It is wonderfully amazing to have two Super Senior Berners. Harper is now 13 years, 4+ months old.
Photo = ears back, look sad. She is an uncooperative subject 🤷🏼♀️
Sparkle is well past 11.5 years.
Wow. I am so lucky.
AND older dogs bring their own challenges and navigating those challenges is hard.
Harper B is insanely healthy for Being 13+ years. She has arthritis for which she gets daily Rimadyl (name brand only!) and Librela once a month to keep her moving. She is happy and playful, if a bit creaky.
Harper and Pozy. RIP Blue Duck.
And two days ago Harper had a seizure! WTF.
She was on her way to go outside and just went stiff and was down — still — for about 15 seconds. She lost control of her bladder and there was pee everywhere. I thought she had died right there on the kitchen floor 🤯
Nope. She got up and was — and continues to be —perfectly normal. Bloodwork was normal.
So the plan is to just watch (like a terrified hawk).
In the meantime, Sparkle started limping on her right rear leg about a month ago. Here is how that has gone:
Vet #1: It is her knee.
Off to PT.
But I watched as it got worse and she became three-legged. That did not seem congruent with a knee so back to the vet — but we saw a different one this time since the first vet was not available.
Vet #2: (X-rays up the wazoo) Not her knee. Looks like nerve pain/neurological.
Back to PT: Doesn’t look neurological — sends videos to Ortho Dude and neurologist.
Consensus opinion from videos: See Ortho Dude. Appointment made for end of next week.
There is also a radiologist report floating out there somewhere that I am trying to chase down.
In the meantime, something is still wrong with my girl. Something that is more/different than anyone has identified. I know my dog and I trust myself.
Sparkle continues to eat well, wag her tail, and generally seems like her normal sparkling self — with pain.
Dogs are so stoic.
Sparkle needs her A Team. That is why I am taking her to Montana to be seen by our long-time veterinarian. Dr. Card knows my dogs well, and she trusts me and my instincts. I need her on Sparkle’s team to help us figure out what is wrong with my girl.
Please think good thoughts for my older ladies 🙏 and feel free to share ideas/input in the comments or via email (sontag.ma@gmail.com). It takes a team.
And a very Happy Wednesday to you, my friend 🩷🩷
