Finally Answers to Nubs Limping!

Many of you know that Nubs has not been well over the past few years. Most of that dealing with his torn ACL and a few surgeries to correct it.  It's been a constant battle over the past few years to get him back to normal.


About November I noticed Nubs starting to have a bad limp again in his good knee.  With the failure rate of 75% of the good ACL after surgery, I figured his other knee had finally torn and put him on crate rest for a while to see if I could avoid surgery this time around with the issues of the first surgery I didn't want to go through that again.  Well after a few months of resting I noticed it not getting better.  In fact it was getting worse and he was having issues controlling his whole back end.

This is video of the night where Nubs couldn't get out of his crate without falling over.



The next day I took him to the vet.  X-rays were taken and his ACLs were checked.  ACL's were in great shape and x-rays only showed that he was backed up and might have had a partial blockage.  I was put on poop watch and given gas meds to help him out.  Even though I didn't agree with my vet's diagnosis, I allowed a week for things to get better.  They didn't.  Finally I made a second appointment at a different vet for a second opinion.

This vet was really WONDERFUL.  She allowed Nubs to get to know her before we started poking him and messing with his joints.  Most vets muzzle Nubs because he give you what a vet referred to as "the Pit Bull look" a look that can make most people nervous but isn't anything at all to worry about, she was loving on him.  Made things so much easier because I could get him into downs and on his back so we could move his legs in a natural motion.  She agreed that the issue wasn't his ACLs.  Something may be going on, but without a ton of tests and all she couldn't tell me nor would she want to run all those tests because it would be a waste since she didn't believe that they would show us anything.  At least I knew it wasn't his ACLs and that was a big step.

Wednesday of this week I received a phone call from my sister telling me Nubs wouldn't move and Pee'd on her and himself and wouldn't move away from it.  Nubs has never in the year's I've owned him pee'd on himself and maybe only pee'd in the house 3 times.  Something was really wrong and I was bound and determined to find it out.

After getting him into the vet as an emergency, the vet and I fought over what was wrong with him.  She was convinced it was just arthritis in his knee causing the issue.  I know that the arthritis is part of the weakness in his hind end, but there is something else going on besides that.  After a good 10 min debate over wasting my money, I had the vet do X-rays and a blood panel for fun.  After she was done with the x-rays, she came back and apologized to me.  The x-rays from 2 months ago and that day showed a big difference in his spine.  What is referred to as Lumbosacral syndrome or Cauda Equina disease.  I still held out that maybe the blood tests would show Lime disease but that came back clear.

Read more here: Lumbosacral Syndrome (should open in a new window)

So folks we finally have a reason for his limping.  Not what I was hoping but at least it's something.  Now I'm looking into building him a wheelchair to go out in so that way he can still enjoy things without stressing out his back.  I know he misses his walks and if he doesn't have a lot of time with me, I want to make sure it's the best time he can have.

First Spring Hike

So it's officially spring here in Michigan and we enjoyed the first 50* day by going out on a nice spring hike. Sadly I forgot my camera so no photos. However this was one of those hikes where Peanut made me so proud to be her owner. Everyone had the same idea as we did and we ran into many dogs, humans, and even about 10 horses. All the dogs after being cooped up all winter were on edge and were lunging and barking at Peanut and myself as we passed. Peanut just ignored them and went by without even much of a look. I can honestly say how GREAT it feels when you are holding onto the end of a leash of what most people consider the "worst breed ever" and she's acting 1000 times better than a Lab or Shepherd. Horses were another fun thing to train. 2 horses no more then 6 feet away from us, and Peanut held her down stay while they passed all the while another dog nearby lunged and barked at the poor horses. Sometimes things happen that make you realize how far your dog has come. Peanut is almost 2 years old now and is just turning out to be just the perfect breed ambassador. For a dog that came from the street to a dog that amazes everyone I'm proud to own her.

The 100th Post!!!

I'd just like to say Thank You to everyone that reads this blog. I never thought I'd make it to 100 posts when I started this blog back in 2010. Sure there's only 19 followers, but I know there are many that have us bookmarked and check in time to time. Thank you for everyone's support!

A quick update mostly on Nubs. You are going to start hearing about Nubs's knee again. Yes he will be having a third surgery on that knee here soon no doubt. Tomorrow I am taking him to another vet in hopes to get sent to a vet that is actually competent to do the surgery correctly this time around. I'll be honest with you, my readers, things aren't looking good for him right now. He's in pretty rough shape thanks to this vets lack of ability to do what needed to be done. Keep an eye out here because depending on our visit tomorrow I may be posting some things to sell in hopes to raise some money for another surgery. 5 years ago when I brought Nubs into my life I never thought that he'd become my best friend. He is the one constant thing in my life that no matter what happens is there for me. It's only right that I do everything I can to repay him for just being the perfect dog.

So stay tuned and if anyone knows of some good ways to earn money let me know!

Anyways, I'll just leave you with some photos of the two best Pits around:

Winter time fun!

It's been a while since my last update. It's just been too cold for me to be out and about. Today is a beautiful, sunny, winter afternoon so after two days of Peanut driving me nuts I decided to ask her if she wanted to go "pull". Well I was barely standing after she jumped about 2ft in the area, did a quick turn about, smacked right into my knee almost taking me out, and made a mad dash to the back door. I took it as a yes. Sunday mornings are a great day to take the scooter out since everyone is still inside sleeping or at church so no kids, no dogs, and few cars to make our day hard. After coaxing Peanut into her harness (I don't know why she hates harnesses but she never comes willingly to them.) and doing some stretches, we take off. There is nothing like being under dog power on a scooter flying down a street. It's just an amazing experience that is hard to describe. We always go about 1 mile and then take a short catching of breath rest then back on for another 2 mile mad dash home. Hard to believe that Peanut can do it without seeming like she's trying. Video of today's run: While waiting for a car to pass, someone was bored and hot.

All tangled up

Her reward for a great run!

And a tired Peanut

Happy Birthday Nubs! (photo heavy)

It's a day late posting this, but who's counting?!

Nubs is one of those few rescue dogs that came with an actual date of birth, which is January 20th 2007.  So yesterday was his 6th Birthday.  My boy is 6 years old...  Do you know how much this saddens me?  My baby will have to start Senior vet care next year.  HE'S TOO YOUNG FOR THAT!

So here is celebrating the best dog in the world.  Honestly I couldn't ask for a better dog.  Nubs is my heart dog.  A dog that I have such a strong bond with that it's unreal.  He's my cuddle buddy, he's my best friend, he's my chair warmer, he's my partner, he's my boy, he's simply the best.  There is no amount of words to tell you how much that dog means to me.  I know many people have said "Well since you got Peanut, you really don't post anything about Nubs!"  There is a reason for that.  Nubs is just my couch potato, feet warmer, and cuddle buddy.  There's not much that he can do with those bad legs.  So while yes, I don't post many things about him it doesn't mean I don't love him just the same.

So here's to Nubs!  Love you so much bud!