Starting 2014 as a year of gratitude has been challenging to say the least.
Thursday, January 2, 2014 Hubby said, “Sampson tried to jump up on the couch and couldn’t make it. So he laid down on the floor.”
Really?
A short while later he went to get on the bed for his snack and he fell. He put his front legs on the bed and I lifted his back end up (like I’ve done hundreds of times in his life) and he yipped. Of course he stared at me like I’d done something to him and I said, “That’s it, you’re going to the vet tomorrow.”
Friday morning I called the vet and my vet wasn’t scheduled until later in the afternoon so we saw another vet in the practice.
After examining Sampson thoroughly, she said, “I think there are a couple of things going on here. He’s got some arthritis in his hips, he has a loose knee and he’s got Degenerative Myleopathy.
I’m sure I sat there with a stunned look on my face for a few seconds as I digested this. I’m not a vet, nor do I work in that field so I had no idea was Myleopathy was. But I sure as hell know what Degenerative means. After a few seconds, the words formed on my lips and I asked the question.
What is Degenerative Myleopathy?
And then words that no pet parent EVER wants to hear came out. I won’t bore you with that now, because quite truthfully I was so stunned that I can’t remember the entire conversation, but I will tell you this. I have never in Sampson’s entire 9 1/2 year life, cried at the vet. But I did on January 2nd.
Here is a link to DM. I know that 2 Brown Dawgs is planning a post on DM in her health series, but it won’t be for a while. The simple explanation for you is this, it’s Lou Gehrig’s disease for dogs. Which means this disease cruelly and methodically robs your dog of his/her ability to use their back end. And eventually what you have is a decision to make of when enough is enough.
DM can really only be diagnosed in one way and that is with an autopsy, but there is a blood test which determines if the dog is “at risk” “carrier” or “clear.” A dog that is “carrier” does not necessarily have the disease. Typically DM is diagnosed via process of elimination and the blood test. The lab that tests for DM is closed on Saturdays and the specimen needs to be overnighted, so I needed to schedule an appointment to have a blood draw.
My next question was how to treat it. While there is no ‘cure’ for DM, there are supplements which can be used to help support your dog.
Additionally the vet thought we could try some pain medication, so she gave us some Tramadol.
As soon as I left the vet’s office I went to my sister and basically threw myself in her arms (thanks for the shoulder Sheena) and when I could pull myself together, I drove home.
I am always humbled and ever so grateful for this blogging community, because it means I have unlimited access to support from other people who are far more knowledgeable about dog related topics than I am. And who love their dogs as much as I do.
When I got home I reached out to a number of them, I talked to Jen from My Brown Newfies, Linda from 2 Brown Dawgs and Donna from Donna and the Dogs. I also shared on a Facebook page I belong to (you know who you are.)
I was comforted and supported by their generosity and love. I knew whatever we were facing, we wouldn’t be alone.
Once I’d been home a few hours I thought it might be wise to call and schedule the test and also run this past our own vet as she’d had Sampson under anesthesia in December and I specifically asked her to check his back end.
When I got on the phone with our vet she was as flabbergasted as I was. She was also concerned about the loose knee as when she had examined him under anesthesia the knee was tight.
She said she wanted to try him on an anti-inflammatory and she was going to speak with the first vet as she’d seen nothing to indicate an issue when she had him on the table three weeks prior.
Sampson’s story doesn’t end here but this post does as it’s rather long, let me just say the diagnosis changed quickly. Please come back tomorrow for the Blessing of an Ear Infection.
**Hint** It’s better news!!
There are very few things scarier than hearing that kind of news at the vet office.
2nd and even 3rd opinions are so important.
I hope the teaser meant there is very good news on the way!!!
I saw your post on Life at Golden Pines and was intrigued. I am so sorry you have gone through the trauma of thinking Sampson was so very sick. It sounds as though he is going to be all right. I am hoping for you.
Gus’ Mom
I hope the outcome is good news!!! It’s so nice and so heartwarming when we have a support system that just understands what we are going through. Wishing you and Sampson the very best!!
Sounds like you’ve possibly had a cruel misdiagnosis – hope so.
That certainly isn’t something anybody wants to hear, much less all in one serving. It is my understanding, though, that DM is a progressive disease … wouldn’t have noticed things gradually happening, rather than having such presentation all of the sudden? Also, if I understand this correctly, DM is not painful.
“Degenerative myelopathy (DM) is a PAINLESS, chronic, slowly progressive weakening starting in the hind limbs and lumbar region.”
http://dawgbusiness.blogspot.ca/2012/08/the-challenge-of-degenerative.html
I do feel that a second opinion and further testing is in order.
Oh, no Jodi. I hope the prognosis changed to something more positive. *fingers crossed*
Oh no and we have our paws and fingers tightly crossed here. We hope things are more positive. We are thinking of you. Have a marvellous Monday.
Best wishes Molly
I cannot even imagine how you felt.
But for the last bit of your post I gather there are good news. I sure hope so.
I am ALWAYS here to lend a shoulder and shed a tear with you. After all, I love Sampson like he his my own! Yours and Sampson’s love inspired me to get my own little four legged baby!
Poor Sampson. This must have been very hard to take in. I do hope that things get better for Sampson, and hope that the 2nd opinion will make things clearer (and hopefully better). Sending lots of love x
I am hoping we are going to move onto a happy ending tomorrow?!
Oh no! We thought Katie had DM when she started dragging her paw last spring, but thank the Lord, that was ruled out. Now it isn’t her back end that is the problem but her one front leg and arthritis. We are so sad for you and Sampson.We are hoping for some better news on his condition in your next post. Mom has cried at the vet when Trine was diagnosed with cancer and when she last saw her in surgery. It is okay to cry at the vet. We are sending pawsitive thoughts to you. Try to stay strong as he will notice that you are so sad and that will make him feel bad.
With a pack as large as mine, Mommy always tries to get a second opinion when there is a diagnosis that isn’t good or that she doesn’t understand. You are doing the best thing possible. Paws crossed for some better news!
Jodi….this is such a hard thing…i know because e donna is living it…i know you have thought there was a problem with his back end…but hopefully your vet will reassure you….all i can say is i have learned that unless it is an emergency…i will only see my vet who knows my dog. Being you said he was examined three weeks ago..i would assume your vet will set your mind at ease when you see her. Good luck
I will. E sending prayers your way for good news…do you really have to wait for tomorrow to tell us???? Lol
I sure hope the diagnosis did change. One of our Corgis had DM and let me tell you first hand that is a terrible disease to watch progress. It really was heart breaking.
fingers crossed that your usual vet has a better prognosis. it’s brutal, having that kind of news dumped on you, but I’m hoping that you’re going to be giving us a more positive post next, because a doctor once told me I’d need several operations to remove the tumors in the back of my neck… which my family doctor later told me were lymph nodes, and that I was fighting off a cold or flu.
Always there for you my friend! As someone who has dealt with DM in a past dog, it can be a devastating diagnosis for us to hear and a diagnosis that shouldn’t be thrown around lightly 😉
Okay, I’m not sure if I’m relieved or more worried that you say that the diagnosis has changed drastically. I’m optimistic though…? Ah! You can’t leave us like this!
In any case, I hope the best for Sampson, and I know these things are never easy, so I hope the best for you guys as well.
Sorry we missed your FB post as we dealt with a health scare too. My mom can relate about crying at the vet (my dad too). It is shattering to hear such prognosis at the vet, we are a victim of a breed/statistical diagnosis (which will share more later). Just an advise from mom, don’t “google” so much. We are fortunate also for the blogging(SM) community (many fellow GR reach out to us). For sure you’ll find some relief solution. We hope the change of diagnosis is a good news. Sending Sampson and you Lots of Golden LOVE, Sugar n mom Rosalyn
Oh Jodi, I am so sorry for the awful news from the vet office. I actually got choked up reading this, as I feel like I know Sampson (and you!) through reading your blog. Take a deep breath, lean on friends, and make the good decisions I know you will make that stem from your love to give Sampson the best support and care he can get.
My goodness, I am so sorry to hear this. You are right, no pet parent ever wants to hear what you had to hear. I am so glad you had the support in your sister and the blogging community. We are here for you and will be every step of the way!
Oh Jodi, I’m so, so sorry you had to go through such an ordeal! I do hope and pray that your “regular” vet has given you a much better, easier-to-manage, diagnosis!! I’m still trying to un-choke up. I’d have been a basket case myself if I’d been given such “news”!
As for the support of family and this blogging community, there is no better in my eyes! I have felt the support many times over the past couple of years myself. You know my thoughts are with you, and Sampson.
The vet’s office can be a scary place, for sure! I know my Ma knew exactly what you were talking about when you said the first diagnosis (she was a nurse) and as we kept reading we kept praying that it would not be the true diagnosis. I hope tomorrow you say it’s a doozy of an ear infection! I know when I had a bad one, I was walking into things because my balance was off.
*paws crossed*
Oz
I will be on pins and needles waiting to hear the better news. I’m so sorry you went through all of this–I can’t imagine how hard it was. (Hopefully *was* rather than *is.*)
Oh dear… I HOPE that the tease at the end means there was a “better” 2nd diagnosis!!
Man, only cried once at the vet? Holy crap. Sadly, I could make a river with the tears I’ve cried at various vets’ offices.
It’s so sad to see our dogs getting older, my almost 11 year old Lola has a hard time jumping up into the car or bed and only jumps by herself a quarter of the time anymore. She also has pretty bad arthritis and is on a lot of herbal supplements to help with that. I try to stay away from the hard drugs for her when I can.
I really hope your diagnosis improves! Sometimes I think a different vet can come back with totally different results for you. So fingers crossed that is the case!
Oh no…I hope tomorrow is much better news! Scout is having a hard time getting up and I’m so worried about him. He is 11 and I know it is probably arthritis and he isn’t getting any younger. Can’t wait til tomorrow to find out what you found out!
I don’t normally like cliffhangers, but since you promised good news to follow I will forgive you. I do hope the news is good.
Oh no! How so very sad. Poor Sampson. 9 1/2 is way too young. 🙁 I truly hope this was a misdiagnosis.
I am glad it is better news, and not the DM!
I’m glad that ended on a high note! I know a little about DM because we thought it was possible our beagle could have it (not likely), but that certainly seemed like a sudden diagnosis to me. I also didn’t think arthritis could be diagnosed without x-rays.
Looking forward to hearing something better tomorrow!
Glad I was able to offer some support. I agree with Jen it is a diagnosis not to be thrown around lightly. 🙂
I love good news. Why did they do this to you? Why did you do this to us!?? I can hardly wait till tomorrow. It’s just as well that you don’t have a like button. I don’t like this post at all.
You did a excellent job explaining DM. I hope like hell he doesn’t have it and he is just getting older and arthritis is kicking in. I went threw the can’t get up on the couch and bed with Norman and it broke my heart because he was getting older and I knew his time was limited. I hope Sampson has many many more years. I do think anti inflammatory’s will help out tremendously. I am here for you if you ever need me to be. Praying for some good results and a clear DM test.
DM is a nasty disease to deal with, and a lot of German Shepherds get it. A friend of ours went through it with one of hers and one of the reasons we went with Küster’s breeder is that she tests for it and won’t breed carriers of the disease, which means we don’t have to worry about it with him. I’m glad that you had a talk with your regular vet, though, since I know where the story is going! 😉
Now I have a better understanding of why the 2nd diagnosis was a lot better. I am not familiar with DM. Sounds awful, and I’m glad you’re not dealing with it.
Sending Sampson my positive thoughts for a speedy recovery (just read your latest post).
So scary and I’m so glad I already know the ending to this story!