(Semi) good news from Nikki

[Lupinegirl]

I have not been posting much lately because the past few months have been a blur since July. All of the storms have made my house leaky, and my aging Cairn nervous and...different. Nikki will be turning thirteen in a few short weeks and in the past four months he’s gone from wanting to play fetch and go on walks to wanting to stay in his bed most of the day, pacing, and hiding in weird places for seemingly no reason. I think the storms are partly to blame. 

 We had a huge thunder bumper and lightning shake the house (literally) a few months ago, and the blast scared all of us so badly, it took me a good fifteen minutes to realize why something felt really off.  Nikki had disappeared. And of course, he would not make a sound to reveal where he was hiding.  I finally remembered he had come upstairs to greet me when I got out of the shower (which is unusual for him since he usually stays near Mom when I am upstairs). I backtracked to my room and still did not see him. Then I heard plastic move. I finally saw a big furry butt sticking out from behind my trash can by my bed. The poor old boy had hidden behind the waste basket next to my bed since he can’t jump up on the bed, there was no place to hide, and my room is his safe zone. He stayed fairly still, and my heart stopped again but I knew I had heard the garbage bag rattle. I am not ashamed to admit I teared up when I saw that strawberry blonde derriere backing out from his hiding place.

Since that scare, he has gotten jumpy about anything that startles him. And since the power company has been chainsawing trees behind us this week, and before that we had neighbors getting new roofs and tree trimming and what not, plus a fire scare right next door that smoked up my house, plus friends needing help with this or that and Mom and me both going to doctors’ appointments, it has been a crazy time for all of us, both at home and away from home. Nothing has been an absolute disaster thankfully, and we’ve gotten most of the house repairs done, but it’s been one thing after another. And Nikki has been paying for it with stress and upset tummy.

I thought I was going to lose Nikki last month.  He was a bit runny for a week. I assumed it was just stress. Then he woke me at three am to go outside and we started a full day of many repeat visits outside. That night, I thought the worst was over and that he might get through the night without needing another visit. Suddenly he screamed right in Mom’s face when she touched him, and screamed five more times. He felt hot to the touch, his nose was hot and dry, he had not wanted to eat or drink for most of that day, and he had explosive diarrhea even after he ran out of stuff in his tummy to get rid of. I checked him over but couldn’t fibd a sore spot. I took him outside while Mom got the vet’s number. He passed both bile and blood, but I couldn’t get the darn poo baggy open and it was three am and I was bleary eyed from several sleepless nights, taking care of my own stomach and Nikki.  I thought I would find the sample in the morning or get a new one before we took him to the vet. Nope. That three am visit outdoors was the last passage. The vet darn near tortured the poor dog trying to get a sample from him and she gave up. Lesson learned: open the bag before dog goes and grab glasses even if the dog is racing down the hall trying to get to the door in time. If Ihad spent a few more seconds inside getting things to help me, I could have spared him that pain and trauma.

But the good news is, I finally got him to eat after our vet visit and he started perking up right away. We never did find out what was wrong. He did not scream again. The vet said he probably snuffled something up outside and got a stomach virus.  He was an entirely different dog after he recovered from that long week and a half of not feeling well. He even brought me his ball the other day to play fetch and bless his heart, he followed me upstairs with it to resume his old game of chasing the ball up and down the hall like he used to when he was a tireless puppy. He only chased five times but it made my heart soar to see that much energy back in my buddy. 

He can still see and hear, but both his hearing and vision are starting to lose their sharpness.  Today someone rang the doorbell and Nikki did not hear it.  I’ve had my suspicions for a while but this time, my partially deaf mom heard the doorbell and she was right next to Nikki. Nikki did not stir from his bed until I went to the door to see who it was. Then the explosive barking frenzy started as soon as he saw me looking out the window. 

I sat in a different chair in the den the other day, and Nikki walked right past me and stared anxiously at my usual chair. I talked softly to him and he did not notice me, even after he turned around to walk past me again to look for me. I talked louder and touched him and made the poor guy jump. He’s bumped his nose a few times on chairs this week from turning his head too quickly, and he grunted today when I nudged him to keep from tripping on him while I came in with groceries. I guess both of us have an adjustment period ahead of us as he adapts to his confusing murky world and I learn to help guide and comfort him through it. I’m sure he has already been adjusting and I’m just now catching on to what he has been handling just fine on his own.  

Here’s a recent photo. He stacked his toys together himself to make a nice pillow and then he looked up, wondering why I wasn’t scratching him.  💕

 

Edited October 29, 2017 by Lupinegirl

[kieiras mom]

So sad when out babies are not their usual selves.thoughts to both of yours

[Min D]

Cute photo- our first cairn was deaf for quite awhile, and she had difficulty seeing. She did adjust and so did we. We started getting in front of her so she had an idea where we were, we also started using hand signals - which seemed to help. After awhile it was hard to tell, that much was wrong. One positive thing for us and her was that most of her life she was terrified of thunder and lightning, after she couldn't hear so well she just slept though it. I guess that maybe another thing that came about - she started sleeping more. This all started about the same age as Nikki. Hope this helps a bit.

Edited October 29, 2017 by Min D

[hheldorfer]

You've certainly been through a lot and I'm sure Nikki has sensed every bit of it.  Glad to hear he's feeling better now.  Give him a few scritches from me and Buffy.

[Hillscreek]

Tough times for all of you. Agree hand signals work well if eyesight still ok.

[pkcrossley]

i admire nikki's intelligence and good spirits in dealing with the challenges that come to most dogs who are lucky enough to live to his age. i hope he has a long time ahead of him, and that he will continue to come up with the tricks and determination to make it all work. 

[sanford]

Sorry to read what you've both been going thru. This is a hard adjustment, but you will adjust! I went thru most of this with Carrington, when he lost his vision and hearing, and another thing I would often do was to reach down and put my hand near his nose just to let him know I was there and close by and give him a reassuring scritch.

[Sam I Am]

As a good friend once told me, "Getting older isn't for sissies ". Nikki no  doubt will adjust  better than most of us upright do . Sounds like you have had a rough time of it. Hopefully all will settle down and Nikki will find his way...nothing that a good hug and a rubbed belly can't make better.

[Lupinegirl]

Yep! One good thing about these changes is that Nikki will take a scratch and belly rub any time of day with no complaints. He used to get huffy and indignant when I deigned to disturb his Majesty. I’ve gotten many clawed kicks in the shin (and tail bone) from arguments over who is intruding on whom in my bed, and recieved many a withering or outright flabberghasted stares from Mr. King Cairn.

It’s nice that His Majesty is more appreciative of his Humble Servants and indeed seeks out the commoners to mingle with on a quarterly basis every day.  He’s told Mom and me that he likes having the tv on after his evening dental chew and he would much prefer if we both linger near the kitchen while he investigates his supper dish.  If we move, we interrupt his dinner. He’s always been a social eater but that has intensified. But I can’t stare at him while he eats. That’s just rude, ya know.  And he likes bedtime at a decent hour, like eleven pm, thank you. He paces and huffs a lot until we accommodate his wishes. But if he jumps up into my chair and snuggles, or curls up with his nose buried in his blankets, then he would prefer not to be disturbed for bedtime, thanks. Typical Cairn rules. Nothing new there. 😆

Edited October 29, 2017 by Lupinegirl

[Lupinegirl]

It seems like tummy problems take longer to clear up. Normally Nikki would have one or two bad days once in a while. Last week while my neighbors were all celebrating Memorial Day with tons of guests and all night long parties, I was watching Nikki refuse food, his Greenie, eggs, and even cheese. He still accepted a little bit of oven baked chicken and hamburger but his food intake was a quarter of its usual amount. He did not drink much or move around much, and he didn’t feel like wagging his tail. He just silently kept as eye on me whereever I went until Monday when he woke me up early with heavy panting and pacing and had an explosive bowel movement. Mom went to work and I gave Nikki his last probiotic and anti diarrheal pill from hjs last vet visit. He stayed in bed pretty much all day. His eyes were dull and he was not interested in eating, drinking, or going outside. He threw up bile once. Mom thought he looked perkier after we got him to eat some pasta and chicken, and some Cesar pate food, so we waited for another night to see how he’d look the next morning.  He woke me up at five something Tuesday morning by taking a flying leap off my bed. He didn’t even pace or pant or step on me to wake me. I took him out. Another explosive BM and a few more squirts. Another painful retching later indoors. Mom finally woke up and checked on him, and all of a sudden he was asking for food and running to the couch to roll like his normal self.  He’s back to his usual perky, alert, ready for anything mode. He’s just a little more clingy than usual. 

We’ve had torrential rains all week, with eight days of daily rain last week, and some major thunder bumpers. We have another leak (outside on the porch thankfully) and clogged gutters I can’t reach until the ground dries out some, and lots of big trees down, but we have our fuzzy buddy back so as far as I’m concerned, as is well in my world. The porch and trees and gutters can wait. I’m so grateful for Nikki’s return to health although I dread another bout of tummy trouble in the future and I’m still having a hard time getting him to eat anything except plain beef and chicken. Lol. He doesn’t want any veggies or carbs with them, or additives like pumpkin powder or glucosamine. He’s still refusing cheese, although he will eat a little bit of canned food as a snack. I guess I’ll have to find something else that appeases his appetite.

 

On a lighter note, Nikki is still thinking of ways to manipulate Mom and me. He asked to get up in my chair before church this morning. I let him and he put his chin on my leg per usual. When we had to leave, I petted and hugged him and started to get up but he still had his chin on my leg. I bounced my leg. His head bounced with it but he kept his chin glued to me. I started to move my leg off the recliner, and he stretched his little neck out as far as it would go to try to keep his chin on my leg. He was trying to force me to stay in the chair so I wouldn’t leave him. Clever bratty cutie.  

[sanford]

Has the vet done any blood and/or stool tests recently? That's usually the first place to start when trying to monitor health issues.

 

[Guest dog person]

"Has the vet done any blood and/or stool tests recently? That's usually the first place to start when trying to monitor health issues"

I agree, I am sure lab work ($) would get to the bottom of this and come up with a correct diagnosis.

But, then what?     I suspect this dog is a senior, maybe the owner does not want to pursue aggressive treatment.   

I would also be concerned about the possibility of over diagnosis.   Most seniors will not have perfect lab work.

A visit to the vet would not be a bad idea though, you can always opt to just treat the symptoms, care and comfort.

Maybe some medication would help?

 

Edited June 4, 2018 by dog person

[Malcolm's Dad]

Hope everything goes well for Nikki  and you. As well as for  humans and dogs when you get older things don't work and problems happen. Good luck.

[Lupinegirl]

There’s always something, isn’t there? Last week Nikki got, I think, an ear infection, but his vet could not get him in for visit until yesterday. He was pawing at his face, licking his feet, eating a lot just to have some chewing action, holding his ear sideways, and shaking his head frequently.  Yesterday the vet looked st his ear, said it looked fine and just had some normal looking wax in it. She didn’t check anything else, she just sent us on home with more ear drops. I guess part of that was my fault; I should have described what I’ve been observing, but I was too distracted to think. 

Is it normal for an ear infection to take hearing away from both ears though?

Nikki was still able to hear Mom and me call to him a couple of weeks ago. Now thanks to whatever this infection was, he seems to be as deaf as a doornail. He’s been napping more frequently and sleeping heavier than ever. I tried waking him up one day by standing two inches from his nose and waving my hand over his face, hoping the air movement, strong smells, and changes in light would wake him. I ended up having to touch him to wake him. Needless to say, he was surprised to see me when he did open those beautiful, super dark brown eyes. He’s been a sweetheart though. I was half afraid that he’d snap instinctively from being startled but all he did was gawk at me before smiling and wagging. Aww... Sweet old boy. 

My family lost both of our previous dogs when they were Nikki’s age (13). November will be Nikki’s fourteenth birthday, so I’m really hoping these minor health probelms don’t slow him down. I’d love for him to break that unlucky streak and become my longest lived dog. He still enjoys his walks and food and he can jump into my lap without any problems so he’s still a spry little fellow!  Ark Naturals glucosamine supplements seem to have done a good job!

Edited August 2, 2018 by Lupinegirl

[sanford]

9 hours ago, Lupinegirl said:

She didn’t check anything else, she just sent us on home with more ear drops. I guess part of that was my fault; I should have described what I’ve been observing, but I was too distracted to think. 

Don't be too hard on yourself...Forgetting to ask the vet or doc a question happens to us all, including me, even if I write my questions down in advance. As we try to process and respond to the vet's  info, anxiety and concern can take over and prevent us from remembering to present all our issues. I would consider a follow-up call to the vet as part of your checkup process. I imagine they frequently deal with such calls for clarification and probably expect them... Or at least they should!

I wish you the best with Nikki. He's lucky to have you!😍

Edited August 2, 2018 by sanford

[Hillscreek]

We love our old dogs as much as our youngsters. That is a great pic of senior. Have no advice - just hoping great cairn Nikki will stay with you for a while yet.

[Pepper Bug's Mom]

Ooh what a sweet picture of Nikki - love and hugs...I would call the vet back and make another appointment with all your observations from your post on a piece of paper to hand to vet.  Please keep us updated on Nikki.

[Lupinegirl]

He seems to be feeling better today. He played fetch yesterday (for all of one minute. XD) and he’s been glued to me today, begging for food and watching my every move. I’m glad to have my perky nosy rose back instead of seeing him sleep the days away, oblivious to everything, or begging for relief from itches and aches.

I think having a break from rainy weather is helpjng, too. Nikki seems perkier on sunny days than stormy days. (Who isn’t? Lol )

Edited August 6, 2018 by Lupinegirl

[Lupinegirl]

I wish my vet had taken a closer look and done more bloodwork. Nikki has had tummy problems off and on throughout his life but the last bout scared me since it looked like he was passing bile as well as vomiting it.  We could not get a visit scheduled with our vet until three days later. Of course the bout cleared up by then and he seemed okay, just dehydrated. The vet sent us home without checking anything. 

We moved across the country.  Took him in to see a new vet for shot updates and to see about getting his teeth cleaned. She checked his bloodwork to see if he could survive anesthesia since he is fourteen years old and he has an abscess on one tooth and receding gumline on another. The bloodwork showed his liver enzymes were four times higher than they should be, and his lymph nodes (which my other vet never mentioned) were all swollen to the size of large, weirdly shaped marbles. 

Fast forward a month later when we finally got in to an internal medicine specialist and now we’re being told that Nikki may only have weeks to months left to live. She said his liver is full of masses and lesions and what little healthy tissue left does not look good. He has a lump on his chest and distended stomach.  He was having good days with an increased appetite and vigor and interest in everything so I assumed the bad days were just minor temporary ailments like our previous vet insisted they were.  Now I have lots more bad days of vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy and pajn to look forward to and fewer days of a “normal” pup. 

Our best prognosis at this point will be Lymphoma and Cushings Disease. Both are treatable but with this much damsge to his poor little body, the vet was not optimistic. She said she was suprised he is as plucky and happy as he is.   They did some biopsies on some of the masses so I had a very long night with a crying, restless pooch getting up every two hours and no pain meds to give him.  I’m still numb. Mom spent all day crying yesterday and talked about getting a new puppy. I don’t want a new dog right now. I just want my best friend to get better.  :,( 

Our last vet just said Nikki was too fat and never believed when I said he got the alloted number of calories per day that a dog his size is supposed to have (he is two feet long from head to rump. The size of a big coffee table book. He’s big for a Cairn and he was not neutered until he was six years old so he used to be super muscular everywhere. He was a terrier tank before he turned into a terrier blimp in one month after surgery, That was not from overfeeding.)  

I’m a bit upset with my previous vet techs since they lacked compassion, they didn’t care enough to investigate, they accused me of not taking care of my dog, and they practically tortured my poor dog by repeatedly shoving a giant crochet needle in him to try to get a stool sample wihie my dog was screaming and growling. They did not tell me to bring a sample when I made the appointment, they rejected samples every time in the past when I brought them “just in case”, and they didn’t listen when I said he was more likely to go if i just take him outside to sniff around and walk.  

I’m glad we have a more compassionate vet now but dangit. The timing is terrible. I’m still grieving leaving behind my childhood home and most of my deceased father’s things and a quarter of my things and not even getting reimbursed for those things when we moved. I fear my artwork and books and furniture were trashed because our estate sales person treated our stuff like trash and the people we had asked to help us move never showed up so I was frantically packing what I could from our three story house into two pods in the course of three days. I was exhausted, frustrated, physically sore, and sick and my poor dog was traumatized watching me go through that, and riding in the car across the country for the first time. We’re in a much smaller, much smellier leaky old house surrounded by unfriendly barking dogs, feral cats, sand, rocks, desert wildlife, trains and uncaring neighbors and unpleasant, judgmental family members.  I do not want to lose Nikki while I’m still trying to scrape my life back together here. I feel like I will go crazy without my little bed buddy keeping me company. 

[Sam I Am]

I am so sorry. Life sure throws some nasty curve balls and on top of that your best pal isn’t doing well. Having a compassionate and knowledgeable clinic is everything when faced with a seriously sick dog. I wish you strength and courage to take each day as it comes.. I know many of us have and will face our fears be they the loss of a friend, pet and other animals and just know  it too will get better.  Big hugs from up North.

[Hillscreek]

Lupinegirl. How tough life can be. Want Nikki to be there for you as long as possible. Very glad new vet seem to be on the ball. Take care and keep in touch.

[hheldorfer]

What an awful chain of events for you.  I pray things will get better soon.  Give Nikki hugs from all of us.

[Pepper Bug's Mom]

These little Cairns are so dear to our hearts and the senior ones are the best because they have learned all the rules and know your soul like no other dog can....so sorry about what you are going through.  Warm hugs heading your way from Pepper (who turns 8 in May) and Brodie (2 in May).  I look into Pepper's eyes every day and just love her to death!

[Islander]

Thinking of you and Nikki, Lupinegirl.

Hugs.

[pkcrossley]

you're doing a great  job. this is so difficult for you, but to us we see a dog who has reached a grand age, been full of life and joy, and still has you by him to help him with whatever comes next. thinking of you both. i know nikki will carry on in his plucky way. 

Edited March 19, 2019 by pkcrossley
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