I'm A Hooman!

On July 5, 2019, Suki and I were doing our normal routine. I was fixing breakfast for us, yes, I fry her an egg every morning, and doing a Bible study while waiting for breakfast to be ready. Suki was doing her normal thing that consists of sleeping on the couch waiting very impatiently for her breakfast to be finished.

Of course Suki and I have adult conversations all the time, so I asked her, "Suki, are you ready to eat breakfast?". When I looked up, she was nodding at me as if to say "YES". It took me just a minute to realize, "Wait, is she seriously telling me yes?" I laugh about that thought now but at the time I have to admit I was a tad bit freaked out. I had to remind myself that ((parents don't read this part to your kids)) but I had to remind myself that she really is a dog regardless of the way we treat her. Finally I realized that she could not in fact be nodding to tell me that she was ready for her food, and that indeed something was wrong with our baby girl! I took a video of her but I'm too dumb to figure out how to upload it here. It say's that it has to be viewed on facebook. Here is the link to do that if you would like to see.

https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.cottonginfree/videos/911980282485417/

The first thing that I did was upload the video to a Facebook group called "Everyday Boxer". I asked everyone there for help to determine what was wrong. The members there, mostly also boxer parents, were so helpful. They all, well most of them, agreed that she was experiencing head tremors. Well, I don't like it one bit so when she had her second one less than an hour later, I found a vet here in Indiana to take her to.

I literally ran in to Westwood Vet Clinic crying and pretty much just made my way to a room with her barely introducing either of us! Bless them, the vet tech and doctor followed me back and was very very concerned with figuring out what was wrong and making sure to calm me.

So the final result was, as they said in the group, "head tremors". The formal term is known as "idiopathic head tremors". There is a ton of information on-line regarding this condition. I'll let you Google if you want to know more but the gist of it is that there really is no cause or triggers. Although the Dr did say that her medical history of Leptospirosis in November of 2016 could actually be a cause. According to the doctor, the bacteria during her illness could have gotten into her blood stream and eventually working its way into her spinal fluid. If that were to happen, it would in time travel to her brain and result in tremors. Thankfully, her home vet in Ardmore, TN, had performed blood work on her in May, 2018, and verified that it appeared that the Lepto had not caused any damage.

Other than that, idiopathic head tremors are believed to be caused by a drop in blood sugar, or stress, as well as a number of other things. When it all comes out, the doctor revealed to me that the term "idiopathic" comes from the word "idiot" meaning we just don't know. He did assure me that the episodes are harmless to her. They apparently hurt the owners emotionally way more than the pet is hurt physically.

So, her dad and I chose our own plan of action to prevent any future tremors. We have been giving her Hempworx CBD for Pets for about a year now, on an as needed basis to help her from being scared during storms. We decided that beginning on Saturday, July 6, we would give her a daily regime of CBD. So first thing Saturday, she was a good girl and took her oil. Of course she loves it, so that wasn't a problem! Again, before bed, she got her 2nd dose. On Friday, she had a total of 4 episodes, as well as 4 on Saturday. Sunday she only had 2 or 3 and Monday, July 8, she only had 1.

As of today, at time of writing, July 21, 2019, praise God she has not experienced one SINCE that Monday. We are thanking everyone for their prayers and giving the credit to God and CBD oil!!!!