Category: IBD (Irritable Bowel Disease)

Another Way of Remembering “Mighty Micah”; How I miss him…

Christine (Tina) M. ArmbrustLeave a comment

Micah at Latrobe (June 1-2 trial)I think the reason I miss that little boy so much is because I took care of him… worried about him… for so long.  The last month of his life… we were in a routine.  I would feed  him six times a day in his feeding tube.   The times were… 6:00p; 8:00p; 10:00p; 2:00a; 4:00a; and 6:00a.   It was easier on the weekends because I could feed through the day. The weekend before he passed away – he came with me to Latrobe.  He was active… he was attentive to the surroundings.   I would feed him and then we would take a nap…  Lukas and Micah in their crates… me on the floor.

When I would feed him at home, we did it on the bed.  I would stand beside the bed and he would walk up and stop waiting for me to lift him up.  He wasn’t able to jump anymore on the bed – he was too weak.  He was too weak, too, to climb the stairs up to the bed.  Then he would turn and look at me… waiting for me to take his tube down.  He would just lay down and sleep… as I fed  him.

I emailed Dr. Spracklen to tell her I had left a message and hadn’t heard anything back.  She responded with “I was sorry to hear of Micah’s passing.  He was a gentle spirit.”  He was…

I made a canvas to remember him…  took some pictures and placed the order at Walgreens.  This is what it looked like…  it included baby pictures, agility pictures and pictures with Lukas.  If you take each row and count them as 1.2.3. – 4.5. – 6.7.8.  We have the following pictures…  1 (8 weeks); 2 (his first agility trial – April, 2017); 3 (at a Red Roof when he was a young dog – Lukas trialing); 4 and 5 was at Dexter in December, 2016.  Picture 6 (his first trial – April, 2017); 7 (Lukas 28th C-ATCH at the end of March) and 8 (his last trial in Dayton – first weekend in May, 2017).

A gentle spirit… “Mighty Micah”

Canvas (June 18, 2017) - Remembering

Thank you to the Vet Techs and Receptionists

Christine (Tina) M. ArmbrustLeave a comment

Thank You Vet Techs and ReceptionistsI am still dealing with Micah’s passing.  It surprises me that he still haunts me.  I am dealing with my grief by thanking those who have helped him.  Created a thank you note to the vet…  didn’t want to forget the vet techs and receptionists who worked so hard with us too.  I created a card for them too…  so often folks forget the support people in an organization.  I wanted to remember them…

It was good to review his pictures… some of when he appeared healthy.  I don’t ever recall grieving so for a dog.  He was only in my life for 13.5 months…  I think of him often and sometimes – see him in the house.  Could that be??

 

Thank You Note to Dr. McGuffin

Christine (Tina) M. ArmbrustLeave a comment

Picture to Dr McGuffinJune, 2017

Dear Dr. McGuffin,

I want to take this time to thank you for trying to help “Mighty Micah.”  To me – he was such a special little one.  He was such a thinker…  so, attentive to learning and adapting to new things as he was introduced to agility… and introduced to the challenges of his life.  He was part of my family and my life.  He was so very loved and although it was not the final outcome I had hoped for – and although our time together was short – my sweet little boy entered my heart and taught me much.    He was such a gift!

I also want to thank you for the many gifts you have given me (and my pups)…  you gave us the gift of time with Micah, you gave us the gift of hope, and finally – you gave me the gift of knowing that I was not alone in fighting this terrible disease.  I will forever be appreciative for those gifts.

I am glad that our paths have crossed.  When I asked God for help… it was you he sent me.  It has been an honor to work with you.

Sincerely,

Tina Armbrust and the Pups

(Lukas, Misty and Baby Jake)

 

P.S.  Enjoy the wine and the photo [so you won’t ever forget us (and the many many emails)  Tee Hee!  Tee Hee!]

Micah’s Passing – Posted on Facebook on June 7, 2017 @ 10:38p.m.

Christine (Tina) M. ArmbrustLeave a comment

I want to thank you all for your many words of kindness regarding Micah’s passing this past Tuesday. My heart aches so… these past few months my life has truly revolved around his schedule and his needs and there is an emptiness now.

As many of you know Micah had IBD… was doing well and then had a major flare up which started the middle/end of March. It progressed to where in spite of him receiving 750-1000 calories a day – he was still losing weight due to the malabsorption. He went from 21.7 lbs. to under 14 lbs. Our last-ditch effort was to do a fecal microbiota implant – which has been found to effectively change the microbiome to create the environment that exists in a healthy GI tract thus allowing it to work properly. They do this in humans as a treatment. He went in Tuesday… made it through the procedure… went through recovery – was awake and appeared to be doing well. Went into the crate to rest… they checked on him the next round and he had passed. What I believed happened… he had had so much muscle loss due to the illness that his heart – a muscle – was also affected and just gave out. I miss him so… he truly truly fought a “mighty” fight… take care “Mighty Micah!” We will meet again … until then – know that you were loved by Lukas, Misty, Baby Jake – and me!I

 

Micah’s Passing – Posted on Facebook (June 6, 2017 @ 4:30p)

Christine (Tina) M. ArmbrustLeave a comment

It is with great sadness that I share with you that Mighty Micah passed away today at the age of 17 months. I will miss him so… his stay here with me, Lukas, Misty and Baby Jake was all too short. We will miss him so… I am so very sad.

Three Days After the Feeding Tube (May, 2017)

Christine (Tina) M. ArmbrustLeave a comment

Micah is doing much better. I discovered that when they weighed him for the procedure – he actually had gone down to 15.28lbs. from 21.7lbs. The feedings are going well… anMicah Sleeping (May, 2017)d he is eating also his own food in the bowl by mouth too – rabbit. We are getting into a routine… in the three days – he has gained a half of pound and now weighs 15.9lbs. Heading in the right direction!! The feedings and prep take about 30-40 minutes. We have started to exercise just a bit now, too… starting to work on his muscles (not too much though right now). He was awful weak. It may take some time… but I know that Mighty Micah will be back!!!

Micah’s Condition Worsens (May 18, 2017)

Christine (Tina) M. ArmbrustLeave a comment

Micah (May 18, 2017).jpgMighty Micah had a flare up with his IBD… and has been very ill for the last couple weeks. His weight has plummeted from 21.4 lb. to 15.7 lbs. Eating had been very difficult. His blood work was challenging… I truly thought I was going to lose him.

Today starts a new adventure… we had a feeding tube – an e-tube – put in in order to be able to control how much food he is getting. He can also eat through his mouth if he so desires… but now I know he will be getting nutrients. I was so frightened for him… but hopefully he will be true to his name – “Mighty Micah” – will recover to run another day. Thank you to all who have listened to me these past few weeks… it truly has been tough on us!!

Micah and his trip to Dr. Spracklen

Christine (Tina) M. ArmbrustLeave a comment

Micah and I went to Dr. Spracklen’s Office today to have a food evaluation.  Most everything he was eating…  either wasn’t for him or there was something potentially better for him.  His Zukes’ Rabbit treats… they were OK.  Some of it I already knew…  the Sweet Potato and Venison and the Selected Protein Adult PR Kibble – he didn’t like much and she said it wasn’t good for him.  The Wild Calling Rabbit… and Nature’s Variety Instinct Raw Patties plus the No Hide Salmon Chew – a no go.

She made mention that he is “not doing well” with his intestinal tract (large/small) operating at about 30%.  His coat/fur is not very good either.  He is out of balance…  I think she said “damp, hot, yin” but I could be mistaken.  It is at these times that I wished I had recorded what she said.  She picked up the food…  got near him… and after a time – would say “yes” “no” “maybe.”

I told her I was doing agility with him… she looked puzzled and asked me how his energy level was.  I responded – that this week – he was good the first day.  The second day… he seemed a little edgy, not really wanting to run the first two runs – until I put him in the car to be in “a quiet space.”

OK…  all I want him to do is eat, gain weight, and get healthy.  She talked some more of how he was not in balance… that he is in a very serious state…  and that we would need to start on the dehydrated foods (turkey) first… with some turkey in addition – as they are not made worse by “processing.”

She wants me to bring his medicines next time too… plus what he has been eating.  I will stay pure to the food.   Our next appointment is May 17, 2017 at 1:30p.

The Road Traveled with my Companions… Micah is still doing well!

Christine (Tina) M. ArmbrustLeave a comment

It is soooooo hard to believe!  Micah’s stools are STILL solid!!  It has been since February 12, 2017 (almost 6 weeks!!)!

Ya know… when you have a dog with IBD solid stools bring a joy to your heart!  Makes one smile!  Makes one feel – all is well with the world!!  Who would know…

He is continuing to eat rabbit and venison… some kibble and some can.  In reading about Chinese medicine and using food as a medicine, it seems like the rabbit being a “cooling” food is what I need to go with.  Venison is a “hot food.”  So I think I will continue in the mode of focusing on “rabbit.”  This I will do until I see the vet who speciality is food.  She can then direct me…

He is down in his predisolone too… down to 2.5mg a day (down from 10mg).  He also takes Tylosin powder (1/8 teaspoons bid), and a probiotic (bid).  I have added a joint supplement as he was limping at times when he jumped down from the bed.

The solid stools mean the intestines are healing!!

THANK YOU GOD!!

Now that he is feeling better… I have working with him on agility skills.  He can do 6 weave poles fairly consistently – almost at a 95% accuracy!!  He can do 12 weave poles also… he tends to have an issue – when he has an issue – at pole number 4.  Thinking that maybe I am crowding him?  We also are working at entering at different angles and running on both sides.  I want him to be seen as a “weaver” too (Sir Lukas is seen as such)!!

He takes official classes on Sundays and Wednesdays.  The Sunday class is called “foundations.”  It is very good at teaching the basics (especially the basics of jumping).  It will be fun to see how he does at his first trial which will be on April 1, 2017 in Cincinnati!

I believe he will end up as a 16 inch dog (trying to be 12 inches).  He is practicing at 16″ just in case… he does fine at 16″ but could jump faster at 12″… but we will see.

He is not super fast… he is a thinker.  Hopefully as the confidence grows so will his speed.

Time will tell about “Mighty Micah!!”

The Road Traveled… Micah’s March 8, 2017 Infection (Oh no!!)

Christine (Tina) M. ArmbrustLeave a comment

Micah is on the upswing in his health!!  Finally!!

Then it happened!  On March 8, 2017 (Wednesday), I got home from work (around 7:30 p).  Reached down to pet him and there was a golf ball size swollen area under his left ear (where the lymph nodes are) and a tennis ball swollen area under his chin (the middle of his chin area).  When I touched him – he whimpered.  Now what…

I emailed Dr. McGuffin at 8:30 p and at 9:00 p he responded that he needed to see him.  I could drop him off or see him the next day at 8:30 a.  I thanked him…

Dr. McGuffin called me…  Micah had a fever.  The blood work showed his neutrophils were at at 90 (normal is between 3000-12000).  Micah was fighting an infection – and losing.  He put him on an antibiotic IV, aspirated the two swollen areas and sent it for testing.  The area by the ear had pus… the area under the chin was fluid.   He consulted with other vets at the practice… the infection – they thought – was in the parotid gland.  The culture came back as e-coli (a resistant form of e-coli with few antibiotics that can fight it).  He stayed overnight.  When I picked him up… he was still swollen (and was through the following Monday).   Had antibiotics (“Oh no!!  What will that do to his stool?? ”  Oh well… Micah needs help fighting this illness!!) and told me to lower the predisolone from 10 mg to 5 mg.  He thought that the dosage of predisolone played a role in him not being able to fight the infection.

It took until Sunday before he wanted to play again and wanted to eat again – and boy did he eat!!  The doctor put him on more antibiotics after the weekend…  in order to truly kill the infection (as he didn’t want a relapse).

Went back for a recheck… the infection appears to be gone (but his temperature was still up a bit).  He lowered the dosage again of predisolone to 2.5 mg once a day.  Micah’s weight went from 17.8 lbs. when he came home after being sick (down from 20.4) to his highest weight ever… 21.4 lbs.

One more joyful thing… throughout the antibiotics – he had firm stools!!  So although we were messing with the good bacteria in his gastrointestinal system – the probiotics must have kept it balanced!!   We will need to go back again for a recheck…  hopefully I can wait until spring break!

Again… we are on the upswing!!