, limited time up in the chair and bike. Dr. allowed the bike as long as we keep it under 2 hours thankfully -- and up only 4 hours per day :( We have had the discussion about selling the Spyder if needed to to repay vet bills even though it would kill us-- we love Maddie more. Right now we are trying to avoid that at all costs since we have put alot into it and well it's really th only bike I'll be able to ride/drive by myself.

Anyways I wanted to say Thank you to the people who have PM'd me and asked about her and checked in. It is awfully nice. She really is like a kid to me, she is my fur-kid. She is a huge help daily for me in the chair and with my own anxiety. I hope we can continue to improve so we don't have to make a hard decision I'm not ready for-- poor girl is barely 6.5 years old. We will always do what is best for her though.

So, Thank you --Thank you -- Thank you for all the well wishes and prayer for Maddie. Keep them coming !

::hugs::

Nicole
 
Sorry to hear of her sickness. Hope she continues to improve. I have a little Boston Terrier and she is my sunshine. You're right, they are like children. I hope you don't have to sell your Spyder, but if push comes to shove, I would do the same thing. What breed is Maddie?

Maddie is a puggle :) She is the all brown and Cooper and the black/brown. IMG_0076.jpg
 
So sorry to hear about your problems with Maddie.. You're obviously a great dog lover and are doing what is best for her.... GREAT JOB !!!

The raw diet can be quite a bit of work, but I think you're on the right track......:thumbup:

Hopefully she can taper down on some of the meds in the near future.... the Prednisone in particular........

Good luck and keep all us other dog lovers up to date on her progress !:thumbup:
 
:shocked: I am so sorry that she's going through all of this. We're fervently praying that it has been caught in time so that she can make a complete recovery for you.:pray:
Dan's right; please keep all of us in the loop regarding her recovery! :thumbup:
 
I can relate to your situation. We stopped counting what we spent on Winston when we got over $15K... poor boy. It sounds like Maddie is doing better. I hope she continues to improve and you can get back to a more normal, or at least get used to the new normal!
 
UPDATE

Thanks Everyone. Spoke to the vet today again and they have extended her prescription for Tylosin ( anti diariheal) and are keeping her Prednisone at 10mg for one more week. I was hoping that would be lowered this week but they are being careful since she has eaten for the last 5 days in a row and we don't want to lose that momentum. Most she has eaten in at least 8 weeks in a row. Next Wednesday it'll drop to 5 mg as long as everything goes alright then hopefully even lower over time since Prednisone is not ideal for anyone to be on long term. She is perking up every day so I'm hoping we are through the worst but are aware that she could have a flair up anytime. Just hoping we can avoid the flair up as much as possibe and get her feeling at least normal again.Again we appreciate all the prayers and help :)

Our local pet store runs a referral program and anyone who signs up for e-mails from them will earn Jake, I, and Maddie 5.00 off a bag of food. Seeing that we are buying raw food - two bags a week this would be great for us. I know alot of you don't live local but I'd appreciate it if you'd help us out and sign up with our referral link. You can always put them on your junk e-mail list afterwards but it would greatly help us with costs :) The girls on "Girls on Spyders" facebook page have been great and helped us get almost 100.00 off food so far ! :clap:

Here is the link : http://customer.loyaltypath.com/EnterCardInfo.aspx?rc=Cs6mxocKMMU=&sid=cOVXRsDNoPE=
 
Glad to hear of the improvement. We will keep you and Maddie in our thoughts and :pray:.

Our pets are family and we love them dearly.

Cinnamon, Sammy, and the Princess send their regards also.
 
Prayers for Maddie and your family headed your way!!! Gotta love those doggies!!

Got 2 of my own and one had a cancerous tumor removed. Had to have her on prednisone for a while, and it's a pain in the butt!! They end up drinking gallons of water and eat like fiends (but mine didn't have any intestinal problems)!! So far, my Mollie is doing well.
 
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