August 5, 2019

White Dog was not fooled when Steve gathered her into his arms first thing this morning. She was heading off to see Dr. Julia and follow up on the things we have been doing to help her pain.

First up were X-rays to look at WD's spine and hips/legs. The pictures showed arthritis has invaded in L6-L7 and L7 to S1 on her spine and hips. The Little White Dog of My Heart has perfect knees, no wear or damage. She is now on a regimen of gabapentin to control inflammation and pain.  White Dog already takes several supplements including glucosamine, Antinol, and Senior Plus vitamins.

"Might be a good idea to get a ramp," the good doctor suggested. Steve stroked White Dog. "We have one everyone uses for the stairs to the yard and just got a special one for White Dg to allow her access to the couch without jumping." "Good!" "Would be if you could convince her Whiteness to use it. She will if I am sitting next to it and demand or yell but left to her own, she ignores it. And it is not that she doesn't understand; her refusal is willful...like when my mom refused to wear her bifocals. And she is more adamant about jumping down that up."

"And she is not treat motivated?" White Dog standing on the exam table turned her hear to illustrate the response. "She has walked away from her favorites if the terms are not to her liking. She can be VERY stubborn." "Well, keep working n the ramp use," Dr. Julia sighed and looked pointedly at WD.

Blood was drawn and we will have results in a day or two. It is a matter of thoroughness and age, not indicative of any symptom or issue we are looking for. "You teeth are VERY good," Dr. Julia complimented My Girl. "And you at 17.4 pounds are lean which is good for living with arthritis."

Steve asked if we should be concerned over the slightly greasy quality of White Dog's furs. "It is  sebum and is not a bad thing. It is a substance with an oily consistency produced by the sebaceous glands. It lubricates hair, is an antifungal/antibacterial, and imparts waterproofing properties to the skin. Genetics, age, hormones and lifestyle are underlying causes of oily skin. Just give her a gentle bath if it builds too much, she is not sick." With that and promises to call us with blood results and White Dog headed home. I greeted her after the Army did. "It is hell to get old, eh, Baby Girl? But Dr. Julia says you are in VERY good health. Can you try using the ramp, without shame. Think of the special ramps Chinese Emperors were carried up in all of their great buildings...VERY Queenly!" In response to her question as she walked toward her bed: Pearl's doctor is coming to the house on Wednesday afternoon to see her and Opal. Pearl seems much better today, at about 80% of normal. She even wanted duck jerky and has had no backlash.