Tinsel's Journey

Thanks for the info re accupuncture. I actually had it done to me for a problem I had and it did help. I didn't much like it but it worked.
We also have a therapeutic pool not far from here which might help build some muscle up. I contacted the Recovery people, this is the stuff I gave him when he first came and seemed to help him a lot. I haven't been giving it to him since he went on the thryroid meds because the vets couldn't tell me for sure if it would interfere but the company got back to me immediately and said that it was designed to work in conjunction with many drugs - thyroid being one of them. I will wait until he is done his 2 weeks of rest and Rimadyl before starting him back on Recovery.
I expect that we will discover that his right hip is a lot worse than his left. That is the leg that wobbles and is on the same side as the malformed front. We will do what we can and hope that he has a number of years with us - we are devoted to the little guy and if it wasn't for the fact that we are both going to be retired in the next few months, I would probably say to heck with it - lets do the surgery if it is needed. In the meantime, we will enjoy each other's company and continue to teach him new things, spoil him rotten and try to make up for the life he endured before he came.
 
Joann, I'm sorry the news isn't better. Poor Tinsel. But you are right; do what you can and enjoy him every day. He's so grateful to belong to you. Hope the Rimadyl and maybe acupuncture will help.
 
I am so sorry to hear that after working so hard with Tinsel there are now issues that love & patience can't cure. My Annie had bad hip dysplasia & she had an FHO. It didn't really help her but I think it was because we let the physical therapy people do the work & they didn't give us stuff to do at home. Another of my shelties (Jack) had one & we did all the physical therapy on him ourselves. He is like he never had a problem.

Would Adequan injections help any with the discomfort? We used them on Annie (before FHO- it didn't help too much) & my neighbor has used them on their Great Dane with excellent results. It is a series of injections that gradually decrease. They only give their Dane a shot every few months if needed.

I know what you mean about the financial costs. Jack needed an FHO & my husband had been laid off for months. We had it done at Banfield by a vet that we got excellent references about. He did 200% better than Annie did & we took her to a specialty ortho vet & paid for months of physical therapy. His surgery was much less than Annie's & he came home the same day. She stayed at the specialty vet for a week.

We will be keeping Tinsel in our hearts & hope to hear good news. Take each day as it comes because that's all we ever have is 1 day at a time.
 
I appreciate your support while we face this with our little guy. At this point we haven't xrayed him - leaving that until his front end is feeling better as he is likely to be sore again when he is manipulated for the pictures. I'm still hoping, praying that it will be more a problem of ligaments and muscles - I know it's a faint hope but ....... I'm not too thrilled about having him put under again either but he would not be able to have this done any other way. Oh well, he can get those toenails taken back at the same time which might help his front a bit.
Once we have a definate diagnosis then we will address anything that could help. Poor guy. To have all this in his short little life is so unfair and he is such a sweet and forgiving little trooper. I'll let you know what we find out in the next few weeks.
 
Poor Tin. Whatever the diagnosis, I know you will do everything in your means to make Tin's life as happy and pain-free as possible. He is so lucky he found you and your family. I will keep my fingers crossed that you'll get better news with the x-rays. :fl
 
So sorry to hear precious Tinsel is having these issues, I have fallen in love with this little guy following his journey and know you will do all you can for him. You'll always be my hero Tagg for bringing this little soul into your life and teaching him what love is.

Prayers to all of you for many wonderful more years ahead.
 
Thanks for the prayers. I can't tell you how much he means to us. He's right up there with my Tagg - the westie that stole my heart at minutes of age. She was a true terrier in every sense of the word and no matter what was going on, she was right there ready to go forward. I really thought no other dog would mean quite as much but then came the Tin Man. It's been over a decade since Tagg went over the bridge and many wonderful fur friends have joined her, each special but not Tagg.
He's still sore on his front right even with 1 week of Rimadyl in him. It's better but not right yet. He needs his toenails done but he isn't very cooperative with that leg and I think his last session is what started this episode of limping - who knows for sure?????
I was just vaccuuming and he was following me around, crossing back and forth over the hose, all 35 feet of it - and making sure I got every corner. It bumped him once and he squeaked but he continued to supervise my work. This, the dog that was sooooo very afraid only 16 months ago! Is it any wonder he stole our hearts? Is it any wonder he reminds me of Tagg?
Anyway, we will see the vet again next week and hopefully he will be ready for xrays. If not, then soon. In the meantime, he is not allowed to go for a walk so we play "where's your toy" by me hiding it partially under Rhiannon's blanket. It's right in front of him half sticking out and it is another positive step in his rehab. He used to just give up if I moved the toy away from him - quite a normal occurence in a dog that has learned to give up and not try. Lots of owners make the mistake of thinking the dog is dumb - not so, just defeated. Well the Tin Man is learning that he can do it, that he will succeed and that it is a fun game.
 
We are beginning to realize that Tinsel has a special gift. He tends to calm dogs. Not just dogs that he knows, although he has demonstrated his ability with Rhiannon during storms, but with other dogs that are scared or reactive. One of the first times we noticed it was when we went to go on a walk with a friend that is owned by 3 Min Pins. As we approached they went off on their normal barking tangent - something Tin is not comfortable with but he continued towards them giving calming signals and low and behold - they stopped. Not normal for them at all!
At shy dog class he seemed to make Dixie, Bijou and Maggie feel more secure but it wasn't as evident until he missed a class. I was told later that the 3 girls were not nearly as confident when their bigger buddy Tinsel was absent. I didn't think too much about it until this week. A new dog came to class. A little Maltese, Molly, that had major surgery at the delicate age of 7 months and was in clinic for nearly a month. She goes nuts if anyone, dog or human, moves even a hand. We weren't schedualled for this class as Tin is now doing scent detection but since we were early we asked if we could join. As we walked in this poor little mite went off in a fearful bout of barking and lunging so we went over to the other side of the room and sat. After a few minutes Mirkka asked if I would try Tin off lead. As he started over to investigate the new dog she went off - spinning and barking. He curved his body, averted his eyes, licked his lips and waited. Mirkka then asked the owner of the Maltese to allow her dog loose. Tin turned away from Molly and started back across the room. The maltese followed. He continued to give calming signals and then made the decision to turn towards the little white dog. She accepted him and started walking around with him. It was then I was given the history of this dog. It's skull wasn't growing and it had to have neurosurgery which meant lots of painful procedures and living with other dogs that were scared and in pain. No wonder it became so suspicious and scared.
Last night we got a sudden and violent thunderstorm. Poor Rhiannon was so scared she actually vomited. Tin got up from his bed, wandered over to her, licked his lips and laid down beside her. She visably relaxed.
I wonder if his days in the mill installed a need to be able to give these signals so well. I've never seen a dog that was so well versed at reading the situation and responding correctly.
I continue to be amazed at this little sheltie. Never, in my wildest dreams, did I ever expect the growth in him or his special ability to make other dogs less stressed.
By the way, he still, on occasion, is difficult to get outside for tolieting duties. He doesn't mess the house but sometimes he just doesn't feel in the mood to make the walk. I would concern myself that he was in discomfort except he will trot into the kitchen if I open the cookie jar. I guess he needs to make sure I remember that he gets choices now.
 
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