Palsy

[Mach1girl]

Updates..............Daizy seems to be having good moments, and real bad moments. But the bad moments are more then the good. She is having a harder time eating, yet she can hide in the grass and stalk another puppy, springing at the exact time to tke the pup down that is twice her size. She is 100% with it in her mind. However she "pecks"at her feed and water. She marches with her front legs, high stepping it when she walks now constantly. And, when she has eaten, she is heavier, and it clearly show as her walking worsens.
I have called the only board certified nuerologist in Fla for dogs(seems like it) I was told over the phone, no matter what they do, she cannot absolutly cannot be re wired. She can not be reversed, no damage can be reversed. She has Cerebral Palsy, not Bells, as Bells affects the mouth area. They can give her meds to keep her from walking so much, settle her down, and possibly SLOW the progression, but nothing can reverse it. And the severity of it right now, is too far to hold much more weight.
The nuerologist said she COULD learn to compensate, but that is a long shot, as she has not learned or shown that she is learning to date, and has been walking for weeks now.
She can swim and has every day, and she is fast and accurate in steering herself, but not on land.
Picture standing on a boat, and all of a sudden the boat starts rocking real hard as youre trying to walk and you weave back and forth real far, this is what she does.
I have heard her skull smack the ground so much,Im surprised she hasnt knocked herself out yet. 5 pups yeaterday hurt their same leg withing 15 minutes playing too rough, not stepping up the step out back, just crashing into it running so fast and trampling each other, yet here she comes, crashing just as hard, doesnt even phase her. She goes back for more.
Her legs go in un natural positions everytime she falls. And when she eats, you think youre watching something out of a Poltergeist movie, her middle twists and turns and she does handstands and backflips, but she gets up for more.
That is the hard part-she keeps coming back for more, and not slowing down. Shes so independant and tough, its pathetic. If I were as strong as her, it would be all I could hope for.
And this is my rambling, because I KNOW what needs to be done, I just cant do it. The vet is on call, for when I get the balls, but I cannot. I just cant. Im pissed at myself, why would I have ever gone through with this??Why did I have to bring her here???Why did GOD send me this little angle??What did I do to deserve this??
Does Euth hurt??Will she "go" mad at me?? Will I see her again??? Will she understand??
Then, If I cant do it, will she hate me if a stranger takes her? Will she forgive me? Does she know?Can she sense what I am trying to do?Is her possibly knowing making her time left sad and confused?
I cant do this people. Id rather take on her illness and die muself, I swear I would. Why couldnt God just take me with my old illness instead?Id gladly trade. Gladly. If she'd only get better.
What if???What if she does come around??Thatd be great...what if I put her down and all the while she had a chance. If putting her down is so RIGHT why cant we do it to humans who deserve it at a time of crisis??


Sorry for rambling, I cant help it now. I feel cornered.

 

[bubbatd]

Maybe she's put here for you......if she's not suffering and you can't put her down, I'd find homes for the other pups and have her your cause. It will be a tough battle , but maybe there was a reason. There was a reason for our Nash .... and every other disabled child in this world. She'd be a great therapy dog to help children with her problems.

 

[Giny]

Maybe she's put here for you......if she's not suffering and you can't put her down, I'd find homes for the other pups and have her your cause. It will be a tough battle , but maybe there was a reason. There was a reason for our Nash .... and every other disabled child in this world. She'd be a great therapy dog to help children with her problems.

Very nicely put, bubbatd! I couldn't agree with you more.

 

[J's crew]

If the bad moments are more than the good and you know what you have to do then if you really love her you will have to find the strength to do what is necessary.

Her condition does not sound good at all. If there is little hope she will get better imagine how attached you will be as time continues. If she is smacking her head alot what happens if she has injuries on top of her condition? If her legs go in unnatural positions, what is she breaks one?

I had to put one of my dogs to sleep last year and it is the hardest decision I have ever had to make. But I made it because it was better for my dog. You need to put Daizy's needs above all else. Put yourself in her place. Is it fair to have to go through what she does just to eat?

A dog does not hurt when they are being PTS. She will not be mad and will not blame you. She will be waiting for you though, at the bridge.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. This is part of the heartbreak that goes along with breeding.

 

[Saje]

If it was me I would keep her safe. And wait until she was truly suffering. Is she still a happy puppy? Is she in pain? Does she 'light up' when you walk in the room? Doctors have been wrong before. My neighbour was told that her daughter would never walk or speak. They told her to put her in an instituation. She took her home. She's now 20-something in her own apartment (with resources) and has been walking and talking all of her life. You never know what will happen.

 

[JennSLK]

If she's not in pain dont put her down. So what if she's clumsy. Let her swim LOTS, clearly she loves to. Maybe, just maybe she can be saved.

If she is smacking her head alot what happens if she has injuries on top of her condition? If her legs go in unnatural positions, what is she breaks one?

What if my dog jumpsof the couch and brakes her leg? A brake or injury can and will happen to any dog at any time.

Mach - You just have to watch her like a hawk. Any dog can injure herself playing. If she isnt in any pain then dont put her down.

 

[bubbatd]

This is so true .... being a " special needs " dog and you being the breeder, I'd give her time. Being with you and Dixie could be the best thing for her. I'd treat her as if she's " normal " . Potty training may take longer ... feeding may be difficult. Guess what, our Nash at 5 is completely trained and eats by himself ! Believe me, this could be a blessing in disguise for you !!

 

[IliamnasQuest]

Well, no one can tell you what to do - you are the only one dealing with the day to day and the only one who really knows what this pup is going through. And if your choice is to put her down, no one should berate you for that.

Euthanasia is a very quiet way to go. Other than the feel of the needle (and many don't even seem to feel that) there isn't any pain. As a vet tech, I assisted in hundreds of euthanasias - NOT my favorite thing to do, but someone kind needed to hold these animals as they slipped off to sleep. And that's what they generally do .. they simply go limp and then are at peace.

It's never easy to make that choice. If she's not eating, it wouldn't be fair to let her gradually starve to death either. You will have to make the decision as to her quality of life.

Good luck.

Melanie and the gang in Alaska

 

[Mach1girl]

I keep thinking, what if??Like Saje says,drs have been known to be wrong(by the way saje, I am a manager of one of those programs you refer to as "resources!!Coincidence??Lol)She never really "lights up" when we enter the room, she is princess, she doesnt have to! She has been spoiled so much, its not funny and she knows this.She wags, and gives really fast kisses.

I see her exhaustion though, after enough chin and head smacks, she will just lay there. We put her on a blanket on the floor with a bone in the LR at night, and now when she comes in from outside, the blanket is as far as she gets, the others go to the pen, she knows shes spoiled.
she always lays on a blanket when she has had enough, we have them scattered for her even outside.

I was set on taking her earlier, I really was. My hubby had thought I did, and came home softly, when he saw her he was so happy.

Euthanasia just doesnt seem right. For some naggin reason, it just doesnt.

She is changing every day. 2 days ago she started high stepping with her front legs, totally new. Strange, but new. Is this progress or falling behind??She is sharp, doesnt miss a beat, but she does get exhausted.

When she is out alone, she is much better, shes not trying as hard. We discussed this tonite, what if we seperate her???Of course she'd have some interaction, but the majority by herself.
I cannot give up Choco and Kato either. Im not tired of Daizy, I am managing all of my dogs, its hard, but its getting routine, that I become bored when I have hubby do it and do it myself anyways.
She's not greedy, shes patient, shes lovable, but spoiled, she gives tons of kisses.

Her ribs are growing very big as well. Bir ribs sticking out the side, deformity???

Once in a while she will stack, boy is she beautiful. Perfect. I know it sounds weird from a dog with these problems, but she does.

I swear Im gonna petition the UKC and order them to avoid a discrimination suit by starting the "special olympics" just for dogs like Daizy.

I feel alittle better now. I just had to calm down. Such a personal struggle.I feelso quilty. I call her my little angel.Maybe she is.

Anyway, on another note, my son came in second in his race this saturday night, won a trophy. Im so proud.

My life.......wanna trade??

by the way anyone want a puppy???

 

[RD]

Why don't you figure out a way to make certain things easier for her? Eating, for example.. Maybe elevate her food, or even hand feed her. It can't take much longer than 5 minutes do to that.

This really doesn't sound like a pup I would euthanize. I have a huge soft spot for these strong, determined little souls and would do all I could to make life for her as normal and enjoyable as possible. It doesn't sound to me like she is really suffering, she just needs special care. I wish I could take her!

 

[bubbatd]

Ilia... I know where you're coming from . But this was an irresponsible breeding , and she knows it . Mach , you're not planning on keeping any puppy but Daisy are you ?? If so why ????

 

[Mach1girl]

Yes, I am keeping two others. Im keeping them for weight pull and show. I love to train and work my dogs, makes them sem "worthy" to the breed, if ya know what I mean.
Kato has started with obedience as well as Chocy. They have learned to heel already. Chocy is a peice of cake, Kato is a big blubbery baby. I take them out seperate for an hour each day, and leash train, and teach heel(thats the first thing) we will move on.
When I get home, I let them all out to potty and run and play from 314 to 430. Then, I take one pup for a walk, and training till 530, then the next till 630. Then I eat, then I let them all out again at about 7 to eat and potty and play again. That lasts till about 8 or so. Then they all come in, and Daizy stays out till hubby goes to bed, she chews on a bone, toys, waddles around the house teasing the others.

When the last 3 leave, all 3 will chillaxxxxxxxx in the LR everey evening with their own bones and toys. House breaking shouldnt be a problem as they dont potty once all weekend inside, they get let out every hour or so and are doing great.

My existing 4 dogs I already have??Sass is too **** old, she just goes outside and sniffs the puppy poo but spends most her time on the couch anymore, the 2 pekes are loners, hate everyone and everything, so they are good to go anyways, and Dixie run sand plays with the puppies nand sometimes walks with them, She swims with them and sleeps with us. So everyone gets attention, except me
My kid helps tremendously. My other is working alot, and hubby works alot too.

 

[bubbatd]

Well , good luck !!! Remember that Daisy is number one !!! I personally think you're taking on more than you can chew. Quality is better than quantity ! Weight pulling may be fun and exciting.... but Daisy as a TDI dog would be rewarding three ways !

 

[Mach1girl]

Of course she is #1. I like the therapy dog thing, that's a cool idea. I actually wanted to do that w/ all of them, but she can help kids w/ disabilities. Awwwwww.that'd be great.

She's #1 now and I imagine never otherwise, shes such a "diva"lol!

Shes marching past me now with a pig ear, ringing it down the pen of puppies just to let them know shes got an ear, and they dont!!Lol, bratt!!

 

[bubbatd]

Do it Mach !!!! For her, for you and for the hundreds you will touch !!! You really don't have to wait until she has her TDI... check with hospitals and special ed places now ! Believe me , the rewards come back ten fold !