Jimmy Whippet is really poorly :(
Discussion
Hi, thank you for asking after Jimbo.
He is doing a lot better than he was a month ago. The physio and hydro is really helping. He is no where near his former self and no one really knows if he ever will be again only time will tell (next 4 months) but he is definitely livelier, stronger and certainly not worse. We've dropped his steroids down, he has had no more further bouts of diarrhoea and he is able to go for 15 minute walks. His physio has also said we can try letting him off the lead for a few mins.
I am still doing nightly heat therapy, massage and stretches. He is still having hydro twice a week but that is soon to go down to once a week, which is a relief as it really is bleeding me dry
. Still worth every penny though 
Still keeping fingers crossed but feeling more positive than I was a month ago.
He is doing a lot better than he was a month ago. The physio and hydro is really helping. He is no where near his former self and no one really knows if he ever will be again only time will tell (next 4 months) but he is definitely livelier, stronger and certainly not worse. We've dropped his steroids down, he has had no more further bouts of diarrhoea and he is able to go for 15 minute walks. His physio has also said we can try letting him off the lead for a few mins.
I am still doing nightly heat therapy, massage and stretches. He is still having hydro twice a week but that is soon to go down to once a week, which is a relief as it really is bleeding me dry
. Still worth every penny though Still keeping fingers crossed but feeling more positive than I was a month ago.
Fantastic news, my pooch loved the heat therapy when he injured himself. You could see him visably relax, as soon as he saw bag containing the machine come out he would wag his tail and go and lie in the lounge ready for the treatment it was the same when I was massaging him, he wouldn't move a muscle, just completley chill for the 15mins.
All the best with him.
All the best with him.
Thank you all.
Unfortunately had a bad day yest (spoke to soon didn't I). He slipped in the kitchen twice then fell over, something he hasn't done for weeks and he seems to have become more unsteady again. Will see what the physio thinks tonight.
I'm hoping it's just because his fitness/ exercise regime has been increased slightly.
Unfortunately had a bad day yest (spoke to soon didn't I
). He slipped in the kitchen twice then fell over, something he hasn't done for weeks and he seems to have become more unsteady again. Will see what the physio thinks tonight.I'm hoping it's just because his fitness/ exercise regime has been increased slightly.
Still no concrete diagnosis?
Poor Jimmy! Does he love the hydratherapy though?DuckJimmy-dog to water? 
He's so lucky to have you looking after him... fingers and paws are all still crossed. A month of a more positive outlook is still a good thing, isn't it. Hopefully yesterday's poorer day is a momentary set-back on his progress to a fuller recovery.
Bet he's loving all the massages! -ours will literally fall over/off the sofa if you stroke/massage them in a certain way for long enough; they forget to support their own bodyweight! Proper funny to see!
Ahem. But very much hope Jimmy doesn't.
Poor Jimmy! Does he love the hydratherapy though?
He's so lucky to have you looking after him... fingers and paws are all still crossed. A month of a more positive outlook is still a good thing, isn't it. Hopefully yesterday's poorer day is a momentary set-back on his progress to a fuller recovery.
Bet he's loving all the massages! -ours will literally fall over/off the sofa if you stroke/massage them in a certain way for long enough; they forget to support their own bodyweight! Proper funny to see!
Ahem. But very much hope Jimmy doesn't.
more like tolerates. He is used to the regime now and has always been the sort of dog that accepts what is being asked of him.Hi, would've replied earlier but PH been down it seems.
He's up and down. He is not as bad as when it first started but he still struggles with balance/co ordination and stamina. He's also had 2 bouts of bad diarrhoea.
He shakes his head a lot, rubs his head and scratches his left ear and still has an involuntary tic of his left ear.
I can now take him to his favourite place for walking as lighter evenings. He does get quite down/ quiet and introverted these days but he lights up here and to some extent becomes old Jimmy again though he can't run like he did and the max tome he can be out is 10 mins. Any longer he starts to stagger and become clumsy. Last summer we were doing hour long walks (interspersed with fast bouts of running) such a change.
It is still 1 week at a time but I don't think he will get better than this and there are some subtle signs suggesting things are worsening (such as twitching of the left eye, occasional head tremor and twitches)
He is still having hydro but had to take a break due to his bad tummy, starred again Tues.
Thank you for thinking of Jimbo
He's up and down. He is not as bad as when it first started but he still struggles with balance/co ordination and stamina. He's also had 2 bouts of bad diarrhoea.
He shakes his head a lot, rubs his head and scratches his left ear and still has an involuntary tic of his left ear.
I can now take him to his favourite place for walking as lighter evenings. He does get quite down/ quiet and introverted these days but he lights up here and to some extent becomes old Jimmy again though he can't run like he did and the max tome he can be out is 10 mins. Any longer he starts to stagger and become clumsy. Last summer we were doing hour long walks (interspersed with fast bouts of running) such a change.
It is still 1 week at a time but I don't think he will get better than this and there are some subtle signs suggesting things are worsening (such as twitching of the left eye, occasional head tremor and twitches)
He is still having hydro but had to take a break due to his bad tummy, starred again Tues.
Thank you for thinking of Jimbo
Edited by bexVN on Friday 5th April 22:32
Hi Eric
He continues to worsen sadly esp the last 2 weeks. He is on a concoction of drugs and natural remedies. He now has inflammatory bowel disease likely result of the stress his body is under due to his illness.
He had his eyes scanned today as his left one looked like it was bulging but infact it seems his nerve disease is now affecting more facial muscles pulling the eyelids back making the eye look bigger.
We are beginning to accept that we are looking at weeks esp if he continues to decline at the rate he is :-(.
I have shed an ocean of tears and still they keep flowing (right now as I type) he didn't deserve this horrible illness and he especially didn't deserve it at only 9yrs. I am very angry and depressed at life at the mo because I am losing my most amazing, kind, docile, sweet natured four legged friend and there is nothing I can really do.
He continues to worsen sadly esp the last 2 weeks. He is on a concoction of drugs and natural remedies. He now has inflammatory bowel disease likely result of the stress his body is under due to his illness.
He had his eyes scanned today as his left one looked like it was bulging but infact it seems his nerve disease is now affecting more facial muscles pulling the eyelids back making the eye look bigger.
We are beginning to accept that we are looking at weeks esp if he continues to decline at the rate he is :-(.
I have shed an ocean of tears and still they keep flowing (right now as I type) he didn't deserve this horrible illness and he especially didn't deserve it at only 9yrs. I am very angry and depressed at life at the mo because I am losing my most amazing, kind, docile, sweet natured four legged friend and there is nothing I can really do.
bexVN said:
I am very angry and depressed at life at the mo because I am losing my most amazing, kind, docile, sweet natured four legged friend and there is nothing I can really do.
You are doing what you can. And you have given him the best life anyone could have, and lots of love and affection. That is all he would ask of you.
bexVN said:
Hi Eric
He continues to worsen sadly esp the last 2 weeks. He is on a concoction of drugs and natural remedies. He now has inflammatory bowel disease likely result of the stress his body is under due to his illness.
He had his eyes scanned today as his left one looked like it was bulging but infact it seems his nerve disease is now affecting more facial muscles pulling the eyelids back making the eye look bigger.
We are beginning to accept that we are looking at weeks esp if he continues to decline at the rate he is :-(.
I have shed an ocean of tears and still they keep flowing (right now as I type) he didn't deserve this horrible illness and he especially didn't deserve it at only 9yrs. I am very angry and depressed at life at the mo because I am losing my most amazing, kind, docile, sweet natured four legged friend and there is nothing I can really do.
Argh, I have re written about 5 paragraphs! I keep deleting it because literally nothing I can say is helpful.He continues to worsen sadly esp the last 2 weeks. He is on a concoction of drugs and natural remedies. He now has inflammatory bowel disease likely result of the stress his body is under due to his illness.
He had his eyes scanned today as his left one looked like it was bulging but infact it seems his nerve disease is now affecting more facial muscles pulling the eyelids back making the eye look bigger.
We are beginning to accept that we are looking at weeks esp if he continues to decline at the rate he is :-(.
I have shed an ocean of tears and still they keep flowing (right now as I type) he didn't deserve this horrible illness and he especially didn't deserve it at only 9yrs. I am very angry and depressed at life at the mo because I am losing my most amazing, kind, docile, sweet natured four legged friend and there is nothing I can really do.
All I'll say is from what I've read on PH you'll have been the best possible mum for Jimmy and I'm sure hes having the happiest life possible.
Sad news Bex. I feel for you. As hard as it is, when you have to make 'that' decision remember it's better a day early than a week late.
I went through agonies with my whippet Norman as there was no definite 'right' moment, my whippet Bert was more clear cut though in some ways that was more painful as it was so sudden. It was almost a release with Norman as Cushings had took it's toll for so long and he was at last at peace.
It's one of life's unfair aspects that dogs live such a short time.
I went through agonies with my whippet Norman as there was no definite 'right' moment, my whippet Bert was more clear cut though in some ways that was more painful as it was so sudden. It was almost a release with Norman as Cushings had took it's toll for so long and he was at last at peace.
It's one of life's unfair aspects that dogs live such a short time.
rovermorris999 said:
Sad news Bex. I feel for you. As hard as it is, when you have to make 'that' decision remember it's better a day early than a week late.
I went through agonies with my whippet Norman as there was no definite 'right' moment, my whippet Bert was more clear cut though in some ways that was more painful as it was so sudden. It was almost a release with Norman as Cushings had took it's toll for so long and he was at last at peace.
It's one of life's unfair aspects that dogs live such a short time.
I agree and I will not let it get to that point. Husband and I have talked it through at length. It is not the right time just yet but. My vet has already said whenever we are ready she will agree. This doesn't make it any less stressful though I went through agonies with my whippet Norman as there was no definite 'right' moment, my whippet Bert was more clear cut though in some ways that was more painful as it was so sudden. It was almost a release with Norman as Cushings had took it's toll for so long and he was at last at peace.
It's one of life's unfair aspects that dogs live such a short time.
Dogs lives are too short but Jimmy is being robbed of 4-5yrs because of this illness that seemed to come out of nowhere. Why couldn't he have had arthritis like most dogs his age! If he were 13/14yrs old I'd be saddened but I'd probably be able to accept it better esp due the fact that he'd been such a fit dog previously.
Cushing's is similar re the slow debilitation of the illness. I'm sorry you had to see your Norman struggle with it.
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