Midtown Ranch

Bing started P/T today. He really took to his therapist, kisses and cuddles almost immediately. I have NEVER seen him ‘take’ to someone like that before.

He enjoyed the under water treadmill immensely. Twice a week for awhile. Continued crate rest with addition of twice daily gentle 5 minute walks. Easing off the prednisone and done with painkillers.

Slow and steady.

Scott and I are both well skilled in the slobbery art of jamming pills down the throats of unwilling dogs.

Over our years of dog ownership we’ve softened and more often prefer to Trojan horse the pill, concealing it in tasty bits of meat or bread or other doggy gustatory delights.

With Abby (who inspired the name of our site) Joanne discovered a dab of butter (accompanied by an endearing song) was sufficient.

Bing and Kate crunch up their Glucosomine-Chondroitine (Costco brand) as is if we act enthused about it.

Bing’s Prednisone has been making the journey down his gullet stuck to a mini biscuit with a dab of peanut butter. .

I observed this morning that the hole in a Cheerios O was the same size as Prednisone. So Scott tapped the pill into the hole, handed it to Bing.

Gone.

Chewing is optional in Bing’s book

Elizabeth let Bing out of his kennel tonight

He kissed her then trotted off. He re kenneled when asked and I’ve added a caribener.

Bing is suffering from a herniated disc.

Here is his official diagnosis:
Bing is recovering from a suspected inflammatory / compressive process involving his thoracolumbar (lower back) spine. This is most likely caused by an inflamed disk between the vertebrae. Healing from an injury such as this may take several weeks (4-6), during which you should see a gradual return of activity and function.

The problem began Wednesday 2/27/2013, by Wednesday night he very crippled and not walking.
Wednesday morning Bing was standing hunch backed on his blankets with ears at half mast, looking miserable. He took one or two steps and stopped. Tail was down.

I carried him to our living room (larger carpet better footing) to see if he could walk more easily. He took a couple halting steps, still hunched, and stopped and lay down (lay down not sunk down, it was his decision not body giving way).

He has been on prednisone for a week.
Here is the update I sent out this morning:
Bing’s back is improving, the meds and crate rest are doing the trick.

We are cautiously optimistic…