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!!

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

Staying at "Ritz Carlton"

When we went to Tauranga for a championship last weekend, we stayed at a motel called Ritz Carlton Motel. Although the name might sound familiar to some of you, it actually has no resemblance with the world wide hotel chain, The Ritz-Carlton.

When I was looking for accommodation in Tauranga, I found two pet friendly motels in the area (I later found another one after making a booking at the Ritz Carlton). I chose Ritz Carlton over the other one, because the motel has a hot therapeutic mineral pool with each unit. Although the other one also has private thermal pools, not every unit in the motel has one, and the rate for their unit with a thermal pool was more expensive than that of Ritz Carlton.

As soon as we arrived at the motel, Cinnamon started checking the rooms and the hot pool area.





When I looked at photos on the motel's website, I thought that the hot pool was indoor. But, it was actually in an outdoor space, adjacent to the unit (the unit has a large window with curtains on the pool side) and enclosed by high walls. It was so nice and relaxing to be soaking in the warm mineral water, stargazing!!




At the motel, guests in the units on our both sides had a dog or dogs. A couple staying in the unit on our right had a basset hound and they were also from Auckland. They said that they were thinking about moving to Tauranga. And a woman staying in the unit on our left had more than one dog. When we saw dogs in crates in her van, my husband and I said to each other, half joking, that those dogs might be competing at the agility championship that we were going to (At that time we didn't see the owner of the dogs). Then, the next morning, when we were loading our luggage in our car, a woman, who I had remembered from previous agility trials, came out of the unit!

***

Update on Cookie's condition:

Today we were sent to the Veterinary Specialist Group (VSG) pet hospital, after I reported our vet that Cookie's condition was not getting better. When I rang the pet hospital to make an appointment for a consultation, a receptionist said "I remember you!" in a cheerful voice. But, I didn't know whether I should be pleased to be remembered or not. VSG's specialist fees are so expensive that we always tell our dogs not to go there whenever we pass by the pet hospital.



At VSG we saw the same surgeon who had done an initial consultation when Cookie had a slipped disk two years ago. After letting Cookie walk to see how he walked and examining his body carefully, the surgeon gave a diagnosis, another slipped disk in the neck. But, this new one seems to be much less acute, so he doesn't need to have an X-ray or any medication at this stage, let alone an operation. All that is required for now is a complete rest. Thus, he will have to stay in his crate for another couple of weeks.

Not young forever

What is Cookie doing in a crate?

Last week, when he tried to jump on a couch, he yelped and started shaking. Such an incident happened twice in the last week, and the symptom at the second time was worse than the first time. When he became like that the second time on Saturday, his shivering continued nearly half an hour. At that time I thought "A slipped disk? Not again!!" But, unlike the time he had a slipped disk in the neck and had an operation, his condition didn't deteriorate.

This week I took Cookie to the vet for an annual checkup, and then I told the vet about Cookie's condition. To my relief, the vet's diagnosis was a simple back pain that has nothing to do with spinal injuries.

Just in case, I will keep him in his crate most of the day and take him out only for shot walks on the lead until Monday. But, it seems Cookie doesn't mind it, because he spends most of his day having a nap anyway.

Sugar’s Sweetest Blog Award, and ...

Cookie and Cinnamon was given a great blog award called "Sugar’s Sweetest Blog Award" by a cool doggie blogger, Dennis the Vizsla. Thank you, Dennis!! If 'Sugar' doesn't go with 'Cookie' and 'Cinnamon', what else would!?

A great thing about this award is there is no rule!! So, I am going to take advantage of the privilege and pass the award to all our blog friends who haven't got the award yet and are leaving a comment on this post, as all our blog friends are sweet and deserve it!


However, last night I did something on the far end of the spectrum of 'Sweet.' As some of you already know, Cinnamon is very protective and doesn't let me cut her nails. Although I have been trying to get her used to a nail trimmer by rewarding her with food treats when she touches the trimmer, she still hates it and tries to bite me when I attempt to trim her nails. But, last night she looked so sleepy that I took a chance on trimming her nails. It was then that a bitter event happened! Perhaps you can tell what happened by now. Yes, I cut her nail too deep. It bled a lot! It was so upsetting that I felt like crying, though it must've been more terrifying for Cinnamon.

Cookie has broken his dewclaws, resulting in some bleeding, several times. But, because Cinnamon doesn't have dewclaws, she has never had that kind of problems. Instead, her nails tend to grow longer than Cookie's, so I always keep an eye on her nails.

This morning I took Cinnamon to a veterinary clinic, where a vet treated the damaged toenail with a tool, something like a soldering gun, and gave her an injection. It seems this kind of injury is not as serious as I thought. I thought that Cinnamon may not be allowed to walk outside for a couple of days, but the vet told me she may. Phew...

Cookie, three years old

Cinnamon's treated toenail

I am all right

Another vet visit

My husband abruptly said "Cinnamon looks like a chow-chow", when we were cutting up branches of a pittosporum we had pruned recently. Turning my head to see Cinnamon who was sitting behind me, I was astonished to find her looking realy like a chow-chow. Both her eye lids swollen, I couldn't see her usually cute round eyes.

I quickly examined her and rang her vet to make an appointment for her. The vet said "It is most likely a bee bite. Good news is her breathing and heartbeat are normal. I will give her a couple of injections, antihistamine and anti-inflammatory. The swelling should subside overnight."

This photo was taken after the vet visit. The swelling was already a little better than it was when we first saw it, but, still, she looks like a chow-chow, doesn't she?

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!!

Is a miracle happening?

Yesterday, the surgeon who we met at the animal hospital rang me to let me know that the possibility of 'cervical intervertebral disk disease' had been ruled out after a myelogram examination. He said that an MRI scan was planned for further examinations.

I didn't know whether I should be pleased with the news or not, as ruling out the possibility of cervical disk disease had in turn opened up the possibility of more serious diseases. The more I thought about Cinnamon, the more anxious I became, and I couldn't help searching the Internet for veterinary information that might explain Cinnamon's condition. However, it seemed that all I was doing was making a long list of spinal disease names in dogs...meaninglessly. If Cookie hadn't been with us, we would have been more depressed. We really appreciated Cookie's company.



This morning, the surgeon rang me to let me know Cinnamon was improving and the result of a lab test of her fluid was normal. According to him, she even had breakfast this morning. He said that she might overcome this on her own, although he still didn't know what had happened to her, and that an MRI scan would be taken only if the condition got worse. I thought 'Oh, is a miracle happening?'

We went to see Cinnamon again this afternoon, expecting to see significant improvement in her. Maybe we were expecting too much. Perhaps we were expecting to see her standing or responding to us vigorously, although we didn't put the thought into words. I know we should agree with the surgeon's view, as she ate something for the first time after becoming ill, but we felt a bit disappointed. She did express her excitement by wagging her tail for a while and resting her head on my hand. But, she still couldn't stand up or even sit.

Now I just hope for a miracle!

Not again!!

Cinnamon is still at the aminal hospital, which operates as Animal Emergency Centre during off hours of other veterinary clinics.

This morning, we went to the hospital to see a surgeon. His diagnosis so far is 'cervical intervertebral disk disease', which is what Cookie had just over a year ago (Specifically, Cookie's case was a slipped disk or hernia). Not again!!

What makes me feel optimistic is that Cinnamon looks brighter than Cookie did. I believe Cinnamon will recover quickly and fully, as even Cookie, whose condition was much worse, recovered well.

Poor Cinnamon!

When I set up this blog page the day before yesterday, I hardly imagined that my first topic was to become a sad one. I was full of joy at the prospect of this new year becoming a great one, as Cinnamon, who had just completed a beginners' course of dog agility, was going to take part in her first competition in March.

In the evening after I set up this blog page, I took her and Cookie out for a walk, and then, after the walk, I gave them their dinner. But, strangely, Cinnamon, who had never lost appetite, refused to eat anything. As it was a hot day, I thought she might've been affected by the heat, so I gave her an ice cube. Then, she quickly returned to her bowl and ate all the food.

However, after a while, she vomited everything she had eaten, and repeated vomiting many times even though nothing was left in her stomach. Then, gradually she started to lose her usual vigor and finally began limping. Her vomiting continued throughout the night.

The next morning, my husband and I took Cinnamon to the Animal Emergency Centre, as it was Sunday and her veterinarian was closed. Now she's staying at the hospital, waiting to see a specialist on Tuesday, as this Monday is a regional public holiday.

All I hope is that she will recover soon without going through too much pain or discomfort whatever procedures are required.