MP_the4pack

Of the six that I have/had..........every single one is related to Onie Jones. The two bridge kids did not have osteo (well, Topaz was only 5, she could have gotten it if she lived). Brindle had hemangio. Of the four I still have, two made it to 10 and one is 12 yrs old. I have a unraced 3 yr old....it will be interesting to see what happens to her.

Did he have late summer (ragweed) allergies? (itchy skin? the coat can still be beautiful even when itchy) Most of my girls have ragweed allergies. We just had a frost and the allergies are gone, but during that time (and you had to look hard), they had tiny pimples and a reddish rash. Now at this time of year, the dandruff starts. Always after the allergies disappear.

Pheo generally causes hypertension, does he have high blood pressure? Also, Topaz had liver disease. The regular chem panel they do for liver showed a normally functioning liver. It wasn't until we did special tests, liver function (as opposed to liver enzymes) tests and they were off the charts. Off the planet actually. Did they do liver tests above the normal chem panel? Good luck with him.

He could not have landed in better hands. If anyone can help him make it, it's GALT. C'mon Brody, you can do it!

Here's an article on pet insurance. Towards the bottom is some helpful info, such as the list of insurers and questions to ask. link

She's gorgeous. Hugs and prayers for you and Brandy.

Tricia, I wish there was something more I could do other than say "I'm here for you."

Oh Jennifer, I so sorry. And so soon after Dewey. I'm sure he's happy you took him. He waited long enough for you to bring him one last time.

I did agility class with all my girls when I first got them. (a great bonding tool). So, they all learned the "dog walk", which is a very narrow ramp. So when I bought a wider, sturdier ramp, they had no problems. But what I did use to help learn the ramp was put a harness on them and treat them like a suitcase. It's better than dragging them by the neck or putting one foot in front of the other. good luck. It's a life saver. My old lady Onyx (12 yrs) now uses it to get into and out of the car. They all use it to get out. I don't like them constantly jumping down from that distance (I have a high SUV). MP and the 4 pack

Nana turned 12 several weeks ago. She was running and swimming in the ocean and having a good old time at Dewey this past weekend. Her tieback surgery was last Jan. During surgery there is a higher risk of aspirate pneumonia. For the rest of their lives WITH or WITHOUT the surgery, there is a higher risk of aspirate pneumonia. My suggestion to you...........see a surgeon, not a general vet. Nana came through surgery wonderfully. As soon as she was awake and up, she was raring to go. The incision is on the side of the neck, they do not go down the throat to do it. They tie back only the left side. Her food needs to be softened (dry kibble soaked in water before eating), no milkbones. Nothing hard and crunchy that would have crumbs. And just be alert to any changes in coughing. (yeah, they cough a little more to clear their throats but that's all). Her back end is starting to weaken a little, but she has no other health issues. I'm glad I didn't hesitate. But please see a surgeon who has done this operation many times. If you're near NJ, I'll recommend my surgeon to you. MP and the 4 pack.

Prayers coming in your direction. All I can say is that there have been several tripods that have lived years after diagnosis. Whether you go that route or not is totally up to you. I wish you the best of luck.

Just wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you and Scooter too. Do what you think is best.

Tapping blood from the abdomen means that the tumors have already burst. I lost my Brindle to hemangio of the spleen that had already spread to the liver by the time we found that horrid disease. Her belly started to swell, they drew off blood from it. The U of Penn vet school did emergency surgery at 1:00 AM. When they opened her up, she was loaded with cancer. There was nothing they could do. You have my prayers and hope for a better diagnosis.

You've got my prayers and white light coming your way. Sometimes the not knowing is worse than knowing it's terminal. C'mon Tootsie, hang in there girl!

Aside from everything mentioned above........check with your town licensing. You may get a monetary break as well. I vote for neutering, at least until we no longer have any unwanted pets in kill shelters.

You go girl! You let your momma know, it's not your time yet.

Sending prayers while anxiously awaiting an update!

I use chunky PB. They get used to the texture and generally do not try to spit out the pills. However Pearl is not a huge PB fan and she's the one that takes 16 pills a day. But her weakness is chicken liver. I cook it just til brown on the outside, still raw on the inside. The pills slide right in that soft center. Depending on the particular size piece I'm working with, there will be between 2 and 4 pills inserted. She usually gets the first piece without pills, so by the time she gets the pilled ones, she's snarfing it down.

Oh how awful! Even if it turns out to be minor, which I'm praying it is, the scare itself will take 20 years off your life! (I've had enough of them myself!) Keeping paws crossed here. MP

Farewell Master yet not farewell Where I go, ye too shall dwell I am gone before your face, A moment's time, a little space When ye come where I have stepped, Ye will wonder why ye wept.

Actually I have the exact same thought as you. Pearl had a leg problem last week. According to their chiropractor, it looks like Pearl and her littermate Dima had a major collision. (Pearl's right hing hip was majorly bruised and Dima's right shoulder was way out of wack). Pearl was on Tramadol and her appetite hit bottom too. She's never been a super enthusiastic eater, but the appetite is generally okay. She's off now and snarfed down her meals the last two days. So, I'm thinking that maybe tramadol does bother their tummies.

I'm babysitting a dog with bouts of pancreatitis. They just switched her to all low fat treats and food. There's nothing else, no special expensive diet only available from the vets or anything else. It also sounds a little odd to have both pets with the same diagnosis. I'm seconding the second opinion.