My dog is such a spaz that she has to be sedated at the vet just to be examined. This being said, we have NEVER been able to trim her claws. Actually they are more like talons.
Once, I thought I would try to trim them. She moved as I was squeezing the clippers. Silly me, I didn’t have the styptic nearby. As my heart raced and my palms dripped I ran as fast as I could. By the time I got back upstairs, there was bloody carnage. So, trying to avoid another blood-letting, I picked-up a PediPaws at Walgreens.
The instructions recommend getting the dog used to the damn thing by putting it near her and offering treats. Right! I am more of the impatient forcing type, so the following instructions were right up my alley;
"'Holding Your Pet' If your pet is not comfortable receiving a PediPaws pedicure (after the previous introduction process), you may choose from one of the following suggested approaches. Some people find it easiest to have the pet sit on your lap, while some prefer to have the pet lay on his or her side. You may decide to lay your pet on his or her back. Find a position that works best for both of you."
That sounded good in theory; however she is an 80-90 pound brick-house. The following was somewhat encouraging, even though my husband and I should have known better;
"If your pet resists or tries to squirm away, DO NOT ALLOW IT! The struggling is only temporary. By letting your pet escape, you will reinforce this evasive behavior. YOU ARE IN CHARGE… …NEVER LET HIM OR HER GO!"
We tried many commanding positions. She squirmed her way out of all of them. I think we scared her because she shit on the living room floor, right in front of us! Needless to say, we had to take a “break” against instructional advice.
Round two. Short of hog-tying her, which I kept recommending, we took turns trying to take her down. This is when I banged my head into the wooden arm of the futon and almost knocked myself out. Then her dew-claw punctured and slashed my hand. The slash is about 2 inches long. Now I was pissed.
Although she was panting like she just ran around the globe non-stop, my husband was determined to continue to tire her out (an impossible feat) because she still wasn’t giving in. Being pissed, I pushed her to the ground, straddled her and pushed her head to the carpet. This time my fight or flight syndrome kicked in hard. I was not letting her win.
It took about 50 minutes to dominate her, then 10 minutes (according to the hubby) for the filing. I think the filing took an hour, seeing as I straddled her and experienced extreme hip and thigh fatigue. As of today I have more bruises than I can count. My husband is all scratched-up too, and we just can’t wait to do it again.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
Living Bipolar - Med Changes
Lithium: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium_pharmacology
In 1993 a doctor told me I was bipolar and prescribed me Lithium. He did not educate me about the drug. He did not do pre-labs for baseline readings, or follow-up labs for therapeutic levels. He did not explain to me that I needed to increase my water intake so I was not drinking enough water and felt very strange. Needless to say, like many bipolar patients, I decided I didn't need it and that I was not bipolar, so I quit taking it.
Recently, in April and May, I experienced delusions, psychosis, and paranoia. We did not contact my doctor because I was not a threat to myself or others. Our focus at home was to get me some deep sleep. My husband was sure I was not getting proper sleep and he was correct. I was staying up later and later. I was tossing and turning, and waking throughout the night. The fact that I was not a threat, according to my doctor, is not a reason to not call her.
When I got back to visiting my Doctor, she was a bit alarmed. She said that every time I leave reality it damages my brain and we need to protect my brain. So, aside from the sleep issue, she said we need to try Lithium. It's tried and true and is good for depression too.
I was scared to try it again, knowing this time about labs and possible toxicity. She told me that increased thirst or urination is normal for side effects, but excessive thirst and urination are abnormal and signs of toxicity. Nausea is OK, vomiting is toxic. Loose stool are OK, diarrhea is toxic. So, if I show signs of toxicity I am to stop taking the medicine, drink Gatorade, and call her.
However, it is not that easy for me. My pre-labs showed blood in my urine. I was told to see my primary care physician for that. I did and it is still there. Now I have to see a Urologist. So basically, I have been drinking up to 11-8oz glasses of water as recommended for Lithium. I very probably have an issue with my kidneys or bladder so I am very thirsty and peeing buckets every hour. My stomach is distended by the end of the night, and I have even vomited twice since this started. I am not toxic, in fact I was still under therapeutic levels and my doctor raised my dose by 300mg.
I feel like the Lithium is working, but the thirst and the peeing are taking an emotional toll. I have an appointment on Tuesday with the Urology Center, and I am worried that I have cancer or failing kidneys. We shall see.
For further information or blogging on this Urology issue; please click here;
http://bloophoenix.blogspot.com/
In 1993 a doctor told me I was bipolar and prescribed me Lithium. He did not educate me about the drug. He did not do pre-labs for baseline readings, or follow-up labs for therapeutic levels. He did not explain to me that I needed to increase my water intake so I was not drinking enough water and felt very strange. Needless to say, like many bipolar patients, I decided I didn't need it and that I was not bipolar, so I quit taking it.
Recently, in April and May, I experienced delusions, psychosis, and paranoia. We did not contact my doctor because I was not a threat to myself or others. Our focus at home was to get me some deep sleep. My husband was sure I was not getting proper sleep and he was correct. I was staying up later and later. I was tossing and turning, and waking throughout the night. The fact that I was not a threat, according to my doctor, is not a reason to not call her.
When I got back to visiting my Doctor, she was a bit alarmed. She said that every time I leave reality it damages my brain and we need to protect my brain. So, aside from the sleep issue, she said we need to try Lithium. It's tried and true and is good for depression too.
I was scared to try it again, knowing this time about labs and possible toxicity. She told me that increased thirst or urination is normal for side effects, but excessive thirst and urination are abnormal and signs of toxicity. Nausea is OK, vomiting is toxic. Loose stool are OK, diarrhea is toxic. So, if I show signs of toxicity I am to stop taking the medicine, drink Gatorade, and call her.
However, it is not that easy for me. My pre-labs showed blood in my urine. I was told to see my primary care physician for that. I did and it is still there. Now I have to see a Urologist. So basically, I have been drinking up to 11-8oz glasses of water as recommended for Lithium. I very probably have an issue with my kidneys or bladder so I am very thirsty and peeing buckets every hour. My stomach is distended by the end of the night, and I have even vomited twice since this started. I am not toxic, in fact I was still under therapeutic levels and my doctor raised my dose by 300mg.
I feel like the Lithium is working, but the thirst and the peeing are taking an emotional toll. I have an appointment on Tuesday with the Urology Center, and I am worried that I have cancer or failing kidneys. We shall see.
For further information or blogging on this Urology issue; please click here;
http://bloophoenix.blogspot.com/
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