Some changes to Llyr's Therapy

A little over a week ago after talking with Llyr's therapy team it was decided that Llyr needed some changes in his therapy program. Llyr was barely using his front left leg when swimming anymore. Since his front legs have become weaker from his progressing DM swimming was no longer benefiting him. He was still watching me as he was going around the pool, but he was floating more than swimming. The spark in his eyes while swimming was disappearing and he was not enjoying swimming anymore. so, llyr is no longer swimming during therapy anymore. 

His therapy sessions are now only land exercises and those are limited as well. He is getting massage, stretching, Cold Laser Therapy and limited head and neck exercises. He is starting to lose strength in his head. This is the progression of Degenerative Myelopathy. Very sad, but true. This disease marches on slowly but surely. Llyr still loves getting his frozen treats and is now getting them twice a week during therapy instead of just once! Since Llyr is a very food motivated Corgi, of course there are no complaints!

        This was a day that I forgot his frozen treats, so it was a Peanut butter day!

               Llyr getting a massage and waiting patiently for more Peanut Butter!

           Llyr getting a neck massage from Michelle and enjoying his frozen treat!

                      Llyr is enjoying just relaxing with Dr. Stephanie Finley! 

                                       Llyr talking with Cheryl! He adores her!

                  Llyr taking time out to smile for the camera with Cheryl and I! 

    

                                  Last, but not least a big smile from Llyr!!!!     

                      More pictures of Llyr in his stroller

    
          Llyr gets to go to my Dr. appointments! With my CDE Marianne McAndrew!

                                                   How sweet is this!


                                       

                                           Llyr with Michelle my Nutritionist! 

  
              Llyr with my best friend Becky and I at Braxton's Animal Works!

    Llyr is upstairs after therapy. He is hoping for more for some more treats!

                     Llyr enjoying treats at one of our many visits to Braxton's!




Even though time marches on with the progression of Degenerative Myelopathy there are still many places you can go with your Corgi! Have fun and enjoy every moment! 
                                             

                         Llyr, out and about in his doggy stroller

                                       Some pictures of Llyr enjoying his stroller rides!

                      Visiting a good friend at the Devon Horse show and Country Fair!

 

                                       Llyr and I enjoying our day at the horse show!

                                        Ear scratches from a fellow Corgi lover!

                                       Llyr posing by the Devon Derby prize list!

                               Llyr enjoying time in the shade and watching people!

                                          Out and about in his neighborhood!

                                                       Llyr waiting to stroll!

                                                   Llyr visiting a local park!

  

                             Taking a stop by the baseball field to smile for the camera!

               Llyr visiting with his good friend Linda at Braxton's Animal Works in Devon, Pa

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                                   A large orange monkey toy catching a ride with Llyr!  

          

                                                   

                                                        

                  Time marches on with DM as much as you do not want it to




Because of Llyr's progressing DM he has stopped being able to use his front legs in his cart a little while after our last visit to K-9 Cart Company East. A very wonderful lady from the Wheelcorgi Yahoo Group lent me her Doggy stroller and Llyr has been loving it! I still use Llyr's cart to express him, to eat and for time in the grass. His stroller has enabled him to continue to enjoy life. Only now it is from a higher level so to speak!

Our last visit with his Neurologist Dr. Moeser at the University of Pennsylvania Llyr again charmed everyone! We also had a tour of the Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital after our appointment.

                                                   Llyr with Dr. Moeser

                                      Llyr on our tour visiting one of the three areas in
                                      the hospital that now have new rubber flooring! 

         
                                                   A smiling, happy Llyr! 

    
                                     Llyr and I enjoying our tour of the hospital!

                      Llyr was given smile stickers for being such a good boy!



When the time comes that your Corgi can no longer use the cart please consider using a doggy stroller. There are many different types and price ranges. It has enabled to Llyr to go places he would not have been able to before. We now take "strolls". You may get some comments like "Oh, what a spoiled dog!", but it is a good time to tell people why your Corgi is in a stroller and educate people about DM. You will get more positive comments from most people and you and your Corgi will have many memorable times despite the progressing DM!

Llyr's trip to K9 Cart Company East 2-21-2012

Llyr had started knuckling with his front left leg about a month ago and recently he started knuckling with his right foot as well. Knuckling is when the paw starts folding over at the top of the paw. At first this may happen and they will right their paw on their own, but as time goes on as it is happening with Llyr he rights them less often and I have to help him. As a result of this our walks in his cart are getting harder. I have been pulling him in his cart for a while. He still uses his cart inside where I know he will not hurt his paws because of the rugs and yoga mats. Outside unless we are on grass he will scrape up his paws. I have tried socks, but his toenails go right through them. I have tried duct taping the socks at the bottom, but this makes him knuckle even more. Boots are just to bulky and he can't use them at all.

Llyr and I made a trip to K9 Cart Company East in Oxford, Md. 12 days ago. I was hoping that maybe some adjustments could be made to his cart to help him walk better. Dr. Parkes tried lowering the cart slightly which did not help and he also tried raising the cart some and this did not work either. He was able to make Llyr's cart narrower which has helped to keep him straighter in his cart. Llyr is at the point in his journey with DM that his time in his cart is very short as far as walks go. Now I mostly use his cart so that he can do his business outside. Llyr can only piddle now by being expressed. He is still pooping on his own thankfully. He also enjoys sniffing the ground and of course the occasional ground goodie! I also picked up Llyr's skis. Unfortunately, they do not work on grass and we have not had any snow since I got them.

Here is Dr. Parkes is doing the final fitting of Llyr's skis to his cart.

Here is Llyr with his skis! For the first time ever I am hoping for a little bit of snow!

This is a close up picture of Llyr's skis. This picture is not with Llyr's cart, but when Dr. Parkes was finishing the design. The skis are easy to put on and to take off his cart.

 Llyr did have a good time on his visit and Rebecca gave Llyr a wonderful bone toy and treats for  his Birthday!

Llyr also enjoyed getting his chin scratched by Rebecca! Llyr loves getting to see Rebecca on our trips.

The end of a long, but nice day at K-9 Cart Company East!

I am sad to know that there is nothing else that can be done to help Llyr walk with his cart. Dr. Parkes, Jamie and Rebecca have worked tirelessly to help Llyr. Without his wonderful cart from K9 Cart Company East Llyr's journey with DM would have been much more difficult. Llyr's time in his cart has given him 100% better quality of life. I can't thank everyone enough from K9 Cart Company East for all they have done for Llyr and I.  www.k-9cart.com

Llyr's 14th Birthday Celebrations!!!

                                                
Llyr's 14th Birthday was on Friday February 3rd.  His birthday was a very extended celebration! Llyr was diagnosed with Degenerative Myelopathy about 18 1/2 months ago and this was a big celebration. There was a time when I questioned if he would make it to this birthday.   Llyr is starting to have more trouble walking in his cart due to knuckling with his front legs.  His front legs are getting weaker from the slow progression of DM, but this did not stop him from having a wonderful birthday!


Friday being a Therapy day for Llyr his first celebration was at West Chester Veterinary Rehabilitation Center.  Dr. Stephanie Finley, Michelle and Cheryl had a huge balloon and a very wonderful card waiting for Llyr!

Llyr with one of his many birthday hats and getting hugs from a very happy Mom!                           

 Llyr getting hugs from Cheryl and Michelle! Llyr has on another party hat too!

                          More hugs from Michelle and one more party hat for Llyr!

                                                  Of course there were treats too!

                                                  More hugs and kisses from Mom!

Lastly some stretching and massage from Michelle during breaks from swimming laps. We all had a wonderful time celebrating Llyr's special day!


Next we were off to Braxton's Animal Works to visit with his Auntie Linda and other friends!

                                   Llyr with his Auntie Linda! One very happy Corgi!

Llyr singing, but what he really wanted was to see what was in the wonderful bag of birthday goodies from his Auntie Linda. She also gave Llyr a beautiful card! The terrific people that work at Braxton's Animal Works also gave Llyr a special card that everyone signed!

Llyr and I with John Braxton.  Braxton's Animal Works is a 3rd generation pet supply store that has been in business over 70 years! www.braxtons.com  

Llyr getting birthday greetings from Nick! Nick is one of the many fantastic and knowledgable people that work at Braxton's Animal Works.  If you are ever near Wayne, Pa. do stop in and see them. The address is 620 West Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, Pa. 19087 and their phone number is 610-688-0769. You will not be disappointed with their product selection and great customer service!


Llyr's next party was at Lucie's Barkingham Palace. This was his big party with doggie friends, games and of course endless treats!

                                               Llyr waiting for his guests to arrive!

Three of Llyr's Corgi guests. Trudy with her Mom Kathy and Corgis  Georgia Peach and Dolly the Fluff with their Mom Lisa!

                     Llyr heading off to the treat finding game! He loved this game!

      
 My other corgi Awstin wearing his birthday hat sideways! He had a great time!

Llyr taking a break in the festivities with Trudy, Awstin and his people friends Kathy, Joanne and Susie!

                                     Llyr's best doggie friend Lily and his Auntie Pam!

                                    Elizabeth with John and Corgis Mo and Morgan!

                                   Sam, another friend of Llyr's waiting for the cake!

                            The yummy apple cake that all the dogs were waiting for!!!

                                 Llyr looking a little sad because he wants more cake!

                                 

                             The party is almost over, but Llyr had a great time!!!!

A tired Llyr waving bye to his guests! Lucie's Barkingham Palace is a wonderful place for parties. Lucie's Barkingham Palace offers many services for your four legged friend. Grooming, Day Care, Boarding,  Training and Obedience to name a few.  They are located at 2643 Yellow Springs Road Malvern, Pa. 610-240-0190  www.luciesbarkinghampalace.com They really do treat your pet like royalty!

 

Llyr at the end of 10 days of celebrations for his 14th birthday with some of his wonderful birthday gifts! One very tired, but happy Corgi! 


Llyr also had a special page set up for him on Facebook by a very wonderful lady also named Amy called "Lets help Llyr Celebrate his 14th Birthday" I can't thank her enough for doing this and all the wonderful people and Corgis that posted birthday wishes for Llyr.  Thank you to everyone that made Llyr's birthday a truly unforgettable time, one that I will cherish forever!