Dogs really ARE Miracles with Paws!!

Sunday, February 15, 2015

POTP Needed Please: LadyBug


Just when we thought things were beginning to look up, LadyBug is now suffering from another bout of idiopathic trigeminal neuritis.  It seems that people are getting confused between trigeminal neuropathy and trigeminal neuritis.  The former is quite painful.  It does not seem like LadyBug is in pain right now.  She IS confused and does not understand why she cannot control her mouth and jaw.  She also loses feeling in her face and looks quite gaunt.  

Trigeminal Neuritis


Idiopathic trigeminal neuropathy is characterized by acute onset of flaccid jaw paralysis. Affected animals cannot close the mouth and have difficulty eating and drinking. Horner syndrome, facial paresis, and decreased facial sensation are also possible. The cause is unknown. Histopathologically, there is bilateral nonsuppurative inflammation and demyelination in the motor branches of the trigeminal nerve. Affected animals usually recover spontaneously within 3–4 wk. Fluid and nutritional support may be necessary. (from Merck Manual)
I wrote about this last summer when LadyBug first demonstrated signs of this.  I was in a panic at that point and rushed her to my vet.  Dr. Fessler conferred with her colleagues and in many years of veterinarian practice, none of them had actually treated an animal with this disease.  It does not appear to us that LadyBug is in pain...she is just confused...and she cannot control her jaw.  Her mouth remains open unless we close it manually or she lays her head on a pillow to close it while she sleeps.
This thing just wipes her out.  She sleeps and sleeps and sleeps...and cannot seem to get enough rest.  I suppose maybe her body is trying to repair itself.
We are giving her manual support with eating...feeding her through either a syringe or carefully placing food in the back of her mouth so she can swallow it.  Her drinking is quite messy.  Last time she would place her entire head in her water bowl and try to get water...she seemed very thirsty.  She got to the point where she would ask for her water syringe.  She knew that it made her feel better and cured her thirst!  
I am so very grateful that she is not in pain, yet it is difficult as she needs constant care to ensure that she is getting enough food and especially enough water so that she does not become dehydrated.  
Please send positive thoughts and prayers that she will recover completely in due time.  They had told us it would take about a month last time and it actually lasted two months. 






49 comments:

ann thompson said...

oh poor LadyBug. How heartbreaking to see her going through this. Of course thoughts and prayers are being sent your way. Get better soon LadyBug

Emma said...

It sounds like a dreadful thing. I hope she can get through it and back to normal soon.

Kimberly Paschedag said...

We are so very sorry to hear that Lady Bug is going through this once again. We know that you are giving her excellent care and tending to all of her needs. We sure hope this does not last as long as the last time. Poor thing must be miserable. We are sending a ton of love and sunshine your way.
Hugs,
Lily Belle & Muffin

Molly The Wally said...

Plenty of POTP and healing vibes to Lady Bug. She is in our thoughts and prayers.
Best wishes Molly

Mary said...

Poor little girl!! We are sending so much love and positives thoughts your way.

MyDogLikes said...

Sending you lots of love and positive thoughts..hoping for a full and happy recovery.

Ron said...

Jeanne, I am so sorry to hear that Lady Bug is having another bout with idiopathic trigeminal neuritis, it breaks my heart. But I'm glad to hear that she's not experiencing any pain. Please know that I am sending MUCH prayer, good vibes, and love her way...

((((((((((((((( Lady Bug ))))))))))))))

You take care, my friend.

X to you and the girlz

easy rider said...

oh nooo... I'm so sorry for you and for Lady Bug... I wish so much that I could do more than to cross my paws and to keep you in my thoughts.... I send POTP over the big pond to you...

harrispen said...

We're so sorry to hear Ladybug is suffering from this again and hope she gets over it soon. Sending lots of POTP your way.


Millie & Walter

Cora Wade said...

Sending all the positive and healing vibes we can muster from this little part of the world - much love xxx

Rachel De Jong said...

Poor Baby,love and snuggles,xx Speedy

Miley's Daily Scoop said...

So sorry for you and your lady bug! Keeping our paws crossed!!

24 Paws of Love said...

So sorry to hear about Ladybug. We are sending the power of 24 Paws crossed for her and you.

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
Adding Ladybug - and of course her family! - to the POTP book here... Blessings hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx

Murphy Campbell said...

This sounds horrible! We are sending out POTP!!

Your Pals,

Murphy & Stanley

Princess Leah said...

Oh poor sweetie. Sending you loads of POTP darling Ladybug, hopes your much betters soon
Loves and licky kisses
Princess Leah xxx

Ruby said...

Oh Lady Bug!!! I am sendin' TONS of POTP and lots of healin' vibes!!!! I am also sendin' tons of AireZens to your Moms, since I knows she is probably worried and anxious for you!
{{{hugs}}}
Kisses,
Ruby ♥

Gilligan Ahoy said...

Sending pawsitive energy your way! Very sorry to hear about this struggle. :(

BeadedTail said...

Sending lots of purrs and prayers for LadyBug! We hope she is better soon!

Dolly the Doxie said...

Sending POTP and lots of love for LadyBug. Purrs, Rhette

Mitch and Molly said...

Oh no :-( We are sending you tons of AireZen and healing vibes, LadyBug. We hope you get over this quickly!

KB - RompRollRockies said...

We are sending POTP.

Whitley Westie said...

Sendin lotsa POTP.

Jeanne Pursell said...

Thank you Whitley...that means very much to us!

Jeanne Pursell said...

Thanks so much KB!

Jeanne Pursell said...

We really appreciate your kind words...we are doing the best we can!
Thank you so much for stopping by!

Jeanne Pursell said...

Thanks very much Mitch and Molly! We can use all the AireZen and healing vibes you can send!! Hanging in there!!

Jeanne Pursell said...

Thanks very much Dolly and Rhette...it is kind of a stressful type of illness...and we don't really have anyone to talk to about it...as we do not know of any other little dogs who have had it...

Jeanne Pursell said...

Thanks so much! We can use all the purrs and prayers you can spare!

Jeanne Pursell said...

We sincerely appreciate your pawsitive energy! Thank you!!

Jeanne Pursell said...

Thanks so much Ruby! We appreciate all of the AireZen and POTP! xo

Jeanne Pursell said...

Thanks very much Princess Leah...we really appreciate your sending us POTP!!

Jeanne Pursell said...

Believe me guys...it is not fun at all..it is quite the struggle actually. We sincerely appreciate your adding us to the POTP list. Thank you so much.

Jeanne Pursell said...

Thanks very much for thinking of us and adding us to your prayers. We sincerely appreciate your concern.

Jeanne Pursell said...

Thanks so much guys! We really can use all the POTP you can spare!

Jeanne Pursell said...

Thank you very much Miley! We appreciate your POTP!

Jeanne Pursell said...

Thanks so much Speedy! We really appreciate your popping over to offer your support!

Jeanne Pursell said...

Thank you very much for sharing that with me...I do not know any humans or canines who have had this...but I have had messages from a few of my friends letting me know that the neuralgia is VERY painful for adults who experience it. I am so glad that she is not in pain...and still wagging her tail although she needs a LOT of assistance in getting anything to eat or drink. Thanks for our kind words...we really hope it doesn't last as long as the last time. We were really hoping she wouldn't get it again...

Jeanne Pursell said...

Thank you so much and we sincerely appreciate your popping in to offer your support!

Jeanne Pursell said...

Thanks so much Cindy, Milllie and Walter!! We were really hoping that it was a one time deal and we wouldn't have to ever deal with it again. But, we do what we have to do. I am very glad she is not in pain and she is just requiring a lot of extra care to ensure she gets enough food and water in to her system. Thanks again...your support means very much to us!

Jeanne Pursell said...

Thank you ever so much Easy! We really appreciate your sending POTP all the way over here...we can use all of the help we can get! Thanks!!!

Jeanne Pursell said...

Ron, thank you so very much for your kind words of support! I was really hoping that it was a one time deal when she had it the first time...but here we are again. SO glad she is not in pain. Thank you again...your support means the world to me.

Jeanne Pursell said...

Thanks so much guys! I really appreciate your taking the time to stop and offer support for us as we go through another bout of this.

Jeanne Pursell said...

Thanks Mary! We can use lots of love and positive thoughts right now!! Really appreciate your stopping in with positive vibes!

Jeanne Pursell said...

Thanks so much Molly! Really appreciate your thoughts and prayers...we can use lots of help right now...we really hope this is going to be less of an ordeal than it was the last time...but at this point...it is rather similar.

Jeanne Pursell said...

Thanks LilyBelle and Muffin and mom too. We really appreciate your sending positive thoughts and support our way. We know you sure have a lot on your plate too. Thanks again!!

Jeanne Pursell said...

Thanks Emma. It is a rather dreadful experience. We were really hoping to not have to go through it again...but here we are. We are doing the best we can but we are accepting all the support and POTP we can get! Thanks so much!

Jeanne Pursell said...

Thanks Ann. I am so very glad that she is not in pain. It is troubling that she is experiencing another bout of it though. We will get through it. Thanks so much for your support! It means very much to us!!

catchatcaren said...

we are sending TONS OF POTP!! and love and prayers too!