In April 2014 I began this blog as a way to chronicle Athena's road to recovery for those who wanted to know how she was doing.
It began right after adoption day when we brought her home with infections & a weak legs from living in cramped & unhealthy conditions in the mill she lived in.
As time went on this page evolved to including Duchess, Peryn, Lada, & Now Volos. Also as Athena's disease started to manifest itself and progress, I've updated as time went on.
Over the past few months I had noticed a slow decline in her physcial and mental states. She has exhibited most of the late stage symptoms and if a decision was not made, would enter the crisis stage.
Two weekends ago we were able to take her to the new Dog Farm where she ran, explored, and had a great time with her pack.
Last Friday she went to day care and had a fabulous time running all over.
Since then she has been unable to hold herself up in the cart. Yesterday she attended day care for the final time. She went in a wagon vs a cart.
She's been spoiled big time the past few weeks. We sent out a notice to family & friends indicating that if they wanted to see her one last time, they better come and see her.
She's had visitors come love upon her and last night one of her BFFs Mom & human brother came and she got to eat a full cupcake to herself as well as get loved on.
The worst part of all this is that she's mentally alert & present. When she's up and getting attention or around her siblings, she's very responsive. We have to keep reminding ourselves it's her body that failed her. She no longer has the quality of life she used to.
She was spoiled rotten these past few days and we know she left this world surrounded by love. Yesterday Daycare & human snacks. Today for lunch was McDonalds. We loved on her as much as we could before the appointment.
We are heartbroken, yet relieved. She no longer has to watch from the sidelines.
Below the photos is some DM information .
Below I'm leaving some info to Degenerative Myelopathy for your reading up on this horrible disease. A link at the top takes you to a page with a number of Different links to more detailed DM information.
F Y I - Athena lived approximately 2.5+ years after initial symptoms began presenting themselves.
Quick DM information
Afflicts dogs in their older years. It is a progressive condition affecting the spinal cord causing the dog to become paraplegic after six months to one year.
The disease ultimately reaches the brain stem and cranial nerves and, since there is no cure, it leads to death.
The onset of this condition is typically when the dog is between eight and 14 years old.
The long-term prognosis is poor and most animals are euthanized within 6 months to 3 years of diagnosis as the disease progresses.
When they can no longer walk and a cart is not an option, end of life care or euthanasia should be considered.
Early Stages
Progressive weakness of the hind limbs
Worn nails
Difficulty rising
Stumbling
Knuckling of the toes
Scuffing hind feet
Wearing of the inner digits of the rear paws
Loss of muscle in the rear legs
Tremors of the rear legs
Late Stages
Persistent early stages
Urinary and fecal incontinence
Eventual front leg weakness from compensatory strain
Mental stress and anxiety
Pressure sores on boney prominences
Inability to rise
Muscle atrophy
Poor hygiene - soiled appearance
Pneumonia
Depression
Infection/sepsis
Constipation
Organ failure
Crisis — Seek Vet immediately
Difficulty breathing
Prolonged seizures
Uncontrollable vomiting/diarrhea
Sudden collapse
Profuse bleeding — internal or external
Crying/whining from pain
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