1 January 2003
Another sleepy day - Malcolm and Becky both slept in again. Then we went for a few walks and they spent the day sorting things out.
11 January 2003
Class as normal, and then we went to "Pets at Home". Malcolm bought me some nice dinner, and this odd cage thing. They have decided to put it on my face when I go out into the garden. I think its to stop me tidying up my faeces when I have to go to toilet. I don't really like it :-(
18 January 2003
Today we didn't go to class, but to a place called Chelmsford in the car. It was a different vet. One of Becky's teammates from the ice hockey, Aunty Nikki, recommended her fella, Jean-Louis, we'll call him Uncle JL. We waited for a while, but then he gave me a full checkover, and stole some of my blood, as well as sticking his finger up my bum.
Apparently, considering my age, I'm doing quite well. The blood test he did showed everything was within the normal range, which considering the amount of drugs I'm on is quite good. What he needs to do next is to decide how we can get better pain medication for my sore hips... there seem to be two choices.... either steroidal or non-steroidal anti-inflamatories. The anti ones are the best choice, but they interract with my heart drugs - so we might need to have more tests, and to investigate changing the heart drugs, so that we can have more of the arthritis drugs if we need. Uncle JL will call back in a couple of days when he has spoken to his cardiac specialist friend called Thomas.
24 January 2003
We have a plan. I'm going to reduce the Lasix pills from three pills twice a day, to two and a half pills twice a day for ten days, and then down to two pills twice a day for another ten days, then re-test.
30 January 2003
The new pill regime is working - I'm much happier, and Malcolm and Becky reckon I'm more bouncy.
13 February 2003
Back to see Uncle JL in Chelmsford - he said hello to me even before it was our turn to go in, which was nice. He used the heart sucking machine - and said that I'm doing OK - no fluid retention - with the new drugs. He got the nasty needle out, and backed me into a corner to steal more blood. He claimed it was for more tests.
Marcus (Uncle JL's workmate) called later. He says all my levels are normal, which is good. That means the plan can continue. We need to reduce the Lasix more - down to 1.75 pills twice a day (actually we'll do 2 in the morning, and 1.5 in the evening), and also reduce the Slow-K to one tablet a day. Then we re-test in another ten days. Fingers (or should I say paws !!) crossed.
24 February 2003
Malcolm and I went to Chelmsford again. This time we saw Uncle Marcus. He said that I seem well - no fluid on my lungs, a good pulse etc etc. And then he got the needle out to steal more blood. He called later to say that I'm still in the normal range, so the diuretics are now down to 1.5 pills twice a day, and we have to re-test in 10 days.
6 March 2003
Another trip in the car to see Uncle Marcus. He stole some more of my blood, and used the heart sucking machine. He said I seem well. Then later on he telephoned and apparently I'm right in the middle of the normal range, so we just need to check things are still OK every couple of months.
30 May 2003
Once again, sorry I've not updated my diary....
Malcolm and I went to see Uncle Marcus again today - mainly for a checkup. He says that my heart is doing OK, and he stole some more blood to check my levels. Malcolm also asked him about my hips, and Marcus has recommended a four step plan - firstly we are trying natural remedies - so I'm taking Cod Liver Oil and also Shark Cartiledge. If those haven't had an effect, I can have a set of injections which put pillows in all my joints ??? (guess I'll look funny if they are real pillows !!).
Then we'll return to Zubrin/Rimadyl/Metacam etc - and finally we'll end up with Cortizone injections... As long as I get more nice treats I don't mind.
25 Jun 2003
The Collaplex tablets are working wonders... whilst my legs aren't completely stable, Malcolm reckons I am looking much happier, and sleeping much deeper, and everyone at class says I am walking better. We also survived another visit to see Barney (he was very good again) last week.
15 Jul 2003
Becky and Malcolm had ribs today.... there were lots of bones left, and when I tried to take one Malcolm told me off :-( I did get lots of nice scraps though, and they tell me its all for my own good...
18 Jul 2003
Malcolm was supposed to go away this weekend, but it got cancelled at the last minute, and we went to Epping Forest at lunchtime... We were having such a nice walk I forgot how far we had gone... and the way back was very tiring. We must have walked 2 miles (which is a lot for me these days).
23 Jul 2003
Becky has been away for two days, and after a normal day Malcolm got me all dressed up to go in the car... and then got upset because I got in where he sits (why can't I drive sometimes !!!). He was very impressed that I managed to climb under the steering wheel, over the gear stick, and was sitting proudly on the passenger seat. He then decided that I should sit on my normal seat :-(
After all that excitement we went to Chelmsford to see Uncle Marcus - after a long wait we had a normal check up, and Malcolm asked him about my eyes and ears. The ears are OK, but apparently I have a blocked tear duct, so we've got some Maxitrol drops to try and clear that. I've also got a wart on my foot - but its not a problem, and my heart is working OK.
Uncle Marcus was a little worried when I snarled as he was putting stuff in my eyes, but he would snarl if someone was mucking about with his only good eye. We made friends again when he gave me a Schmacko after the investigation!!
3 Aug 2003
Today we all (Malcolm, Becky and me) went to see Malcolm's Mum and Barney in Eastbourne. It was very hot outside, but the car is nice as it has air conditioning. Malcolm had to stop suddenly, and I fell off the seat and banged my bad leg. It was a little sore - but nothing that a little rest won't cure.
We had a nice day, and I think we all enjoyed it. On the way home I was very very tired, and once we were in the house I slept for ages and ages.
16 Aug 2003
Today it wasn't my birthday, but it was the nearest day at class, so we had a little party with the other doggies. Malcolm gave away some of my treats to them all - that's odd... I thought I was supposed to get stuff, not give it away!!
17 Aug 2003
Today it was my birthday, and Becky was away :-(. But Malcolm and I had a nice day, and we went for a nice walk by the canal, and just before the end of the day Becky came back :-)
2 Sep 2003
Malcolm and I went to Chelmsford today, to see Uncle Marcus. He stole some more of my blood for tests, but also gave me some stuff called Cartrophen - apparently, after we've had a few more of these injections it'll be like having pillows in my joints, which will be nice. I hope it works.
6 Sep 2003
We all got up very early and went out in the car. Becky got out when we got to a place called Gatwick. Malcolm says she'll be away for two weeks. Hope she doesn't forget me.
9 Sep 2003
Second Cartrophen injection... apparently we might not see a great improvement straight away.
13-14 Sep 2003
Its the weekend, and Becky is still away. We went for a few walks but Malcolm keeps abandoning me to go to hockey. Still, at least he comes back relatively quickly.
17 Sep 2003
After another injection yesterday, we are up early again, and raring to go. I jumped onto the back seat of the car, which impressed Malcolm. We then drove to Eastbourne to see Grandma Preen and Barney.
Just as we arrived it was back into the car again, and off to Abbots Wood. Barney seemed very excited to arrive, and when we got there we waited a little while and then Grandma Preen's friend Diane arrived, with a Land Rover and a whole pack of noisy dogs (one poodle and a load of collies). They were noisy, but well behaved, and then we went into the forest. There were lots of nice smells, and everyone said I did well to keep up.
After the walk we went back to Barney's house, and rested. I think Barney was tired, and I know I was. Malcolm helped his Mum with her computer, we had some dinner, and then we went back home. I didn't sleep much in the car, but was completely zonked all evening. All in all a good day.
18 Sep 2003
I think Malcolm must have been tired as well as it was 9am before either of us stirred, and then after a bit of housework we went out to the canal. It was nice, but much noiser than on a Sunday as the industrial estate was very busy.
21 Sep 2003
Malcolm and I went for a quick walk into Epping Forest - but we had to rush back - apparently we were going to be late to pick up Becky from the airport. Ooops.
Then the traffic was very busy, so Malcolm went into the airport leaving me in the car. When Becky came back I was very pleased to see her. Malcolm cooked dinner, and the rest of the time Becky and I slept soundly !!
23 Sep 2003
Back to Chelmsford for the final Cartrophen injection, with an added complication. I tore my right dew claw again. No problem for me - but blood all over the carpet. Malcolm had tried to bandage it up - but he needs more practice. Uncle Marcus fixed it up nicely, and when we got home I started to chew on it.
26 Sep 2003
After three days of bandage chewing, replacing etc etc. Malcolm was getting a bit frustrated. He wanted to use the lampshade - but when I wear that I am very unhappy, and knock EVERYTHING over, so they gave up on that. However, Becky came up with the idea to make me wear my facecage - which meant I couldn't really chew my foot properly.
3 Oct 2003
Apparently I've been better behaved :-), so whilst I'm still wearing my cage, I don't need to have the bandage on anymore.
7 Oct 2003
Malcolm and Becky are worried my paw isn't getting better - so we went off to see Uncle Jean-Louis, and on the way I had an accident in Becky's car... sorry Becky.
He says the claw is repairing OK - but will take time. So I don't have to wear the bandage or the cage - but Malcolm has to bathe the wound with Hibbiscrub twice a day, and then smear the area with vaseline to prevent me over-licking it.
I don't like it - but its better than the cage and bandage.
20 Oct 2003
Another early start - but at least Malcolm brought me breakfast in bed. We then leapt in the car, and went down to Eastbourne to see Malcolm's Mum and Barney. We went for a nice walk on the "rec" - apparently Malcolm used to play football there MANY years ago. We had bacon butties for lunch, and then came home.
21 Oct 2003
Back in the car again - but just to Chelmsford this time, to see Uncle Marcus. He had a cold, but was able to talk to us for a long time. He agreed with Malcolm that we needed to go with "stage 3" of the treatment for my arthritis - so we are now on Metacam. Marcus also noticed that I had some flaky skin - kind of like dandruff. Nothing serious, but I was in for a nasty treat when we got home...
In order to cure the dandruff, I had to have a bath - so Malcolm and Becky got things ready, and made me all wet, and rubbed the special shampoo in. Apparently I looked very sorry for myself. All three of us got quite wet during the experience, but at least I smell nice now.
[note: he's not going to like the weekly repeats of the treatment is he !!]
6 Nov 2003
What an odd couple of weeks... First a bath (see above), and then Malcolm and Becky got up really early, and abandoned me almost all day :-(. Something about a hockey school. Oh well, I got to sleep, and it was nice when they came back. Malcolm and I went to see Uncle Marcus on Tuesday, he shaved my arm, and stole some blood (apparently he's more gentle than the National Blood Service who Malcolm had just visited !!). He called last night to say that the blood results are envouraging... I'm OK on almost all my levels, in fact I'm almost over on Potassium, so I guess I don't need that supplement anymore !!! We have to go back for a check-up in another couple of weeks - no doubt more blood theft !!
16 Dec 2003
Its been very busy again, hence the lack of updates.... sorry. The checkup at the end of November went well - the blood levels are good, and we are stocked up on drugs.
Last week (10th), Malcolm and I went to Eastbourne to visit Barney and Grandma Preen - we jumped straight back in the car and went for walkies with Aunty Diane and all her doggies (there are lots of them, and I can't remember or spell all their names). We had a nice walk, and then went back and rested !!!
The day after, Grandma Preen phoned to warn us that a couple of Aunty Diane's dogs had got kennel cough.... hopefully we will be OK - but we have to be aware, as its very infectious. Malcolm took me to class on Saturday, but went in without me to check if we should stay away, rather than infect everyone. It was decided that I should have the day off - just to be sure - but we'll go next week for the xmas party.
Finally, we've had a domestic disagreement... Becky bought a silly green thing which was make of plastic and pretending to be a tree... both Malcolm and I thought it looked stupid, so we went out and got a real tree - which is a bit too high to wee on - but Malcolm promises I can get to know it in a couple of weeks :-)