Hi all,
It's me again (aka Miss Mew ) had to re-register as the site did not seem to recognize me, will ever be computer savyy?
As some of you know, after losing Miss Mew last October we were still owned by 3 1/2 cats (now 4) and a Shepherd named Mik. Mik turned 14 on April 22nd 2005 and has been battling Degenerative Myelopathy for the last 2 years.In a nutshell, Myelopathy is an auto-immune disease, prevalent in Shepherds, that attacks the spinal chord resulting in a gradual paralysis of the hind quarters. Upon being diagnosed 2 years ago, the vet said we might have 6 months. I won't bore you with all the details, but after much research we found protocols that could slow the progression of this insidious disease. With myelopathy there are good days and bad days but in the last week the bad days have started to outnumber the good ones. Thankfully Mik is is no pain however walking has become a chore and he has had many "accidents" in the last few days. I don't think that he can feel the urge when it is time to attend to bodily functions. We have armed ourselves with numerous disposable incontinence pads and we don't make a big deal of it when and if he has an accident. Our are carpets are old and can be replaced and that is just "stuff" anyway. His appetite is still fantastic and despite his reduced mobility he still seems to enjoy life. The only measure that we have not taken is purchasing a special cart for him. We do not live in a terrain that would be friendly to a dog cart and it could only be used outdoors. Even then lifting a 100 pound dog into a cart is not an easy matter. Also my husband objects to the principle of putting "wheels" on a dog, his opinion is that it robs the animal of its dignity. I don't know what to think, only that we are faced with the prospect of euthanizing a disabled dog. I told my husband that the decision was his to make, and I know that it is not a decision that he will make easily. He works from home so that the dog is really never left unattended.
Have any of you ever dealt with such a dilemna? This is not like dealing with cancer or another life threatening disease. What can we do when his quality of life still seems fair, he is not in any pain but merely physically challenged? Mik's front quarters are still strong but his hindquarters are betraying him.
I know that 14 years is a good long life for this breed, but I am just not prepared to say goodbye yet as selfish as that may seem. Any advice or input would be greatly appreciated.
Nicole

Hi, Nicole (aka - Miss Mew)

I made the following statement concerning euthanasia to another member several months ago...



I know Mik's situation is much different than Shiloh's. Shiloh had cancer. It sounds like Mik's quality of life is still very good, and I think as long as our pets are enjoying life, we should let them enjoy life. I still firmly believe that you should have a heart to heart with Mik. He'll let you know when he's ready...listen and watch with your heart and you'll know.

Keep us posted about Mik's health.
You're both in my thoughts.
Kathleen

Personally, for me, I think pain is the major issue. If he's not in pain, and I were in your position, I would not have him PTS. I have seen dogs in those carts on TV and they didn't seem to mind it one bit. I hope you will hear from others who have had or have a disabled dog. There are probably sites just for that on the Internet too.

When I saw your name, somewhere else on the board, I think, I wondered if it was you, but then saw you were a "new member" and then didn't think it was you --

Love,
Marcia

Hi Kathleen and Marcia,
Yes Marcia, it is me. From home I am Nicole and at work I am Miss Mew.
Thank you both for your positive thoughts and words of encouragement. After a poor weekend, Mik had a pretty good day today, he made it outside on his own, wobbly, but he made it. I am barbecuing a steak for me and one for him as I write this. My husband and I have decided we just have to take this disease one day at a time, and while Mik shows a fighting spirit we will do everything in our power to encourage him. Kathleen I think you are right, he will let us know when he has had enough, till then we just soldier on. Mik has already exceeded his life expectancy, the vet who first diagnosed him just scratches his head and admits that we know more about this disease than he does and whatever we are doing we should just keep doing it!
Things looked pretty bleak yesterday when I posted, what a roller coaster of emotions.
Thank you both so much for responding, it meant alot.
Take care,
Nicole

Hey Nicole,
I'm sure Mik enjoyed his steak! I am glad we were able to help. I pray he has much more quality time on this earth with you.

Here is a site about the carts you might want to check out.

http://www.wonderpuppy.net/copper/hotwheels.htm

Hi, Nicole-

Let's hope that Mik keeps your vet scatching his head.

Keep us posted on his health.

Take care,
Kathleen

Hi Nicole,

Just want to let you know that you and Mik are in my thoughts. I have a shepherd and reading about Mik and his problems really hit home. I have a soft spot for shepherds (actually I have a soft spot for all critters!) but reading about Mik..... I just want you to know that I hope he has many good days left, enjoying steak and life in general.

Kathleen gave you some very wise advice about Mik letting you know when he's "ready". There's a place near where my husband works that manufactures those dog carts. The owner started the business after making a cart for his own dog. [We were going to get a cart for one of our bunnies (not the one in my avatar) but sadly, he died before we had the chance. I've heard from people who have bunnies with back leg problems, that once they get into the carts, they zoom all over the place.] If your husband would consider it, that might be something worth looking into. I think that instead of taking away a dog's dignity, a cart actually gives some dignity back to the dog. Just a thought..........

Take care for now and hugs to Mik.

Lynn

Hi Lynn!
Thank you as well for your kind words of encouragement. After a rough patch this weekend, Mik has had a pretty good week so far. That is the nature of this disease. I had never heard of Degenerative Myelopathy ( DM ) until our Mik was diagnosed. When a Shepherd has trouble with hindquarters every one thinks of hip dysplasia. DM is called the MS of canines and although it can affect other large breeds, it is much more prevalent in the Shepherd. Most vets condemn these dogs to short life expectancies BUT there are protocols than can really slow down the progression. When Mik was diagnosed 2 years ago and given approx. 6 months till full paralysis, I was devastated, I felt that the sun had been taken from the sky, everything was so black. That is when I decided " not without a fight " and I would be happy to share the knowledge acquired in the last 2 years with anyone who even suspects that their dog might be suffering from DM, because the earlier different treatments are started the better. For any owner of a Shepeherd I strongly encourage you to visit Dr. Clemmons web site for the best and most thorough information. Two years ago we thought that Mik was simply showing signs of canine arthritis, little did we know.
We are so pleased that Mik has confounded the original vet and reached the venerable age of 14, and believe me every day in the last 2 years has been a blessing. Lynn, I agree with you, I don't think that the cart strips the dog of his dignity, however the cart is a temporary solution. Most dogs will progress to frontal paralysis and brain stem failure eventually. I have invested in a " Bottoms Up Leash" and even fashioned a sling out of old tights in order to assist Mik, but he seems to prefer doing it himself even if it is sometimes a struggle. I tell you this dog has taught me so much about courage and determination, lessons I will never forget. As I stated earlier, his appetite is still great, he is still very alert and our biggest challenge right now are the bouts of occasional incontinence. One just has to be vigilent and ready to catch any "accidents" with an incontinence pad or a plastic bag. Believe me when I see his tail start moving up and down I know he is about to do something and lifting and carrying a 100 pound dog outside is just not an option so you have to have a plan B. Our house is decorated with disposable incontinence pads here and there and I don't invite any one over who is not a pet lover because non pet lovers think we are nuts. My husband and I have come to the conclusion that when Mik has had enough he will somehow let us know and until then we are here to help him deal with his challenges. I will not wait till he passes to celebrate his life and his spirit, I celebrate his life every day and savor every moment he has left in this world.
Our latest feline addition., a semi feral cat that adopted us shortly after we lost Miss Mew, keeps him somewhat on his toes. This is the only one of our 4 cats that he barks at, and makes feeble attempts to chase. I figure that Oslo was sent to us to keep Mik moving and mobile just a little bit longer. When Mik finally staggers to within reach of Oslo the cat just hunkers down and squeezes his eyes shut in pretend fright as if to say " ok you caught me, now please don't hurt me". No hissing, no clawing, seems like an elaborate charade to me. I think that God sent us Oslo to boost Mik's ego!!??
Nicole