Raggs Update...finally - Pet forum for dogs cats and humans

dbg10 · #1 March 10th, 2010, 10:11 PM

This post is long passed due and I apologize to everyone for not posting sooner. This follows Raggs Has Arrived

We saw my vet shortly after my last post. We had the lab work done in Sept 09 by the rescue showing a couple of abnormalities that my vet thought might be due to stress. The blood work had been done when he arrived at the rescue from a long term stay in a boarding kennel. Their vet thought it might be stress too. The biggest shock was his weight was 41 lbs. In his medical history from 2007 he weighed 58 lbs, later in 2007 he weighed 53 lbs. He was very bony when he arrived but I couldn't believe he had lost that much weight. The rescuer told me he was 34 lbs when she got him from the boarding kennel. I found this very sad.

My vet found that the muscles in his front and hind legs were what she called "mushy". She said this was often due to either a prolonged stay in a cage or to a neuromuscular condition and in his case both were possible. She told me that he was probably more Beagle than Spaniel and that beagles often have disc problems in their spines. His hind legs were also quite weak. We had noticed this weakness and I was concerned because he has to use the stairs to go outside. She started him on Omega 3's and a trial of Deramaxx that she didn't think would do much to help him. He was pronounced healthy and plans were made to repeat the blood work if he did well on the Deramaxx, prior to starting him on an NSAID full time. I was to increase the amount of food I was giving him.

We finished the trial of Deramaxx and were amazed at the increase in strength in his hind legs. Prior to the Deramaxx he had been having trouble getting to his feet during the day and at night we had to help him get to his feet, I blamed this on the stairs. After the Deramaxx, he had no trouble at all during the day and only a little at night. He did have a bit of diarrhea while on it, so when the trial was over we went back to our vet.

My vet did blood work and switched him to a trial of Previcox. The blood work came back almost the same as in September and we'll keep an eye on it regularly. His weight after 2 weeks on 3 cups of food instead of 2, was 48 lbs. He looked and felt much better at this weight and I think he was overweight at 58 lbs, because I couldn't imagine him weighing another 10 lbs and being normal size. The previcox only lasted three days before he had severe diarrhea. He was eating and drinking normally and we were in the process of switching his food. As we had started the switch while he was on Deramaxx, I blamed it on the Previcox. After talking to my vet, we took him off all NSAIDS for 3 days and started him on Metacam. I am very happy to say that he has no vomiting, diarrhea or any other side effects from the Metacam, and his legs seem even stronger.

I successfully switched him to Purina Pro Plan Senior because I found out that it was the food he ate while with his previous owner. He loves it.

Now to the fun we've had with him. He is very talkative and at times demanding and definitely knows what he wants and when he wants it. He is hilarious at times making me laugh.

We are still having a bit of a problem with the cats as he has decided he likes to scare the youngest one. However, Smokey is getting used to being barked at, and is now making attempts to make peace with Raggs. All day long Smokey can sniff and get close to Raggs, it is only at night when I have to divide my attention between Raggs and the kitties that Raggs has a problem. However, I am working on this by giving equal attention to all, and also give treats to everyone at the same time. This has been the most successful. Yesterday, Raggs had to go out when I was busy and couldn't let him out immediately. Smokey was there and meowed in a voice I'd never heard before, and then tried to show Raggs where his litter box was. It was adorable to see and I know eventually they will become friends.

As for his separation anxiety, he howls and barks when either of us go out, but we did a 10 minute test the other day with both of us out, and he settled down shortly after we left. I am getting him used to longer and longer times away and hope that works. We usually take him with us when we can. but at some point he will be left alone for several hours. I have a list of ways to deal with separation anxiety and I'm working my way through them.

I plan to take some new pics of him and will post them in a day or two. I'll try to remember other things that have happened. The one thing I have to say is he is one of the happiest and well trained dogs I've seen.

I love him more every day.

I was so lucky to find him and wish his sister had been healthy enough to join him here as she was a real sweetheart.

At the moment he is waiting for me to go and watch TV as we do every night. I'll think of some more anecdotes about him and post them soon.

hazelrunpack · #2 March 10th, 2010, 10:26 PM

Great update, dbg10! It sounds like Raggs fits your family so well!

I'm looking forward to the pics.

(Some things never change!

)

Glad to hear he's responding the pain meds. Does the vet think glucosamine/chondroitin supplements would help? We have a few dogs with spondylosis and, although the scientific data is thin on the benefit of its use in spinal conditions, it does seem to be helping our three. Worth asking about, maybe?

So happy to hear how well things are going!

14+kitties · #3 March 10th, 2010, 10:31 PM

Thank you so much for the update on Raggs. He sounds like a real sweetie!!

I love the story of Smokey trying to show him where the litter box was. What a hoot!! I can just see it too. The kitty successfully taking him to the box and Raggs looking

and asking "You want me to do WHAT in that little box?"

Too funny!
I am

ing you will enjoy many, many more happy adventures with Raggs.