Mollie Update and Other Happenings

Mollie has been on the Tramadol for her severe arthritis now for one week...it will be a long, slow battle and one which will take some very careful observations and balancing to obtain maximum results with a minimum of the side effects of this opiate - type pain reliever.

I first started Mollie on one 50mg tablet twice a day...titrating her up to two tablets twice a day...which was the dosage recommended by Dr Howard.

However, this led to some problems with Mollie's appetite as well as some minor vomiting. Further research on the Tramadol indicated another side effect besides the lethargy and Constipation...and that was nausea. Now, this may be simply an adjustment to the medication and may go away on it's own or it may also be something to continue to watch very carefully.

As Dr Howard is currently on a much needed and well deserved vacation, I chose to take matters into my own hands until he returns: I stepped back Mollie's dosage to one tablet in the morning and two with her evening meal...and thus far this has decreased the nausea. When Dr Howard returns to duty I will call him and discuss the matter with him further and perhaps we can come up with alternative dosages or perhaps splitting up Mollie's meals. She, as all my dogs do, eats once a day....in the evenings...and it may be that to obtain max results and keep the nausea under control...I may need to begin twice a day feedings.

Mollie appears to be in much less pain although she still has some hindquarter weakness. I am now doubly thankful that last year I purchased a sling from those wonderful people at Northland Newfoundland Club. Folks, if you haven't yet bought one for your dogs...even if right now you DON"T need, please don't wait....buy one NOW ! Not only will you help support a very worthwhile Rescue, but...as with me....one NEVER knows just when a sling would be needed.

Mollie is not too wild about the sling...but it is something she will have to get used to...as she now needs assistance in getting up the stairs to the main living area of the house. And again, those of you who know me know that at my height and weight...I could not possibly assist Mollie with those stairs comfortably for her without this sling....and I truly believe that even if Northland doubled the price....it would still be well worth it...and I would still purchase one.

I promised Mollie that I would do everything possible to make her "Golden " years as happy and comfortable as possible...and to that end, she now has a brand new bed ! I had purchased a ( very cheaply made ) PVC cot bed for her about 15 months ago at a dog show and while she really liked it...it just wasn't as sturdy as a dog her size needed. Added to that, Zander also liked the bed and since he weighs considerably MORE than Mollie...the first time he climbed upon it...well...that was all she wrote.

After researching several orthopedic type beds in the pet supply sites, I opted for a 150 coil Sealy baby crib mattress...and since the standard crib mattress size is 38" wide x 52 " long...this was the perfect size for Mollie...and if Zander chooses to also rest on it...it will support his weight as well. Plus, the crib mattresses also are covered in waterproof vinyl...great if there is some unexpected vomiting or urine leakage from Mollie.

As most of you know, I am an avid eBay-er.....and found a vendor BOWWOWBEDS from Kentucky. Amberlii makes custom sized beds for all dogs...most of which are made to accommodate the insertion of standard bed pillows as the fillers...this making the beds fully machine washable. I contacted Amberlii and asked if she could make a cotton duck cover to fit the crib mattress and she did indeed do so...so Mollie's mattress has a cover especially made for it and it fits just perfect...like a pillow sham would ! Please check out Amberlii's web site"

www.bowwowbeds.com

I guarantee you will be as impressed as I was with the prices and her workmanship...and I was so pleased I have now signed on to her Affiliate program....for each person ( once the link is set ) that purchases a bed from Amberlii through my site....I earn a small commission....which I have already decided will be earmarked for a worthy Newfoundland program. If, I believe, within a month's time 15 beds are sold through my site, I will earn a FREE bed which will be donated to that group's fund-raising ventures. After careful consideration, I have selected Newfoundland Health and Longevity as the recipient for all commissions earned through these Affiliate Sales and they would also receive the free bed to raffle or auction off to further their cause.

Now for some GREAT news from the Cookie Corner......I have just received approval from the Missouri Dept of Agriculture and once the site is updates....you now will have two new flavors of cookies to choose from: APPLE/ZUCCHINI and ZUCCHINI/CARROT. Both will be available in Regular and Wheat-Free versions and now this gives you the opportunity to "Build your OWN Variety Packs "....you may now select up to 5 8 oz packages of your dog's favorite flavors...or try one or both of the new ones....for the same price !

I was also able to come up with a recipe for the Grain-free treats and samples have been sent to the two potential clients who had asked me to develop one for their Special Needs dogs. After all, they deserve a tasty and healthy treat as well and one which is in accordance with their dietary needs. I will also hopefully be able to solicit two more "testers" from the IBDogs@yahoogroups.com e-mail list....and once I get the feedback from all outside testers, I will check the prices of the needed supplies and be able to come up with what I believe will be a reasonable price. At that time approval paperwork will be filed with the MO Dept of Agriculture and very soon....dogs with intestinal issues and other conditions necessitating a very restrictive diet will have a small variety ( probably max of two choices at first ) of treats to make them happy as well !!! As you can see....the needs of the dogs and their parents are extremely important to me.

That is all for now....all of you have a wonderful and safe weekend and please remember Who to thank for it !