Gracie has Addisons Disease

On Aug 31, 2011 Gracie was diagnosed with Addisones Disease. She had stopped eatting for up to 3 weeks. The Vet had me giving her a nutrial suppliment force feeding with a syring. Much blood work and testing laster and Addisons was found. It is a desease of the adreneal glands right above the kidneys. Hers have stopped working for some reason. It is usually heretited and I called her breeder but none of her dogs have ever had this illness.

I had been giving Gracie Waggan Train Chicken jerky everyday all summer. And in the fall after she was diagnosed it was reported that it was made in China and many dogs were dieing from kidney desease after eating Waggen Train. I really feel Gracies illness is from those treats.

Gracie is now on medication for the rest of her life. She takes Florinef 0.1mg 1 tab am and 0.1mg 1 1/4 tab pm. She got Blood Work every week at first to see were her levels of Lytes were. Then she went monthly, now she is every 3 months. If she stays stable we will be able to go to every 6 months. The lytes tell us how much medication she needs.

It has been a hard 6 months. She was so sick at first I thought I was going to loose her. Many dogs have died because it was not caught early enough. We were every lucky to catch it early with Gracie.

Gracie's Love

Gracie has been the best dog ever. I had surgery again the 3rd time in 6 months. And Gracie has been my constant companion. She never leaves my side, snuggles with me and loves me. I've had nurses visiting and Gracie has been the best, letting them in the house and only barking a little. LOL I feel at times that I might not have healed as quickly as I did without her. Dogs are the best.
Gracie has many IG friends and while I was sick some sent us cards and sent pictures of themselfs. I put them on the frig. and put them low so Gracie can see them. She loves her iggie friends!

Gracie's doing great. She has been my nurse this summer. I went through 2 major abdominal surgeries in 1 week and in the hospital for 2 weeks. After I came home Gracie was constantanly by my side and I think she was better than any medication the Drs. gave me. Such unconditionale love. Only a dog (iggie) can give. So glad I have her in my life.

Sunny day

We finally had a sunny day and I could sit outside and get some sun with mum. It felt so good :) I just layed there and fell asleep. Mum sat on the swing and typed on her computer. No rescue dog yet but we talk alot about it if we need to help out mum says we will. And I will have to be the big sister and help out for IGs out there who need homes. She says I'm very lucky to have her and I know I am. I love her so much. She is the best mum ever. Hope we get more warm days like today so we can sit outside more :)

Gracie herself

I decided to write myself and give mommy a break. She has been so busy with taking pictures of me and videos and posting on you tube. She loves me so much she wants everyone to see me. I do just look at her at times. I think she is a bit much. She also told me she is going to help with the rescue of Iggies in Western PA. But she promised no iggies in our house. I am the one and only. She better keep that promise! But I know Mommy she loves us iggies. I'll believe it when I see it. Don't tell her I told you that. That all for now I'm going to go back to sleep. Till next time. Iggie kisses and wagges.

Iggie ice skating anyone?

We have had a week of snow and ice. Gracie is really good at going outside even in the snow but this ice is something else. We had freezing rain & sleet and Gracie had to go out, one step off the porch and down she went she got up and the next step she was spreed eagle. All four legs out from under her. I could not help but laugh. I did go rescue her and check her out. Thank-you Lord no injuries. That night it was pee pads to go on. The next am I tried again and the walk has a bit of a incline & she slide all the way down. She should there looking at me her legs spreed out but not all the way saying "rescue me mom". I had to go get her. And she has been inside all week. poor Gracie no more ice skating.

Gracie' Mom

Welcome to my place wew I share my life with you and my life with an Italian Greyhound. It has been very different than with any other dog I have ever had. As I grew up we always had dogs and own my own I have always had dogs. Then in the fall of 2004 I lost my 12 year old mutt. I did not get a new dog right away like I had in the past. I started to get a bit depressed and friends who have 2 IG's decided to get me one. They called their breeder and got a relative of their dogs. So on December 5, 2004 I got an early Christmas present. The best Christmas present ever. She will be 5 years old on May 20. She is 14 pounds, red and white in color and the love of my life. My friends have her aunt and 1/2 sister and we have many play dates. What did I ever do before her? She keeps me on my toes. She is not graceful as you would think from her name - Grace Kellie. I call her Gracie. And yes I named her from the old movie actress. But she is my tomboy. I never know what she is going to do next, as you will see as I blog. I hope you enjoy.