Cora is Going on Prosac

Cora went to see a veterinary behaviorist. Dr Sung is pretty amazing. She's got a lot of experience and education in animal behavior. I was early and I was surprised when she greeted me at the door (no receptionist) and said we could get started. I almost said that Cora would do better if I could give her a little time out of the car to adjust but then I decided it might be good for her to see Cora stressed. I feel bad for Cora. Between being rushed inside and the small office she hit her stressed point. In other words she was awful- barking, defensive, and falling down. Dr Sung said it was good to see Cora at her worst.

Dr Sung spent time watching Cora and asked me a lot of questions. She did a really good job of listening to what I had to say about Cora. We spent about two hours together and I do believe she really understood a lot of Cora's issues. We talked about Cora's cognition. There's a disconnect, between what Cora senses and experiences and what she's able to execute. So she will hear my call her, and now generally where I am but launch off in the wrong direction. It creates a lot of frustration for her and I think she has a hard time thinking past that frustration.

Dr Sung was the first medical person to really grasp how big the eating issue is for Cora. Cora smells the food, she knows it's there. But she may actually have a lack of feeling in her nose and mouth area. If she does feel, it doesn't process to her brain well. So, imagine trying to eat finger food when you are blind and can't fully feel your fingers. This has made training Cora hard. If I try to use food treats to train her, I often just frustrate her. So, we are going to try soft foods for training. If the food isn't rolling away, and Cora just has to lick it, it may be easier for her to get.

We also talked about Cora's emotions. She's a very emotive dog. Or as the expert said "her emotions are all over the place." Clearly, Cora has all sorts of odd things happening with her neurology, so giving her some meds what will even her out and help with the frustration make sense. So, last night, Cora get her first dose of prosac. The risk is fairly low and it could have a big benefit. It will take weeks before we know. I am also supposed to talk to Cora more. Someone telling me to talk more. Whenever I touch her I am supposed to tell her what I'm doing and identify body parts. This will eventually make handling her easier. I'd been doing that, but now I have a much clearer idea how to do it. Cora has been quiet and mellow today. I don't know if that's because yesterday's visit wore her out, because of the prosac, the horrible weather or because her human is having a blah day. We've been given some more tools to make her life better and that's a good thing.

Cora Inspires Me

When I brought Cora home in the middle of January she could barely walk. When she did walk she only went in small, stumbling circles. She fell down constantly. She didn't play, wag her tail or even hold her tail up. She had troubles finding the food in her bowl or even taking food off my hand. It wasn't just that she couldn't see, it was that she had problems with the basic coordination of eating. She spent a lot of time frustrated or afraid. She had temper-tantrums and it wasn't always clear what set her off. She hated to be held and didn't seem interested in having a relationship with me.So many thing seemed to overwhelm her.

It has been amazing sharing this journey with her. Never has a tail wag meant so much to me, as it did the first time she wagged at the sound of my voice. Most of the dogs I've shared my life with me, would push against me wanting to be patted and cuddled. Cora mostly doesn't but when she walks up and leans against me it's a moment I cherish. I was excited the first time she panted, just a few weeks ago, because it was another skill gained. Her finding a bone on the floor and settling down to chew on it, is a victory I cheer.

Today is the second day I've come home from work and taken Cora for a walk. Such a normal dog activity and so amazingly wonderful. Not only did we walk, at times, Cora ran. Our walks are short in distance. There are frequent stops. Some are typical puppy attention span stops. Other stops are because she's stumbled or retreated into circling. But then we get moving again and that's why we are on this journey. Cora has such a strong spirit, and I am both in awe and inspired.

Cora is Sweet?

When people see pictures of Cora, they talk about how sweet she seems. I always laugh. Cora has her tender moments, but not many and mostly when she's asleep. When Cora is awake and in full play mode she's rather rowdy and loud.  When I'm trying to handle her, she is often mad and frustrated. None of this is sweet. And the truth is, I've been getting bit. I understand, she gets scared and frustrated. She feels threatened. I get all that, but I still need to handle her. I need to help lead her to the door to go out or in. I need to take her halter on and off.

The good news is, after lots of searching and dead ends, I've found a behaviorist. She got her degree in psychology and then in veterinary medicine and she understands how medical issues and disabilities impact behavior. So, we have an appointment on Friday.

And in spite of the biting, I still love Cora and hold out hope. Yesterday, while in town, we walked around the block. Several times she broke into a run!!! Other times she stopped suddenly and refused to move, nose to the ground. She is a puppy after all.

And now that the predisone has stopped the horrible itchiness she was having, she's actually sort of sweet.  She's a calmer and happier girl when she's not miserable. Soon she and I will be learning new ways to make her life manageable and safer for everyone.

About Cora

Everyone has a story and Cora’s is just beginning. Little is known about her first few months. Mom was a stray and Cora was one of many pups. Either in the womb or at birth things went very wrong for Cora. It may have been hypoxy, malnutrition, or something else, but Cora's development was greatly impacted. She started life blind, brain damaged and with a club foot. In spite of this she survived, beating the odds. In her first 3 months she was taken to the shelter with her litter mates, moved to a foster home and then on to surgery. She also found her voice and became a member of the “Darned Independent Women” club. She was loved and admired in her first foster home but she needed more. She came home, while still recovering from the amputation. It's amazing what she's learned in a short time. Even wagging her tail was an early victory. She sits on command (sometimes), plays rowdily, goes for short walks, an is full of mischief. She’s settled in at Critter Cabin and she’s now sharing life with a bunch of other rescues critters and one human. Almost everyone at Critter Cabin has some sort of challenge (except, perhaps) Fezz. Thanks for sharing the journey of Cora and her family.

"Today Cora went to see the neurologist. I was struck by the difference in her as we calmly walked inside this big and busy building. She isn’t the same pup who went to her first few vet visits, not able to walk much at all and barking and stressed the whole time. She did get scared when I took her to the bathroom with me. I don’t blame her, bathrooms are noisy places and the door made this odd groaning noise. Instead of falling over and erupting into barking she let me pick her up, hold her and comfort her...

 ...He thinks physical rehabilitation will help a lot and gave me exercises to do with her and all sorts of information and contacts. He also gave me information on a behaviorist who deals with special needs dogs. He wants me to keep in touch and seemed really positive. I’m almost giddy."

Read the rest of the story at Cora's Tripawd Blog

The Stroller has Arrirved

Discover more about this day at her Tripawd's Blog

A Bad Vet Visit

"When I was trying to decide what my next step would be, I debated between going to a neurologist or a physical therapist. Neurology is hard to fix (and expensive), so I took her to a canine rehabilitation specialist with a mix of dread and hope. He said he’d never seen a dog quite like Cora and asked if he could observe her for a few hours and consult with the orthopedic veterinarian. I didn’t like leaving there, but I said yes. When they called me to pick her up, they said the vet wanted to talk to me and I knew. He spent a lot of time saying “To be blunt…” and then telling me just how impaired and hopeless she is. He told me I had to make my own decisions but mentioned euthanasia multiple times. I understand that he saw her at her worst and wanted to prepare me for the worst. Cora and I went home and she was defensive and unhappy that night. I was too. The visit was traumatic for both of us. By the next day she had recovered. She spent time playing in the yard and insisted on taking a bath with me. She loved it. To be blunt, I think the vet was a bit of an ass. Telling me she had severe mental deficits was the responsible thing to do, but after that he was out of his area of expertise. He made a judgement on her quality of life, without knowing her. I am not giving up on my determined Cora." Read the rest of the story at Cora's Tripawd Blog