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Monday, April 16, 2012

A Change of Plans

 

If it’s not one thing it’s ten!!  We were planning a trip down to Gulf Shores and the Fairhope, Alabama area leaving on Thursday morning!!  We needed to get away and wanted to see Darrell and Judy Patterson before they left Rainbow Plantation for their summer travels and catch up with Paul and Margery Zeller again.  With the laundry all complete and everything almost packed we woke up Wednesday morning to discover our little Shih Tzu, Nick, not feeling his usual perky self!!  We watched him for a few hours and then decided things were just not right and with us leaving the next morning we wanted to make sure he was ok.  So off to the Vet we headed.

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After checking Nick out, Dr. Whitlow couldn’t really pinpoint exactly anything specific. He asked me if he jumped a lot and I said no thinking of jumping up not down.  I told him he was prone to stomach issues so he gave him some “souped up Pepto Bismal” and so we left.  A few hours later we noticed that whenever we touched him he would wince a little.  Again, we knew something was just not right.  So off we went back to the Vet.  This time I did confess that there are times he might jump off the sofa….he never jumps up, doesn’t know how!  He began to check along his back and that is when the real problem was discovered.  Little Nick had a slipped disc.  He performed a chiropractic adjustment and a laser treatment on him and hoped we might not have to use steroids.  Our Vet is closed on Thursday so we watched him and kept him as calm and quiet as we could.  This was not too hard since he really didn’t feel too good.  We knew Dr. Whitlow wanted to see him on Friday so we immediately halted our plans for heading to Gulf Shores/Fairhope. 

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Friday Nick wasn’t feeling much better so the Vet wanted us to leave him for the morning and he would take X-rays perform a chiropractic adjustment and run a couple of laser treatments.  When we went to pick him up he told us he had given Nick a shot (steroid) and wanted him to take the pills for a few weeks.  He takes two a day for five days, then one a day for five days, then one every other day for five days.  Have to come off slowly.  

By the evening he was feeling soooo much better.  We are watching him carefully, keeping him calm (which isn’t easy now that he feels better) and he has to sleep in his crate.  When we go off we crate him.  I think he remembers the crate because we used to crate him when we went to work….years ago!  We sit on the floor with him to keep him from running after one of the other doggies….do you know how hard a hardwood floor is????  Wow am I sore!!

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So our trip has been postponed until our little guy is better.  We have even entertained heading to Savannah instead of Gulf Shores.  I have become very motivated to explore Savannah after reading Donna’s blog (Adventures with Tassie).  They just left the area and Donna did an outstanding job of giving us a tour of this beautiful, historic city.  I have no doubt there will be many photo opportunities in this gorgeous place!!

So hurry up and get better Mr. Nick…a trip is in the making!!

24 comments:

  1. Sometimes we have to do what we have to do. Hope Mr. Nick recuperates quickly!

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  2. Sure hope Nick is back to top shape a soon as can be. Took the Rigg's to the Vet this morning for his shots he was due for before we leave Thursday for Fla.Our fur kids need all the help we can give them. Sorry your trip plans were ruined. be safe out there. Sam & Donna..

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  3. Sounds like Nick is finally headed the right direction...Maybe Savannah would be something different...I would really love to see Gulf Shores Alabama, though.

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  4. Sounds like Nick is in good hands..
    Get well soon Nick!!

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  5. Sorry to hear about Nick. I went through a similar experience with Jack, recently. I blogged about it--it was a scary situation, at first.

    He went to physical therapy which was a hoot, but I think it really helped him. He didn't have anything wrong with a disk, but did get an adjustment, a laser treatment, and then a readjustment in a pool. I think it was just a muscle pull.

    They and my vet suggested Dasuquin which I got on Amazon, and I feel it's doing the same and more than Glucosamine did for Lizzie. Jack is good as new!

    They gave him a supplement called Standard Process Canine Musculoskeletal Support to put in his food twice a day for a couple of weeks or until it ran out.

    I hope you enjoy your trip to Savannah. I'm going in May.

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  6. Hope your little one is well real soon. Have a wonderful trip, whichever you choose!

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  8. Hope your pup recovers soon. Haven't been to Savannah in years, but think I You will have a fantastic time there.

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  9. sorry to hear about Nick!..hope that he is on the mend and you and Mike can get on with your plans...it is tough to see our fourlegged friends in pain!

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  10. We don't mind at all changing our plans for our beloved fur kids. Glad he's feeling better. Our older doxie has back problems but we can't seem to convince her not to jump off the couch. She uses the steps off the bed though. You will love Savannah.

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  11. What a bummer...didn't realize Nick's problems interrupted your plans to travel to Rainbow! Would have loved seeing you again. We're here until May 16...although sounds like you've got Savannah in your sights now. In any case, praying for Nick cooperates and heals well.

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  12. Two words sum up pets...unconditional love.
    Syl

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  13. I never heard of dogs getting chiropractic manipulations. They sure do help Leonard with his back, so why not a dog! Glad to hear the little fellow is recuperating.

    We met Judy and Darrell a few months back when we were down there.

    I recently read Midnight in the Garden or Good and Evil. Now would like to visit Savannah too.

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  14. We well understand the care & concern when it comes to one of our precious little Pals. Never a good feeling inside whenever things are 'just not right' with them. All the best to Nick in his recovery.....& Mommy & Daddy too:))

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  15. Hope Mr. Nick gets well soon and is back to his old self. I didn't know about chiropractic services for dogs either.

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  16. So sorry to hear Nick was not feeling well. It seems you have found a vet who is taking good care of him! We travel with 3 kids in our "hound herd" and love them dearly. It hurts us when one of them isn't feeling well! Get well wishes to Nick from the HoundHerd, Scotty, DoogieBowser and Radar. Woof Woof!

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  17. so sorry for the change in plans...we were suppose to head over to Savannah this winter and we had to change our plans also..maybe next winter...so sad to see Mr. Nick isn't feeling well...hopefully he is in top form really soon. Tucker and Lilly send along tail wags to him...

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  18. We have never met Paul and Margery but through our blogs I feel like we are best friends. They write a great blog.
    Sorry you have to delay your departure but Nick's welfare is the most important thing. So glad to hear he is doing better.
    We love Savannah. If you get a chance and haven't yet, please read The Garden of Good and Evil. It all takes place in Savannah. There were tons of us looking at all the places described in the book. Check out Ten Pence Pub. "Something About Nothing" starring Julie Roberts took place there. Really neat place.

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  19. Thank you for your very thoughtful comments today..

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  20. Canine chiropractic - awesome! Sometimes a guy just wags himself into a herniated disc and needs a little help.

    Roxanne

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  21. Sorry you have had to postpone your trip but for good reason. It is always hard when our pets get sick and you just aren't sure what is wrong with them. I am really happy to hear the Mr. Nick is feeling sooo much better now. He sure looks pretty content in his basket.

    Kevin and Ruth
    www.travelwithkevinandruth.com

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  22. Awe, I hope little Nick is feeling better by now.

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  23. It's too bad your travel plans had to change, but I know Nick is more important..and I don't blame you. Hang in there Nick.

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