Update on Kimber

Kimber is doing REMARKABLY well! The scar tissue is forming. Kimber shows no sign of lameness, she's bearing full weight on her leg, and when she's outside with the brace on, she can run off leash. I am so pleased with her progress. I wish to God I would have known about stifle braces when Trouble and Fly had torn ACLs.... they would still be alive!!!!
Please scroll down to "older posts" so you can read Trouble's story concerning his "plate related cancer" and Sheba's story with degenerative myelopathy.

Conservative Management for Torn ACL

My beautiful girl, Kimber, also known as"Beauty Jr." (Fly's nickname was "Beauty"), tore her cruciate ligament a month after I had to let my beautiful Fly go. Because Trouble and Fly had developed osteosarcoma after having knee surgeries, I looked into conservative management to avoid surgery. I learned so much from a wonderful support group, the Conservative Management group at http://www.yahoo.groups.com/ and had a custom made stifle brace for Kimber. The brace supports the knee externally, just as surgery supports it internally. Kimber went from walking on three legs, to walking on four, bearing weight on her leg, and now swimming.

It is with extreme pain, sadness, and DISGUST that I announce the passing of my beautiful, innocent, Angel, Fly. Fly had developed osteosarcoma, the same cancer that took my beautiful Trouble's life after developing it from the the non medical grade metal implant that corroded in his body. Fly had the same implant in her.... her implant was corroded just like Trouble's. When Trouble was finally diagnosed correctly after having been misdiagnosed, I believed that chemo would end his life sooner, so I opted for alternative treatments in the hopes of stopping the cancer and enabling him to live a longer, quality life. Sadly, he died four months into his treatments. Because of dealing with this type of cancer and seeing its consequences, I listened to the medical doctors with Fly, who assured me chemo and radiation would give her at least 4-6 months to live, maybe 8 if we were lucky. After spending over $3,000.00 at the facility who made this assurance with my beloved Fly, she had died 35 days into her treatments. I am devastated, disgusted, and heartbroken. The pain with losing my beloved Fly, Trouble, and Jerry Lee within 12 months of each other is immeasurable.

What disgusts me the most, is I told the veterinarians that I believed Fly had osteosarcoma like Trouble.... I recognized the symptoms and she had the same implant Trouble had. (By the way... the specialist told me he quit using those implants when they found out they were associated with osteosarcoma.... not soon enough for Fly or Trouble.) The doctors and specialists kept telling me that Fly did not have cancer... she had arthritis only. Fly had been in pain.... it took a fifth doctor to admit to me that Fly had osteosarcoma.... as he could see the tumor on the original x-ray. Sounds like the others didn't want me to know the truth...what were they afraid of if they had done nothing wrong? I think we know the answer to this. I guess they figured if they kept telling me that Fly had arthritis (knowing I didn't know how to read an x-ray), I'd end up believing them.

Please, I can't stress this enough..... if your dog had a TPLO surgery and a few years later begins to become lame or is lame already, and your doctor tells you that your dog's source of lameness is arthritis, keep searching until you can find a doctor who knows how to read an x-ray properly. YOUR DOG'S LIFE DEPENDS ON IT!!!!!

My Shep/Malamute, Fly, has osteosarcoma!!!!! Please Help!!!!

My beautiful shep/malamute, Fly, was just diagnosed with osteosarcoma, bone cancer... the same cancer that took my Trouble's life. Treatments for this are very expensive but I will give her the best care she needs. You can help by scrolling down and purchasing any of the three songs on this site. All money made goes to Fly's care. You can listen to the songs by clicking on the little button to the left of each song. We appreciate your help.
UPDATE: Fly has had four treatments of radiation and two treatments of chemotherapy at Ohio State University. Because the tumor is in her L7 vertebrae and pushing into her spinal cord, it is inoperable. With treatments, they are giving her 4-6 months to live. I believe that with treatments, love, and perserverance, Fly can live longer with quality and happiness. You can help by visiting the fundraising site I have set up for her and by forwarding it to all you know who may be able to help her. We graciously appreciate all help. Thank you!

Thank You In Memory of Jerry Lee and Trouble 2008

I just want to thank all of you who sent condolences, prayers and support during this difficult time in losing my precious canine children. Trouble lost his battle with canine osteosarcoma (bone cancer related to non-medical grade metal implants in his bone) in April of this year. You may scroll down to read his story. And Jerry Lee was such a trooper in living with the paralyzing disease degenerative myelopathy. They are sorely missed. The support so many of you provided me with is priceless. I appreciate your kindness more than you know. Thank you.

Old Dog Vestibular Disease and Degenerative Myelopathy

It is with enduring sadness and pain that I announce the passing of my precious boy, Jerry Lee. Jerry Lee was smart, loyal, regal, intelligent, protective, loving, and so much more. He was such a good, good dog and I couldn't have asked for a better friend. Jerry was stricken with degenerative myelopathy and possibly cancer. He accepted his disease with courage and perseverance, despite the physical condition his body was in. Jerry had atrophied tremendously... it was pitiful to see such a regal beautiful dog deteriorate to this condition.
Jerry was a trooper. He LOVED music and was my number one fan. Any time I would play my guitar or piano, he would come into the room to lie down to be near me as I sang and played. My music was very soothing to him.... he would be so content that he'd fall asleep while listening. Playing my music now is very sad for me.... just knowing he is not hear to listen leaves a hole in my heart... he loved me so much..... any time I left the house to go to work, he would howl a sad howl.... I could hear him in the driveway... and my husband told me Jerry would howl for awhile after I was gone. I miss him so much.
I didn't want to let Jerry go.... he would have been 15 years old on October 6th, however, when you love someone unconditionally, sometimes you have to be unselfish for the one you love.... even if it means having to let them go. Jerry was similar to Sheba.... she would have held on to life forever to be with me, despite the condition of her deteriorating body. Jerry would have hung on to life, also, to be with me... despite his frail body. Because the "quality" of Jerry's life was deteriorating, my husband and I agreed it was in his best interest to let him go before it would have been too late for him to have a comfortable passing. We had the vet come to our home to euthanize Jerry. He was surprised to see how Jerry had deteriorated, yet hung on to life for us. He was afraid he would not be able to find a vein that would accept the drug... luckily, he did find one. Jerry did not suffer.... he had a peaceful death for which I am very grateful. I would not have been able to forgive myself if I had chosen to wait longer, causing him to suffer a painful death because of the vet not being able to find a vein. So we believe it was the right time to let Jerry go, despite the pain and heartbreak. As I said before, Jerry Lee loved my music. I once wrote and recorded a song when Sheba was near the end called "Dear Mommy." It is a song about asking to be let go of (euthanasia). I had this song played during Jerry's euthanasia. He got to hear me sing and play the guitar while he was going to the Rainbow Bridge. I miss him so much. Losing Jerry Lee and Trouble so close together is an immeasurable pain and loss. The memories of my beautiful babies are imprinted on my heart, where they will remain forever. I love you Jerry Lee and Trouble... I always will.


Jerry Lee with old dog vestibular disease

My dog, Jerry Lee, was diagnosed with vestibular disease in March. He had the classic signs with nystagmus, walking in circles, loss of balance, and his head tilting to one side. He was rushed to the animal ER when he couldn't stand up one morning as I was afraid he may have had a stroke. We were told that Jerry Lee had "old dog vestibular disease" which has multiple causes including middle and inner ear infections, hypothyroidism, and by the distemper vaccinations. Jerry was given dramamine as the doctor compared his symptoms with vertigo and car sickness.

When I went home, I had checked Jerry's bloodwork from his prior vet visit as I get preventive bloodwork done on my dogs. Somehow, it was overlooked that his thyroid levels were below the normal range. He is hypothryoid and is on medication for it so when I took him to the vet for a follow up exam, it was agreed that his medication should be increased. His condition stabilized and then improved, thank God.

Last year, he was also diagnosed with degenerative myelopathy. With having had much experience with this damned disease with my beloved German Shepherd, Sheba, I wanted so badly to believe it was NOT dm. The symptoms have progressed just as they had with Sheba, so I believe that he truly may have DM. This is a process of elimination diagnosis, however, with Jerry's age (he'll be 15 in a few weeks, which makes him over 100 years old in doggie age, which is very old for a large dog), I have chosen to not put him through any invasive procedures as I fear he may have potentially harmful, if not fatal, side effects. My husband and I have decided to provide Jerry Lee with a quality life which is similar to Sheba's DM protocol. Sadly, due to Jerry's age and arthritis, he cannot run around in the wheelchair like Sheba was able to do.



Jerry has lived a relatively healthy life all these years. He had a problem with elevated liver enzymes for a number of years... medically, he was given SAMe which brought the levels down a tad, but not a significant amount. Tired of not getting better results, I began researching alternatives for elevated liver enzymes which led me to find some Chinese herbal supplements. Since Jerry's been on these herbs, his periodic blood work has shown a significant drop in the elevation! This is wonderful!!! My only regrest is that no one suggested any such treatments for Jerry Lee years ago. I know with the progression of the myelopathy and his age, Jerry does not have much time left. I am grateful for the time I've had with him all these years. He is a special boy who continually gives appreciation and unconditional love. He cannot use his rear legs anymore yet still lives a quality life. Jerry Lee has always LOVED MUSIC! He loves when I sing and play the guitar or piano. It is very soothing to him. He's always been my number one music fan.

Although his care is very demanding, he is so worth it. I will continue to provide him with the best quality life as long as he is comfortable and happy.

Music

I have written and recorded songs for my dogs. Two songs were written for Sheba... one is called "Sheba, You're My Best Friend" and "Dear Mommy." Anyone who has been blessed with having the unconditional love a canine can give or one who has cared for a special needs dog will appreciate these songs. You may listen to them at www.myspace.com/debbiekaz. You may purchase them at the store below. All proceeds benefit my special needs dogs.