Jasper's diary

[JudyN]

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Today in the park

 

[Tinytom]

Beautiful boy

 

[RGC]

Today in the park

He’s lovely. What a handsome lad. Does you proud.

 

[JudyN]

What looked like a corn yesterday looks like a very small cut today...

So I'll keep it as clean as possible and regularly check for signs of infection, and hopefully it will heal.

 

[Hemlock]

probably a thorn or piece of grit - and we all know how much that hurts. Glad you've found a reason, and you know how to treat it.

 

[JudyN]

Aaaand, the saga continues... I thought about posting in the Dog Health section, but Jasper's various health issues overlap so much with each other and his life in general.

On Friday, he could barely walk - he wouldn't get off his bed even for sausage. I sent a photo of his paw to the vet in case they wanted to get him on antibiotics before the weekend, but they just recommended keeping his pad clean.

The wound looked better yesterday, he's not limping as badly and is having very short lead walks - as I think it quite possible the problem is joint related, ideally I'd be resting him completely, but that wouldn't benefit his mental health - or mine, for that matter.

I noticed this morning that his affected foot is flat, which according to Running Dog Maintenance indicates tendon/ligament damage. Though when walking in the house, it is more normal - could he change how he stands on it to reduce discomfort on hard surfaces, and does this give any more clues as to the underlying cause?

On the sleep front, on Friday night I slept in the front room with him and he slept much better. Last night, though, was a rough one - suffice to say he ended up sleeping on my mattress in the front room and I ended up back in the bed in my study. I suspect on Friday night he was too uncomfortable to get up and ask to go out every 10 mins - and he'd also had a stressful day yesterday as he was underwalked, and my son & DIL came round with the baby, so he had the anxiety of seeing me cuddling this strange little object that made noises like a baby goat!

 

[RGC]

JudyN, it’s amazing (and touching) how they’re tuned to you. It’s v. difficult if not impossible to disguise one’s mood if you’ve already effected that spiritual bond. No matter what you say or do, if something’s troubling you, they’ll pick it up. My wife was in hospital for three nights (hip replacement - yes, remembering Woodstock is a sod) and both Mabel and George were depressed - Mabel more so. However, things turned around immediately I brought Mrs RGC home although Mabel came with me to the Nuffield to collect her. I was concerned that Mabel would be boisterous in her enthusiasm to have us all together but she’s been so gentle - effusive in her joy but restrained in bounce. George, on the other hand, has gone nuts - zooming all over the house and yowling but as affectionate as ever. I know that Jasper’s not the norm in that he’s bright - sorry sighthound parents, but it’s true - so nothing will escape him. Keep the faith, he’s lovely.

 

[RGC]

 

[JudyN]

Keep the faith, he’s lovely.

Oh yes, he is (though maybe not at 2am...) - though to be honest I've never seen any sign of empathy for how I'm feeling! The number of walks I've trudged round when I've been really quite ill, because it's less painful than staying home and listening to him complain!

Is your wife's op recent? If so, I hope she recovers well. A friend had her hip replaced two weeks ago, and can now walk for 45 minutes with crutches. It already feels way better than it did before the op!

 

[RGC]

Oh yes, he is (though maybe not at 2am...) - though to be honest I've never seen any sign of empathy for how I'm feeling! The number of walks I've trudged round when I've been really quite ill, because it's less painful than staying home and listening to him complain!

Oh yes, he is (though maybe not at 2am...) - though to be honest I've never seen any sign of empathy for how I'm feeling! The number of walks I've trudged round when I've been really quite ill, because it's less painful than staying home and listening to him complain!

Is your wife's op recent? If so, I hope she recovers well. A friend had her hip replaced two weeks ago, and can now walk for 45 minutes with crutches. It already feels way better than it did before the op!

les, the op was on Tuesday and I brought her home on Friday together with a myriad of drugs, crutches and other accessories. She’s making remarkable progress. Unfortunately for the time being, due to the painkillers, she feels nauseous and food can’t be ‘ambitious’ so it’s bland cuisine for us - yuk! I have learnt how to use the washing machine which is a plus. Thank you for your Is your wife's op recent? If so, I hope she recovers well. A friend had her hip replaced two weeks ago, and can now walk for 45 minutes with crutches. It already feels way better than it did before the op!

Yes JudyN, the op was on Tuesday and I brought her home on Friday together with a myriad of drugs, crutches and other accessories. She’s making remarkable progress. Unfortunately for the time being, due to the painkillers, she feels nauseous and food can’t be ‘ambitious’ so it’s bland cuisine for us - yuk! I have learnt how to use the washing machine which is a plus. Thank you for your wishes. Hitherto it’s all going well and the critters are happy. Just wish the sun would make an appearance.

 

[JudyN]

I remember quite looking forward to the morphine after my knee op, but it made me feel horrible too - as does ibuprofen unless I also take a stomach protector. But hey, before she knows it she'll be doing the Highland Fling!

 

[JudyN]

Limpy dog vid. I'm not sure how well the flat-footedness shows up - his left paw also flattens at time, and his right foot reverts to cat foot when he's standing or on soft ground. But on hard surfaces, his right is much more splat foot than cat foot.

BTW, I think his reluctance to lift his paw is because he doesn't feel that stable on 3 legs rather than discomfort. Or being him, pure suspicion as he doesn't know what I'm planning to do!

 

[Flobo]

From watching that I'm wondering if it's more his shoulder that's paining him? I can see the flat foot walking, but to me with foot or pad pain they tend to walk lighter on the foot if they can, not flatter and heavier? Just a thought...
Watched again, it's almost like the 'wrist' bit is floppier, odd...

 

[JudyN]

Thanks Flobo - I wouldn't be at all surprised if there's nerve involvement, which could result in a floppier foot. I never feel confident to tweak joints to see where the pain is - I'd either go to gently, or cause pain just through my actions. We might end up needing to get the vet to manhandle him, but there's no point if knowing what it is won't help us fix it. I just want to know whether to limit his walks till he improves (and he's already cheesed off with that) or let him do what the hell he wants while he can still do it. Not even sure if the 5-min walk to the vet would do more harm than good.

 

[Flobo]

I do really feel for you, it is a tough call...

 

[Hemlock]

I'm always inclined to let them walk if they want to, but of course I'm not a vet. Keeping the mind happy IMO is more important at this stage of his life than resting an injured part while he goes quietly (or noisily) nuts from boredom. However, could it be that his general restiveness recently, rather than senility, was actually pain building?

Hugs. This is very difficult for you.

 

[JudyN]

IHowever, could it be that his general restiveness recently, rather than senility, was actually pain building?

I don't think so, because when he's not restless/needy, he seems totally normal (for him ) and relaxed. Getting up and lying down can be tricky, but once he's settled down, he seems completely comfortable. And at night, wanting to go into the garden and out again 4 times in half an hour isn't how I'd expect him to react to pain - it does seem to be classic 'sundowning' dementia. And when he does just cry on his bed, he reminds me of what he's like the night after he's had a sedative or GA.

Talking of painful limbs, I couldn't work out why my thighs had been hurting yesterday, when I hadn't done anything. I finally twigged this morning. When I let him into the garden I need to undo the bottom bolt on the back door, and bend my knees rather than bending over for the sake of my back. Ten garden trips in a night = 20 squats. Even when he can't walk far he's keeping me fit

 

[JudyN]

I have a vet appointment for J tomorrow. I'm going to suggest I just let him do whatever he wants to do while he can do it and see if she throws her hands up in horror and convinces me that that's not in his best interests and there's something else we can try. We can also discuss if his symptoms suggest any particular diagnosis and if her grappling with him could benefit him in any way.

I'm also going to ask if there are any sedatives that might help him - and therefore me - sleep better

 

[JoanneF]

Just a thought - does J actually have to go to the vet appointment? If she can see from video what he is like getting up and down etc, maybe he doesn’t need the stress of having to attend?

 

[JudyN]

Just a thought - does J actually have to go to the vet appointment?

I did consider that, but he's generally OK going into the waiting room, and we can take it from there. If she does think it's important for her to put her hands on him, then at least she can try (though I think it unlikely). It might be valuable for her to see his overall condition too, as he's ageing on a number of fronts.