winter blues

Sierra has been having a harder time getting around. She is a bit more unstable and the lack of exercise through the winter is really starting to show. If the weather will get a bit warmer it would be helpful for taking her on short walks. Right now her time outside is very limited. I wonder how much mobility and strength she will regain this year if we can get back to swimming. Also, she will be going in for her senior vet visit again soon.

Sierra in the snow

Waiting for winter

I had been hoping for winter with it's cooler weather for Sierra. Well it's here now and it's not all I hoped it would be. The weather seems to be hard on her when she is outside for dinner. It's also hard for me to be motivated to take her for walks when it's windy and very cold.

She is doing well overall. She is still ambulatory, but has sudden falls when walking. She is able to walk up and down the stairs without help. She has not had any more episodes of incontinence. She is still on the supplements, which truly seem to make a difference. Exercise would also make a difference, but I've been less then successful keeping up with that piece.

Overall, she is happy and just like her "normal" self.

Just DM

Sierra is still doing well and still ambulatory. She has good days and bad days, but her decline is gradual and I appreciate each day. She is eating her supplements well these days with very little encouragement needed. She has had a few incidences of urinary incontinence. I am using people's chux pads under her bed to protect the floor as a just in case measure. I have noticed that as Sierra gets more ataxic she continues to have good righting reactions and often catches her balance before she falls. I appreciate this and hope to keep working on and preserving her righting reactions. There are many others going through the DM journey and I would love to hear from you- leave us a comment.
Sierra this summer with the DM sit and poor hip positioning.

Down the DM journey

Sierra has been doing well since recovering from the UTI with no more night accidents. She has finished her round of antibiotics and is already showing a good recovery overall. I notice that she is less ataxic after being off the antibiotics. She seems to be doing well in this weather, but I would like to be taking her for more walks.

Vet results

Sierra had a UTI. This explains her urinary incontinence. She has been dry at night since Friday (actually before her vet appointment). She is back eating her supplements at each meal and has shown a rebound in her standing. She fatigues a bit slower since being back on the supplements (from the Clemmons protocol). I am working towards a regular walking schedule again soon.

Vet appointment

Sierra has a vet appointment this weekend. She's been having nighttime incontinence. I am thinking she has a bladder infection. I am going to get that checked out and hope that it will clear up the incontinence issues. It's very hard to find doggie diapers LARGE enough for a great dane! I am laying down a plastic sheet under her bed to protect the floor and made clean-up easier. Back to the store tomorrow for another attempt to find the right diaper size. Who'd have thought?