Jack Update

[spane1]

I guess the timing is good (we go back to see the specialist tomorrow morning) but it doesn't make it any easier. He has been doing "ok" on the deramaxx and glucosomine but today Jack and I went to my folks. He was running around and having a ball! Then we laid down for like an hour before we left to go home. He walked into my folks house fine but after the rest (and since) he has not extended his left leg to put it down. It's just sooo sad. Brad came home from being away the weekend and Jack heard him from the couch, but couldn't get up to wiggle his cute little butt. Brad went up for a shower and I went up to the liu, and I came down the stairs and Jack was looking up from the middle of the stairs... he couldn't make it up but couldn't go back down. The poor thing. He limped out on three legs just now to go to the bathroom but Brad had to carry him back up. This is the worst I've seen him. Brad carried him upstiars to bed, it's just so sad

I'll let you all know what the vet says tomorrow. Here's hoping for a miracle drug to be invented between now and then

Sarah

[X-girl]

Good luck at the vet's tomorrow. We will be thinking positive thoughts for all of you.

[Boo439]

Jack is in our thoughts. Toda's sitting right here looking all sad because I told him Jack's still not well

[phez718]

Poor Jack. I hope they can do something for him. Best of luck at the vet's tomorrow!

[blover27]

thanks guys...he's at the vet now getting x-rays on both hips and ankles..the vet is already preparing us for the worst it didnt sound too encouraging but we'll let you know how it turns out when we pick him up

[HugABull1]

So sorry to hear this - I know how crappy it is

Sending good thoughts your way...

[blover27]

Jack is home. When we picked him up we got news that the x-rays showed nothing wrong with his hips, knees or ankles…he is fine other than some excess fluid in his ankle which was removed and is being sent for tests…we will find out the results on Wednesday but the good news is there will be no surgery required and our worst fears don’t seem likely. He says that he isn’t too worried after today’s x-rays and we will know more after the tests are back. We know it isn’t Lyme since the last vet (who refers to this specialist) took those tests came back negative. He believes one other concern could be Lupus. He said if the test come back with nothing wrong, then he "doesn't know" he then said that him not knowing (35 years out of vet school) and someone just out of vet school is different. If the tests do come back with nothing wrong, we are going to try cortizone (sp?) shots since the Rimadyl and Deramaxx have doen nothing. It was amazing to hear that his ankles (orthopedically) were fine….we were totally led to believe there was going to be nothing we could do other than medicate or have surgery to have any solid quality of life. He said the only thing wrong with Jacks legs was their conformity. All and all it was good positive news that provided a great deal of relief and hope. He is just a little doped up right now and feeling a little dazed from the anesthesia but he is standing up without his legs being dead straight to the floor which I have never seen him do…ever. He is also (seemingly…he is very stoic and doesn’t show pain as all the vets have mentioned during his exams) walking without pain. Thank you for the kind thoughts. I’ll be sure to post what we find out on Wednesday when the tests come back.

[X-girl]

Well, hearing that nothing is obviously wrong with his legs orthopedically must be a huge relief, but coming out of there not having a clue what is causing him such discomfort must be frustrating. I'm glad he's home and I'm glad the worst-case scenario didn't prove to be reality.

Yeah, Jack!

[moto1320]

Good luck to you guys. At least some good news has come so far. We'll be thinking of ya.

[damienApbt]

its great to here the news you guys. i hope its something that can be easier to deal with. my toughts are with you 3.

definitely keep us posted.

[jmann4]

Yes, definitely keep us posted. Angel and Honey have their paws crossed and are thinking happy thoughts. As am I.

[spane1]

Just to bring everyone up to date:

Jack does not have lupus. Some of the cells in the fluid were "iffy" but nothing that shows conclusively what is wrong with Jack's ankles. The vet recommended trying the Rimadyl again before we try the cortisone shots. He felt that we may have not given it enough of a try the first time and the rapid decline since may demonstrate that he was benefitting - we just didn't realize and were too quick to stop. We started him on it again Wednesday night and he was acting close to before last night and is the best I've seen him since Sunday tonight. The vet gave us a ten day supply but wants us to call him on Monday to let him know how it is working

Here's hoping it only gets better from here. Thank you all for your kind thoughts! We will (of course) keep you all posted.

Thanks again,

Jack, Sarah and Brad

[SKoth]

Good Luck!

[X-girl]

Great news that it's not lupus!! Wooo Hooo! Paws and fingers are crossed that the meds work.