Abbey
one year after surgery
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
21 weeks. It sure doesn't seem that long since her surgery but it is. She is doing relatively well. She still does show symptoms--still a little scratching here and there. Once in awhile a little head rubbing. I have NOT seen her rub herself on the couch like she used to and she used to do that quite a bit. Tonight she did hold her paw up like she had a cramp and we think thats related to the sm but not sure--who knows maybe it is a cramp--maybe somebody can show some light on that one. Bentley and Abbey were buddies before we got Chelsea and they used to snuggle up to each other--they still do but Chelsea and Bentley play all the time. Sometimes Bentley goes up to Abbey to play and I know Abbey can't handle it and she just lays down and Bentley just leaves. Its sad to watch as I know in my heart Abbbey would love to play if she could as she adores Bentley. She is taking gabapentin 3 times a day--100 mg, omeprazole and also temaril and we've cut the temaril back to once daily and I think I'm going to try every other day soon. So she still does show symptoms but not like she did. I believe the surgery has helped her and she has improved and thats a very positive note in my book. I still worry about her but not in the same way and I don't freak out like I used to either. I now look at it like she is handicapped in a sense and not as a death sentence like I used to. We've both come a very long way in 4 months. :-)
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Day 23--she's feeling better and bored!!!
Hi George and Linda,
ReplyDeleteI am a regular contributor on the CKCS-SM Yahoo group and have received your updates through my "Google Alerts". My Oliver underwent surgery with Dr. Dewey at Cornell University a year ago in July. He has struggled since the surgery and about a month ago we tried using the drug, Lyrica, per Dr. Dewey's recommendation. Unfortunately, the drug cost $220.00 for a 45 day supply and did not effectively help Oliver overcome his pain. Last Sunday we put him back on Gabapentin which we can get for about $10.00 per month on the CVS plan. He is now on about 500 mg per day and we expect to try to keep him comfortable until he needs to be put down. Tragic really since he is such a wonderful dog!! In an effort to try to breed dogs free of this horrible disease, I brought over a female Cavalier from Australia last September with a long SM free history. She has been bred to another top champion dog that is also SM free and I now have 3 pet quality puppy boys that need good homes. I hope your Abbey has a better prognosis than Oliver. I admire your resolve in getting the word out to consumers.
Best,
Ellen Payne
Knapdale Cavaliers
816-804-8124 Cell (CST)
Ellen: I admire you as a breeder in trying to eliminate this problem. I'm assuming you are mri'ing etc. Are you? This is a horrible disease and as much as I love this breed--obviously when I have 3 of them--I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to have another one. Its so tragic and very heartbreaking.
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