Tag: Amantadine

1/28/16

It’s been almost 3 weeks since Jackson had his first zoledronate IV treatment and the subsequent fireworks night when we think he injured his shoulder/scapula trying to get up off the hardwood floors.   After our meeting with Dr. K we ended up increasing the Gabapentin to 300mg every 8 hours and the Amantadine alternating 1-2 pills every other day and have kept him on the Rovera every 12 hours. We’ve been taking it one day at a time taking it real slow with re: to the prognosis of Jackson lameness in his right front leg.  At first he was very tentative to put any weight on his rt front leg, just using it for balance when he tried to walk.  Then you could tell he was trying to put more weight on it at various times.  We’ve been feeding him lying down on his bed as he’s to unstable to eat standing up. He’s been using his tail a lot more as a rudder to help him with balance especially when he’s feeling uneasy under his feet.  The increase in medication really seems to be helping him gain his strength back and feel more confident.  Some days are better than others, but at least his appetite is still great and he seems to keep pushing himself forward continually teaching me about patience, honor and the commitment to continue on the path we’ve chosen together.

 

 

In the days that followed my 2nd diagnosis Maw is a mess crying all the time and I think she’s fearing the worst. I try to show her that I’m strong like she’s told me, but it’s hard because I’m in a lot of pain. I can hardly put any weight on my right paw, so it’s makes it almost impossible for me to go for a walk outside and to the bathroom. I’m scared I’m going to slip and fall on the floors again too.  Steve is helping me by holding me up with my harness but it’s really uncomfortable. I hear Maw on the phone with my vet I think and she seems excited about something.

In the next couple of days Maw begins giving me lots of shredded cheese, I wonder what I’ve done to deserve such special treatment, but mums the word I’m not going to turn my nose up at handfuls of cheese and delicious smelling chew-able treats at all hours of the day and night.  I kind of think it has something to do with what Maw was talking with the vet about, but like I said I’m not barking about it.  Instead, I begin to feel better I slowly start putting weight on my right front leg and it’s not ouchy anymore I’m feeling more myself.  Maw continues to put these smelly oils on me and all I want to do is lick them (I think they are essential oils that she’s just started using because I can smell them in the room too coming out of what looks like a lotus flower), Maw must be working her magic again!

A couple of days later I overhear Maw talking to the vet again thanking her for prescribing me Amantadine and a low dose of Gabapentin, along with Rovera, this is what she must mean when she says “the cocktail” is working.  To me it feels like a miracle as I’m not limping anymore.  I am happy as I’m going to work with Maw and taking our walks and all I want to do is play outside and run, but I know I can’t quite yet because my only back leg sometimes gives out on me when I get too excited.  I hope I continue to get better, as I’m not scared anymore and I feel invincible.