Athena --week 2a-4

Well, overall it was a better week.   She's still no where near 100%.   

We received the harness on Monday and it has definitely helped us and her out.   Getting her up and down the stairs and up from the floor when she slips is definitely much easier with this harness.

Never realized I started a post and didn't complete it.


We're going on week 4 of Athena's ...convalescence. SO for all this time she has not been at playcare, not been to the dog park, and has not "played".   It really is hard to say if she's doing better? I think whatever happened to her may be permanent.   

Not once has she walked 'normal' for her.  She either walks with her body bent at an angle or she can barely lift her body up.  The few times she stands right, her paws fold under her.

My biggest concern is her mental well being.   I'm afraid she'll become depressed from inactivity or stimulation.
We've taken her up to day care to say HI and she's been quite happy.   However otherwise, there isn't much else.  She does interact with her siblings, so that is good--but overall I fear she's not living life.  

Our vet has indicated she is a good candidate for a new therapy.  T-Cyte injections. However, as of right now we cannot afford $125 an injection.   Maybe after the holidays.

Her current regime of meds:

AM
    200mg of Gabapentin
     50mg Rimadyl

1ML 250ml of Cannabidiol

PM
      200mg of Gabapentin
     50mg Rimadyl

Week 1- Update

A week ago today I picked the doggos up from play care and they alerted me to her limp.
It's been a very exhausting week. 

Athena has not been to play care nor has she done much else    She's been pretty bad.
On Tuesday it was absolutely horrible to watch.   She could not hold herself up at all.   She was literally dragging her lower body around.   Could barely hold herself up. 
We've never seen it this bad. 

Wonder if something happened at day care that might have been "normal" for other dogs, but enough to mess her up.   A new person was there, so I will never know. All I know is this is bad for her and we've never ever seen it like this. 

She sleeps like the dead when she is sleeping (definitely her meds).  We've done a lot of assisting and carrying her up and down the stairs.

We purchased a special harness for her.   This will be helpful for even when she gets better. 
Considering wheels for her as well.  We'll wait a bit more on that.

We're getting her a "Help 'Em Up Dog Harness".

One view

Another view

Today she seems to be doing a bit better getting around.   Still falling and paws still rolling under, but she's stayed on her legs more than she has the past several days!.   

Through this all, she's still in good spirits. Wanting to get cuddles and attention. Barking along with her siblings.. Wanting to be in the room with us.    So that's a good thing.  

She won't be attending day care anytime soon though.   We want her to get some rest and some more time on the meds.

Keep her in your thoughts!