Worried sick about Abbey

As most of you know Abbey was diagnosed with sm about a year ago and had surgery in March so about 10 months ago to the day. We have been dealing with an ulcerated eye for about a month which she was rechecked last week and will be rechecked on monday with the opthmalogist. I see vast improvement--not hardly any red at all now which is a relief.

Now this is what I am worried about and I feel sick to my stomach like I did 10 months ago. She's air scratching more--she takes her front paw like a cramp and cried. I haven't seen the cramp deal thing since before her surgery. I'm terrified right now. What gets me is that in addition to her gabapentin, termaril, prilosec, and eye drops-gels she's getting rimadyl and tramadol for the pain of her eye. To me this should mask her symptoms if anything and now its worse??????

Terrified to death here. I've e-mailed her neurologist which she is seeing on monday also to see what he has to say and I'm preparing that he's going to say we need to mri her.

Please pray for her and me. I love this dog too much and am fighting back the tears right now.

Linda

p.s. could the cone she's wearing around her neck to keep her from scratching at her eye possibly do this? Thats what hubby is saying--he's Mr. Positive always --.

I'll keep your sweet little Abbey in my prayers. My heart goes out to you as there is nothing worse than having a sick pup and no answers. Here is hoping your husband is right.

I'd say the cone could definitely be the irritant. For an SM dog I'd suggest trying one of the gentle, inflatable collars that are not so stiff. I'd certainly just recommend keeping an eye on her and waiting to see how she is after she gets the collar off for a few weeks. I don't think you need be MRIing under the circumstances. Many to most SM dogs continue to scratch after surgery. Do not forget that there was damage already done that will always cause some nerve discomfort and so she would tend to remain a bit sensitive I would think. Did you talk to your vet about the collar?

Why not order one of these:

http://www.arcatapet.com/category.cfm?catnum=245

or these:

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3185093

I woudn't leave her in a hard elizabethan collar.

Linda, thinking about it logically; I'd say that the cone is definitely contributing to the scratching. I would imagine Abbey is twisting herself in all sorts of ways to get at her eye or even her neck because the cone is possibly annoying her.

I'm sending lots of prayers your way and a great big bear hug to you and healing prayers for Abbey . Fingers crossed this is just a temporary thing and will cease when the cone is removed and her eye is all better.............. hang in there Linda :hug::hug::hug::hug::hug:

Ok I feel a bit better since you both said it could be the culprit. Yes she still shows symptoms Karlin but they are so much more frequent and stronger lets say --especially the last week and she's been wearing the cone for almost 3 weeks. The foot deal I haven't seen since before the surgery. I can't get ahold of the opthmalogist and my vet really isn't that knowledgeable in regards to sm and being new years holiday not much of a prayer to talk to anybody.

Thanks for the kind words and it helps. Still worried but hopefully the cone is doing it.

I have e-mailed her neurologist and maybe he'll reply before monday.

Well the eye specialist isn't really the person to ask I suppose. I'd just have your normal vet check her foot for any possible other source of the problem as it could be anything. And I'd get a different collar on her or try to keep it off most of the time if she gets it off anyway soon. Three weeks is a long time to have had it on and I'd say it may be quite irritating to her neck over time.

I also agree about the cone, I know I'd get a reaction from that if Dylan wore one, he can't even wear soft clothes near his neck. Sorry you are going through this Linda :hug:

I dont have any extra advice Linda but just wanted you to know Im thinking of you.
:lotsaluv:


Mel

Sending positive thoughts your way. I am so sorry that you and Abbey have to be dealing with so many problems. It just doesn't seem fair. I hope it is just the collar and nothing more serious. It's always best to rule out the simplest things first. Take care and keep us posted.
J.

I would think that a cone would make thinks a lot worse, like Pauline says her Dylan can’t even stand soft cloth near his neck. I hope and pray things will improve for Abbey. You and Abbey are in my thought and prayers. :hug::hug:

So sorry to hear about Abbey.

I have had problems with SM dogs with those collars before.

I had an opthalmologist insist that my dog wear one - I assured him that he wouldn't be able too, but he was one of those "know everything" types.

When I went to pick my dog up, needless to say he wasn't wearing the collar...and at least the opthalmologist admitted that he was wrong...


We have a comfort collar now - it's soft fabric.

Generally you can adapt most collars so that they are not actually putting any pressure on the neck .


I really hope that this is the cause of Abbey's discomfort.

As Karlin says they can indeed show symptoms after surgery - the surgery hopes to halt the progression but can't repair existing damage.

Wishing you and Abbey well.

So sorry to hear about dear Abbey. Will keep you both in my thoughts

Oh Linda you must be inconsolable x


I do agree with the collar thing though- Ruby cant wear one either and she is fine with her buckle collar so heres hoping thats what it is.

I will pray for Abbey and You and I hope you get some answers very soon x

Hello Linda


So sorry to read about poor Abbey,but with you being such a caring Cav lover I am sure she can be in no better place than right there with you and like all the others am fairly confident in that removing the collar will certainly improve her well being .
We and my four send over healing thoughts across the seas to you and Abbey.

With Kindest Wishes
brian:flwr:
Poppy :flwr:,Daisy:flwr: ,Rosie:flwr: and Lily:flwr:

I am so sorry you are dealing with all of this AGAIN. It is heartbreaking when they are in pain. We feel so helpless. Abby will be in my prayers this weekend. Please keep us informed. Judy

I talked to my vet. It is sooooooo wonderful having your vets cell # and he answers it 24 hrs. a day. He would have met me there tonight but I said it could wait to morning. He told me to give her a full pill of tramadol instead of the half and to give it right when we hung up which I did. She is now resting comfortable. Told me also to take the cone off of her which I did and again she is sleeping on daddy's lap right now. I have taken a video of her symptoms that she's showing to show the neurologist, vet and opthmalogist. I only saw the foot deal once today and didn't get that on video unfortunately. I am praying hard that this is from the cone as you have all said your sm dogs would have trouble with it. After all we have been through the last 12 months we deserve some good.

Thanks for caring and all your help. You all know how much it helps and again you all came through.

I'm still scared--my stomach feels like I'm getting the flu and I know its worries --I can't help but be scared as I haven't seen her like this since before her surgery.

Just popped in to check on Abbey. You have a lovely vet there Linda. Sounds like its the cone causing the trouble, and hopefully she'll be able to settle a little better now its gone. Thinking of you.

Dear Linda,

You and Abbey are in my thoughts.

I think there must be a strong possibility that the cone is the cause of the increased symptoms, but I know you will remain worried & apprehensive until that has proved to be the case.

It seems so unfair that our little ones, who have already suffered enough, should then get these other painful problems and have their hard won stability threatened.

Keeping my fingers crossed for you both :xfngr:

I met with my vet this early morning--7:30 on a sunday and got a soft cone for her. She's had it on all day and today has been better. We shall see what her neurologist says tomorrow. I'm praying that its the cone.

I think you will only really know by waiting many weeks til after the cone is off and she is back to normal activities. I wouldn't worry about it for now and certainly would not pursue something like MRIs when there's been an obvious irritant there on her neck for several weeks that may have become progressively more aggravating for her and brought on a reaction. Glad you were able to get a softer collar for her. I hate those hard ones even for healthy dogs. I am going to order one of the softies just to have around as I need an e-collar every now and then!