CockersOnline Forum
Cocker Specific Discussion => Health => Topic started by: bizzylizzy on September 16, 2021, 06:59:39 AM
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Hi everyone,
just asking for some of your wonderful COL magic please.
While playing ball on Tuesday evening, Humphrey just lost interest and lay down, by the evening he was staggering around and obviously in pain. We took him to the vet yesterday who prescribed pain killers and rest as he thought he just pulled a muscle. This morning he has no use in his back legs at all, I‘ve just carried him outside but he can’t even stand to make a wee. I’ve no confidence in this vet, our own is on holiday so we’ re taking him to a clinic this morning in the hope they can help. I‘m sick, scared and in utter disbelief, he‘s just turned six and up until Tuesday night was happy, lively and being his usual cocker self.
I know there‘s nothing anyone can do or say at the moment until I have a diagnosis, but if anyone has had a similar experience and can offer me any reassurance I‘d be grateful, I‘m really sacred.
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Sorry to hear this, sorry no advice, fingers crossed for Humphrey.
Lesley and Dylan
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He‘s had a CT scan which shows 2 quite serious prolapsed dics!!! I‘ve had to leave him at the clinic and they‘ll operate either today or tomorrow depending on whether and how quickly they can reduce the swelling. Prognosis isn’t clear yet, he‘ll possibly have reduced use of one leg which already shows no reaction to stimulus but only time will tell.
Just can’t believe how quickly its all happened, I‘m in complete shock!
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Oh Jayne I too am shocked - bless him.
I am sending :bigarmhug: to you and darling Hump. Stay positive and sending healing thoughts
Julie
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Oh heck,
Sorry to hear this hope the little chap recovers soon 👍
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Poor Humph! It's good he's been diagnosed quickly, and hope his op goes well and he makes a full recovery. I prescribe you wine.
Lesley and Dylan
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Poor Humph! It's good he's been diagnosed quickly, and hope his op goes well and he makes a full recovery. I prescribe you wine.
Lesley and Dylan
Thanks Lesley :lol2:, sounds like a plan! :luv:
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Sorry to hear about Humphrey, sending love 💕 and positive healing thoughts xxxx
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Oh my goodness, poor Humphrey :luv: That's a massive shock for you. Sending healing thoughts.
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Jayne
Just wondering how Hump is today.
Sending healing and positive thoughts as so concerned for Humph :bigarmhug:
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Just checking for an update on Humphrey. :bigarmhug:
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Oh Julie, I‘m nearly pulling my hair out! Last night they said one leg was responding to the injection they‘d given him to reduce swelling and they were hoping they could treat it conservatively but when we rang this morning he was already in theater and being operated. We have to ring at 4 so I‘m hoping they‘ll have good news for us then. OH has built a ramp so he get to the garden, we‘‘ve organized crates for him to live in for the next few weeks and the car‘s ready and waiting to go! This waiting game is awful but thank you all so much for thinking of us, I‘m sure he‘ll pull through! Will keep you posted! :luv:
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That is so stressful, the waiting is unbearable. Thinking of you both and sending healing prayers for Humphrey.
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That is so stressful, the waiting is unbearable. Thinking of you both and sending healing prayers for Humphrey.
Just checking for an update on Humphrey. :bigarmhug:
Thanks! :luv:
Just crossed posts - will hopefully know more in an hour or so!
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That is so stressful, the waiting is unbearable. Thinking of you both and sending healing prayers for Humphrey.
Just checking for an update on Humphrey. :bigarmhug:
Thanks! :luv:
Just crossed posts - will hopefully know more in an hour or so!
:bigarmhug: :bigarmhug: :bigarmhug:
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Thinking of you all. No other words can help. Xx
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Sorry I missed this, hopefully by now you will have better news of the Humph
Sending positive healing vibes to Humphrey and a gentle few of these :bigarmhug: :bigarmhug: :bigarmhug: for you all.
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Oh Jayne - I am so concerned for you and Humph....I hope surgery went well, this is so dreadful and you must be stunned at the sudden onset.
I hope you darling will be able to return home and have lot of time to rest and heal.
Sending :bigarmhug: :bigarmhug: to you and love to darling Humph.
Julie
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Thanks for all your support everyone, it honestly does help! :luv:
Latest update this morning is that‘s he‘s fully awake and has been able to eat and toilet. His legs are still lame but the doctor says that‘s normal after this operation, they‘ll let him rest today and tomorrow they‘ll begin with physio which they‘ll continue for a week before he‘s allowed home. Its going to be a long road to recovery I think and I’ll feel happier once I know he’s got some feeling in his legs but we’re feeling generally more positive today and are trying to concentrate on planning a way forward.
:luv:
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So glad to read this
It is a good sign to eat and toilet. Have you ever known a cocker not to eat :luv:.
Plus physio will hopefully strengthen his legs. Just take each day Jayne and stay positive.
We are all thinking about you and even my hubby asked how is Humph today :luv:
Sending :bigarmhug: :bigarmhug:
Julie
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Phew, I've been popping in here several times to see progress, and keep thinking about him. So glad to hear something positive, and hope he improves. Dylan sends healing barks.
Lesley
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Glad to read things are going as well as they can :luv:
Come on Humph we are all rooting for you :luv: :luv:
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So glad to read this
It is a good sign to eat and toilet. Have you ever known a cocker not to eat :luv:.
Plus physio will hopefully strengthen his legs. Just take each day Jayne and stay positive.
We are all thinking about you and even my hubby asked how is Humph today :luv:
Sending :bigarmhug: :bigarmhug:
Phew, I've been popping in here several times to see progress, and keep thinking about him. So glad to hear something positive, and hope he improves. Dylan sends healing barks.
Lesley
Julie
Glad to read things are going as well as they can :luv:
Come on Humph we are all rooting for you :luv: :luv:
Oh bless you all, you‘ve got me blubbering now!! Humphrey must be positively glowing with all the love coming his way, - thank you so much!! xx :luv:
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Glad to hear that Humph is eating and able to do the toilet, that is a good sign. Stay positive and take things day by day. Progress will be slow and may take a little backward step on occasion, but don't be down hearted. Cockers are tough little souls, and as we know, are very determined ;) Sending you all lots of love and thank you for the update. Healing thoughts for Humphrey. :luv:
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Thanks so much :luv:
I don‘t imagine there‘ll be an awful lot to update on over the next few days, as you say it will take time but I‘ll keep you all posted. Many thanks again and have a good weekend everybody!
xx
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I too seem to have missed this. So sorry. It definitely sounds positive that he has been able to eat and toilet. This is obviously going to take time, with lots of rest, and it sounds as if you are well prepared for when he comes home. It must have been an awful shock when one minute he was fine and the next he wasn't. We are all thinking of you and Humphrey and sendind love and big :bigarmhug: :bigarmhug: Please Please let him be improving further when you next post.
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Just checking in to see how Humphrey is doing 💕 I have been thinking of you both it’s all happened so quickly.
Cockers are strong willed little dogs and such fighters which has got to stand him in good stead. Keeping everything crossed for better news soon :bigarmhug: xx
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Hi, thanks! :luv:
We phoned yesterday, there’s not a lot of change, they say he’s „stable“ but he will have to stay for a while longer. To be fair, the doctor did tell us he wasn‘t going to be walking again straight away and that it was going to be a long haul but its just a bit tough when I can’t see him for myself. OH thinks we shouldn’t be phoning every single day, as they‘re doing their best and will keep us informed of any problems, its just the feeling of helplessness that’s the hardest thing to cope with! I keep thinking he probably thinks we‘ve abandoned him! :'(
Still, we have to stay positive and as you say, they are tough little dogs. It is early days and I think once he‘s properly recovered from the op and can be back here in his own environment, he‘ll probably start to make a bit more progress.
Unfortunately patience has never been my strong point, its something I‘m really going to have to learn! :lol2:
:luv: :luv:
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Oh I don't know, I think if phoning every day gives you a feeling of contact with him, and if it helps you cope with the separation, very well worth it.
Here's some :bigarmhug: :bigarmhug: :bigarmhug: for you all
:bestwishes: for you :luv:
Irene and the boys
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Yes you just need to stay positive knowing Humph is in the right place for now.
It will be slow going for a while I am sure. Any operation causes swelling and that takes some days to go down and then the clearer picture emerges.
As always lots of positives thoughts and oddles of :bigarmhug: :bigarmhug: :bigarmhug: to darling Humph and you and OH.
Plus while I understand phoning for updates will not change for the next days - if it makes you feel better then do it!!! I think any vet would expect it anyway so I agree with Irene.
All best wishes Julie and Ollie dog
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Sending you positive thoughts ❤️
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I am pleased that Humph is stable, and there will be a lot of swelling and bruising from the op. Keep positive, they are tough wee dogs. As for phoning every day, absolutely. The vet will not be surprised or concerned by that, it's only natural. I have been that person on more than on occasion. Sending lots of positive and healing thoughts for Humphrey :luv: and lots of :bigarmhug: :bigarmhug: :bigarmhug: for his humans.
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The one and only time I ever put a dog in kennels, in my long life, I phoned every day to see how he was. I was quite miserable, and never did it again. I'm sure the vet will be used to giving daily phone updates!
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We‘re home!!!!!! Nice surprise this morning that we were able to bring him home!!! He‘s standing, albeit very unsteady, on 3 leg and the vet’s given us some exercises to strengthen both legs, he said it will take time but he’s confident we’ll get there. I’ve also booked him in for water gymnastics tomorrow. He‘s still weeing involuntarily but I guess that will get better (?).
Both the doctor and his wife and the nurses all said what a pleasant patient he was, always happy and cooperative!, :luv:
So, its onwards and upwards, I think that was probably just about the worst week of my life (apart from a tax audit years ago! :shades: :005:) but we‘ve come out the other end. I‘m so grateful for all the support you lovely lot have given us, it meant so much and has really helped me to stay positive. Thankyou !!! :luv: :luv:
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Nice one Humph and of course you were the greatest patient :luv:
Lots of TLC are on the cards and the water therapy is great idea - a friend used to take her dog and had great results.
Take care
Julie and Ollie
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Thank you for a fantastic update, lovely news :luv:
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So pleased to hear he is home, you must be so happy to have him back. Hope he keeps improving and getting his strength back, and enjoys his water therapy (that would be Dylan's worst nightmare, to be immersed in water :lol:.
Onwards and upwards, sweet Humphrey 🐾🐾🐾🐾
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Good to hear 👍
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Lovely news. You must be soo relieved. You are a little trooper Humph. :clapping: :clapping: Well done.
Hugs for you too :bigarmhug: :bigarmhug: A very worrying time.
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Welcome home Humph :luv: :luv: :luv: you little superstar, and of course everyone loved you :luv: It will definitely take a while, but you are going in the right direction, fantastic news, so happy for you.
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Great news 💕💕 welcome home Humphrey xx
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Just wondering how Humph is getting on....I know it will take a while for him - but just wondering how he is.
Julie :bigarmhug: :bigarmhug:
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Hi Julie, he‘s not having a very good day today, I had to take him back to the vet on Saturday with a suspected UTI so he‘s now on antibiotics which have upset his tummy. He hasn‘t got much control of his bladder and we‘ve more or less given up trying to get him to perform in the garden, he still can‘t stand properly and even with support from us his back paws keep buckling and I‘m frightened he‘ll do damage to his feet. I‘ve had to shave his legs und underneath and his tail just to keep him clean and dry, so added to the square patch on his back where they operated he looks a real sight, bless him!
He‘s been dry wretching all mornings but I‘m guessing that‘s acidity so I‘ve given him some slippery elm and he‘ll just have rice and chicken today.
The physiotherapist is optimistic and so is the vet but they’ve both stressed there’re no guarantees and it‘ll be a long time. I had a bit of a wobbly this morning after a pretty restless night but he‘s so uncomplaining, I really need to take a leaf out of his book. We just have to take one day at a time at the moment.
All the attention‘s been on us this week though and I keep meaning to ask how Ollie is? Have you sorted the problem with the medication?
Sending :bigarmhug: Xx :luv:
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Ollie is doing well causing havoc as I type annoying next door dog :lol2:
I have pm'd you.
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Jayne and Humphrey, thinking of you both .
Lesley
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Well what a night that was!!! >:(
Rushed to vet at 9.30 last night with very bloody diarrhea and dry retching. Vet suspects a reaction to Metacam which can occasionally cause stomach bleeding apparently - poor lad‘s had so much medication over the last week I‘m not really surprised. He gave him an infusion „cocktail“ and gave us another appointment for this morning. He was cramping and shaking all the way home but seemed to settle after a long drink, then he brought up all his dinner and soaked his bedding so I was up half the night changing blankets and puppy pads..
He‘s a lot brighter this morning and seems none the worse for keeping us up all night! :lol: The vet’s quite happy with him as well and noticed increased reaction in his paws, which is brilliant. So its two steps forward and one back at the moment and while the lounge looks like an improvised army Lazarette, :lol: there are buckets, towels, rolls of kitchen paper and blankets tossed all over the place, Herr Humph is currently slumbering away peacefully in his crate by the window and soaking up the sunshine!!! :luv:
Just off to buy some dog nappies now! (Tip from Julie! )
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Flipping Eck, hope for a speedy recovery for the little chap
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Goodness me he is going through it atm, hoping things settle down again real soon :luv:
Gentle :bigarmhug: :bigarmhug: :bigarmhug: for you all, don't forget to take some time out for your own R&R whenever possible
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Thoughts and prayers are with you all, especially the dear little fella. Please keep the updates coming. xx
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Hi Jayne oops not the night I had hoped for you...another tip when said cocker sleeps you sleep :luv:
Poor Humph hope the vets intervention has helped and just hang on to the improvement the vet noticed in his paws. Hope you find some pads and this is the other I use find it less wriggle proof but the white pad need washing so have 4 pads on the go.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Glenndarcy-Dog-Incontinence-Marking-Medium/dp/B01M1LWIO8/ref=asc_df_B01M1LWIO8/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=340043329878&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9203030151163672104&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007423&hvtargid=pla-877344423752&psc=1
You deserve some wine largest glass you can find.
As always love to Humph and xx to you and OH
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O no, poor lad is taking a pounding. Hope change of medication sorts it out. It's so miserable seeing your dog so ill. Hope he feels better soon, and you get some sleep!
Lesley
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I read your first update and was pleased at how well he was doing, next page, mayhem! Poor Humph, that was miserable for him. His poor tummy will be under siege. In the midst of it all I was pleased to read that the vet has noticed a change in him, that is fantastic. Forget the house, if it looks like a hurricane has blown through, so be it. If Humph is settled, have a wee snooze along with him, otherwise you will be wiped out. The stress alone is tiring. Sending :bigarmhug:to you all.
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Well its been three weeks since Humphrey‘s op so just thought I‘d post another update as I think (hope :shades:) we‘re finally back on track.
Its been a bumpy ride so far and we‘ve had lots of ups and downs and setbacks, we‘ve both been in tears more than once but this morning I really feel we‘ve turned a corner.
We ditched the crate for a puppy run which means I can walk in to change bedding etc and Humphrey’s got more room to manover, plus he has a bed end and the other end for feeding and also where he now stands to tell us he needs to go out.
After he came off the Metacam he was on Novalgin which is milder and also on Gabapentin, a drug used for neurological pain and also for epilepsie. Reading through the side effects, I wasn’t too happy but its apparently commonly used for post operatve spinal surgery, so he took it for nearly a fortnight. He had diarrhea nearly all of the time and was weeing constantly and on Wednesday evening starting pacing around, couldn’t lie down and yelped a couple of times when he wanted to poo. Back to the vet again (I never seem to manage to get my own vet and the other guy is a waste of space) and he said it was just anal glands and emptied them. Back home again and he was pacing, whining, crying, wimpering for over 4 hours, tried to give him water and he pulled away as if it was going to bite him, tried to stroke him and he growled, he was totally disorientated. Back to our own vet on Thursday morning and I told him I was taking him off all the medication, he agreed it was worth a try but gave me some Novalgin just for emergencies.
Came downstairs this morning to a completely dry bed! :banana:, never been so excited about a poo with shape! ;), he‘s relaxed and quite happy in his bed. His right leg is considerably weaker, especially the paw but he‘s standing on both legs and has started to walk very short distances unaided. He‘s had 3 lots of hydrotherapy and we‘ve booked another 7 sessions, so we‘ll see how it goes.
I can’t tell you how much better I feel now, the last 3 weeks have been a full time job but we‘re now at a point where we don’t feel we‘re having to watch him 24/7. I feel a bit upset that although the operation had gone really well, all the other problems have basically been caused by over medication and painkillers that were a) maybe not even necessary (?) and b) have weakened and totally upset his system. But, its a learning curve I guess, everyone’s tried to do their best for him but its proof yet again that we know our own pets best and vets really need to listen to what we’re saying instead of just doing everything by the book! :dunno:
I‘ll try and post a video of him just as soon as I figure out how to do it! ph34r .
Have a good weekend everyone and thanks again for all your support!!
Xx :luv: from Jayne and Humph‘
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Thanks for the update hope the little chap continues to recover well 😁👍
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Poor old Humph, what a horrible time when what is supposed to help is causing him such problems. So,pleased to hear he is gradually regaining his strength, amd fingers amd paws crossed he continues to improve. You must be frazzled too! Take care, and best wishes,
Lesley and Dylan
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Really really pleased for the update and so happy that Humph seems to have turned a corner.
I been watching your thread over the weeks but didn’t feel I could contribute anything useful. I had 3 prolapsed discs three years ago, and although I didn’t have surgery, I know the pain Humph must have been in.
I am pleased you went with your instincts. When my Marley had an ultrasound she had to be sedated and it took her a whole 3 days to recover and finally recognise us. I thought at the time she was going to die as she was so bad. Yes, medications are necessary but too many cocktails can have a counter effect.
You must feel you have won the lottery as that is exactly how I felt when Marley wagged her tail after 3 awful days.
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Jayne - wonderful update - have been thinking of you all and wondering how things were.
The gabapentin....wow what a horror, on it for had back problems, it was a nightmare head was whoozy and when I could manage to do anything I totally had no nerve ending feeling, I would find myself bruised and burned and not understand how I was doing it, MIL observed me opening oven door to take roast out without oven glove, luckily she stopped me doing it.
Poor Humph on that :luv: on that. Glad you are feeling happier :D it must have been dreadful watching your poor boy,
Love to Humph and keep positive, these cockers are made of stern stuff bless them.
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Jayne - wonderful update - have been thinking of you all and wondering how things were.
The gabapentin....wow what a horror, on it for had back problems, it was a nightmare head was whoozy and when I could manage to do anything I totally had no nerve ending feeling, I would find myself bruised and burned and not understand how I was doing it, MIL observed me opening oven door to take roast out without oven glove, luckily she stopped me doing it.
Poor Humph on that :luv: on that. Glad you are feeling happier :D it must have been dreadful watching your poor boy,
Love to Humph and keep positive, these cockers are made of stern stuff bless them.
Good heavens Julie!!! Glad you‘ve confirmed my suspicions, not sure that the vet was quite convinced!! ;)
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What a lovely update, so pleased the little fellow has finally turned a corner.
:bestwishes: and gentle :bigarmhug: may the improvements continue :luv:
Irene
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Wonderful news! So happy and relieved for you all. x
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Lovely to get such a good update, Humph is doing so well, as are you both. It's not easy, physically and emotionally draining. I find it very difficult when I can't see 'our' vet, so I understand what you mean. Gabapentin is a real mind bender, it's a difficult medication to be on, and I relieved that Humphrey is now at the stage where he can cope without it. This is the time when you really wish they could talk to you. Anyway, you are on the right path now, so keep going. Look after yourselves too.