~:~:~:The Doggie Thread!!:~:~:~

Wobbie

PJaddicted wrote:

Need some help.....I don't think I'm going to have the stem cell implantation procedure done on Petey. I've gotten a few emails from Dobe friends who believe it is far too early to work. That we would be wasting our time driving 1100 miles each way to have it done. It is only a study. Here is a link about it. http://news.health.ufl.edu/2010/9300/co ... condition/

Right now I have an upper respiratory infection, and it seems double ear infection too, I flew yesterday and can't hear anything right now. If anything...I don't know that I can do all that driving alone being so sick. I'm suppose to leave Friday morning.

I do want to switch Cardiologists and find one who will be a bit more aggressive with the meds, and has a better bed side manner. I have several Dobe friends who got years out of their dogs will aggressive medication.

Let me know what you all think.

I hear what you're saying...........but I don't know what else you can do. This DCM is some terrible stuff . Even if the stem calls don't save Petey, the research you take part in might save another pet owner and their/your favorite breed from going through what you've been faced with.

I'll keep you guys in my thoughts.

P.S. I can't believe whoprincess changed her avatar! :shock:

Who Princess

imalive wrote:

I hear what you're saying...........but I don't know what else you can do. This DCM is some terrible stuff . Even if the stem calls don't save Petey, the research you take part in might save another pet owner and their/your favorite breed from going through what you've been faced with.

I agree with this. One of the great values of clinical trials is that they not only benefit the participants, they have the potential to benefit so many others in the future.

But if you're feeling too sick to make the trip, don't make yourself sicker by attempting it. A URI isn't just a cold. I had a very bad URI in February and was sick for over a week, including couldn't-get-out-of-bed sick for 4 days.

imalive wrote:

P.S. I can't believe whoprincess changed her avatar! :shock:

Am I that predictable? :think: :roll:
I just thought it was a nice pic of Ed and Pete at last month's Quad show at the RAH. :thumbup: (No, I was not there. :( )
Everybody should recognize my tiara by now, so when you see me at a Who show you can just come up and say hi. :wave:

drsluggo

PJaddicted wrote:

Need some help.....I don't think I'm going to have the stem cell implantation procedure done on Petey. I've gotten a few emails from Dobe friends who believe it is far too early to work. That we would be wasting our time driving 1100 miles each way to have it done. It is only a study. Here is a link about it. http://news.health.ufl.edu/2010/9300/co ... condition/.

This might seem like a really dumb suggestion, but maybe see if you can talk to someone at the place you might have this done at and see what they think about the article and Petey's age/etc? I'm sure they'll still push their program, but maybe they could give you some more concrete reasons why its a good time to do it?

I only say that because we dealt with second/third opinions when our dog tore a ligament in his knee and they all gave differing opinions.

At the end we just had to figure out who we trusted and go with our gut anyway since they all were different, which is why I know its kind of a stupid thought.

haffajappa

PJaddicted wrote:

Need some help.....I don't think I'm going to have the stem cell implantation procedure done on Petey. I've gotten a few emails from Dobe friends who believe it is far too early to work. That we would be wasting our time driving 1100 miles each way to have it done. It is only a study. Here is a link about it. http://news.health.ufl.edu/2010/9300/co ... condition/

Right now I have an upper respiratory infection, and it seems double ear infection too, I flew yesterday and can't hear anything right now. If anything...I don't know that I can do all that driving alone being so sick. I'm suppose to leave Friday morning.

I do want to switch Cardiologists and find one who will be a bit more aggressive with the meds, and has a better bed side manner. I have several Dobe friends who got years out of their dogs will aggressive medication.

Let me know what you all think.

Awww man, that is really a hard decision.
You really never know though, just because it is one study doesn't mean it might not be the study... And like Rob said you guys might be a part of something that will help other people not have to go through what you are going through. I guess that may not ease your decision making but its something to think about.

Perhaps there are other professionals you can consult for suggestions?

Who Princess

I watched an awesome program tonight on PBS called Through a Dog's Eyes. It was about service dogs, how they are trained and how they are matched to people with different disabilities. :angel:
http://www.pbs.org/dogs-eyes/film#

It made me cry!

PJaddicted

Ok....trying to reschedule for June. UofF is 1100+ mile drive for me each way, and I'm going alone, well not completely alone...with my baby Petey. There is no way I'd try to make the drive tomorrow with this URI and not sleeping for so many months. My new game plan is to get myself healthy, get him to the cardiologist and started on a medication that from all I've been reading is buying lots of time, 3 or 4 vet schools are doing trials with it right now. I will then make the trip down to FL in June and do the procedure. I will have to pay for all post stem cell implantation check-ups at a vet hospital 100 miles from my house, because I don't want to stop using heart meds, after care is only free if he isn't on meds, and that is what has been scaring me. There is no proof that the stem cells will do anything, but meds do help some dogs get years of quality life. I am already over $2000 into this fatal disease since December, and things at work are very slow right now. The meds I want to put him on are going to run more then $120 a month, 24 hour holters are $400 a pop and Echos are $550 and cardiologist consultations are $275. Reality is..if business doesn't pick up soon....I work for my hubby so there is no other money coming in, things are going to get rough. I have four sons too....right now three are in college. I love Petey, but have to look at the reality of the situation too.

PJ_ROCKS

PJaddicted, thinking good thoughts for you and Petey!!!

PearlOfAGirl

How's Gracie and Petey doing?
Sending some (((((((( love & good vibes )))))))) to both

Who Princess

PJaddicted wrote:

Ok....trying to reschedule for June. UofF is 1100+ mile drive for me each way, and I'm going alone, well not completely alone...with my baby Petey. There is no way I'd try to make the drive tomorrow with this URI and not sleeping for so many months. My new game plan is to get myself healthy, get him to the cardiologist and started on a medication that from all I've been reading is buying lots of time, 3 or 4 vet schools are doing trials with it right now. I will then make the trip down to FL in June and do the procedure. I will have to pay for all post stem cell implantation check-ups at a vet hospital 100 miles from my house, because I don't want to stop using heart meds, after care is only free if he isn't on meds, and that is what has been scaring me. There is no proof that the stem cells will do anything, but meds do help some dogs get years of quality life. I am already over $2000 into this fatal disease since December, and things at work are very slow right now. The meds I want to put him on are going to run more then $120 a month, 24 hour holters are $400 a pop and Echos are $550 and cardiologist consultations are $275. Reality is..if business doesn't pick up soon....I work for my hubby so there is no other money coming in, things are going to get rough. I have four sons too....right now three are in college. I love Petey, but have to look at the reality of the situation too.

I'm glad you're waiting until you get well. I was concerned about you doing all that driving plus the emotional stress.

Those are hard choices you're looking at. Things like Petey's illness always seem to come at the worst time, not that there's ever a good time. From having been there with some of my fur-kids, my unsolicited advice would be don't agonize over your treatment decisions once you've made them. You'll do what's best for Petey and your family, I'm confident. You'll make your decisions based on all available information and on love, so they are bound to be the right decisions for everyone concerned.

Hoping for good things for Petey! :thumbup:

Wobbie

whoprincess wrote:

I watched an awesome program tonight on PBS called Through a Dog's Eyes. It was about service dogs, how they are trained and how they are matched to people with different disabilities. :angel:
http://www.pbs.org/dogs-eyes/film#

It made me cry!

I watched it too. You know, most of those dogs were not Super Dog.....some of them were a bit goofy, like Gracie. More than switching off lights or picking up cell phones, they mostly helped their people by.......being dogs!

I got a little misty, too. :oops:

Pepe Silvia

PJ_ROCKS wrote:

PJaddicted, thinking good thoughts for you and Petey!!!

likewise!

PJaddicted

I feel 100000000% Better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I called the cardiologist that will be giving Petey his post stem cell check-ups if we do them, what a wonderful caring man!!!! We have a appointment for Tuesday to get a new Echo cardiogram and he will help me to decide when and if I should do the stem cells!!! I feel as though a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. The Dr. asked ME if I was ok???!!! I started balling and said NO I hate this stupid disease! He was so kind and compassionate that right then and there I decided no matter what...he is Petey's doctor from now on. He is the cardiologist for my Dobe friend who is also a veterinarian, her dog Rah also has DCM, his is worse then Petey's but he is older. So he must be good!!!


ALSO....GUESS WHO IS GOING TO SEE PJ??????? ME! I had decided I wasn't going to see any of the shows, after being shut out of all sales for MSG, and surprise...NJ pops up! WOW do I have a guardian angel or what????

Pepe Silvia

PJaddicted wrote:

I feel 100000000% Better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I called the cardiologist that will be giving Petey his post stem cell check-ups if we do them, what a wonderful caring man!!!! We have a appointment for Tuesday to get a new Echo cardiogram and he will help me to decide when and if I should do the stem cells!!! I feel as though a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. The Dr. asked ME if I was ok???!!! I started balling and said NO I hate this stupid disease! He was so kind and compassionate that right then and there I decided no matter what...he is Petey's doctor from now on. He is the cardiologist for my Dobe friend who is also a veterinarian, her dog Rah also has DCM, his is worse then Petey's but he is older. So he must be good!!!


ALSO....GUESS WHO IS GOING TO SEE PJ??????? ME! I had decided I wasn't going to see any of the shows, after being shut out of all sales for MSG, and surprise...NJ pops up! WOW do I have a guardian angel or what????

maybe Petey has connections among the bands dogs?

Lizard

Glad you got GOOD news, PJADDICTED. Re Petey and PJ!!!
take care....

haffajappa

Good news about PJ and petey lol
hopefully petey pulls through... good luck to you both!!

drsluggo

PJaddicted wrote:

I feel 100000000% Better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I called the cardiologist that will be giving Petey his post stem cell check-ups if we do them, what a wonderful caring man!!!! We have a appointment for Tuesday to get a new Echo cardiogram and he will help me to decide when and if I should do the stem cells!!! I feel as though a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. The Dr. asked ME if I was ok???!!! I started balling and said NO I hate this stupid disease! He was so kind and compassionate that right then and there I decided no matter what...he is Petey's doctor from now on. He is the cardiologist for my Dobe friend who is also a veterinarian, her dog Rah also has DCM, his is worse then Petey's but he is older. So he must be good!!!


ALSO....GUESS WHO IS GOING TO SEE PJ??????? ME! I had decided I wasn't going to see any of the shows, after being shut out of all sales for MSG, and surprise...NJ pops up! WOW do I have a guardian angel or what????

That's great news - and isnt it amazing what a difference a truly caring doctor can make? We had to switch vets because it just seemed like the vet was too brief/short/something weird that we just didn't like. Found another one through a friend and it was like ... WOW... this is what a Vet should be like!

And also great news on the PJ show! Just waiting 30 more minutes to give it a shot over here...

Sending good vibes for Petey-- sounds like you're in great hands!

haffajappa

So my brother has been having a lot of parties lately and sammi gets nervous with all the strange ppl around, and my mom has been bringing her upstairs into the bedrooms (a place she is usually not allowed ot go)

Anyways, I thought, well... If she can come up then why not anytime? So i snuck her up into my bedroom and she slept on my bed last night - something I've never let her do before but have always wanted to. But it was super cute!!

Wobbie

haffajappa wrote:

Sammi is so effing cute!

Wobbie

here's an older one from the vault:



I finally got a cell phone with a camera (sent my first text, too :roll: ). If I can figure this fucking thing out....look out doggie thread!!!!

Who Princess

imalive wrote:

whoprincess wrote:

I watched an awesome program tonight on PBS called Through a Dog's Eyes. It was about service dogs, how they are trained and how they are matched to people with different disabilities. :angel:
http://www.pbs.org/dogs-eyes/film#

It made me cry!

I watched it too. You know, most of those dogs were not Super Dog.....some of them were a bit goofy, like Gracie. More than switching off lights or picking up cell phones, they mostly helped their people by.......being dogs!

Yeah, I liked that about it. I think you could take the title different ways but one of them was that the people were a lot happier after they got their dogs and learning how to see things "through a dog's eyes." :thumbup:

imalive wrote:

I finally got a cell phone with a camera (sent my first text, too :roll: ). If I can figure this fucking thing out....look out doggie thread!!!!

I'm only 2 years ahead of ya! Takes me forever to send a text, then my friends reply in milliseconds! :oops: