Border collie Jack passed away on February 28, 2022

[jesse girl]

Re: Border collie Jack

its hard to watch our babies struggle you have worked so hard natalie to find the problem so you can figure out a possible procedure that might help

is swimming something jack can do removing gravity from the equation might release some of that energy with less discomfort

hope jack feels better and positive healing thoughts so jack can have some fun with less discomfort

[MaryLea]

Re: Border collie Jack

I know it's hard watching them when you know they don't feel well. If only they could talk!

You have done so much for Jack. Hope you find out something you can help him with this time, too.

Mary

[Patty]

Re: Border collie Jack

Really, really hoping the ortho consult sheds some light on things Natalie.

[SandyL]

Re: Border collie Jack

Oh Natlie, it is hard when you can't make your babies feel better NOW.... Not later! Hopefully you'll get some reliable info from the orthopedist.

We're currently getting the runaround from our vet for our other baby Heidi. She's having hind end and leg weakness.....never seen a dog sit like she does, it's actually weird looking vwho are you taking jack to?

Sandy

[Judi]

Re: Border collie Jack

hope you get some answers and help Natalie. nothing can ever be easy can it?

[k9diabetes]

Re: Border collie Jack

Aw Sandy, sorry to hear about Heidi's problems. Can you describe what she's doing?

We debated what orthopedist to see. There probably are some good ones around here, but the neurologist is in Rohnert Park and if we go to their orthopedist, they will have all of Jack's records and previous workup and the neurologist's firsthand experience with the diagnostics.

Plus, in their orthopedist's favor, he didn't go to the local vet school... and he has a border collie of his own.

So we are starting with the orthopedist in Rohnert Park and will see how it goes. They are a large specialty clinic so have IMs and neurologists and surgeons on staff.

I've heard really good things about a guy in Mill Valley as well.

The neurologist felt from the beginning that the type and location of Jack's limping and apparent signs of pain did not make sense as coming from the two bad discs we know he has. So I think everyone is leaning towards it being a soft tissue problem.

I actually need to find a new GP vet. There's only one at our current clinic that works very well for me and he's as afraid of Jack as Jack is afraid of him. I tried one last year and it didn't work out at all. So I need to get back to that task as well. We had a really great ER vet when Jack had the limber tail problem - wish she was in general practice.

Natalie

[SandyL]

Re: Border collie Jack

Aw Sandy, sorry to hear about Heidi's problems. Can you describe what she's doing?

You are definitely an angel going all the way up to Santa Rosa!! Totally understand why... But I doubt if I could get the kind of time off that I'd need

She is having the typical problem with getting up from a lying position.... Totally uses all her strength with her front legs. Doesn't sit like a normal dog... She will either sit with both legs spread outwards (really wide) or sits cocked to the side with the other leg stretched outward. I really feel its her hips but in a split second if she hears the mailman, she's out the back door and RUNNING the fence line!

First vet... Out of the 30 they have there lol... Very conservative, felt Heidi had pulled something so just a 500mg buffern. 2nd opinion we got Tramadol. Both felt that the problem was due to the large area of laminate and lack of carpeting we have in the house. Said they've been seeing alot of this with large dogs.. So now I have a million throw rugs and runners and she literally will jumb from to rug to rug

You can really poke and prod and she NEVER shows signs of pain ANYWHERE! It's like when we go to the doctor for something and the morning of the appt it's gone

If you hear of anyone decent in the area , that didn't go to our local vet school lol, please let me know. I'm sure I'm going to have to do something

Sandy

[k9diabetes]

Re: Border collie Jack

Well, that seals our flooring decision! Glad you mentioned the concerns about the laminate.

We have been back and forth for months - tile vs. laminate vs hardwood vs. carpet - and in the end we decided that Jack would be a far happier dog with carpet. If we went with any of the others, we would have to have area rugs all over the place, which kind of defeats the purpose of a different kind of floor and would break up our great room floor plan visually into a bunch of blocks.

Having heard the concerns about Heidi and the floor, sounds like carpet is the right decision.

We are fortunate that I work from home and my husband's weekends are Sunday, Monday, Tuesday so we can make vet appts early in the week without a scheduling problem.

Our neighbors very overweight dog is limping recently. And sounds like they are having a similar problem with her. It seemed odd to me that this marked limping she has suddenly showed up and makes me wonder if she doesn't actually have some kind of an injury plus arthritis in the background. She's 12 so arthritis is likely but her behavior looks more like an injury to me.

The ER vet we use is a specialty clinic on Greenhaven so not far from you. Unfortunately, I don't know most of the specialists there any more as it changed hands last year. But it generally has a much friendlier atmosphere than VCA Referral Center in Sacramento.

Natalie

[buddingartist]

Re: Border collie Jack

I just caught up with your thread Natalie.

So sorry that Jack's problems are back. I hope you finally get some answers as to what causes this problem. He is so young and I am sure it is disheartening to watch such a young dog go through this. Yep, if only they could talk

Good luck and extra hug for Jack

Louise

[SandyL]

Re: Border collie Jack

Haha anywhere would be friendlier than VCA !! There are a few private vets around here so I guess I should get off my butt before it gets worse and make some calls!!

We originally got the laminat and tile BECAUSE of all our animals!! Figured it would be easier to keep clean and free of hair due to the kids allergies. Accidents are a breeze to clean up....Was REALLY a life saver before tig was diagnosed and peeing all over the place for a couple of days! But it's really hard on their legs and hips. A couple of years ago, Tiggy jumped off our bed and her nail hit the floor just right and rammed straight into the paw Stik with the carpet!! Next time, I'll probably go half and half

Sandy

[Dollydog]

Re: Border collie Jack

Hi Natalie....I'm sorry to hear that Jack is having problems and is so uncomfortable. Hope you find a good vet and some answers. Take care,
Jo-Ann

[Megrock77]

Re: Border collie Jack

Hi there everyone - hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day!
Spirit had a memorable one - that's for sure, herniated disc in her back
Her gate is swinging left and her toes are starting to curl up, poor baby.

Anyway - with her being a diabetic the emergency vet (yes this literally happened Saturday night) wouldn't give her prednisone. From the thread, looks like that's something I should consider talking to my vet about when she sees her tomorrow?

Right now she's on Rimadyl & tramadol and is quite content. Happy & eating! But getting a bit concerned she hasn't gone to the bathroom.

Anyway, I hope Jack is doing well - and thanks as always for advice and well wishes.

Best,
Megan & Spirit

[Patty]

Re: Border collie Jack

Natalie,
How'd the ortho consult go?
Patty

[k9diabetes]

Re: Border collie Jack

Jeff got called to court for Tuesday (he's a police officer) so we had to reschedule for tomorrow.

Natalie

[Patty]

Re: Border collie Jack

Dang. Hoping tomorrow goes well though!