Dogs really ARE Miracles with Paws!!

Saturday, August 13, 2016

The Diagnosis



We went to bed and everything was fine.

When we woke up, Chloe did not move out of her usual spot.  I knew instantly something was wrong.

She wasn't wagging her tail.

She could not put any weight on her right front foot.

I thought perhaps there was something wrong with the paw pad.  So, I did a thorough examination and found nothing.

I carried her outside to do her business.  Fortunately, all ok in that department.

Called the vet at home and had a conversation.  Decided to take her to the vet here at the cottage.  Over the years, we have developed a relationship with vets at both hospitals...which has actually come in handy...one never knows when accidents happen!

I took a few photos of the inside...this is a state of the art facility!







Miss Chloe was an absolute mess in the car...she just wouldn't stop panting and PANTING! One would think she was having a heart attack!!  But, we made it there and I was so glad I had her stroller...it makes it so much easier...especially because it is difficult for me to carry her at 20 lbs.  She also doesn't pick up germs from the floor that ten million dogs, cats and other animals have walked on!  

We waited a few minutes and then the tech took us in for some quick vitals.



The panting continued...at an even more rapid pace...and LOUDER!!


Finally, the Dr. came in and gave her a thorough exam and asked me a million questions.  We decided not to do an xray as she could not feel that anything was out of place...in terms of range of motion or anything.  She had Chloe walk around the office...three legged.  She still would not put weight on that foot!  So, she suggested they run a test for Lyme...which came back positive in about ten minutes.

To say I was shocked would be an understatement.  I had NO idea that lameness could be a sign of Lyme!  She was also running a fever.  Everything else was normal.  Which is a good thing!

So, I am trying to keep her comfortable tonight and she has a thirty day course of antibiotics to take along with pain meds. and anti-inflammatories.

I sure hope my girl feels better soon....it is so difficult when you know they're not feeling well!!

Yes, the panting continued at a steady pace...right up until we drove in the driveway...home.

41 comments:

Cynthia said...

Thank goodness you got her to the vet. That was traumatic. I am sorry to hear that you had to go through this with your Chloe. May she be on the mend with her meds. 😢

Susan said...

Oh, I pray she'll be better very soon! I'll remember her and you in my prayers. We love our sweet, little Bichons so much and it hurts me to see them in distress. Please keep us posted.

Jan K, Wag N Woof Pets said...

Oh no, so sorry to hear that Chloe has Lyme! That must have been so scary not knowing what was up. My understanding is that Lyme is very treatable in dogs, so I hope she is feeling better very soon.
BTW, beautiful vet's office too!

Lily Belle & Muffin said...

OMD! We just can't believe it. That poor baby. Doesn't lime disease come from ticks? Did I miss it that she had a tick on her? We are sending out our best POTP right now.
Hugs,
Lily Belle & Muffin

Mary said...

Oh No! So sorry to hear that. Poor thing. I hope the meds all start working fast and she feels better real soon.

Robin Whiskers said...

Ugh...lyme can be a menace. Get well soon, Chloe!

Edith Chase said...

I hope she feels better soon.

Dory and the Mama said...

We hope the meds do there job and Chloe is feeling back to herself real soon!

harrispen said...

We have our paws crossed for Miss Chloe that the meds help her feel better soon.

Millie & Walter

KB - RompRollRockies said...

I'm so glad that you have such a thorough vet! I'm so sorry about the diagnosis. I hope that antibiotics do the trick. A long time ago when Lyme was just discovered, one of our dogs was diagnosed with Lyme (mainly neuro symptoms). Antibiotics worked beautifully. I hope for the same for Chloe!

Kim at Golden Pines said...

I am so, so sorry to read about what is happening to the lovely Chloe! We'll send lots, and lots of good vibes for her, that she's feeling better very soon! And if it makes you feel better, all of our dogs have tested positive for lyme at some point, except Todd -- As you now know, early treatment is the key, and the medications work perfectly! Give Chloe lots of extra treats and hugs from all her friends at Golden Pines

Molly and Mackie said...

In our experience, the antibiotics will clear up the lameness quickly. We are so sorry, Chloe. We know how horrible this disease is because angel Maggie had it and angel Mitch had it and now I have it too. Our paws are crossed for you and we're sending you lots of AireZen and healing vibes!

Ruby said...

Oh noes!!! Sorry gurl....I hopes those meds clear up that nasty Lyme thingie, and you are back chasin' critters very soon. I gots my paws crossed real tight for you and I'm sendin' tons of healin' vibes and AireZens your way!!! Oh,, and a few pitchers of margaritas! ☺
Kisses,
Ruby ♥

Amber DaWeenie said...

Oh Chloe...I'm so sorry those nasty germies caught up with you. We're all sending lots of POTP for a real quick recovery.

Murphy Campbell said...

Oh poor baby! We hope her fever is down and then panting is done too. We will cross our paws that the meds work quickly for full recovery!!!!

Your Pals,

Murphy & Stanley

Hailey's Lady said...

Oh no! We are so sad to hear that Chloe got Lyme. We are sending POTP your way!

iCloudia said...

Praying for you and your girl!

The OP Pack said...

Oh dear, we are so sorry. Hopefully you caught it early enough and the meds will do the trick.

Woos - Ciara and Lightning

ann thompson said...

oh no, poor Chloe. So sorry to hear about the Lyme. Sure hope she's feeling better soon

Jeanne Pursell said...

Thank you Ann. She seems to be a little bit better tonight...here's hoping it continues!

Jeanne Pursell said...

We sure do hope so! She does seem a little bit better than yesterday. She has had two doses of the antibiotics and it seems the pain meds are kicking in. Thanks so much!

Jeanne Pursell said...

Thanks so much Cloudia! I really appreciate that!

Jeanne Pursell said...

Thank you!! We are hoping that we caught it early enough...though we really have no idea how long she has had it. Thank you very much for the POTP. They always help!

Jeanne Pursell said...

Her fever is down a bit today. The pain meds seems to be kicking in a little so today has been better than yesterday. Thanks so much...crossed paws always help!

Jeanne Pursell said...

Oh Amber, we were not happy about this at all, but we are hoping that the meds will help. It seems as if the pain meds are kicking in and we hope she will sleep better tonight. Thank you for the POTP!

Jeanne Pursell said...

We sure do thank you Ruby! POTP always helps...and the Margaritas DEFINITELY help!! :)

Jeanne Pursell said...

Oh dear! We didn't realize that both Maggie and Mitch had it...and now you too Molly???? Ticks must be really bad where you live. At home, my own vet did not even mention the vaccine to me, but here in the North Country, I've been told ticks are very prevalent! Have you ever had the vaccinations? I'm not sure where to turn now. It seems as if the pain meds are helping today as her fever has gone down some...and since she has now had two doses of antibiotics, I am hoping that by tomorrow she will be feeling better. This is a terrible disease. Just hoping it doesn't go in to her liver. We are sending POTP for Molly too!! Thank you!!

Jeanne Pursell said...

Hearing this does actually make me feel better Kim. I had no idea that it is such a widespread disease...or that it's so common! We sure are hoping that the meds will kick in quickly and help her with her pain and lameness. Thanks and hope Todd is doing well!

Jeanne Pursell said...

I was truly shocked when I found out what the diagnosis was...it had never crossed my mind! I really knew nothing about Lyme Disease. The vet told me that many dogs present with lameness. What were the neuro symptoms that showed up in your dog? So glad to hear the meds worked for your dog and I sure hope that the meds start to kick in soon for Chloe! Thank you!

Jeanne Pursell said...

Many thanks Millie and Walter!! Hoping tomorrow will be a better day than today...one step at a time!

Jeanne Pursell said...

Thanks very much Dory! We sure are hoping that Chloe will be feeling better and better. We are trying REALLY hard to take this one day at a time!

Jeanne Pursell said...

Thanks Mary! Believe me, I was shocked too! Hoping that the antibiotics will kick in soon. I think Chloe is feeling a bit better tonight...but she is still staying quite still.

KB - RompRollRockies said...

This was a long time ago - like 1990 or so. Our 2 yr old chocolate lab seemed to go blind intermittently. He repeatedly walked into walls and other things. We were totally naive dog owners - but we got him to a vet quickly. I don't remember any lameness prior to the blindness. I also don't remember the exact antibiotics but I do know that they were very strong and worked. No one knew much about Lyme then so I don't know what the long term prognosis was.

He seemed to fully recover but we never got to find out if there would be long term effects. Just a couple of months later, a crazy and drunk man (who was a felon - so he shouldn't have had a gun) shot our dog dead during a hike. It was one of those events that I will never recover from, no matter how much time passes. The man was convicted of another felony for his act, and also forced to pay us a sum of money but nothing was enough punishment as far as we were concerned.

Sorry for that sad note. But vets know far more about Lyme now than they did then so I'm hoping that Chloe can make a miraculous recovery like our dog did.

I'm thinking of you and of her.

KB

Jeanne Pursell said...

Thank you for this note KB. I am so very sorry...what a tragic event to have to deal with. I agree with you..there is no punishment too severe for someone to commit such an act against a defenseless animal. My heart goes out to you guys. I am holding out hope that the meds will help Chloe too. xo

faye said...

Sorry to hear about Chloe ... hope she tolerates the meds and discomfort and quickly gets back to
her routine.

Chester L. W. Spaniel said...

Oh no! It's a good thing you got it diagnosed early. Hope she feels better soon!

catchatcaren said...

oh my you poor thing you must have been beside yourself. I am praying that Chloe is doing much better now...did she get it from a tick? The facility you took her too looks so charming, that is wise to have two Vets, one at home and one for your cottage. Please give her kisses from us. xoxo

Jeanne Pursell said...

Yes! Lyme Disease does come from ticks...we have not found one on her...but she may have picked it up last year and it just didn't "show" signs until now. It appears right now that the antibiotics and pain killer / anti-inflammatories are doing their job...which is awesome! Thanks for the POTP!!

Jeanne Pursell said...

Thank you so much for your kind words...she seems to be feeling better now!

Jeanne Pursell said...

Thank you Jan! Yes, it was very scary but I never would have suspected Lyme Disease!! The antibiotics seem to be working so we are keeping our fingers crossed that they will continue to help her. It IS a pretty cool vet's office, isn't it?? It is beautiful inside. Thank you for your kind words!

Jeanne Pursell said...

Thank you so much for your prayers...the meds seem to be working and we sure are hoping that they will continue to do so! I appreciate your prayers!