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...