My dog Mike

[Bill Cahill]

For anyone interested, I have some disheartenning news...
My now very old dog Mike is having a bad time of it, and, I don't know what's wrong...
He hasn't been able to get up on his own since this morning.
When I got home from church he was laying in a puddle of dog urine.
He's definately lost control of his bladder.
I had a terrible time getting him up, and, out of it.
I cleanned, and, scrubbed the floor.
It took several hours this afternoon to get him up, and, walking, again...
He keeps falling. We went on two brief potty walks today.
Diamond, my female dog, is also worried about him, also..
I ask that you put Mike, and, me, in your thoughts, and, prayers.
We are very worried about him.
I'm trying to get the vet to come, and, look at him........

Bill, and, Diamond Cahill  

[AE_Collector]

I'm thinking of you Bill (and Mike). It is always very hard to deal with pets when they get to this point in time. We have cats here and the last couple of years we have had more than our share of grief. See what the vet has to say and good luck. I hope things go okay.

Terry

[McHeath]

How old is Mike?  Always hard when a beloved pet struggles. 

[Russ Kirk]

Bill,

My heart goes out out you and I am very saddened that Mike is not feeling well. 

I have 3 dogs and I love them like my own kid.  It is very sad when our fur-kids (cats, dogs, etc) are ill and cannot tell you what is wrong. 

I have high confidence your vet will be able to diagnose Mike's ailment and provide treatment. 

Please give Mike a hug and doggy treat from us and please let us know how he is doing.

Russ..

[Bill Cahill]

Thanks, guys. Just got back from the vet. Two friends  kindly helped with this bill.
Had to get x rays on Mike's rear hips.
Both his rear hips are totally shot.Apparently, a common problem with Chow dogs.
Mike is alert, his heart is strong, his back is still good.
He is over 20lbs under weight.
He got a shot for the hips, and, sent home with a week's supply of pain pills.
If it works, he's on them for the rest of his life. If not, the vet reccommends putting him down. I hope it doesn't come to that.
Total hip replacement would be over five thousand dollars. Me no have that.....

I will know within 3-4 days.
Please keep us in your prayers.
Bill Cahill

[Bill Cahill]

Took him to vet yesterday.
Both his rear hips are shot.
Replacements are over 5K!
He got a shot, and, sent home with pain pills.
He's un happy with pills, but, he's feeling better today. He is back to getting up on his own.
Now the bad news.
He bit me tonight giving him his medicine!
Oh, well.
He still isn't eating right, though slightly better this evenning.
He's way underweight.
Please pray for us.
Bill Cahill

[McHeath]

Poor dog.  Hips go in dogs even I guess, that's new to me. 

[Bill Cahill]

I saw the exrays. My friend who took us showed me the dammage. His wife just finnished undergoing her second hip replacement...
The dammage is extensive.....
He's on pain meds. He's able to get up on his own, again, and, goes on very short potty walks. He also keeps walking in the house, which we don't want, due to his hips. He's eating a little more, but, still not great.
Please forgive me guys. I've been crying alot. I've only had Mike for 5 years, but, I love him as if I'd had him since he was a pup.

Concern was brought up over his slipping on my terazel floors. Let me assure you, he has blankets, towels, and, long rugs to walk, and, lay on.
I've been putting these down for several days, now, as the problem worsenned.
I'll be putting more down in his other frequented spots.
I have the living room, and, part of hallway covered. Next, I'll cover kitchen, and, dinning room.Plus, remainder of hallway, of course.
That will cover all the areas he goes to most often.
I'm greatly saddenned to see this happenning to him, as, it has always affected me with my other animals.
I eventually come out of it in the end, but, never forget.
I love all my animals very, very, very much....
Please continue your thoughts, and, prayers for us.
Thank you very much.
Bill Cahill

[HarrySmith]

Hi Bill,
I am glad to hear the pain meds are helping and it sounds like you are doing everything you can to help make him comfortable. I know what it is to love a dog, we cut our trip to Shipshewanna short because the friends our dog, Bella, was with called to tell us she was sick. She seems to be a little better but will probably go to the vet today. I will keep you and Mike in my thoughts and prayers.

[bwanna]

bill....i am so sorry to hear of mike's ill health.  i am going thru a similar situation. our old doggie jazzie is not herself anymore. she can still move around ok, but i don't think she sees or hears all that well. sometimes she stiffens right up & falls over. she sleeps alot & when she's awake she paces back & forth. i have 1/2 the spare room cordoned off with plastic, covered with sheets on the floor cuz she has accidents. i know she is missing her partner jester, who we had to put down last fall. & my son has moved out...it's just us two old gals here now.
sometimes she is so still i think she is gone. i am scared that someday she will be, but worse yet if i have to make the choice to end it for her.
you have my heartfelt sympathy, bill.

[Bill Cahill]

Thanks very much..
Give her lots of love, which I know you do... Pay extra attention to her.
Mike is laying down resting, right now. He didn't eat much tonight.
He did get his meds.
Diamond, sadly, is still jealous of Mike. Thought she was over that.
I'll just keep lovin' them both.....

I have extra padding on floors to give Mike better traction, and, looking for more heavy carpet pieces.
He's no longer slipping, since going on pain pills.
His rear legs were twiwted due to the hip dammage, and, extreme pain.
With the pain down, he's keeping legs much straighter, and, is walking normally again.
I know this won't last, but, I'll keep him going as long as he can have some quality life.

He did his potty outside.
Bill Cahill

[Bill Cahill]

Mike slept next to my side last night, and, I discovered him this morning lying there.
He's walking around right now.
Almost time for their potty walk.
He ate a little more last night. Still not alot, but, better than he has been.
My heart truly gos out to both of my dogs.
Bill Cahill