Tonka Tonus Clonus!

I have taken to calling Tonka by his new name- Tonka Tonus Clonus.

If you follow the blog you know that he has an outstanding issue left over from whatever happened to him 8 months ago. The lack of a diagnosis or prognosis has left me with trying to understand his symptoms and controlling those. This is essentially what his therapists Chris and Diana work on every week. I have added acupuncture back in the mix with Dr. Philips and everyone is on the same page.

I wrote an article for Dogster about Tonka and someone (who does not know Tonka, does not know me, and I am assuming is not a Veterinary Neurologist) commented to the fact that if I loved Tonka I would have euthanized him so he did not go through all this misery. In order to be very clear to everyone I am going to try and explain what is going on with Tonka symptom wise so that you can understand that he is not in any pain, nor is he miserable.

First a picture of Tonka at the park NOT BEING MISERABLE

 

Tonka has something going on called Clonus which refers to repetitive, rhythmic contractions of a muscle when attempting to hold it in a stretched state. If you have ever had your eye twitch you will understand the feeling, not painful just annoying. It is a common sign in neurological conditions and is usually a sign of damage to the nerve tracts above the place where it is initiated. Tonka suffers from clonus and what is known as hypertonicity in his hind leg.

Every muscle has tone which refers to the amount of neurological input the muscle receives. Hypertonicity refers to the neurological system sending too many signals or a signal that is too strong to the muscle which makes it rigid. The inverse of that would be hypotonic or not enough signal and a “loose or floppy” muscle. In Tonka’s case we have a muscle with too much tone creating a joint that does not bend or straighten smoothly.  This also means he does not lift enough to always clear his toes off the ground and so he scuffs.

We created a little video to show you what I mean. Notice he is not in any pain even when he goes to sit and lie down; he just has to maneuver a bit.

 

The other leg had these exact same symptoms and disorders and they were resolved with therapy. I have faith that this leg will do the same.

Walk (or be Pushed in a Giant Stroller) for the Animals

Today was the Annual SPCA Walk for the Animals at Quiet Waters Park. AP thought that would be a good place to ease back into getting me out and about to events. She told me a lot of my Doctors would be there so if anything went wrong we were sure to have help quickly. Carol and Nala went with us and helped AP with my Tonka Trailer. it has to be broken down into different parts and then put on the back of the truck on a bike rack and then when we get to where we are going it has to be put back together. AP says its really quick and simple but its nice to have help.We all went last year and had a great time.
We went early and got a good parking space so I only had to walk up one hill. I made it up the hill and all around the booths and vendors without falling at all. Good thing I had an extra therapy session on Friday. When we first walked in I ran into my friend from last year and he is really big - even bigger than me

My Buddy

Cheese

Then I ran into 2 Corgis that live around my neighborhood and 1 of them sees my therapist Chris. AP chatted with their mom for awhile and then we walked around to the GAVH booth. I got lots of treats from all the ladies there just like I do when I go for my B12 shots and Ms. Denise at the front desk feeds them to me. I met so many people and puppies and we ran into a really nice lady, Ann who reads my blog. She knows my good friends Patty and Buttercup.

Hey I know you Guys

I do Love Attention

Why yes - I Do Love You

That is the spot!

Then it was time for the walk and AP and Carol put me in my trailer. I don't mind getting in but finding the right way to sit always takes some time. Once I was in we went out on the trail and walked/got pushed around the mile loop. The park is really hilly and Carol had to help AP get me up some of the hills and we even had Nala pull me a little.

Cruising in the Tonka Mobile

At the finish we went around the booths one more time to say goodbye to everyone and I got out and walked again. I had to wear my boot since my foot was dragging a little. I met a dog on the way out that was part Pyr and part Newf. I forgot to tell AP to take a picture for our friend Donna at Golden Retreat for K9s she helps rescue both breeds.

Goodbye Everyone

Heading to the Truck

We headed out to the truck and a really nice man stopped us and gave me lots of pats and ear rubs. His dog has a pinched nerve and goes to my therapists Chris and Diana and he had seen me before at CVSS.

Just 5 more minutes

Once I was in the truck I curled up with Nala and took a little nap and when we got home I did not want to get out. It was a very big day for me and I was tired



AP finally made me get up and go in the house and I went right back to sleep with my ice packs on and dreamed about all the people and puppies I met.

Ahhh!