My dogs Vasco and Hera sitting together in the chair. Hera was a little snippy when Vasco first jumped up in the chair, but quickly settled down and they two of them say together for quite a while.

That’s Akiva towards the end of the video.

Great Dog Photo!

Akiva The Dog

by Jamie Dolan

]]> http://jamiedolan.com/2010/09/28/great-dog-photo-akiva-the-dog-by-jamie-dolan/feed/ 1 http://jamiedolan.com/2010/05/12/akiva-walking-akiva-update-5-11-2010/ http://jamiedolan.com/2010/05/12/akiva-walking-akiva-update-5-11-2010/#comments Wed, 12 May 2010 06:08:57 +0000 Jamie Dolan http://jamiedolan.com/?p=1292

Akiva has seen some very significant improvement over the past couple weeks.

This is an updated video of Akiva Walking taken today, 5-11-2010.  Akiva has been walking much better, with an improved gait, less swaying of his head side to side, and less exhaustion.  Today is the longest that Akiva has been able to walk without sitting down since before he became ill.  He is able to climb some stairs again, the steps in the house are too much for him, but he can handle the couple steps going in and out of the house. Some more comments below the video.

We can see in this video that there is significant improvement over what we saw just under a month ago. I just looked through the videos from 4-12 and Akiva was not able to stay standing / walking for any longer than 12 seconds. Today, he was walking without sitting down for over 3 minutes.

We notice towards the end of the video, he trips slightly, but he quickly catches himself. If you compare this to the videos taken just under a month ago on 4-12, you will notice that when he tripped on the 4-12 video, he hit the ground with his chest, but now when he tripped, he is able to catch himself.

Tripping on 4-12 (this is typical of what happened when he was tripping around this time, not just a one time incident):

Tripping on 5-11 (this is what happens now if he does trip, he has not been wiping out anymore):

Akiva has been seeing a chiropractor vet in Green Bay for treatment over the past couple weeks. I have Akiva on a number of supplements as well. He is currently taking;

Acetyl-l-Carnitine – 500mg QD – Thorne Research
Coq10 – 45mg BID – Nutramax
Back Support – 1 capsule BID - Vetri-Science
Fish Oil – 321mg Omega 3 BID - Nordic Naturals
Glycoflex III – 1/2 tab QD – Nutramax
Denosyl – 225mg QD – Nutramax
Marin – 1/2 tab QD – Nutramax
DMG – .5 ML QD – Vetri-Science

I may add in a dose of Alpha Lipoic Acid and Vitamin E based upon the suggestions published by the Neuro Muscular Lab at the University of California.

His allergies have also improved since he has been on the Nordic Naturals fish oil, far less itching than normal, some days almost no itching at all.  Akiva has remained bright, and alert with completely normal mentation.

He has also resumed a normal interest in food.  We have been able to reduce Akiva’s weight by 2+ pounds slowly with a reduction of calories, he is currently about 16.8 pounds, with a goal of 13-15.  He was at about 19 pounds at the end of march, I feel we are achieving weight loss at a reasonable pace, and will continue towards his ideal weight.  I feel we will be able to get into the 13-15 pound range within the next 6 weeks.

Akiva will be going into Great Lakes Vet in the next week or so to get a follow up test to confirm that he does not have a toxo infection.

A big thanks to everyone invloved in Akiva’s Care including;

Dr. Jeff Kresal at Great Lakes Vet clinic in Neenah

Dr. Karen Strickfaden at Country Care Animal Complex in Green Bay

Dr. Sophie Petersen at UW Madison Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital

Dr. Bruce VanEnkevort at Fox Valley Animal Referral Center in Appleton

The wonderful Vet Techs and other staff members that have been a pleasure to work with at all of the vet offices — Every single one of you has been wonderful to work with.

Also, My family and friends for their emotional and financial support.

The members of various support groups that have been very supportive; Canine Central, K9 Addisions (wonderful helpful group of folks even thought Akiva turned out not to have Addisions), RawChat, as well as members of various other support groups that lended assistance, support and guidance.

I’ve placed numerous orders for specialty supplements for Akiva from KVVet.  With 5 orders over the past 8 weeks, I have been very pleased with the service.  Every order has been delivered on time, and without a single error.  There prices have been consistently very fair and they have never been out of stock on a item I needed.

Thank You!

I look forward to continuing to work with you on Akiva’s continued recovery.

Jamie Dolan

Next Monday we see the Neurology Specialist

3-31-2010
11:41 p.m.

Akiva has been doing about the same for the past couple days. The Tramadol that he is on does seem to help him a little bit, making it a little easier for him to move around, but he is still far from normal. He still can’t climb steps, but is walking around a bit more now that he is on the new medicine (Tramadol).

Akiva Goes To Madison

We still need to figure out what is actually wrong with Akiva so we can get him the proper treatment, not just pain management.  There is a doctor in Appleton that I would have taken Akiva to for an consultation, but I called today and found out she is out on maternity leave.

I ended up making an appointment with the neurology department in Madison. His appointment is on Monday.  It is a hour long.  I just plan to have an evaluation / consultation and possibly draw blood for tests.   I hope that the consultation with the Neurologist will give us some more information or at least send us looking in the right direction.

We may end up being told they want a CAT or MRI next, that is basically the only thing the orthopedics doctor in Appleton knows to do at this point.  However there are so many things that could be going on that would not show on a scan, I think it is well worth it to get the consultation with the neurologist before we do more testing.  It is nice they can get him in so quickly.

Send Akiva lots of Love and wish him good luck in Madison!!!

Jamie with Akiva & Vasco on the Patio - 3-31-2010

Petting Akiva while out on the patio on a warm spring night.

Jamie & Akiva on the Patio

Jamie sitting on the patio with Akiva. (I look pretty bug eyed in these photos)

A short video I made using Picasa of my favorite photos of Akiva from March 2010.  Sound track added from YouTube.

My Favorite Photos of Akiva from March 2010.

That is not my favorite photo of myself, but Akiva
looks the best in that one.  Enjoy.

Jamie

Jamie and Akiva -- March 2010

Akiva and Froggie in a stare down contest.

Akiva playing with a Ball of Yellow Yarn while wearing his Yellow Sweater

Akiva and his Puppy in his stroller.

Akiva in his Stroller

Akiva laying on the edge of the table.

Akiva and his Puppy in the Chair (this photo is actually from the very end of febuary, but it was so cute that I had to add it in with my favorite photos of the month)

Akiva Looks UP!

Akiva with his new Birthday toys on his 7th Birthday 3-25-2010

Akiva with the Turttle

An easy way to give your dog a pill.

Using Coconut Macaroons to give a dog a Pill Step 1

Using Coconut Macaroons to give a dog a Pill Step 2

Using Coconut Macaroons to give a dog a Pill Step 3

Using Coconut Macaroons to give a dog a Pill Step 4

Using Coconut Macaroons to give a dog a Pill Step 5

Using Coconut Macaroons to give a dog a Pill Step 6

Coconut Macaroons

Coconut Macaroons

Can be found at many grocery stores, including natural foods stores. Also can be found online from places such as amazon.com.

Contains only Coconut, Egg Whites, and Honey.

Akiva's 7th Birthday 3-25-2010 with his new Toys!

Akiva's New Octupus Toy - He got for his Birthday 3-25-2010

Akiva's New Long Tailed Monkey Toy - He got for his Birthday 3-25-2010

Akiva's Special Salmon Treats he got for his Birthday 3-25-2010

Akiva had a nice 7th Birthday today.  We are still working on his walking / weakness / fatigue issues.  He is happy and had a nice day, I spent the entire day with him.   We made ground food for him outside this afternoon, it was a bit cold out, but he didn’t seem to mind, he sat outside with us the whole time.  He is lying on the floor next to me with his new octopus toy.  Vasco is behind me with the Monkey Toy.

Happy 7th Birthday!

My 7 Year old Akiva Buddy Boo!