Rowley

[Liz5353]

Hi Rowley & Hilary how did you get on today? We have been wondering .
We hope all is well
Love Liz Shelly Bonnie Molly Polly xx

[Joe + Hilary]

Firstly thanks for asking about Rowley. Liz, apologies for not answering. Been a bit busy here and ended up too fed-up and tired to go on the computer. Rowley had his X-rays on 4th April, they just tranquilised him a bit so I waited for the hour it took. His joints are like those of a young dog which is great, they also x-ray'd his throat. However, no help with the limp. The vet said, I forget really, but maybe it's muscle and to give him metacam if it happened again. He has limped again after rest following a walk of about an hour so currently am back to short walks. I need a break from spending money here like it's going out of fashion so am delaying taking him back to the vet. He's cost me 900€ this year just to find out there's nothing wrong. I suppose that's good, except for the limp. He was sick twice on Monday but have put it down to him eating stuff, always eating, sheep poo, gras, bark, soil. He had a blood test last time and everything was OK. I've tried filming him limping but he always stops and starts eating grass!!!!!

Hilary, Rowley & Douma

[Patmar]

Hi Hilary
Just sending love and to you and Rowley. Hope he is feeling better. Our dogs can be such a worry at times and vet visits can be so expensive. I have three, Zach, Jake and Yogi so I think I know how you feel.
At least the better weather here makes us feel more cheerful - hope the weather in France is good now for you.

With Love

Pat, Zack, Jake and Yogi

x x x x

[Lins]

Hi Hilary. I feel for you all with the expense and worry.

I don't want to add to your worry but, please be careful about the amount of Metacam you give him. It really does have poor long term effects. I'm speaking from experience.

Positive thoughts and vibes continue.

[JoanG]

Hi Hilary sorry to read about Rowley and the ongoing limp. I'm sure it won't hurt Rowley to have very reduced exercise perhaps you could think up some things to keep his mind working without him having to walk too far, with a lot of mental stimulation he'll be tired without exerting himself.

My first lab had a limp which we spent a fortune having investigated, even going to a specialist a long way from home, we never ever had a diagnosis, never found a reason for it and in time it just disappeared. Sending dear Rowley buckets of positive and healing thoughts from me and these are for you Hilary we all know how draining it is when our friends are constantly at the vets.

[Liz5353]

Hello Hilary and Rowley
Thank you for the update,I have thought of you a lot as I had not seen you on the site that often recently, so I did hope that all was well. Yes at times our beautiful boys and girls are expensive, but going to the vet is a must, and I am sure you will agree that they are worth it. Recently like you we have had big bills Bonnie Molly and Shelly twice all since October
The sickness of Rowley may be down to the metacam, but if he is a professional poo eater like Polly you are more than likely correct!!
How ever we send you positive thoughts and hope all goes well and Rowley is in the mend.
Love to the three of you
Liz Shelly Bonnie Molly Polly

[12_paws]

Good to hear from you Hilary and sincere sympathy regarding the vet bills - it can be so darn costly at times and for you, no real answers! Maybe something along the supplement line might help Rowley, but you might already have gone down that route........
Hoping your lad shows some improvement with the short walks, sending positive thoughts his way
Des x

[Joe + Hilary]

Hi Folks

Thanks for your messages and thoughts for Rowley. Thanks Lins for the tip about Metacam, I had heard that type of thing when Pluto was given it and it wasn't working, I thought some of his problems were the metacam but it was cancer that they had not found till just after that. Rowley has not had much, about three times only and just one dose as he seems ok again the next day and basically he just gets short walks so he doesn't need it. Will get him back to the vet soon, thinking of giving him his best long walk (it's only 45 mins) and making an eve appt in the hope of them being able to see him limping. Currently he likes to carry my cushion down to my seat for my G&T, and back again when we come in. Gets a biscuit. Had a viewing for the house recently (see below) so he brought the extra four cushions in one by one but was sad because he only got one extra biscuit not four.

Sorry to be winging about money, it's not just Rowley lately, have had to have new fence and log shelter following a storm, and the annual lawnmower breakdown (fast on the heels of the annual car problems) is costing a bit and doing my head in because it has been five weeks now with no repair which means trying to strim a large amount of grass. Wears me out, have to do some every day then if something stops that of course it's worse. Have had the house for sale for two years nearly now, it looked really lovely all last summer and no-one came to view. Get the fence men here and guess what? Somebody wants to see it the morning after they leave. No strimming done, had to hoick all the logs off the patio back in the shelter in one eve as well as other clearing up, other stuff I would normally have done I had to leave, was absolutely jiggered. Had three booked for last week, two on the Sat, one was a no show, and the Weds one cancelled. I go out with the dogs so Sat aft I was out again for over an hour sitting in a forest because couldn't walk Rowley again to find out later they just hadn't turned up! It's a frustrating mix of no-body comes unless it's raining mid-winter or there's some other problem. I seem to spend a lot not going anywhere and not doing anything. Scared of just having to stay here and never go anywhere or do anything ever again except maintain the place. Won't be able to afford anything in UK soon. I sometimes look at the place in the sun and think, "What do I want to leave for?" so if it did sell I'd panic on all sorts of levels for all sorts of reasons.

Will stop moaning and get my G&T now (raining so no duties for Rowley). Don't always say much about Douma, she's just a quiet docile girl who is quietly enjoying life. Rubs herself over me and Rowley like a cat does sometimes.

Hilary, Rowley & Douma

[jackie]

Aw Hilary I do feel for you, you have not had an easy time at all. I hope Rowley improves, if the vet has not found anything sinister on x-ray then I would be inclined to keep your money and just let him have 8-10 weeks rest (sniff and stroll lead walks). If you think how long it can take us humans to get over pulled muscles etc it is the same for dogs, there is no difference it can take weeks. Maggie has torn her cruciate twice and on both occasions I left her to heal herself, most vets will jump in to operate but it is not always necessary and with very careful management she was fine within 8 weeks. She is nearly 13 now and still walks the same walks she did when she was 2 (maybe a bit slower though ha ha!).

I hope you sell your house soon although like you say you are in a lovely spot so I can see your dilemma......in the meantime enjoy your G&T it will make things better

Jackie xx

[Lins]

I don't know about one G&T., I'd make it a bottle, minimum.

We are on scaled down walks with Molly now. We are managing her pain control with help from the vet. Mind you, thank goodness she is insured.

The poor girl has just finished a course of antibiotics as well as shampoo for dermatitis! Her immune system is low so struggling to fight it. We are just about on the right side of it now. What, with Molly on the amount of tablets she is on, and with the amount I'm on, you can hear us coming.

I agree with Jackie, just take it easy with Rowley, they can mend themselves. Fingers and paws crossed he can do just that.

Good luck with the house, garden etc.

[Liz5353]

Hi Hilary
How are you this morning ? I do hope Rowley is doing ok and enjoying a steady stroll, like Lins and Jackie our girls are all older, Molly being the most active but we enjoy a nice walk each morning,we only go once now then time in the garden.
Our house in the mountains of the south of Spain is also for sale, only 3 months so far,but we know it could be a while, we are going this Saturday for more cleaning and tidying just in case the right viewer turns up, so I will think of you as I enjoy my G&T.
Take care and cheers.
Love Liz Shelly Bonnie Molly Polly x

[mcca]

Hi Hilary
Chin up lifes a buxxer sometimes isnt it and it seems to go on and on i hope Rowley is feeling better and its lovely to hear that Douma is a happy dog now

enjoy the sun and your g&t

anne and the gang at the bridge