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Messages - karen8

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General Board for Big Dogs with Big Paws / Re: muscle atrophy
« on: March 14, 2006, 07:17:17 pm »
Thank you again for all the info!  I really appreciate it!

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General Board for Big Dogs with Big Paws / Re: muscle atrophy
« on: March 13, 2006, 02:36:08 pm »
I talked to the vet today and he does think its Masticatory Myositis.  The cortisone she already got should has another couple of days and we just need to keep a close eye on her.  He'll give me a supply of pills, as needed, for her and I should massage her face area regularly.  She's back to eating hard food again so I'll know right away if she suddenly doesn't eat one night.  You were right about a prior problem.  She has dysplasia in her front legs.  However, that hasn't bothered her since she was a puppy and was growing too fast.  The vet did mention that he was worried a bit about the atrophy elsewhere but that at this point we just need to really watch her.  Sigh...the poor thing.  She's such a sweetheart.  I feel so bad for her.

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General Board for Big Dogs with Big Paws / Re: muscle atrophy
« on: March 12, 2006, 11:52:30 pm »
Thank you sooooooo much for all that information.  That will definitely give me somewhere to start.  What you described with Balu's sister is exactly what happened to Angel.  She was off her food which was really bizarre for her and when I tried to feed her a cookie she just dropped it on the floor.  I thought it was a bad tooth.  I will talk to the vet about Masticatory Myositis and see what he thinks.  If that's it, hopefully we've caught it early enough so that no permanent damage has been done.  Thank you again for all that info.  I really appreciate it!

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General Board for Big Dogs with Big Paws / muscle atrophy
« on: March 10, 2006, 10:59:33 pm »
My malamute started crying recently when she ate so I took her to the vet.  He checked her out over the day and ended up giving her a cortisone shot to help with the pain.  It was so bad in her mouth that he had to put her all the way out to look in her mouth.  Anyway, he says that she has muscle atrophy around her hip area, head and especially bad around her jaw which is what was making it hurt so bad.  Did blood work and all came back fine so he's not sure what is wrong with her yet.  He had to go out of town but is back Monday.  Just thought I'd post to see if anyone ever had this happen with their dog and what the diagnosis was.  I'm really worried about her.  She's only 3 1/2.  Poor baby!

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Medical Conditions & Diseases / Re: Dysplasia
« on: May 27, 2005, 03:52:23 pm »
My malamute started limping when she was about 6 mo old for no apparent reason.  I took her to my vet and was referred to a pet hospital to have a leg specialist look at her.  The original vet that looked at her felt that it might be dysplasia in her front legs.  This vet was actually someone filling in for my normal vet as he was on vacation.  She totally panicked me!  Anyway, they did xrays and he indicated that there was dysplasia in her front legs with the right one being worse.  Luckily, there were no bone fragments floating around so surgery was not needed.  He also mentioned that even tho it was possible that it might get worse as she ages since she is a big dog, it could also be that the pain was being caused by her growing too fast.  He was very thorough and did not in any way indicate that surgery would be necessary.  He recommended Glucose powder and gave me a prescription for Rimadyl.  Told me to keep an eye on her and not play too rough or go on long walks for a bit.  The Rimadyl was only for if she was limping.  My breeder indicated that Rimadyl is not always good for a dog as there can be complications.  My vet also suggested using Glucose capsules for humans as it is the same thing but cheaper.  On a good note, after several months she stopped limping and has been fine ever since.  This happened Jan 2002.  She sometimes limps but I think that is her own clumsiness that hurts her!  Hopefully, your baby is just having some growing pains and everything will right itself as she gets older.

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Angel's best (worst?) eating disaster was when she was just about 1 year old.  She took a small chew toy (average size, I guess) from my mom's dog.  My son and I sternly told her to drop it and instead she took off running.  We chased her into a corner of the kitchen and rather than give it up, she swallowed it whole.  Of course, we totally freaked and called the vet.  Per vet's orders, we took her outside and using a turkey baster, shot a bit of hydrogen peroxide down her throat.  She started walking around the yard, then started making this sort of disgusting burping noise.  I swear that is the closest I've ever seen of a dog turning green in the face.  She gave us this reproachful and proceeded to barf up the toy.  She looked queasy for quite a while.  She also had a bad habit of eating socks whole...althou gh she seems to have outgrown that one. 

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My malamute, Angel, will steal anything on the counter that is not nailed down if it has food on it.  I now keep all bread in the cupboard because she will steal the whole loaf.  It's a bit scary since she got sooooo sick from eating human food.  We had to carry her to the car because she couldn't walk (that was interesting!).  I find bowls and empty cans up in the dog pen.  I think she takes them up there to eat at her leisure.  It does help me to get the dishes done every night, tho.  No messes left for her to get into....unless I forget the bread again!

Karen R.

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Alaskan Malamute Pictures / Re: Our new baby
« on: May 04, 2005, 02:18:33 pm »
That puppy is absolutely adorable!!!!  Almost makes me wish mine was still a puppy (key word - almost)  ;D

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Alaskan Malamute Pictures / Re: My Sweet Angel
« on: April 17, 2005, 11:36:39 pm »
I love his mask!  He has a beautiful face.  They do like to get into mischief.  Angel is always finding something to get into.  She's banned from all human food after she got really sick from stealing food from the kitchen.  Doctors orders! However, no matter what she does, we love her dearly.  Right now we are puppysitting a chihuahua and they get along just great.  Here's a pic...Angel is very tolerant!

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I am so sorry for your loss.  Losing one pet is horrible but losing 2 within such a short time is more than I can imagine.  Please accept my condolences.

Karen

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Alaskan Malamute Pictures / My Sweet Angel
« on: April 06, 2005, 09:34:54 pm »
Here's a pic of my red Malamute, Angel.  She's a great dog and I wouldn't trade her for the world!  She loves everyone and tries to show her love by hugging you when you walk in the door.  Not a habit that I've been able to break her of but all my friends understand and hug back!

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General Board for Big Dogs with Big Paws / Re: Cutest couch picture?
« on: April 05, 2005, 12:34:26 am »
Here's my most recent pic of Angel on "her" couch!

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