Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Newbie in town

Hey, Andy:

Just wanted to say WELCOME and give you a spcial invite to the NSD Forum. I am certain that you can find much help here, and we are glad to have another ASkicker on board.

John

Tim,
Nice picture. It is good to put a face with the name.
Take care,
Cara

Lisa, your German Sheppard died from AS complications? Huh? Dogs get AS?

Kat

Hi Kat,
Yes, Dogs can get AS too. You can imagine my surprise when her vet diagnosed her. Eric and I looked at each other as if to say " did we just hear that right" Then I explained to the vet that AS is what I had and he said that he has seen cases where an animal takes on their owners illness, but it is rare. He also said he sees alot of arthritis, and although he does see cases of AS, he doesn't it see too often and only in certain breeds.
We tried everything to keep her comfortable, but she started having too many complications and I couldn't bear to see her suffer anymore. I know too well what the pain is like and I had the ability to take her out of the pain (even though the vet said she didn't have much time left anyway), so I did what I thought was the most humane thing to do, as hard as it was for me.
My sister called me that night and said that Tia loved me so much that she tried to take some of my pain upon herself, but unfortunately it was too much for her. You can imagine how the tears fell that night and weeks afterwards.
I am not a crier, but when it comes to my animals it's a different story.
I was a member of KA when all this happened and when Tia was first diagnosed. She was special to everyone here then, especially because most people, including myself, never heard of dogs or any animal for that matter having AS. There was some discussion about making her our mascot, but nothing ever became of it. I was told to add her story to our members stories and I wrote it and send it to KA.org, but for some reason it was never added. That's why I chose to keep her as my sig pic for so long.
Actually, I feel kind of bad for changing my sig pic, because she was like a member here and I felt like she belonged, and this was my way of keeping her memory going. She was such a special dog anyway, but after her diagnosis I realized she was even more so very special.
What can I say...I am a big animal lover (especially dogs) and I know they have so much more to offer than some people think. It bothers me to hear someone say "its just a dog"
After what I have been through with mine...I know there is no such thing.
Anyway, now you know that dogs can get AS. If your ever interested in reading Tia's story, let me know and I'll PM it to you.

Hugs to you,
Lisa
Hugs,
Lisa

Lisa
Resubmit Tia's story... She belongs in the story section... I am sure it was an oversight as I remember when you first posted it... I do believe that was when Tony was having so many problems and it probably fell through the cracks...
Mike

Lisa

I'm thinking that many folks here should use your vet as a doctor. He seems to be better at diagnosing AS than some of the people doctors are.

Very sad about your poor doggy. Somebody posted a while ago about a bear with AS didn't they ?

Take Care

Maggie

Lisa,
I did not know that your dog had AS, I am sorry for you and her......
Your story about Tia is just another wonderful example to something I had seen earlier.
My mother in law got a bad case of hyperthyroid disorder some years ago. Within months, her gourgeous giant schnauzer Nira got thyroid problems as well! Didn't even know dogs could get hyperthyroid......I just had to 'laugh' when I went for a visit and they both took their medications at noon!
And yes, in fact I really believe that if dogs had the possibility, they would take upon them their owners suffering. So what happened with Nira and Tia might surely have been an act of love.

hugs,
Jade

Wow, I never knew any animals could get AS! Has anyone heard of any other animals diagnosed with it? (Cats?)

Andy

---

It only hurts when I laugh.
Too bad I find life so funny...

There is evidence, believe it or not, that dinosaurs got AS too, from studying fossils. Hmm. Wonder if they ever tried the NSD

I've hard dogs can get it, I don't know about cats. I'm not sure the process is the same, whether it's genetic, etc.

Cheryl

Dogs know how to listen

Lisa, that near about broke my heart. I definitely think you should resubmit her story and I also think that she should be our mascot too.

Our animal friends mean so much to us, we should honour them whenever we can.

Hugs,

Kat