Tilly And Her Nails.

[Emma&Tilly]

Tilly has an appointment with the specialist tomorrow. It takes quite a while to get an appointment as this particular specialist must be very sort after as she spends time in lots of practices in different parts of the country. Anyway, we haven't had much fun with Tilly's nails recently, its like we are back to square one. I am also generally worried about her...she seems to have almost constant cystitis and has had severel courses of antibiotics...it clears it up for a week and then it starts up again. She has also vomitted several times this weekend. I want all this to be investigated further, something just doesn't feel right with her. She has almost completely stopped playing with Harry in the house, it has been weeks. The poor girl must be in so much pain with her feet, she often walks like an old lady, and I have to lift her onto the sofa. It is so sad to see.

Apparently the next step up from the tablets we are on is steroids...I really hope there is something else that we can do, I would hate her to be on steroids. Anyway, I will let you know how we get on tomorrow.

[MyBoyGus]

Poor Tilly. Give her a kiss from Gus. I think the next step should be to culture the bacteria and make sure the antibiotics are working on what she has. Here is hoping good things for Tilly.

[Abby Aniela]

What's wrong with Tilly's nails, Emma? I was gone from here for a long time ... I must have missed it.

But Abby and Cody send their love. Keep up posted! :hugsmiley

[Rusty's mom]

Oh Emma, I am so sorry for you and Tilly. I know how hard it is for you to see her in pain. She can't be having to much fun like that. Give her kisses from me and Jakie. I wish you the best tomorrow. :hugsmiley

[Emma&Tilly]

Abby....Tilly has an auto immune disorder that causes her nails to gradually separate from the nail bed and eventually fall out or get infected...or both! She was on Atopica for a long time and it really worked until recently.

The trip to the specialist ended up being a bit bigger than I imagined. Andrea, the wonderful specialist, had a good look and seemed genuinely saddened that the quality of her nails had gone so badly down hill, I think she thought of Tillys case as a bit of a success story and she said that she tells other people with dogs with the disorder how wonderfully Tilly responded to the Atopica.

Anyway, two of the nails are really, really badly deformed and Andrea suggested that a possibilty could be to amputate part of the toe on these two really bad ones. It was more than I was prepared for today but it does make sense...with removing the bone and claw it will ensure they don't bother her again. They use the paw pad as a flap to sow it all back up and apprently dogs get on quite well with parts of their toes missing! We will also get an official diagnosis...Symmetrical Lupoid Onychodystrophy is not often 'officially' diagnosed as you need to remove bone to analyse the damaged area, so it is something that is only done in extreme cases...or when it is actually helpful to do so anyway. It is considered more of an option in the USA to remove ALL the toes (well, the P3 bones) for a permanent solution but not commonly done here. I am happy (well, not happy....) to start with these 2 at least, they really are causing so much pain that even if just the nail were removed, I couldn't see them growing back in any way normal and the cycle would continue. We are going to put her back at full strength Atopica for another month and then if there is no improvement with the other nails it looks like it might have to be steroids.

If that wasn't enough Andrea suggested taking a urine sample straight from her bladder while she is under, using a pretty large needle I imagine (!!!) I did not know the workings of a bitches bladder until today but it seems samples taken normally are not as reliable as the urine has chance to pick up bugs along the way so this will help understand what is going on there...possibly crystals.

Anyway, sorry for the long post, just a bit worried about her. Tilly was so stressed...but I really like Andrea and am pleased it will be her doing the op. She makes such a fuss of Tilly. I'll let you know how she gets on, I get to call the vets at 3.30 and possibly pick her up at 6 or 7pm.

[MyBoyGus]

Wow, she is doing it today? Poor Tilly, we love you Tilly! :love: I am so sorry she is having to go through this, and you are having to go through this with her. Big hugs to both of you, and Harry too, because I'm sure he will be worried about his big sis. :hugsmiley :hugsmiley :hugsmiley

[2Goldens]

Wow, a bit suprised to hear it's happening today! I know how worried you are about Tilly. We are keeping good thoughts here for both of you. Please update us as soon as you can.
Hugs to all of you :hugsmiley :hugsmiley :hugsmiley

[Emma&Tilly]

Yup...well, I imagined she would need something doing today, the most I thought was a bit of gas and they could cut away the really bad bits of nail...so we staved her last night incase they did need to knock her out a little. It was a suprise to me when she said she could do it today but Andrea isn't in Leeds again for another few weeks so she is staying later than normal to get it done today. She is a lovely lady. Anyway, they have called and she is out of Theatre and coming round. Apparently the nail on the left foot was a lot worse than the right...the tendons were very inflamed so she had to amputate a lot further back than she would have liked. The other one was more straight forward. I can go and collect her at 6. Phew!!

[SuzySues]

Oh Emma I am so sorry hun. I really hope she feels more comfortable now, poor baby. Could it be the tablets that are causing the bladder problems do you think, is that a side effect? My first thought when you said she isn't moving around much because it hurts to walk, is that she is "holding" it & not going wee when she needs to. I always have to take a sample when Abbey gets an infection to check they are giving the right antibiotics for the right kind of bacteria. They told me that Abbey gets a lot of them because her flaps (is that the right word??) protrude more than they should so she picks up bacteria easier.

Give you gorgeous girl a big gentle hug from me, she is such a good girl, bless her. I feel so sad for her & you. :hugsmiley

This post has been edited by SuzySues on Feb 2 2010, 05:54 PM

[Rusty's mom]

OH POOR TILLY. We love that dog. I hope she has no pain from all of this. Oh gee, I feel sick for her. :hugsmiley :hugsmiley :hugsmiley :hugsmiley

[Emma&Tilly]

Thanks everyone, for your kind, warm words....it means a lot!
She is home and safe!! Completely out of it still, she is on another planet....we carried her in from the car, plopped her on the sofa and she hasn't moved a muscle since. She looks very comfy though.

Here she is, modelling...and I think you will agree, some very fetching bandages!
(Posted Image)

[Abby Aniela]

Red is definitely her color! :walksmiley

All my prayers and love that she recovers to 100% soon. Take care of yourself too, Emma!

Mari

[2Goldens]

Tilly does look very comfey !! Glad she is home safe. I hope she doesn't have to much of a problem getting around with the bandages. Good luck and we're hoping for a very speedy recovery for our girl Tilly !!

This post has been edited by 2Goldens on Feb 3 2010, 12:36 PM

[MyBoyGus]

How is Tilly doing today? I'm worried about the girl. And how are you holding up Emma?

[Rusty's mom]

:( me too. I was wondering how she is walking. That must really hurt. Poor sweet Tilly. :hugsmiley

[Emma&Tilly]

Hi there...we are doing ok! Tilly has been in the loving care of my mum while I was at work. Unfortunately teaching isn't the most flexible of jobs...however I left as soon as the kids did, infact I over-took one in the playground on the way out! My mum said she has hobbled around a little and she took her for a walk to the edge of a field to do her business (she hates to poo in their garden for some reason) she managed ok but then pulled to come straight back. She did manage to drag herself to the kitchen when she heard my mum peeling carrots (she LOVES carrots) so she is getting about when necessary!!

I'll keep updating with how she is getting on, thanks for your messages!

[SuzySues]

Its good to hear she is getting about, poor love. I keep checking for updates on her, she is our girl too you know!! lol Here are some more hugs for both of you. :hugsmiley :hugsmiley And one for Harry :hugsmiley

[bonbora]

Poor Tily.
Me and my 2 golden girls send her a big hug.
When I see any of my girls in pain it tears my heart out so I really feel for you.
Her bandages look impressive and she is GORGEOUS!

A big send out to to the universe to heal your Tilly quickly

[GoldenMom]

Emma,
Haven't been on here for awhile so didn't know that Tilly had the op for her toes. Poor baby! She does look good in red though and just in fashion for Valentine's Day! Give her a big hug and kiss from us and for you too! Praying that she keeps doing well

Lynn, Sunny and JAzz

[drbyer]

I'm with Lynn in catching up. Suprised to hear she had her surgery already, and sounds like she's getting along fairly well. So glad your mom is able to take care of things while you're at school. Please keep us updated as we worry about you both (and Harry too). Lots of hugs and prayers coming to you.

[Emma&Tilly]

Hi all! Things going well, she has been much brighter today, she even attempted to hump Harry at one point when she got really excited! She had her bandages changed today, she has gone from ravashing red to boring blue, but the vet said everything looked really good...they only need to stay on a few more days and then we will be down to just socks! The vet seemed pleased with everything! As I was waiting for the vet to change the dressing 3 goldens were brought into the waiting room, one by one. It was really weird how they were all in at once as it usually so quiet! I was in golden heaven...one of the owners ran the North Yorkshire golden rescue...she has 5 acres and 6 rescue goldens!! Wouldn't that be the life!! We got chatting and she was telling me about one male she rescued that had to have a toe amputated because of bone cancer and he is doing really well. Tilly came out and joined the golden crowd and it was so lovely...not that I needed reminding but what a fantastic breed we own!

Anyway.... a change of bandages and a new cuddley toy was the order of the day!

(Posted Image)

[Rusty's mom]

How sweet. I think she is beautiful in her blue socks. She is so beautiful Emma. Big black eyes and nose and that nice coat we all love.

I'm glad she is doing better and not in any pain. :hugsmiley :hugsmiley

[molmotta]

Great to hear our beautiful Tilly is doing well after the op! Davidson sends his kisses to his favourite gal!! He's not allowing the rest near because he says Tilly is HIS!!!

Get well soon Tills! :dogbone:

[2Goldens]

Awwww, I love the picture of Tilly & Tigger, so sweet. And I am happy to hear she is doing so well. She must be feeling better if she attempted to hump Harry :rofl: Tilly has such a sweet face. Kisses from The Golden Girls !!

[SuzySues]

Oh look at that pretty face! :love663: She is so beautiful & such a good girl!

I meant to say this the other day & forgot. I meet a lady on the beach who has a greyhound with 2 of her toes amputated & she gets around better now than she did before (when she was in pain). She still gives the other dogs a run for their money!! :laughingsmile