Every office should have a dog

Georgies life is never simple. The big issue now is in finding which painkillers are giving her the Stomach upsets. So they've taken her off Rimadyl, the result was a much less energetic Georgie but no stomach problems! Then to be sure they tried her back on the Rimadyl for a week - she was full of energy at the start of the week - but then the stomach problems began. The issue for those people treating Georgie is that, as she can't speak and describe her feelings, its very difficult to find out what is doing good and what is doing bad. But the staff at Liverpool University small animal hospital certainly try their best for her.

You have dogs that live only indoors, Dogs that spend most of their life outdoors - well Georgie is an office dog! By that, she spends most of her life in the office (with me) where I can keep an eye on her - Monday to Friday - out for work at 07:30 and returning at 17:30 - its a long week.

This is the best, and only way, to look after Georgie. She is monitored at all times, can be medicated when necessary and of course she is kept comfortable at all times. Georgie craves attention (from anybody) and she certainly gets it in the office - from the other staff, the postman, the neighbours and everyone else who she can meet. Her day revolves around the other people arriving in the office, the postman coming etc. She really enjoys her time at work - in fact it would be almost impossible to leave her at home - she howls the house down!

But it is this, combined with the medication and medial care which at least gives Georgie a good quality of life. And for those working at Greenbank solutions - well we get the pleasure of having a dog to relieve the stresses of the day, someone to walk when you need to escape, and someone who is happy to see you at all times. Every office should have one!

Georgies update 26th June 2008

Apologies for the delay in the latest update but its been a busy time and the news isn't good for Georgie.

Georgie has been referred back to Liverpool University Small Animal Teaching hospital due to the extent of her problems. Her hips have deteriorated further and it is only because she has developed her front leg muscles so much that she is able to move, otherwise she would be completely lame.

The hospital are brilliant (http://www.liv.ac.uk/sath/ ) and they certainly know how to look after Georgie. She is once again having the electric accupuncture. This involved the accupuncture needles being administered as normal, but then connected up to a small battery back which gives Georgie a small electric pulse through her body. Whilst this is happenning they massage her legs and Georgie is in a state of ecstacy.

She is very sore the following day due to the back leg muscles which are very small and under used, seizing up after the massage.

A major concern for Georgie, myself and the hospital is that she is losing her coat - you only need to stroke her to leave a trail of hair. This is potentially a side effect of the various types of medication that she is on - and unfortunately, unless we can get her settled in the next 4-5 weeks, this will mean that the operation for complete hip replacement will need to be brought forwards. The concern is that the medication could further damage what is already a weakened body.

My view - well we'd like georgie to at least get through the summer without the operation. the operation would leave her out of action for 3 months so we would much prefer this to be in the winter when most dogs seem to slow down and not be too keen to go out on those cold, wet winters nights. Leaving Georgie at home alone is not nice - she howled when we would take the other dog out after her knee operation and of course seeing your dog in distress is not nice.

But Georgie is worth it - the hassle, time, inconvenience and of course the money. It makes you realise what a special relationship that you can have with your dog.

We'll keep you updated so check out our site again soon and http://www.petconcetps.co.uk/

What the Weather brings...

Georgie is still having the ups and downs - very much weather related and linked to her arthritis. The strange thing is that it isn't just the cold which effects her - the extreme heat seems to make her walk with more of a limp and not seem hereself.

The Madness of the medication continues, Xantac 1 hour before food, Antepsin 30 minutes before food, then her food, and then her medication. If it wasn't for the fact that I can take Georgie to work with me every day, this would be a real struggle as it has to be done 3 times per day. The idea of the new medications is to "coat" georgies stomach so that the medication does not cause her the upsets which had previously left her in a real state.

And Georgie is no longer seeing a benefit from the medications - the nibbling of her hips has started again, as is the uncomfortable movement along with a fear of other dogs banging into her.

So the only solution now appears to be surgery, and the hospital will be looking to replace the first hip later this year. It is hoped that the surgery will reduced the need for painkillers and allow her to live a relatively normal life. Based on the success of the first operation they will then decide when to do the second hip (which may not be necessary if she can get by on the one hip)

But as she is only 4 in September, with hopefully many years ahead of her, the operation seems like the best way to give her quality of life in the long term.

she is back at the Vets tomorrow so check in next week for more information...

Update May 27th 2008

Its a difficult time for Georgie. She's gone from having some amazing improvements early in the year due to the accupuncture and change in pain control, back to where she was in November 2007.

She was rushed to the doctors with Chronic Diarrhoea on Saturday 17th May - with a huge amount of blood following. This, it seems, is a side effect of her medication - causing her a huge stomach upset. The result is more medication to line her stomach before the Food/medication. The first liquid has to be syringed into her mouth an hour before she eats, the second 30 minutes, then food, then pills - Poor Girl!!!!

She has also started nibbling at her hips again where she is obviously in pain. Their is no obvious reason for the change in behaviour and her condition but the downturn is scary as it once again brings the operation closer.

She is still enjoying the summer but she is having to be wrapped in cotton woll. Last summer was spent inside due to her knee operations (see the previous posts on the pet concepts website) and we are hoping to at least postpone and hip replacement until the end of the year - but the contstant stream of medication now going into her (7 tablets and 6 doeses of liquid each day) are taking a toll on Georgie. Quality of life is very important to me - and as Georgie is only 4 in September we are keen for her to have a happy and painfree life if possible.

Back to the vets next week, and then Liverpool University Small animal hospital for more opinion on her condition - keep looking here for all the updates.

Georgie update 7th May 2008

Georgie is currently having ups and downs... The good weather means more walking which she is really happy to do - too happy. This is where the painkilers may be doing her more bad than good in that she throws herself into her walks but then regrets it later on in the day when she seizes up.

She loved the holiday weekend and the extra days at home, long walks and being with her pals - in the picture is Che (our lab) at the front followed by Isobel (our border terrier) then Georgie - the worlds most expensive rescue dog.

The Hip problems are still being treated with a mixture of accupuncture, Hydrotherapy and pain killers - but this is only postponing the inevitable.

We know that, by the start of 2009, she is likely to need the first surgery for the total hip replacement. It is not something that we are looking forward to but as she is only coming up to 4 years old it is something which will hopefully change her life for the better.

And the bills keep piling in. Thankfully Georgie is insured but we do have a 25% excess to pay on all of her treatment - and with each hip likely to cost at least £4,000 (before VAT) the expenses keep piling up - but she is worth every penny!

Georgies Updates

For those of you visiting the pet concepts website for some time (www.petconcepts.co.uk) we have now decided to complete a more regular blog via e-blogger - it is easier for us to update and we can provide a more regular service. Plus you now have the chance to respond!