Haven't Been Posting Much Because...

[Kathi49]

...of my Estrogen induced temper tantrum with my mom the other day! :eek: Anyway, I don't want to detract from other more important posts here but a few have been asking what my deal is LOL. UGH...long story...but I believe I was having PMS-like symptoms when my ob/gyn upped the Premarin cream. It took awhile...but then those symptoms hit and hit hard (too much was being systemically absorbed). I have it figured out though now. Anyway, it was just one of those moments were a family member didn't get it and I lost my temper. Now, to apologize to her even though she incited the argument. :rolleyes:

Also, as of today, my Vet THINKS my dog may have Lyme Disease. He was fine last week and as of last Thursday I noticed he was limping. So, I took him to the Vet and saw a Vet I don't normally see; the other one was out of the office. He said he didn't think there were any fractures; that it was a soft tissue injury. So, he gave me some Rimadyl to give him. After about two or three days of that; the poor dog was shivering, throwing up, stomach was contracting right and left, wouldn't eat, stools were black and tarry. That did it! I stopped that med immediately.

I then started boiling some chicken because that is ALL he would eat. So, I took him back today. This time I saw the Vet that is basically the Director of the clinic. He did some xrays of his shoulder (the dog winced when he manipulated it) and then of his elbow. The bones are fine. HOWEVER, he also has swollen lymph nodes in his neck but nowhere else. Anyway, the vet says he has ALL the symptoms of Lyme but without the fever. I was blown away by that. My dogs are indoor dogs; constantly groomed and I could go on and on. Besides, we have our yard treated. But...as the Vet said...it just doesn't matter that much. He could have picked up a tick just by going near the trees and walking around anywhere...even on the sidewalk. So, he gave me dog narcotics instead of anti-inflammtories for the pain and an antibiotic. If it is not Lyme, and the lymph nodes do not go down; he will have to aspirate them and worse case is cancer but he doesn't think that is the case for right now.

I did tell the Vet that when I was looking him all over, I did find a small scab under his right armpit. It might mean nothing but then again...you just never know.

Right now he just won't eat and I was trying to entice him with chicken again. But the poor thing just wants to sleep so I am leaving alone for now.

Anyway, sorry to ramble about my dog. But besides the estrogen rage, weepiness and depression I have been engrossed in taking care of the dog and probably will be for the next several days.

I just wanted to let those who have asked know...what my deal has been! All I can say is that when it rains it pours. :eek:

[Pharmacist.steve]

try feeding the dog MEAT baby food... the last two dogs have been picky eaters and they will get that .. when they will eat little else

[Diandra]

Hi Kathy,
If your dog goes outside at all, even just for 2 seconds to go to the bathroom he can get Lyme Disease. Please make sure to give him all the antibiotics. The fact that he is sleeping alot is also an indication of Lyme Disease.

I have had Lyme Disease and known lots of people whose dogs have had it. It is nothing to take lightly. If your dog is not completely better after having taken the full course of antibiotics make sure you let the vet known because he may have to take them longer. There is also a vaccine for Lyme Disease for dogs.

I'm sorry to hear all that you are going through. Take care, Diandra

[Kathi49]

Thanks Steve,

It is funny you should say that because I was thinking the same thing on the way to the grocery today. I was wondering what would happen if I bought some of that along with some Gerber Meat Sticks. :) It IS a thought...and knowing my dog, he would probably love it.

As it stands now, he did get up while I was boiling the chicken and just waited until I had shredded it and he did eat. I was thankful for that because then I was then able to get the antibiotic down him (he threw up the one I gave him earlier this morning). Anyway, in a little bit I will give him his pain med and hopefully he will sleep straight through the night and maybe feel a bit better tomorrow.

Thanks again and I will definitely consider the baby meats! :)

[Kathi49]

Thanks Diandra,

Oh, I know...Lyme Disease IS serious. The only thing I can think of IF he does have this is that we do have a lot of trees in the back yard and I bet that is where he may have picked one up. But who knows??!!

And you are right about the antibiotics. My niece is a Vet Tech at another clinic. And you may wonder why I don't take my dogs to her or the Vet there. But it was just because I started with this clinic that is just right around the corner from where I live. My niece is much, much further away. Anyway, she did call me an hour ago and said the same thing you did. And that he may have to be on the antibiotics for a long time. So, she was talking to me in depth about all of this.

So, for now I am being optimistic and I will take him back for a follow up in 10 days.

But thank you again...I am just keeping an eye on him for now.

[Mark N]

Kathi, sorry to hear about the fight with your mother. Are you sure it wasn't your evil twin lurking around causing trouble:D .

Now you have me wondering about my dog as he sleeps all the time [maybe he is just lazy from my example]. He doesn't have any other symptoms though and eats as much as a horse. We have him on a diet he is eating so much:) . I wouldn't want anything to happen to my buddy though.

[Kathi49]

Mark,

My evil twin definitely came out that day! And, really, this whole argument was over her computer. I don't want to go into a bunch of "he said/she said" stuff. And I do cut them (her and her husband) some slack because they are older and don't understand computers very well. And I didn't spend years in IT without learning a thing LOL! But when she started in about how much she hated computers, etc., etc. I DID let it slide. I know she was just frustrated. But this went on and on until I just lost it! They are just the type to say, "Just push a button and it will work!" They do NOT want you to explain anything or so it seems. And, heck, I used to run into this kind of thing all the time with the users of the systems when I was working. I don't know, with the estrogen increase, being in pain at the same time and really trying to help her, only to get arguments in return...well, I just blew up! I finally ended it by saying, "You have at least 6 issues going on with it. I can fix it but I need more than 10 minutes!" Hello! The problems they are having will take at least 2-3 hours to correct if not longer. So, see that set her free too because she wants to hit the streets and have fun and as she says, "I just don't have time for all of this!" So, there you have it!

And I knew something was wrong with me because when we went to lunch I was just fuming inside. I was so darn mad I went into the bathroom at this restaurant and just cried my eyes out. And I was like that for days! I haven't been this emotional for years! Then I got to talking to a friend of mine about this Premarin cream because it was the ONLY thing that had been increased. Anyway, I was thinking, "Kathi, there is something definitely wrong with your emotions!" So, she and I talked this through and that's when I came to the conclusion that I was getting to much. Since I have cut back some I am better. The bottom line is that we both think it was "Estrogen Dominance" as she has experienced the same thing. I mean, pain is pain and it is a drag and can wear on you. But I don't normally cry unless the pain is severe. This was something totally different altogether...way more emotional than anything else. And it is not really the doctor's fault as I know WHY he was saying to take the amount he prescribed for a short time. So, now I am on the maintenance dose twice a week whereas before it was every day! So, that is why I think it hit pretty hard; just took awhile before I noticed it.

Back to the doggies...

You didn't say how old your dog is. Mine are both 7. And they really do sleep most of the day. Normally, they will run around all morning and then in the evenings. Around noon or so they start sleeping. And I do take them out and for walks and such in the mornings and evenings. I wouldn't worry too much about your dog. I think mine, having been crate trained, got used to sleeping during the day. And maybe they think I am boring during the day. :D And that has been their routine. But when Chewy started acting mopey last week I knew something was wrong with him because he is the rambunctious one; always into something when he is not sleeping! The female is a lot more quiet. I think she is more of a cat actually.

As of this morning he is not much better. I think not only is he sick but the meds are affecting him too. I know the pain meds are the same ones they gave me when they were spayed and neutered. Those things..just half a tablet knock them out.

Well, let me try to tend to him. My husband just carried him in here and says he is pretty mopey and just doesn't want a thing. :(