UPDATE - TIRAWA (by request)

UPDATE: The outpouring of concern for this beautiful creature always amazes me. He has touched literally hundreds, if not thousands of lives in his 8 years on this planet. SUNDAY - 8 a.m. PST: T rested well through the night. I made a bed for him outside and did two hour checks on him through the night. At 5 a.m. I gave him more doxycyline and gave him a massage and worked on his hind legs...he seemed comfortable with them being moved. At 6 a.m., I put a towel under his belly (he weighs 130 and so do I) and lifted him up and insisted that he take some steps. He did, then he laid down unsure how it felt. He did not cry as he did for hours yesterday. He drank water and ate some cheese and peanut butter with his meds.

While walking his side kick Winston, I heard him howling...when we returned home, he had moved and was in the house ready for a walk. We took a short walk and he did what he needed to do...he is tired and not convinced that he is 'okay'...but his movement is good, his eyes are good, his vitals are good. He will continue to be fed natural chicken. Tomorrow I will get complete blood work done. My guess is it is tick borne. Anyone who wants to email me, please feel free. I don't want to take diary space up here. Keep sending healing thoughts and prayers...he is a beautiful friend. THANK YOU... Barbara, Winston and Tirawa +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ So okay, here goes this wacky woman writing about something completely not political in nature, but I do it because you were all introduced to Tirawa in November here http://www.dailykos.com/... .

For those of you that hadn't read the above tribute to Tirawa, thanks for doing so now... Today, it seems that T is in a fight for his life.  At 1 a.m. he was fine...at 5:30 a.m. he could barely get up and support himself on his hindlegs.

He spent an hour in the emergency being x-rayed as a year ago he and Winston (his terrierist sidekick) had been attacked and his back was injured and my first concern was a pinched nerve.  Those have come back clean.

The vet did NOT take blood, although I let her know that he had suffered a tick borne disease in 2001-2002.

Tirawa is back home, in great distress and unable to support his back legs...he is crying and has done so for 3 hours straight.  I have just gotten off the phone with his vet (thank you Lord for this woman) who treated him in North Carolina when he suffered Erchliciosis...I am following her thoughts.

We still start him on doxycycline as soon as I get to the pharmacy and continue to give healing thoughts and prayers...

So DailyKos community, I know this isn't a political story, but Tirawa because of his work in Louisiana, is a part of this community and needs some good healing thoughts.

I just need a shoulder...T is an amazing spirit and he is in horrific pain, and I just don't know why.

•  Tirawa will be

  in my thoughts & prayers.  Healing & comfort for you both.
  Please keep us updated.

  by Albatross on Sun May 28, 2006 at 01:09:47 PM PDT

  •  Thank you...

    I feel so helpless to do anything...

    by Barbara on Sun May 28, 2006 at 01:10:54 PM PDT

    •  They know when you are there.

      Truly, just like with people, that's one of the most important things you can do.  When a dog knows that they are loved, they are both comforted and inspired to hang in there.

      by Albatross on Sun May 28, 2006 at 01:14:07 PM PDT

    •  So sorry

      my healing thoughts go out to him.

      by mango on Sun May 28, 2006 at 01:15:03 PM PDT

    •  {{hugs}} from my puppy

      mousse.
      prayers for healing from me.

      by birdbrain64 on Sun May 28, 2006 at 01:15:51 PM PDT

    •  Pain medication??? Can't they put him to

      sleep - I don't mean death, I mean sleep.  Sleep is a great healer and escape.

      by dkmich on Sun May 28, 2006 at 02:06:49 PM PDT

•  I'll prayers for Tirawa

  I'm always amazed at how much we learn other creatures and how much they give without asking for anything in return.

  by Rogneid on Sun May 28, 2006 at 01:14:11 PM PDT

•  Barbara

  a very similar situation just happened with our German Shepard, Kona. He was diagnosed with Lyme Disease (tickborne disease) about a year ago. LD is very prevalent in our area and can cause some very debilitating condidtion in humans and animals. About a month ago he had diarreah for a couple of days which seemed to clear up, but then on that Friday he became week and when he walked it was obvious that his hind section was not able to support him well. The next day, he could barely walk and was in obvious discomfort. We took him to the vet that evening and proceeded to do some tests, including a very expensive one for Erlichiosis(sp?), which came back positive a few days later. That Saturday when we took him to the vet, we immediately started him on doxycyclene and over the next couple of days his rear legs came back and later that week he was running around like he always did.

  Sorry for the long winded comment and I hope Tirawa makes a rapid recovery, he's such a beautiful creature.

  by Prison4Bushco on Sun May 28, 2006 at 01:15:55 PM PDT

  •  Prison...

    Tirawa had Erhlicosis 4 years ago when I was living in NC...I contacted my vet out there because of this and his breeder from Alaska and Dr. Wicks immediately said to get him on Doxycycline (again...he was on it for 4 months 4 years ago) IMMEDIATELY.

    He has just been given his first 3 pills.

    I am so happy your 'mutt' is well.  This is horrifically painful and often misdiagnosed or just missed altogether.

    by Barbara on Sun May 28, 2006 at 01:26:08 PM PDT

•  Barbara,

  I work in the veterinary field and if you don't mind I would suggest some other ways to help your friend.  One of my doctors practices chiro and acupuncture on animals with great success.  We will often treat patients the "western" way with things such as antibiotics, and then add in some "eastern" medicine to help support the immune system while the antbx are doing their job.  Not only does it help relieve pain, it helps support the whole body.

  If this type of approach isn't up your alley, I completely understand.  I just want you to know that there are additional things available to help.

  I will be thinking of Tirawa and sending good vibes for recovery.

  by YukonJack on Sun May 28, 2006 at 01:20:29 PM PDT

  •  Oh, I forgot.

    If you do try this make sure they are licensed.  I know there were some issues about a year ago in Eastern NC where a human chiropractor was practicing on animals, which is illegal.  

    Ok, I'll stop now.:)

    by YukonJack on Sun May 28, 2006 at 01:24:51 PM PDT

    •  yukon...

      you are so funny!  I have a licensed human/animal chiro here in california...there are incredible acupuncturists and I will be working with a naturapath doc probably as well.

      THANK YOU SO MUCH.

      by Barbara on Sun May 28, 2006 at 01:30:40 PM PDT

  •  Yukon...

    I am a massage therapist and intuitive healer.  T gets chiro'd and acupunctured....he wants for nothing.

    We (his breeder, myself and my old vet in NC) are thinking he has a tickborne disease again, as he did 4 years ago.  We have started him on doxycycline.

    Keep sending greeat thoughts...and know that he wants for nothing...

    by Barbara on Sun May 28, 2006 at 01:27:49 PM PDT

    •  Ok. So it sounds as if Tirawa is in good hands.

      Good to know, LOL.  

      He's lucky to have such a wonderful Mom.

      by YukonJack on Sun May 28, 2006 at 02:02:10 PM PDT

      •  I am lucky to be his chosen.

        by Barbara on Sun May 28, 2006 at 02:14:53 PM PDT

    •  i think ...

      ... you, his breeder and your old vet are right on the money with this.

      doxy is absolutely the right move right now.

      by cookiebear on Sun May 28, 2006 at 02:07:27 PM PDT

•  Prayers and healing thoughts for Tirawa and you

  If Tirawa is hunching his back hie thee to an ememrgency vet immediately as he may be bloating and minutes matter.

  You can use a beach towel or small blanket for a sling to help Tirawa walk if he needs to pee. You want to make sure that Tirawa stays well-hydrated so lace his water with some low/no salt lean, chicken broth. Keep some pedialyte and a turkey baster on hand in case Tirawa refuses liquids. However, if he gets that sick he needs to be at the vets for IV fluids.

  Try to model calm, relaxed behavior as Tirawa will pick up on your emotional stress which will inhibit his healing. Try using gentle, slow massage to help Tirawa relax.

  Doxycycline can cause very nasty tummy upsets so encourage Tirawa to eat a small amount when you give him his meds. Warm, lean chicken and rice soup is good for tempting sick dogs.

  You can hide pills in low fat hot dogs. Use three or more pieces of hot dog. Feed one piece of hotdog making sure that Tirawa can see the other two. Then give him the hotdog piece with the pill and quickly follow with the last piece. That way he will be more interested in getting all the hotdog goodies than in spitting out the nasty pill.

  Best of luck to both of you.

  by peraspera on Sun May 28, 2006 at 01:35:59 PM PDT

  •  He was at the vet...

    no bloat, etc.  I'm a massage therapist and intuitive...have been working on him non-stop for the most part.

    He is drinking small amounts and I've not gotten him to eat anything, but as you point out important with the doxycycline.

    He weighs 130...same as me, tough to help him...he's slowly making his way to the front yard (would prefer the back...doesn't matter).

    His gums are good, 101.4 temp, so that is good...vitals good.

    ..thank you, anything else you can think of let me know...truly.  You can also email me.

    by Barbara on Sun May 28, 2006 at 01:44:14 PM PDT

    •  The doxy can cause gas

      . . . so keep a sharp, sharp eye out for bloat.

      His meds, rest, fluids and some time are probably the most important things Tirawa needs for the time being.

      Even if Tirawa can make it outside on his own helping him walk until the pain subsides is probably a good idea. Aiding him to walk will help reduce the pain which intereferes in healing.

      You can make a quick, doggie-safe heating pad by putting some rice or beans in a sock and using a rubber band to close off the end. Toss it in the microwave to heat it. You'll have to experiment with the time. Sometimes that will help ease discomfort, sometimes not.

      If Tirawa doesn't improve as you and the vet expect, have your vet contact your state's veterinary school. They are usually up on any type of odd, new nasties that may be going around and can also be quite helpful in doing detective work for mystery-type illnesses.

      by peraspera on Sun May 28, 2006 at 02:03:17 PM PDT

      •  Great ideas...

        Tirawa has two heating pads.  He is trying to rest a tad now...I just gave him his pain medication.  He isn't offering to eat anything, trying chicken, etc...hopefully he'll rest for an hour and then we can work to get him up and out to pee.

        Didn't think of contacting the vet schools...we have UCDavis.

        by Barbara on Sun May 28, 2006 at 02:26:09 PM PDT

        •  UCDavis is top drawer

          IIRC I believe that they also have staff available on holidays.

          Pain isn't great for appetite so concentrate on just getting a little food down Tirawa when giving him his meds. You can try some feeding him a little Nutri-Cal with a syringe or turkey baster if you can't tempt him with something else. Dogs can do quite well for several days without eating much so just getting down enough food to counter any potential tummy problems from the doxy is all you need to focus on.

          by peraspera on Sun May 28, 2006 at 02:46:08 PM PDT

          •  Spreading the doxy...

            over two times/day.

            I got him outside...he has not pee'd, but clearly needs to.  Am going to sit with him outside.

            by Barbara on Sun May 28, 2006 at 03:06:06 PM PDT

            •  If Tirawa can't pee give him more water

              . . . and try again in a half an hour. If he still can't pee you should check in with your vet. He needs to be in the ICU if he is having kidney problems.

              by peraspera on Sun May 28, 2006 at 04:06:51 PM PDT

              •  It is that he

                doesn't trust himself to stand up long enough...he's been resting pretty comfortably for the past two hours outside on the grass...I've been massaging him and his senses in his limbs are good and he seems a tad less uncomfortable....am hoping in the next hour he'll get up on his own and pee...

                giving him small amounts of water with a sports bottle which he is use to drinking from on hikes.

                I think the meds are slowly kicking in and the rescue remedy

                by Barbara on Sun May 28, 2006 at 04:55:23 PM PDT

          •  the recipe for satin balls ...

            ... and some other high calorie doggie foods can be found here. I used some of these for my hound when he had ehrlichiosis and for my shepherd girl when she had her bout w/ old dog vestibular disease (she didn't eat regular food for two weeks).

            btw, Barbara, i wanted to explain something about my hound who passed away from the ehrlichiosis. i'd only recently moved here and was over a hundred miles from my usual vet. my hound was in crisis, so i took him to a local vet who diagnosed him with cancer and basically sent him home with me to die. i'd told him my doggie's symptoms reminded me of my cat who'd had hemobartonella, another tick-y kind of disease, but this vet dismissed it as poopoo. when some horses around here were diagnosed with ehrlichiosis a few months later, this same vet was quoted in the paper as saying he'd never seen the disease here. about that time, a local kid ended up with it, too.

            IOW, it was a couple of weeks before I was able to get my pup decent care and the right diagnosis, and by then it was too late. he'd spent most of that time in crisis, with me desperately trying to get him stable enough to be able to make a very long car ride. because his symptoms reminded me so much of hemobartonella (sp?) and because another friend had said it sounded like her dog's tick disease, i'd started him on doxy, but it wasn't enough.

            i'm telling you this because i don't want you to be discouraged because the outcome for my pup wasn't good. :=( you have good vets and it sure sounds like to me they're giving you the right advice.

            by cookiebear on Sun May 28, 2006 at 03:15:15 PM PDT

            •  I had an amazing vet in NC...

              who suspected Erhliciosis when she looked at his blood.  She IMMEDIATELY put him on doxy and a prednisone taper for 3 days because of other symtoms, even though it is generally counterproductive.

              It was SHE that I called and who called me back, AFTER he was in emergency in California and I just didn't feel right.

              She said doxy IMMEDIATELY and to keep him comfortable...because he had it before and he lived in NC for a year and a half, the tick diseases can lay dormant...out here in California they are quite ignorant to them.

              by Barbara on Sun May 28, 2006 at 03:20:26 PM PDT

•  prayers and hugs.

  by jhwygirl on Sun May 28, 2006 at 01:43:29 PM PDT

•  I remember that diary clearly.

  And of course he's a member of this community too.  Although the pictures in the diary don't show up today, I remember him as huge and gorgeous.  Buster, Teddy and I send our thoughts.  

  by busternjake on Sun May 28, 2006 at 01:58:08 PM PDT

  •  Huge and gorgeous...

    Now crying and pained...poor big dog.

    by Barbara on Sun May 28, 2006 at 02:26:58 PM PDT

•  ehrlichioisis is a horrible disease

  i lost my favorite hound to it almost three years ago. :-( and i have a very close friend whose dog suffered for years from a variety of undiagnosable ailments, all of which she and her vet believed could be traced to a serious bout with ehrlichiosis.

  please keep us posted. starting him back on the doxy is a smart, smart idea.

  i have a pup, btw, with dysplasia who was just down for two weeks because of old dog vestibular syndrome. aspirin, believe it or not, does the trick for her when she's in pain.

  many good thoughts, good vibes, healing drool and everything else sent your way ...

  by cookiebear on Sun May 28, 2006 at 02:05:24 PM PDT

•  Barbara...

  My my healing thoughts are with Tirawa, who from those previous diaries I read showed a true and good spirit. It is never easy to see someone or a pet you love suffer. Just feel comforted in the fact that you are doing all you can for him.

  by Patriot for Al Gore on Sun May 28, 2006 at 02:06:55 PM PDT

•  T is trying to rest...he has

  his doxy and pain meds 'on board'...poor guy.

  by Barbara on Sun May 28, 2006 at 02:28:21 PM PDT

•  Barbara, my heart

  goes out to you and Tirawa both.  I'm in tears as I write this because I understand what you're going through.  We had a malamute cross as well and I know how loving and beautifully unique they are.  We lost her after just 7 short years on May 12, 1999 to intestinal cancer and the hole in my heart remains.  

  

  Please keep us posted.  Heartfelt hugs and good thoughts go out to you both.

  by Dreaming of Better Days on Sun May 28, 2006 at 02:32:51 PM PDT

  •  She was beautiful.

    by Barbara on Sun May 28, 2006 at 02:36:08 PM PDT

•  I am thinking thoughts of hope

  and warmth about both of you.

  by Loquatrix on Sun May 28, 2006 at 02:37:37 PM PDT

•  My own 'Addy'

  A black lab mix that adopted us in 1999, passed away Dec. 2004 with symptoms similar to your Tirawa.  

  I only had a cow vet available, and we had been treating her for hindquarter problems for a bit over a year successfully when suddenly nothing seemed to work.  We think she had been over-treaded with Predisone for years before she came to us as she was really allergic at the time.  It took a year of feeding her home prepared food and raw meat and homeopathic sulphar to get her to a place where she could tolerate and then thrive on Science Diet Lamb and Rice (no other mixture).

  She was a sweetheart, both of the cats loved and respected her (they never loved and respected each other) and she always respected them.

  Then suddenly she just got worse, nothing was helping  and I knew I would have to put her to sleep.  I've never done that and was just horrified at taking her away from home to die.  The vet said if I could wait 3 days, he could come here, but she couldn't go that long.  Not only could she not walk, but she was in pain.

  Her last day was beautiful and since a freeze was expected, I went ahead and dug her resting place in advance fearing the ground would get too hard.  I cried the whole time, but she stayed with me, and the neighbor dogs came by and she actually seemed better and played with them a bit.  Walked around without pain and made me think I had misjudged the severity of her condition.

  As evening came, she seemed fine and she and the cats and I just sat on the grass outside until the sun set.  I was thinking of calling the vet in the morning and cancelling the apt.

  Around 7:00 pm, my partner at the time called to tell her good bye.  I held the phone to her ear and he talked to her and she seemed to listen to every word.  Shortly after we hung up, she started having trouble breathing - something that had never happened before, and besides the back pain, she had no other symptoms of illness until that moment.  

  In the end, the cats and I sat with her until she just quietly passed away around 2:00 am.

  I really think she knew that the thought of taking her to the vets to be put to sleep was killing me and she wanted to save me that.  I also think she wanted to die here at home, where she received and gave so much love.  

  I've got two other doggy adoptees now and as they came into the family, I took them out to where Addy rests and told her about them.  One of the cats goes out to that spot for a bit almost every day.  I am pretty sure she is complaining to Addy about the puppy's behavior.

  Know that as I wrote this and thought about that friend I still miss so much, I have been sending love and healing to you and Tirawa.

  Peace and Blessings and healing to you both.

  by SarahLee on Sun May 28, 2006 at 02:53:50 PM PDT

•  Barbara

  Just back from a short road trip.  Looks like Tirawa is being showered with love and light.  What a great community.  

  by standingup on Sun May 28, 2006 at 03:09:16 PM PDT

  •  Now he has to pull through...

    I am so damn worried and trying to be brave.

    by Barbara on Sun May 28, 2006 at 03:20:55 PM PDT

    •  Barbara and Tirawa: It is now 4 hours

      since this most recent comment. Please let us know how you are doing. We, Halcyon, Orion and Thistle are thinking of you. Orion had Lyme disease at age 2, despite having been vaccinated. Doxycycline had her good as new in less than 48 hours (though pills continued for 2 weeks). She has a tad of stiffness and arthritis, but still chases varmints at age 7. You two are ever in our thoughts. We followed your diaries last fall.

      by Halcyon on Sun May 28, 2006 at 07:08:43 PM PDT

•  Homeopathic Treatment

  Hello Barbara,
  I'm looking at my natural pet care health books and am wondering if you have consulted a homeopathic vet. Maybe massage, acupressure, or acupuncture could be a possible help. Also, Stephen Tobin is a holistic vet here in CT [Stephen Tobin, DVM
  203-238-9863, Meriden CT USA] who might be able to offer some advice. He has worked on lyme disease and has published his findings. I wish Tirawa a full recovery.

  by bookwoman on Sun May 28, 2006 at 04:30:48 PM PDT

  •  Bookwoman...thank you.

    I've been intouch with the homeopath that does all my supplements for dogs/horses...she is contacting the homeopathic vet she works with.

    I'me giving him rescue remedy which I swear by anda couple of other things for muscular/joint and trauma...he's resting pretty comfortably, going to give him another massage in a minute.

    by Barbara on Sun May 28, 2006 at 04:57:28 PM PDT

•  Tirawa & Barbara you're in my dogs

  and my thoughts, prayers and tears.  All the best to you.

  by trashablanca on Sun May 28, 2006 at 04:41:14 PM PDT

•  Barbara

  You and Tirawa have been in my thoughts for the last 10 days, since my sweet boy Muad'Dib went to join his mom & brothers in that great field filled with rabbits to chase. I thought of your diary on his last day, as we sat in the yard filled with violets, enjoying the breeze. I told him about your T and how I thought he was just as special. He brought my ma-in-law happiness during her last weeks. She thought he was 'Brownie" of her childhood. He taught my pa-in-law, after she passed away, that you cannot find a truer friend than a furperson.
  Please be calm and think only positive, nurtuing, healing thoughts around him, he will feel your distress & it will upset him. I am thinking happy thoughts for you and your beautiful friend, Tirawa.

  by RiaD on Sun May 28, 2006 at 05:32:22 PM PDT

•  Healing thoughts for Tirawa & comforting

  thoughts for you are being sent from across the country.  I see that it is now over four hours since you started the doxy.  I pray that it is starting to take effect and that the situation is starting to turn around.  I'm sorry that this is happening to the both of you.  Please try to take care of yourself, too, while you are taking care of Tirawa.

  (((HUGS)))

  by Ellicatt on Sun May 28, 2006 at 05:38:05 PM PDT