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Messages - rickie

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I am 8 miles south of Portland :) Too funny. I will keep my ears open for you. Another site is www.mainehorse .com

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I'm in Maine. What part are you in? A good forum is Maineriders.co m  Awesome people there. I have an empty stall, but not set up for goats. Keep us posted.

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Medical Conditions & Diseases / Re: Addison's Disease
« on: February 20, 2009, 01:12:28 pm »
Oh phew, that's where I thought it was. It says no message. At least I know I'm not losing what is left of my mind.
Tilly made out great at the vets today. We decided to keep doing the same amounts of docp and the prednisone for a few more months to keep her stable. We can then check her levels and see if the docp can be decreased. I'm happy with that. She really had a great week. She was back to being her bouncy self, chasing the cat, and playing with Molly. Thanks again.

4
Medical Conditions & Diseases / Re: Addison's Disease
« on: February 19, 2009, 12:08:18 pm »
Tomorrow is Tilly's monthly appt. We actually extended the length between shots to 35 days, instead of the 30. Let's hope everything looks good. I am bringing my list of questions, and some ideas that other people have tried. paws crossed.

I have another question though. ballapup mentioned that she sent me a personal message, but I'm not seeing it here. Am I missing something. I chat on a horse forum, and when people PM you it's so obvious. Please tell me I'm not losing my mind ;)

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Medical Conditions & Diseases / Re: Addison's Disease
« on: February 13, 2009, 12:23:21 pm »
Thanks everyone! I truly appreciate the thoughts. One day at a time right? :) We have our monthly appointment next week, so I'll update everyone and get some numbers to share. You are the best.

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Medical Conditions & Diseases / Re: Addison's Disease
« on: February 07, 2009, 02:42:41 pm »
Tilly was just 3 months past her 6th birthday too. I'll have to look into the Florinef. I think she was actually on those for the first 2 weeks. I know I sound bad, but it was a very emotional time, and then around the holidays. I have my second wind now :) It's actually the Prednisone that causes the excessive drinking and the weak bladder. She was on 5mg, we cut her back to 2.5mg, and now I'm doing half of that. My friend has switched his dog from Prednisone to another drug and I will look into that.
I will welcome any info you can provide. My vet was honest and said they only have 1 or 2 cases a year and that many vets don't fully understand it. Most people talk with others and go back to the vet with their findings. I am fortunate that she is willing to work with me. As much as I like my vet, and Tilly loves to go, it would nice to be able to avoid the monthly visits.
thanks for the thoughts
Deb ( Maine)

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Medical Conditions & Diseases / Re: Addison's Disease
« on: February 07, 2009, 01:37:42 pm »
I just joined a Yahoo group and have been reading up on some of the topics. You are right, it's all about controlling the levels. I need to get her level numbers, and the exact amount of docp that she is receiving monthly. I have cut back on her Prednisone per a discusion with her vet. The thing that is the hardest right now is controlling her bladder. I get really bummed out having to clean up pee all the time. Backing off the Pred. has helped. The monthly blood test and docp shot runs me about $120, that is hard too, but I will do what I have to do. She is such a sweetie. BTW, she is the red\white one sitting on the right. The good news is that by chance yesterday I was talking to a person at work, and his dog has Addisons too (not that it's good, but I can share details with him). His vet sells him a vial of docp and he does his own shots, and it last about 3 months for aprox $128. He said it took about a year to get his dogs levels figured out. He told me that he was feeling the same way I am at about the same time. I know I will make it through the tough times with the support from him, and the people here. I have seen the caring and magic that happens on BPO. thank you all :)
There is nothing I wouldn't do for my 2 dogs, 1 cat, and 2 horses... oh, and my humans too ;)

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Medical Conditions & Diseases / Addison's Disease
« on: February 06, 2009, 01:26:31 pm »
It's been so long since I've posted here, but read it everyday.
My 6yr old Basset, Tilly, was diagnosed with Addison's, November 21, 2008. Just wondering if there is anyone here that has\had a dog with this, and how did you cope with it? We are still on a rollercoaster with balancing her levels. I'm not giving up, but sometimes I get so tired of the challange. Any advice will be greatly appreciated  :)

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Anything Non-Dog Related / Re: Somebody a horse whispere here?
« on: February 08, 2008, 07:24:48 am »
what wonderful suggestions from everyone :) Another good tool is a rope halter. I had never used one until I acquired my QH. Let's just say he was a bit full of himself when I first got him. I can now move him around and where I want him with no halter at all. He just melts when around me and is very respectful. If you do decide to use a stud chain, be very careful. I have seen some horses freak out when they realize the pressure. Also, just curious, what  is the chain around his neck? I have never seen anything like it before. He is just absolutely stunning. Good luck :)

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Anything Non-Dog Related / Re: Somebody a horse whispere here?
« on: February 08, 2008, 01:27:22 am »
Congrats!!! What a handsome horse. Ok, I am not an expert, I repeat, I am not an expert. :) I have a 28 yr. Standardbred mare that I have had for 15 years. I also have an 8yr Quarter Horse gelding. I also work with friends to retrain off the track Standardbreds to pleasure horses. In my opinion you can never do too much ground work. :) If they don't respect you on the ground, then they may not respect you under saddle. With that said, 1st off, if you have a nipper, don't hand feed. If you want to reward with treats, either put it in the feed dish, or on the ground. The nipping may take some time to get over. I have seen nippers that have come around, and can eventually be hand fed. There are some people that are just against hand feeding.
When you lead your horse make sure you are on it's left side, your right. You should be able to walk so that you are at an arms length away and parallel to his front shoulder. Never lead directly in front of him, if he spooked he could end up on top of you. If while walking you want to change direction, move towards your right so that he is on the "inside" of the circle. Keeping the lead rope in your left hand, you can put your right arm out straight while changing direction, this will help keep a safe distance. When you are walking in a straight line, (still on his left side)practice the whoa, and make him stand for a few seconds, then a "walk on". I do this every 3ft or so. Eventually, the minute I stop, my horse stops without using words.
As with our dogs, there are different approaches with everything, and it certainly depends on their personality. :) Please feel free to email me trtwpsn@yahoo.com

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Pit Bull Discussions & Pictures / Re: Home needed for Pitbull
« on: January 20, 2008, 10:46:13 pm »
Neicy, I am so glad you posted on this site. These people are wonderful and caring. Another friend of mine got me hooked on this site almost 2 years ago when Molly started losing her hair. They provided me with all kinds of suggestions.
Neicy and I work very closely in the horse world. I have seen her work miracles when it comes to saving a horse. She is a kind person with a ginormous heart. I am blessed to have her as a friend.
I know with all of your strength, she will get through this sudden loss and will be able to find the right home for this adorable dog.
thank you

12
Tilly was not doing so well this morning. She couldn't lift herself to stand. I had to "wheelbarrow" her out to go potty. I picked up a lift harness just to save my back and to help her. I am going to increase the Tramadol to every six hours instead of 8. The instructions were to do so if needed. When I came home this evening she was able to get up, but was a bit wabbly so I am using the harness to assist. I'm off to bed, I'm exhausted, too much crying today. Please keep Tilly in your thoughts. She just turned 5 and has so many years ahead of her.

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I haven't posted here for ages. You all were so helpful with ideas when Molly was losing hair a few years ago. She is doing better and is now on thyroid meds. Well, yesterday I came home from work and Tilly seemed in so much discomfort. I called the vet and they fit me in this afternoon. He thinks she may have slipped a disc, which is common in Bassets. He gave her an injection of Rimadyl and sent me home with Rimadyl tabs and Tramadol tabs. My first concern were the side effects, and scared myself by going out to the web. What was I thinking??? I should have come here first!! I find it so amazing that this thread was right here :)

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Behavior, Housebreaking, Obedience / Re: Dog eating poop....
« on: December 20, 2006, 07:39:10 am »
Oh my gosh, I am LMAO!!! Both of my dogs are poop eaters!! Molly, my black tri will only eat her own, but not Tilly, it doesn't matter to her. I adpoted Tilly last November (2005) and didn't realize she did it, until one day she came back in the house and I could tell she had something in her mouth. Yep, I pried her mouth open and out came a frozen poop!! I try to catch them, but sometimes when I yell "leave it", they just munch it faster :( I laughed so hard with the comment about the burps!! Molly does it to me all the time and it is so gross!!!

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Anything Non-Dog Related / Re: I'm getting my new horse!!!!!!
« on: November 28, 2006, 04:52:52 am »
Absolutely stunning!!!

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