We are back!! (A little bit about Mint's health)

Hi! It's Cinnamon!!

Wow, who thought I would have such a long break from blogging!!! I didn't blog for six months!!

Well, one of the reasons was that Mum was too busy to help me write posts. Yes, we were still posting on Facebook. But, blog posts require a lot more time than Facebook posts.

Another, maybe the biggest, reason was that Mint was not very well. Well, he was usually very healthy and happy, but sometimes he had very scary conditions called seizures.

Mint had his first seizure in April last year. But, at that time it looked like a one-off, and he was seizure-free for the next five months until he had another one in September. At that time he had blood tests and all the results came out normal, so he was diagnosed to have idiopathic epilepsy.

But, Mum didn't put him on medication right away, because she had heard of bad side effects of the medicine which our vet was going to prescribe. Mum was hoping that Mint's seizures didn't become as frequent as once a month, as it was suggested in many resources that you start medication if your dog starts to have seizures more than once a month.

After that, Mint had seizures in mid-October and on the New Year's Eve, but they didn't become more frequent than once a month until late January this year. Then, he started to have multiple seizures in one day roughly fortnightly.

However, Mum still didn't want to start medication. What she decided to do instead was change his diet. Until then, we had dry dog food (Orijen) but Mum changed it to a raw diet. After Mint was on a new diet as well as some homeopathic remedies, Mint's seizures started to become less frequent at one point, but they became frequent again after a while, and finally Mum decided to put Mint on medication (Phenobarbital).

Now he takes 15mg of Pheno twice a day, and he has't had any seizures since he started to take the drug on May 15th.

When he was having seizures frequently, he always looked a little anxious. But, now he is back to his normal happy self! I hope he stays this way much longer!!

Something that seems impossible to teach Beagles

Hi! It's Cinnamon. Thank you very much for all your kind messages to Mint.

By the way, some friends have asked me if we know what Mint had eaten, causing him to get sick. The answer is 'No.'

At first Mum thought he had swallowed a pebble, because he liked playing with pebbles at the base of a garden tap. Although Mum always told him to drop it whenever she saw Mint holding a pebble in the mouth, he was doing it again just before he got sick. Also, in the morning walk, he seemed to have picked up an acorn or something when Mum was picking up my you-know-what. But, X-rays showed nothing obstructing his stomach.

The vet asked Mum if Mint might have eaten chocolate, but there had been no chance Mint might have eaten chocolate unless he picked up something like that in our walk while no one was seeing. The vet also asked if Mint had been to the beach that morning, but we didn't go to the beach that day.(Last year there were incidents on several beaches in Auckland that dogs died after eating sea slugs that happened to contain the type of toxin usually produced in blow fish.)

After all we still don't know what had caused Mint's sickness. It might have been seeds or roots of some plants that contain toxic substances. Mum says that the best way to avoid another incident is that we don't pick up anything from the street. But, I don't think that is possible. Although I am aware Mum has been trying hard to keep our noses off the ground during our walks, I don't think she can completely stop our sniffing, our primary job as beagles!

Before I go, I will show you some photos taken a few days ago in a park called Craigavon Park, which we recently found not too far away from a rented house where we temporarily live now. As you can see in the photos, Mint is very well now!!

Mint's hospitalisation and his first birthday

Hi everyone! I missed you all!! I am sorry I didn't post anything for such a long time. Thank you very much for all messages you left on my last post about Cookie's first anniversary. Yes, I also think that Cookie is always watching over us.

Well, we moved while I was away from the cyber world. Although I had heard many blog friends talking about moving, I had never moved house after I left Te Aroha where I was born and came to Auckland when I was eight weeks old. To me the move this time was not a big deal at all. I am happy as long as I can be with my family, i.e. Mum, Dad, and Mint.

However, something really frightening happened about ten days before the move. On that Saturday Mint and I went out for a morning walk with Mum, and after coming back home we had breakfast as usual. About one hour or two later Mint suddenly started to vomit repeatedly. He kept vomiting even after he had nothing left to throw up in his tummy. Mum and Dad were so worried about him that they made an appointment with the vet. Luckily there was one slot left in the morning, but they had to wait for about one hour and a half before the appointment. Because the vet clinic was operating on holiday shift, there weren't as many staff as usual.

The vet's diagnosis was that Mint might have swallowed something he shouldn't have. However, it was midday on Saturday and they were unable to do X-rays or any tests that day. So, the vet referred Mint to the Animal Emergency Centre which offers after hour veterinary services.

At the Animal Emergency Centre Mint vomited again, and just before Mum and Dad left the clinic, he started to wobble. At the emergency clinic X-rays were taken and a blood test was done, but nothing was found. Mint had stopped vomiting by then, but after Mum and Dad left the clinic, Mint started to have seizures repeatedly. All the veterinary staff there could do to control his seizures was to anesthetise him. However, when they tried to reduce the doze of the anesthetic, he started to have seizures again. At the same time he was put on IV drip to cleanse his body of any toxic substances he might have eaten.

Mint's 2nd day in the hospital

His 5th day in the hospital

Mint recovered gradually and started to wag his tail again on the third day although he was unable to get up and hold himself. Then physiotherapists at the clinic started rehabilitation with Mint by luring him with some food to encourage him to walk on a sling.

When Mint came back home a week later, he was still unable to walk straight. But, don't worry. He is completely back to his normal self now!! I am so happy to be able to play with him again!

Oh, I almost forgot to mention that Mint has turned one year old. Although we couldn't do any special celebration for him, the fact Mint has recovered well is a really nice present not only for him but also for us all.

Happy Belated Birthday, Mint!!

Dacing on a stage and my allergy

Hi, it's Cinnamon.

Mum has been so busy that she couldn't help me post on my blog for such a long time!

Last weekend we did a dance demonstration again. As Dad didn't go with us, I don't have any photos from the event, Wag 'n Walk. But, my friend Bodie the Border Terrier's mum kindly asked her friend to video my performance (You can see it here). Thanks Bodie's mum and her friend!

Well, as you can see in the video, I didn't dance very well. In the first place, it was a very hard condition; we had to dance on a small stage with a narrow catwalk. Also, as soon as I got on the stage, I caught nice foodie smells under tables on the stage and couldn't help checking them. But, I couldn't reach the source of the smells because I was caught by a man, who was so mean that he took away a plastic tray for donuts and a cardboard box for a pizza that I had found!!

Then, just when Mum was trying to guide me to the starting position, the music started. Also, as I had never been on a stage before, I had to check every corner of it during our routine.

We are going to do this Lollipop routine once more at NDTA (National Dog Training Assembly) later this month. Although it is going to be our very first dance competition, Mum is thinking about making it the last time we will do this routine, as we have been doing the same routine since March.

Before I go, I will show you what a hard time I had to go through.



This strange object I am wearing is called an Elizabethan Collar. Have you ever had to wear it? I had to wear it for the first time recently. My vet says that I am allergic to a type of plant called Wandering Jew, so I had to be treated with some ointment and then wear this strange thing for an hour after that.

No playing with Mint is boring...

Hi! It's Cinnamon.

Mint had a neutering operation this week. Or, that is what I heard, but I don't understand what it means.

When my humans went out with Mint and came back without him on Wednesday, I wondered what had happened to him. He had been out with our humans, leaving me home alone, but he always came back with them. So, I was very worried about him. I looked for him in the house but couldn't find him. The house looked somewhat empty without Mint who always follows me around and often bites or licks me. I sometimes get fed up with him and growl at him, but I have never wished he were gone.

But, to my relief he came back with our humans in late afternoon on the day. He was much quieter than usual and stayed in his crate. Our humans told me that he has to stay quiet for several days and he is not allowed to run around. I tried to invite him to play together by bringing his favorite toy over to him, but our humans told me not to do that. I think that's unfair and boring!



I hope Mint will be allowed to play with me soon!!

I am at rest

Reminder: Voting is now open for Niamh’s Train Your Dog Photo Contest and Tucker's Sit Stay Competition!!

Yesterday (Monday, the 1st) was Auckland Anniversary, a holiday in Auckland, so Aucklanders were enjoying the last day of the long holiday weekend. However, I had to stay in my crate all day yesterday, because I had been having diarrhea over the weekend.



On Sunday I went to Hound Racing and had three runs (The photo in my last post was taken then). I enjoyed it so much!! But, shortly after I had water before getting in the car to head home, I became sick and started vomiting. Of course, my Mum and Dad were so worried about me that they thought about taking me to the Animal Emergency Centre. But, unlike a year ago when I was hospitalised, I could still drink water and walk, so they decided to put me at rest in my crate and see how I would get along.

On Monday, my stool was still liquid-like and I vomited again in the morning. But, unfortunately it was a holiday, so I couldn't see my vet. Instead, my Mum and Dad did some research on the Internet and found that if a dog has diarrhea he shouldn't eat any food for a day or so, so I was not given any food last night and this morning.

Today, first thing in the morning Mum rang the vet to make an appointment. While I was waiting in the waiting area, I met so many dogs and cats! Perhaps, because yesterday was a holiday, many dogs and cats who couldn't see the vet yesterday rushed in the clinic this morning.

After taking my temperature and pulse and examining my tummy, my vet told me I was going to be all right. I was given an injection and prescribed some medicine. For three days from today I will be on a special low-fat prescription diet.

But, don't worry! I am already feeling much better.

Vet visits

Hi. It's Cinnamon!

Today I will show you one of my favorite places to visit...that is Kohimarama Veterinary Clinic! Do you think I am strange, as most dogs don't have good experience with the vet? But, I always look forward to visiting them.

The reason why I like the place is I attended a four-week course of puppy classes there and had so much fun with my teacher and classmates.



There were only three of us puppies in the class, Summy the Bichon Frise, Jack the Jack Russel, and me.



In the last class we learnt to get used to strange environments and noise using various stuff humans had brought, such as a vacuum cleaner, a party hat, and fairy costume.



Because I had so much fun at the veterinary clinic and the staff there always give me treats on my each visit, I love the place so much! Among others my favorite nurse is the one who taught us in puppy classes. Whenever she sees me, she says "Cinnamon! Oh my little friend!" and gives me lots of hugs, so I give her lots of kisses in return.

Yesterday I visited the clinic again for an injection of Pentosan, medicine for my hip joints. It was the last on the second four-week weekly course, so I am not visiting the clinic again for the next few month unless I get sick or something, which hopefully is not the case.

Actually I was thinking about posting some photos my dad had taken at the clinic yesterday, but unfortunately his new camera broke after our vet visit and was sent to Japan to go into the manufacturer's camera hospital for repair!! So, no photos!! My dad is so disappointed because he was enjoying taking photos with his new camera, which was only three and a half months old!!

The whole family having the same dietary supplements

Since Cinnamon's arthritis was found, Cookie & Cinnamon and their humans have all been having the same dietary supplements, Good Health Joint zone and Nutra-Life Omega 3 Fish Oil. At first I thought about giving Cookie and Cinnamon tablets specially made for the dog, but I decided to give them what we humans have after the vet told us that she gave her dogs Glucosamine suppliments that she bought from supermarkets for herself.

When I went to a health shop and told a shop assistant that I was after Glucosamine and Chondroitin supplements, she recommended a product that also contained other nutrients such as copper, manganese, and zinc. But, as I didn't know if those extra nutrients were good for the dog too, I chose Good Health Joint Zone, which doesn't contain those extra nutrients.

I myself have a potential problem in my knees as a result of an accident that I had riding a motorcycle more than twenty years ago. In the accident I got my cruciate ligaments and meniscus damaged. They haven't caused much trouble apart from occasional slight pain until now, but now I feel the necessity to look after my damaged knees as I am not so young any more. So, I started taking Glucosamine, Chondroitin, and Fish Oil together with my dogs.

I hope they work for all of us, if not dramatically.



Cookie and Cinnamon have got new collars made by MaCherry's! Aren't they nice?

Mr Darcy, I am sorry Cookie hasn't played a game you tagged him. We haven't forgot it!

Bad news ... but I am optimistic

Yesterday Cinnamon had X-rays on her hips and legs, and it turned out that Cinnamon has arthritis that comes from Hip Dysplasia.

She is going to be on medication (Rimadyl) for over a week and also having weekly injections (Pentosan) for the next four weeks starting yesterday. We still don't know what level of exercise will be allowed after the series of treatments. She cannot do agility at least for a while, but I am optimistic as there are many other things we can enjoy together even if we can't do agility.

At a little reserve where we often practise tricks

Cookie has been doing well after the episode on Sunday. His walking is still wobbly but he doesn't seem to have any significant pain. As some of you have said, it might've been a seizure. At least I don't think he ate something he shouldn't have, as he was always on the lead when he was outside, so I must have noticed if he had eaten something.

Many thanks to those who sent us warm messages!! I am lucky to have great friends and supporters like you all! I am sorry we haven't been able to visit your blogs for the last several days. I promise we will catch up!

Spring is here!

Latest episode (Cookie)

Thanks for all your concern and encouragement about Cinnamon's recent injury! This morning we took Cinnamon to a vet, but we couldn't find out the cause of lameness in her right hind leg. The vet checked if the patella would luxate when the joint was pulled or pushed, but it didn't. So, at this stage luxating patella is likely to be ruled out. Now the vet suspects that there is something wrong in her left hip. Tomorrow Cinnamon is going to have X-rays on her legs and hips.

But, yesterday something more upsetting happened!!

When I was working on my computer, I noticed nasty smells, something like urine. So, I left my desk to see what it was. What do you think it was? What I saw was Cookie lying on the kitchen floor with poo sitting by his anus, and the next moment I realised that he was actually lying in a paddle of urine, and he was bubbling at the mouth. I called his name, but he didn't move.

I was so upset that I rang the Animal Emergency Centre immediately (As it was Sunday, we couldn't go to our usual vet) and took him there. But, by the time we arrived at the clinic, Cookie had become much more alert. The vet who saw Cookie couldn't find any significant problem with him apart from his wobbly walking.

Cookie in a consultation room of the Animal Emergency Centre

Another concern...

The future of our agility life is becoming hazy...

Since yesterday morning, Cinnamon has been limping badly to the extent that she sometimes extends her right hind leg straight backward. Although there have been incidents that she walks a few steps with her hind leg raised, the condition had never got as bad as it is now.

Yesterday we went to Mangawhai for an agility ribbon trial. When I walked Cinnamon at Mangawhai Domain before the competition in the morning, she was already limping, or skipping, apparently a symptom of a knee dislocation. But, I let her run without thinking twice, hoping optimistically that it would get better soon.

We entered three classes yesterday. In the first one, I made a critical mistake!! I was so busy trying to motivate Cinnamon that I forgot to think about the course before the start. I ran straight forward leading Cinnamon through the first three jump obstacles, and then, when I was supposed to turn left to do the next jump, I kept going straight heading for a tunnel, which was placed in a line with the first three obstacles!! As soon as I noticed the mistake, I called Cinnamon back and headed for the correct jump, although we were already disqualified by doing a wrong obstacle. But then Cinnamon refused the next tunnel after doing the next two jumps and took off to the outside of the ring!!!

In the next run, Cinnamon didn't do as badly as she did in the first one. But, she again refused the tunnels. It seems my mistake in the first run had sent Cinnamon a wrong message: 'Don't go through tunnels.' She yet completed the course with two faults.

In the third run, she did well until the first tunnel, and then she took off again, this time to food (meat and vegetables, apparently vomit of a dog) Cinnamon had found over one hour ago.

After all these three runs, I thought Cinnamon had just been behaving badly, having lost concentration because of a mistake I made in the first run. But, it seems that was not the only reason. Considering the condition of her knee dislocation, Cinnamon must have been in pain. I regret that I entered her in the competition in the first place.

I am going to take her to a vet tomorrow. All I hope is that the condition is not too serious.

Cookie, now you can walk!

Cookie had his first short walk after a two-week complete rest.

This morning Cookie looked so bored and unhappy in his crate that I decided to take him for a very short walk.











His walking looked almost normal when he was walking fast. He was really enjoying the walk and wanted to walk more. He was so determined to go across a busy road in front of our house that I had to pick him up and bring him back home in my arms!



As Cookie was not allowed to walk outside for the last couple of weeks, Cinnamon had walks alone without Cookie. It though was a great opportunity to do walking obedience training with Cinnamon. She in fact walked very nicely, maybe partly because I was using an Easy Walk Harness on her, although she still couldn't resist putting her nose to the ground sometimes.



She also enjoyed running around with other dogs she met at parks to make up for not being able to play with Cookie at home.



There is something I recently noticed about Cinnamon. I have been trying to train her not to bark at other dogs she meets in her walks. At first I thought she was barking at other dogs from overexcitement, but it seems she is actually barking from fear and anxiety, which she seems to have difficulty in dealing with especially when she is on the lead. When she is off the lead, she is much calmer and barks much less.

Another couple of days...

Many thanks to everyone who has kindly sent Cookie get well wishes! I am glad to tell you that he's doing much better now. Although his walking is still a bit wobbly, which might have now become a permanent condition, he looks much more lively. Being bored staying in his crate most of the day, he has been saying 'Grrrr' and scratching the net screen from time to time.



He has even found a way to open a zipper of his crate to get out!!



Cookie, stay there for another couple of days, and you can begin to have short walks again!!


Well, as many of you already know, our great blog friend Honey the Great Dane is having the Spectacular Slobber Contest. The entries have now been closed and the voting has begun! If you haven't voted yet, visit her blog and vote!! The voting will close on Sunday 30th August.

Noble dog, Cookie

It's been nearly three weeks since he yelped from pain when he tried to jump on a couch. As it was thought to be just a sore back at first, I still took him out for short walks everyday for the next two weeks, while I restricted his exercise by keeping him in a crate or on the lead. But, without seeing a significant improvement in his condition, we went to see a specialist surgeon through a referral by our vet, and then he was diagnosed to have a slipped disk in the neck. Since then, he has been kept in a crate all the time except when he goes to toilet or has a meal.

It must be hard to be confined in such a small place all the time. But, don't you think he looks noble lying behind a net?



During the Heian Era (794 to 1185) in Japan, 'a court lady would conceal herself behind a screen when speaking with a man outside her immediate family' (Wikipedia). Cookie in his soft crate reminds me of pictures of such ladies behind a screen like this:


* Source: Wikipedia

Well, I am pleased to report that Cookie is doing much better now. He even tries to run to the gate together with Cinnamon, when he sees somebody passing by while he is in the front garden for toilet.







Cinnamon seems to know that Cookie is not well. Although she often bumps her hips into Cookie, trying to invite him to play together, she hasn't done it since Cookie became unwell.

Cookie, be patient and you will get back to your normal self soon!

Real bones, ultimate treats!!

In the weekend, Cookie and Cinnamon ate real bones two days in a row, plus Cinnamon ate another little bone, which she happened to find on a footpath and picked up before I had a chance to stop it!

I was reluctant to give them real bones after one of Cookie's teeth broke for unknown reason. When it happened, he had to have the root canal of the broken tooth removed and filled with dental cement by an animal dentistry specialist, which cost a fortune!! So, since then, I had usually given them dried venison or sheep ears instead as well as brushing their teeth using doggy toothpaste.

But, after reading a recent post by Honey the Great Dane about the importance of cleaning teeth with bones for dogs, especially those who eat soft raw food only like Cookie, I decided to start giving them real bones regularly again.

Of course, both Cookie and Cinnamon were very excited to be given such special treats!! While Cookie ate his bone at the place where I had given it to him, Cinnamon quickly hid behind a bush with her bone and ate it there!

Yum-yum...

Leave me alone!

May nothing happen...

Cinnamon has been doing well this week. She looks completely back to her usual self.

However, we can't be assured as we still don't know what had happened to her. May nothing happen during the weekend! We cannot afford to take Cinnamon back to the Animal Emergency Centre, as they charge more than double the normal vet fees...

Thank you, Cookie!

Now Cinnamon can walk as she normally does. She doesn't seem to have difficulty in balancing any more. However, she still has to stay in her crate most of the time, as, on her discharge, we were told to keep her strictly rested for the next four weeks; no running, jumping, or playing all of any kind.

Cinnamon has always been with Cookie since she came to our house at seven weeks old. So, she has never been left alone by herself for long hours. Although Cookie and Cinnamon usually sleep in our bed, Cinnamon has to sleep in her crate now. Cinnamon would keep crying or barking, if she had to stay alone all night. But, she doesn't, because she has Cookie beside her. Now Cookie and Cinnamon sleep side by side in their own crates.



Cookie seems to understand his role as her older brother. Thank you, Cookie.

Still some concern...

Cinnamon came home yesterday. There is no doubt that she improved over the last couple of days, but there is still some concern. Although the strength in her limbs is back to normal, she seems to have difficulty in balancing.

Cinnamon is coming home

Cinnamon is finally coming home today! This morning I received a phone call from the animal hospital letting me know that Cinnamon was doing well and able to come home in the evening. I can't wait to see her then!

You are my girl!!

There has been a remarkable improvement in Cinnamon's condition overnight.

As soon as we saw her, we could see a huge difference from what we saw yesterday. She was sitting on her own and even tried to stand up!! I felt great strength in her limbs when I was holding her so that she wouldn't fall off her cage.

We still don't know what had happened to Cinnamon, but we were told taht she could discharged if her condition improved or stayed the same tomorrow.

Cinnamon, you are my girl!!