necessities and accessories (or things to make life easier with a blind, partially disabled dog)

AP here:
I have discovered some things along the this journey with the Tonka Man.

#1 nothing is ever easy with Tonka (except loving him)
#2 trying to make things easier you need to be inventive or very rich (not rich so having to be inventive)
#3 poop happens (often) and no matter where it happens it is never the end of the world
#4 if poop doesn't happen you can make it happen (which isn't much fun for anyone)
#5 anger is a waste of your time

We are now creeping up to the 11 month mark with the Tonk and his bizarre mobility problem. Some days it seems like its already been a lot longer than that. A very wise woman (my mother) suggested to me the other day that this may be as good as it gets. She then followed that with "and we will just have to deal with it" and in true mom wisdom she is right. We will deal with it just as we have been. I think at some point I stopped looking at now and started trying to look ahead thinking that this leg would come back just like the other. In thinking that I stopped coming up with things to deal with the now. I stopped thinking of things that would make the daily routine and challenges easier on everyone including Tonka. So that is the priority now, to put systems and things in place to make it easier to get through the day. Back to the Girl Scout motto - "be prepared".

He will probably always need the Tonka trailer so I have outfitted it with a hand pump using 2 of his rubber booties to keep it from slipping out of the Velcro straps. His cart is not a standard bike frame so commercial mounts don't work. It is now secure hanging off the back in case we get a flat (like we did a week ago and I had to push him uphill doing a wheelie). Two necessary items packaged together, extra booties and a bike pump!

The wheels don't have fenders so if we don't have the covered wagon piece (what we call rain gear) on dirt and grass kicks up and all over his back. That means that once we deal with the whole ordeal of getting him out of the cart I have to make sure I get all the little grains of sand and dirt out of his fur. I got to thinking about the little red wagons and how they had sides that you could put on. That's exactly what we need side panels - but side panels that allow air flow so I took PVC pipe, some screen and some duct tape and made little panels to block the dirt. Once I know it works well I will come up with a little nicer looking panel to accessorise his very cool cart..

Since his right leg is so goofy he usually falls to that side and props himself up on the right elbow. As a result of staying on that elbow it is developing a rough spot. To keep it from becoming a sore I needed to come up with something to cushion it. Tonka wont lay on a dog bed and the mutt mats and blankets slide out from under him when he tries to stand. As he already has trouble getting himself up the last thing I need is him sliding all around.  I did find an elbow brace for humans with memory foam in it which got me to thinking that memory foam would be perfect but something thin and with a non slip backing - the answer was a memory foam bath mat. Not too thick - non skid bottom and soft easy to clean cover -perfect. So now when he lays down I stick the mat under his elbow and he is good to go.

I purchased the Hartman's Hip Helper since it has a handle over the hips to help you get your dog to its feet and then help it walk. It is really well made and light weight with lots of cushy padding around the chest and legs. Of course since Tonka has to be difficult when I put it on him it messes up his gait and he cant walk well at all. So much for thinking about making it easy to get him around. I can put it on him if he is going to be laying around, then use it to get him up and then take it off right away but that is all a bit much. I also prefer him to try and get himself up as much as possible so we will hold on to it in case we need it later. I am now trying to come up with a less back breaking way of getting him to his feet when he cant do it alone.

When he is really struggling to walk correctly he gets himself bent into sort of a u shape with the right side swinging around to the front. I have discovered that when that happens if i hold his tail up and to the left it counterbalances him and he walks/stumbles a straighter line. I took a roll of vet wrap and bound his tail up like they do horses for polo thinking that perhaps that would help - It didn't! So now I am trying to think of ways to get his tail up and to the left.

Of course we have our awesome thin fleece blankets all over the floor in case he has any accidents (fleece is a great moisture barrier). We have baby wipes stationed everywhere to wipe after a potty a break since he cannot clean himself very well anymore and his belly bands loaded with a Poise pad for bad dribble days.  I still have baby monitor cameras all over downstairs so that when I am upstairs I can watch him and Internet cameras to monitor him when I am not home.

Perhaps this blog should have been titled "inventions for Tonka".

Goodbye Dr. Ferguson

AP here:
This week the world lost not only a great Veterinary Cardiologist but a really wonderful human being.
Dr. McGregor Ferguson was one of Tonka"s cardiologists, but he was much more than that for us. Dr. Ferguson was a friend and advocate for my boy, reaching out and talking to other professionals and trying to help with Tonk's neurological problem.
He was a kind and compassionate man and it was not uncommon to see him sitting out in the waiting room having a conversation with clients. Always upbeat and wanting to make sure that you were OK he could put you at ease even in the face of serious problems. On one of our first appointments he made it clear that if we needed anything, even just to talk, that he was always there for us.
Every Tuesday Tonka and I are in the building that houses all of his specialists (including cardiology) for rehab therapy. We would occasionally run into Dr. Ferguson in the hall or the waiting room. He would stop to give Tonka some attention and ask how we were doing, always with that ever present smile. Going to therapy this week was done with a heavy heart, knowing that we would not see him again.


The service for Dr. Ferguson was held at St. Martins In The Field in Severna Park The parking lot was overflowing out into the neighborhoods as hundreds turned out to say goodbye and pay their respects.The sheer volume of people, family, friends, co-workers and clients there is testament to how much he was cared for and the kind of man he was.

Tonka and I are just 2 of many that will greatly miss you.
Rest in Peace.

Walk, Drag and Stroll (love the Cycletote)

AP here:
Since Tonka is more alert and mobile we have resumed our evening walks. Really it is more of a sort of walk, that becomes a drag and then ends up in the cycletote trailer. No worries though he is at least out and about and connecting with his friends. People and four legged friends are extremely important to Tonka's mental well being and I like to think he also brightens the day of those we run into.

Look at me Go

Rain Gear

Happy Boy

Hugs

More Hugs

Talking to his kids

Tonka loves his people

Spencer Says Hello

Charlie Says Hello

More Prednisone Anyone?

AP here:

Check out the miracle that is the drug they call Prednisone. I absolutely hate the fact that he is on it but I cannot argue with the results that I have seen in just a few days.

This was in July

This is 3 days on Pred - watch how well he turns

Also 3 days on Pred on evening walk

Myesthenia Gravis - NOT!

AP here:
We met with Dr. McDonnell at Veterinary Neurology of the Chesapeake and discussed the mystery that is Tonka. As he seems to get really tired with exercise we ran a test for Myasthenia Gravis. Of course the test came back negative, all his tests are negative.We really are running out of tests that would make sense for any of his symptoms.

Tonka's therapist Chris has joked that we should nick-name the boy "everything's beautiful" since all his diagnostics come back as normal and beautiful.

Last year when Tonka started having nosebleeds he was put on prednisone and he did not react well to it at all. I swore that he would have to be dying to ever go back on it. Well this is one of those never say never moments as we have put him on a very low dose to see if there is any improvement.The wonderful thing about Dr. McDonnell is he listens when I say that Tonka is sensitive to medication and this really is a very, very low dose.
Fingers crossed!

strings and sealing wax and other fancy stuff

AP here:
I grew up in a place with real castles, Kings, Queens and Princesses, with stories of Knights and dragons, fairies, gnomes and elves, Mr. Big Ears and Dougal the dog. A place with stories of the brave and the true, of chivalry and happy endings. A land where Dr. James Herriot took care of all the creatures great and small. Puff the magic dragon was loved by a small boy and the search for Nessie was ongoing. This was and is my foundation for imagination and thinking outside of the box and for my love and respect for all animals. So it is hard for me to fathom a less than happy outcome for Tonka dog. In my little corner of the world my brain just knows there has to be a cure and a happy ending.

Having a blind dog will teach you 2 very important things that you need in this world, persistence and patience. People ask me in round about and nonchalant ways about stopping the therapy and the search for diagnosis. To them I am wasting money and should just give up .I try not to get annoyed at this since they do not understand and do not live with the magic dog I call the Tonka. I will continue to be persistent in finding his problem and a cure and patient in taking care of his needs and keeping him happy. Anyone that wants to be part of the solution is welcome and those that don't can just move on.

I don't entertain Tonka with strings and sealing wax but we do have other fancy stuff both to keep him amused and to keep him safe and healthy. We play with puzzles by Nina Ottonson and on really good days when he is fairly mobile we wrestle a bit. To keep him safe and healthy we have all sorts of socks, boots and rubber covers for his feet, belly bands to keep him dry when he leaks, wipes to keep him clean and harnesses to help him up. We even have a hair scrunchy with bells sown on to keep around his foot to maybe make him more aware of where it it and lifting it (therapist suggestion).
Next week we are going back to a neurologist and see what else we can try.

Ouch my toes

Spidey Tape Sock (thanks Aunt Nancy)

Jingle Foot

Rubber Boots and Belly Band

The Present is The Same as the Past

AP here:
Life with Tonka lately is like being stuck in some runaway time warp. Nine months ago something happened to the Tonka Man. Whatever it was it took us on a long and very exhausting trip for 6 months with his left leg. Then just when it seemed to get better and go away it struck again with the right leg. If you follow this blog you know that we have seen a small army of specialists and have some amazing people in our corner. While the fact that he is so loved and spoiled by so many is a wonderful thing it does not dispel the reality that everyday is a crap shoot. Some days he is pretty ambulatory and requires little extra care but others are harder on everyone involved (except him). He takes it all in stride and just wants to be fussed over and loved. Its now July but it feels like a re-run of last December with his symptoms. This leg is the same but slightly different and we met with a new neurologist (Dr. Gainsburg at Mid - Atlantic Veterinary Neurology & Neurosurgery) yesterday and the first thing he noticed was that the muscles to top of Tonka's head have shrunk. We did not have that last time and with this leg he is walking on the outside of his foot and his toes stay flexed up. I don't know what any of that means, if anything and no one else seems to either. If this follows the same path then by October he will be better and it will have been a year. If the universe really wants to add insult to injury then it will be time for the other leg to start downhill again. Should I laugh, should I cry, should I rail against something that has no name - none of that changes a damn thing. So here we sit stuck in this flow of time hoping that the present changes from the past and into a better future.

 Good

 Bad but not horrible.

Canine Summer Safety Tips

AP here:
Tonka and I spend one day a week if not more at a vet's office. As a result  I get to see and hear quite a bit of what is current and happening with clients. A few months ago Ticks were a major topic, due to the mild winter they were out early in the year and very plentiful. This month we have firework anxiety and heat related problems topping the list. Our last post was about fireworks so Tonka thought it might be good idea to pass on some information about summer heat health.

I am not a Veterinarian! If you feel your pet is in distress and needs help - call your vet.

Heat and dogs are just not a good combination and heat stroke, sunburn and blistered paw pads are  common things that veterinarians will see n the summer.
Please remember that this blog is not meant to replace medical advice or attention from your pets Doctor. If you feel you have any health problems with your dog seek professional medical advice from a veterinarian.

Feet-
Hot metal surfaces, black asphalt and even white concrete sidewalks and pool decks can become extremely hot in the summer. A good rule of thumb is - if the ground is too hot for your bare-feet, it is too hot for your furry friend.Most dogs are very stoic and you have to really be paying attention to catch the clues that there might be a problem. Some signs that your pet is having a heat related foot issue are:

•  refusing to walk or walking with a limp
• licking or gnawing at the feet
• blisters or discoloration (redness)
• parts of pads are missing

Some dogs spend time in the family pool or in the river to keep cool. Something to keep in mind for the waterlogged dog is that the time in the water will soften their feet. If they then are out on a hot surface they will be more prone to quickly burning or blistering the pads. At the first sign of a burn get them off the hot surface and to a cooler area  immediately. Cool the pads with cool water or a cool compress.
Call your vet as soon as possible and keep the feet cool and clean.  The vet will be able to tell how deep the burns are and help you prevent infection.Your dog might need to have antibiotics or pain medications depending on the severity of the damage. If your dog needs to walk across any hot surface to get somewhere such as the car or across the hot patio to go potty put down rugs or wet towels to allow them to cross safely.

Sunburn-
Dogs can get sunburned especially on the nose and ear tips. Short legged dogs can even get sunburn on their bellies from the reflected sunlight from the pavement or sand. Hairless, short haired, white or light colored dogs are particularly vulnerable to sunburn and skin cancers. Keep your pet in the shade on sunny days or use a sunscreen. If you are going to use a sunscreen make sure it is made for dogs and never use anything containing zinc oxide as it is harmful to animals. Tonka uses a sunscreen made by the Doggles company and wears a visor made by our friend Carolyn  when he is at the beach. Now there are companies making a UV protective clothing line just for pets. Don't forget to make sure that the dog is keeping hydrated and cool under that UV shirt.


Heat Stroke-
Heat Stroke is defined as the inability of your dog to regulate his body temperature.

Excessive salivation, panting rapidly, reddened ears and pads, pale gums, vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst are all signs of a dog that is overheating. You do not have to have all of these present to be in danger but a dog that is disoriented and/or having seizures needs attention fast. A dog with a rectal temperature of 104 and above is extremely serious since at 106 irreversible damage starts to occur to the internal organs and brain. Grab a garden hose and get them cooled down with cool water (NOT COLD or ICE) paying attention to the stomach,groin, head and feet areas. The stomach and groin contain large blood vessels close to the skins surface and will help to cool the dog quicker. Submerging a dog with heatstroke into a pool or tub is not recommended as it will cool the dog too quickly and could complicate matters by causing cardiac problems. Cool running water is best, not ice or cold water as these are counter productive. With cold or ice water the blood vessels will constrict in response to the extreme cold and slow the flow of blood, slowing down the cooling process. Do not cover the dog with towels or blankets as you want the heat to dissipate and leave not get trapped between the dogs body and the blanket. Transport to the closest ER as quickly and safely as possible.

Tonka wants all his friends to be safe and stay cool this summer!
.