Saturday, February 6, 2016

A Diagnosis for Jake -- Good Vibes Needed!

Thank-you all for your words of support in my last post, and welcoming Jake to Golden Pines!

Jake and I were up and on the road early to see our primary vet.  Jake was nervous and shaking during the whole drive.  I felt badly for him.  With his world having been totally turned upside down, I had to wonder what he may have been thinking.  Once at the vet, the fuss the staff made over him, quickly reassured him that he was going to be okay. X-Rays were taken and very soon we had a diagnosis for Jake.
Jake has "degenerative spinal stenosis."  It's a painful condition caused by excessive bone formation in the spine, which causes a narrowing of the spinal column and puts pressure on the spinal cord.  It's a progressive and debilitating disease, and there is no "cure."  My vet, said it was the worse case she'd ever seen.  So we are going to try to relieve the inflammation along the spinal cord with a steroid, heavily restrict his activity for a month, (because we don't want to chance having a ruptured disc), put him on pain medications, and ask for you to send some good vibes for him.  Our hope is that by reducing the inflammation, it will improve his ability to get around, and give him a good quality of life for whatever time he has left.  If this doesn't work, the reality is, is that a decision about letting Jake go may have to be made.  But I do not want to think about that right now.  Jake seems happy and is settling in nicely.  So, the rescue and I feel strongly that we have to give him the chance that his previous owner wasn't willing to give him.

Thanks for sending your good vibes for Jake! 

41 comments:

  1. POTP to Jake. I hope things work out for him. But if not, he has all the love and caring a dog can hope for. Sending positive vibes up from NC to VA.

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  2. Lots and lots of good vibes for you Jake!!!

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  3. What a darling he is, and sending many positive arrows of love and care Northwards. I know you will give him all he needs from your heart, and am sure he knows this too.

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  4. what a sweetie - we hope the best for Jake
    hugs
    Bailey, Hazel & Mabel

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  5. I'm sending positive healing thoughts out to Jake!
    and Healing energy too!
    xoxo

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  6. Fingers crossed here, and plenty of hopeful vibes.

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  7. It is painful. Jake hasn't been there that long but that shouldn't be a consideration. When Kyla (Scottish Terror and love of our lives) was diagnosed with melanoma and given 1 to six months (most likely 3), we treasured those times until we knew she wasn't enjoying anything anymore and we let her go. We had 12 years with Kyla but you may have had 12 good days with Jake. Those might have been the 12 best days he's ever had. That's a way to go out.

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  8. All you can do is your best and I know you will for that sweet guy. Hoping for the best for him ...

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  9. You've got our POTP and healing vibes. We hope Jake can get some relief and enjoy life longer.

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  10. Poor Jake, bless him, he's such a lovely boy. We're sending extra strong vibes to him, and hope that the rest and medication will help him live a pain free, contented life.

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  11. Crikey Jake ... That's no good, mate. You got lots of POTP heading your way from downunder. Mum and I are hoping for the best for you. You're certainly in good hands now. Enjoy EVERY minute, aye?

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  12. Oh, poor Jake. I hope that the vet's course of care will help relieve some of his pain.

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  13. Hello, sending my hugs, well wishes and good vibes to sweet Jake. I know he is in great care with you at Golden Pines. Wishing you all a happy week ahead!

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  14. can you imagine the pain? and yet he smiles.
    all the best vibes in the world coming to you jake.
    hold fast to the line boy. hold fast to the line!

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  15. Sending lots of luffs and hugs to Jake, you are a very special fella and are gonna haf the most wonderful time at Golden Pines. Luffs you Aunty Kim
    Loves and licky kisses
    Princess Leah xxx

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  16. We all know the POTP can work wonders. We will join in and cross our paws for Jake to have many good days at Golden Pines. Thank you again for trying to help him.

    Woos - Ciara and Lightning

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  17. Jake, you are a good and sweet boy, and you are in the best hands on this side of Paradise. Many thoughts and hopes are sent your way. Sophie, Ludwig, Hadji, Red, Zoe and Porch Cat all send good vibes and love your way, too.

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  18. That is a face you would want to do everything in your power to help. What an adorable dog. I will keep him in my thoughts and prayers for sure. Wish I could come an pet him too.

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  19. Sending good vibes to sweet Jake, pray all goes well for him.Hugs Francine.

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  20. Sending all I have to Jake, Kim!..:)JP

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  21. will say again what an ANGEL you are! Sending TONS of POTP to Jake! xoxo DakotasDen

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  22. Praying all goes well for Jake .

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  23. my heart breaks thinking of how poor Jake must've worried where he was going to end up this time. Finding a warm and loving home is a joy for such a dog as Jake. Bless you.

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  24. The smiles on Jake's face says it all. It is going to be such a relief for him to have less pain. Poor guy. He is going to be getting a lot of positive vibes his way...as are you!
    oxox
    Daisy

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  25. Poor Jake! At least he will have less pain and security and love in his future, and you'll make the best decision for him in the future. Lucky Jake.

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  26. Oh Jake, we sure are crossing our paws and sending the very, very best wishes that the meds help.

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  27. Jake - we are crossing our paws and praying that the meds will help you. Sending healing hugs.

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  28. I am crossing my paws, and sending POTP too, for Jake. He deserves another chance at feeling good, and feeling all the love around him.. We hope the inflamation goes down. Right now, he is feeling the love from all of you at Golden Pines.
    Its sad that conditions like this happen. Its just sad.
    So lets hope for a miracle of Jake getting better.
    love
    tweedles

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  29. I bet his owners knew. Will say prayers. Would some sort of wheeled harness help him get around without too much strain on his part?
    *hugs* and God bless, Kim. ♥

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  30. What tough news, right off the bat. I hope that all the measures you're taking will help. You're giving Jake the chance his family wouldn't give him. You're loving him and doing everything you can to help him. We're all sending the POTP. And, just one more thing, my canine SAR partner, Acadia, had terrible spinal problems in the last years of her life. She took incredibly well to a canine wheelchair (she even hiked on our trails with it). However, it did require a lot of extra attention from us (to get her in and out of it, plus watching her closely outdoors so she didn't get stuck anywhere) so it might be a tough thing to even consider with so many pups under your roof. Lots of love to all of you.

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  31. Sending POTP prayers and love. Thanks for loving this sweet boy and for all you do for the special pups.

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  32. Sending prayers for Jake and love. Hugs to you for your big kind and loving HEART.
    Bentley and Mom

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  33. Will definitely be sending good vibes for Jake and for you and Carl as well. It was so nice that you did not lose hope on Jake like the previous owner. How sad to just give up. That is the easy way out.
    Hugs, Ana

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  34. Catch the vibes Jake. I'm pulling for you.

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  35. Sending my caring for Jake . . .
    Thankful for your presence and care in Jake's life . . .

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  36. See I am torn on this one. His previous owners did not want him to suffer. Isn't that the kind thing to do? Like I said I am torn.

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  37. I believe you know what's best for a doggy like Jake. And if you think you can manage his pain and give him some more quality time on this earth, than so be it! He's a beautiful dog and you are an "Angel" on earth to take him in and give him a good home. The world needs more people like you! I'm sending healing energy to Jake. So glad you believe in holistic healing methods like acupuncture. It can be so benifical. Are you familiar with Dr. Dennis W. Thomas? He's written a book Whole-Pet Healing. It's a wonderful book! Take care.
    Darlene M.

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  38. That's sad. Hope you're able to manage his pain. My dog was just diagnosed with Degenerative Myelopathy..terrible disease like ALS in humans...no cure. We have to do the best and keep strong.

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Speak--I really enjoy your comments! Thanks for stopping by today!!