Rex hanging in there

I have not posted in a few days. I've been super busy with a web design project. In this economy I have to take what I can and sometimes that's a little more than I can fit into a day's work.

Yesterday Rex looked better than he has in a long time. I have plowed a large circle in an open area where I walk him. It's a lot of snow here now and he can't walk through the deep snow. This circle is also a good measurement for how far he can walk. For the last week he could walk this circle one time before his limping became too severe. Yesterday he made this circle twice and still he was not limping as badly as he normally would have done after one lap. That's my boy!

Rex is still on:
Rimadyl 200mg a day
Cosequin DS 4 tablets a day
Acupuncture once a week

What's working or not is hard to tell. I think the combination of the above is all beneficial to him.

Rex a little better

Rex is showing more energy and sometimes gets up off the couch by himself. He has not done this in a long time. He shows signs of walking better at the beginning of his walks. After 5 minutes, he's pretty much done and needs to go back in and lay down. I don't see any signs of pain. I have not heard him make any noises this past week. He has now had 3 acupuncture sessions. I'm still not sure what have caused the improvement, the Rimadyl or the acupuncture. Tomorrow he has been on Rimadyl for 2 weeks. I have not noticed any side effects so far.

Rex not improving

Resting after 2nd acupuncture session

This is so frustrating. We can't seem to get Rex's leg to improve. He has now been on Rimadyl for one week and completed two acupuncture sessions. It pains me to see him limping so severely and not being able to walk for more than a few minutes. In all other areas he is perfect. Very alert, energetic and have so much willpower to keep going. I'm torn between keep trying and to put him down. I don't see any pain and the vet and the acupuncturist agrees. This is the only reason I keep going. The moment pain enters the picture I know what to do. I will try two more sessions and if that does not show any improvements I will have to make a decision.

More energy, still limping badly

Rex seem more alert, and energetic this morning. He walked out of the RV with more determination that he has had for the last few weeks. He also wanted to walk faster this morning despite his limping. It does not seem to bother him much. It's looks awful to me, but if he can handle it I guess I have to go with it. When he was sick with a kidney infection last year he did not want to get up from the couch and go out. He's nothing like that at this time.

No change

Loving the couch

I was warned by the acupuncture doctor that Rex may get a little worse the day after. He seems the same today. Still limping badly, but he has good energy and appetite.  He wants to walk, I have to coach him to keep these walks short.  I gave him 200 mg of rimadyl today. He's been on 100 mg a day for two days. Our next acupuncture session is on Monday. We're taking it one day at the time.

First acupuncture session

Today we went for Rex's first acupuncture session. He did very well. He had a few moments when he got a bit restless and started panting a little, but overall  he was a good patient. The Dr. said we can't expect too much during these first sessions. Rex may even appear to be worse due to the treatment. She also tested Rex for pain and discomfort and agreed with me that he does not seem to be in much pain. I'm very curious to see if this will help. I'll keep my mind open to this.
He is now resting peacefully on the couch after having his meal. I could tell he was relaxed  and a bit weak since he could not  finish his meal standing up. He was so cute, right in the middle of his meal he stumbled over to the couch looked at me to indicate he wanted me to help him up. He finished his meal laying down.

Rex on Rimadyl - Day one.

As this video shows, Rex's limping has now gotten worse and has become a big concern to me. He does not seem to be in pain since he wants to keep walking and I have to force him to turn around to keep his walks short. This is all about him not me. I'm ready to let him go. I just do not see it in him yet.

Rex on rimadyl

Resting after dinner.

I started Rex on Rimadyl today. He got one chewable (100mg) at 11:00am. The vet said 2 a day. I will wait until tomorrow morning before he gets his 2nd. I'll give this with his morning snack. I will monitor this like a hawk. At the sign of any side effects I with stop.
I will upload a video for each day starting today.

Rex not ready!

This just blows my mind. This morning when I took Rex out he could barely walk. This convinced me that I had come to the right conclusion to let him go. I took him over to the vet to put him to sleep. I asked the vet to come outside and take a look at Rex walking, just to get the confirmation from him that I was doing the right thing. I have known him for a long time and trust his judgment. I got Rex out of the truck, which pretty much entails carry all his 130 lbs and set him down. Rex must have understood that this a life and death situation because he decided to walk around with such drive and determination that he almost made me look like a fool. His limping was much less and he walked with a speed I have not seen i awhile. I guess he is not ready to go. So, we decided to put Rex on Rimadyl and see what happens. I have mixed feelings about Rimadyl, but I have seen dogs doing great on it so I own it to Rex to try. I also asked the vet about acupuncture and he said he have seen dogs doing very well after a few sessions. So, we made another appointment for Monday to start Rex on that.
Well done Rex! You're such a fighter!

The acupuncture Dr. just called and said she had a cancellation and we will start tomorrow, yeah!

Goodbye and thank you my old friend

The day I have dreaded for the last two years has come. Rex's legs has over the last few days gotten worse and now reached a point where he has a really hard time walking and even standing. He has very little control over his rear legs and struggles to keep his balance. Fortunately he does not seem to be in much pain, but this is not a life of a dog. Keeping him longer is not what is best for him. Deprived from running and walking he seems miserable and the right thing to do is to let him go to sleep forever. He have had such a great life. I like to think he was fortunate to come to me. I'm sure I have extended his life several years feeding him the food he was designed for. I never expected him to live to the age of 12. For 8 years we walked 3 times a day rain, snow or shine, never missed it once. He also never ever missed a meal. Was only sick one time! He's been an unbelievable easy dog to have, don't bark, never whined once!! Gosh I'll miss this guy. I'm planning on taking him to the vet tomorrow. Damn, I hate this part of owning a dog.

Dogs with discipline

I take my dogs with me anywhere since I know they enjoy driving  in my truck. This includes grocery shopping. It has always amazed me how they know to leave the groceries alone. There is meat and all kinds of great smelling foods right there next to them and all they do is sniffing it a few times. I can even leave the truck and nothing has been touched when I come back. Such good boys. They do the same at home. I can leave my plate with food on the dining table and  go somewhere, and the food will be there when I'm back.

Camelot eating

Here Is Camelot finishing up his dinner of raw chicken wings, thighs and gizzards.

Rex is struggling

Rex is having a small setback. He is limping a little on his right front leg. He sort of walk it off after a few minutes. He is also limping a little more on his rear right leg. I will watch him carefully over the next few days. If he gets worse I'm afraid I have to make some long dreaded decisions. I'm prepared though. It's all about him and his well being. I promised him no suffering. Still loving the snow!