Miraz Jordan

For the last few days we've been struggling with what's wrong with Oshi. Last weekend we thought his bottom was worrying him so when Sasha had to get a shot at the vet on Tuesday we had the vet clean out Oshi's anal glands. She also noticed some swelling at the base of his tail but after aspirating it with no result concluded he'd been licking it, perhaps because the anal glands were sore.

On Wednesday he was fussing with his rear end, but he was also wolfing down his food (as he always used to but not so much lately). I figured maybe a worm treatment was in order so we did that. When moving he'd suddenly sit down and fuss with his rear end. His bottom seemed to be really bothering him, with lots of suddenly paying attention to it.

By Thursday he was still fussing, and nibbling, so I tried a flea treatment even though I couldn't see any signs of fleas and it was only 3 weeks since the last one. Great appetite, perfectly good pooping. Also he was spending a lot of time in his bed and seemed reluctant to move. Sometimes he'd cry a bit, and he looked very sad. When he did move he'd scuttle or bolt but suddenly stop to pay attention to his rear end. Check the first couple of seconds of the video below. He was also holding his tail to the left, pressed against his bottom. In these dogs the tail is usually curled over the back unless the dog's frightened or something when it droops. This holding it to the left was definitely weird.

By Friday I was very concerned and things seemed worse so I made an urgent appointment to see Mary the vet again. She checked him over, took his temperature and checked his bottom. He didn't seem to have pain — she could move his tail, work his legs and so on and he didn't mind any more than usual. On the theory that this was possibly allergy related or itching caused by excessive licking because of the previously full anal glands she prescribed Apoquel which "starts relieving allergic dog itch within 4 hours — and controls it within 24 hours".

Saturday morning arrived and Oshi was no better. In fact he was worse with not wanting to move around. I had to coax him out of bed to eat the food he then hoovered up. I carried him to the car. We had a few moments at the dog park before seeing the vet and he did zoom around a bit, but always stopping to worry his rear end. When he 'bolts' (rather than walks) I have the impression he's trying to get away from his rear end. Charlie the weekend vet squeezed Oshi in and after more temperature taking and limb manipulation and exploration of Oshi's rectum concluded Oshi's symptoms were a puzzle. He sent us home with Rilexine antibiotics, and an instruction to give Oshi 1/4 of a paracetamol tablet if he seemed in pain, no more than twice a day.

Sunday: Oshi's no better. He really doesn't want to move around and his legs seem a little weak: when he was having a pee (after I carried him to the dog yard) his front legs seemed to give way a bit so he put down his back leg, but carried on peeing. If there's no change by tomorrow morning we'll be asking the vet to do more thorough tests — perhaps an X-ray (not so desirable for a 14 year old dog because he'll have to be knocked out for it — the risks from anaesthetic are a bit high). One odd thing: around 1 pm we gave him 1/4 of a paracetamol. Within moments he stood up and licked my leg (I was right in front of him), then went into the kitchen and sniffed mightily as though on the track of a wonderful treat. Then he got back on his bed and pretty much refused to move again until I chivvied him out to eat the dinner he wolfed down.

So, we're worried about what's going on with Oshi. He seems mainly fine so long as he's in his bed. He trembles while standing to eat his food and any time he tries to move he goes fast then stops suddenly, maybe sitting, and fusses with his rear. It's mysterious! And worrying!

And suddenly, between writing this and posting it Oshi seems very slightly better … maybe. We'll see what a night's sleep brings.

It’s one of those fabulous autumn days: cold start, clear sky, warm sun (cooler breeze), waves as gentle as a holiday on a tropical island.

We’ve seen mysterious lights up in the hills at dawn. I finally grabbed the binoculars (and then my zoom lens) for a daylight look. Turns out they’re logging up there and I hadn’t even noticed the change from green to brown…

Oshi update: his symptoms are puzzling. We’ve come home with Rilexine® Palatable tablets - Easy to give tasty antibiotics | Virbac and advice on additional pain relief if it seems necessary. We’re to update the vet on Monday when X-rays etc could be done if they’re needed. 🐶

Oshi still seems pretty unhappy and uncomfortable. We have another appointment with the vet booked for lunchtime. 🐶

Oshi’s latest medication: APOQUEL® (oclacitinib tablet) Allergy Medicine for Dogs:

If your dog is scratching, licking, or chewing like crazy, you want to provide fast, effective relief. APOQUEL starts relieving allergic dog itch within 4 hours — and controls it within 24 hours.

Hooray! : NASA’s Perseverance Mars Rover @NASAPersevere:

Mission scientists worked with a Navajo (or Diné) engineer on the team … to seek the Navajo Nation’s permission and collaboration in naming new features on Mars.

We had an unexpected visit to the vet this morning to sort out Oshi’s ‘bottom' problem. We came home with a week’s worth of Apoquel anti-itch tablets. A couple of days ago he had anal glands emptied, also flea and worm tablets, but still he was very unhappy with his rear end. 🐶

Looks like I’ll be getting my Covid vaccine sometime around mid-year: When, how and where do you get your Covid-19 vaccine? NZ roll-out details announced.

The Pfizer vaccine is the only one to have the green light from the New Zealand regulator Medsafe so far.

I made a big mistake this morning: with my phone beside the dog food bowls I played a podcast episode while I organised food. Sasha got a fit of the terrors. She was looking up and around, shaking, and couldn’t eat because she was so upset. I won’t do that again! 🐶 Old dogs…

🤯🤯🤯🤯 Aaaargh! Internet / computer networking is utterly beyond my capabilities. The more I read how-to’s and reviews of products the more my head explodes. I tried the free option of moving the modem closer to the dead spot. No go. Phone hotspotting may be the best option.

Cool 4-minute video: Why Real Explosions Don’t Look Like Movie Explosions.

The whole article is an easy and interesting read, but especially:

I’m glad I didn’t give up 10 years ago to fit someone else’s idea of what a scientist should be like. And I’m glad people are finally starting to realise how important communication is, especially when it comes to science. I’m just sad it took a pandemic.

Via: Siouxsie Wiles: Reflections from the rollercoaster, one year after my first collaboration with Toby Morris | The Spinoff

It seems late in the season for it, but we finally have Monarch Butterfly caterpillars on our Swan Plants.

On the property just past our neighbours there’s building work happening. I suspect they’re laying a concrete floor today. This is the first building in a new subdivision of six houses.