[The Hardest Decision In My Life]

I am so sorry that you are going through this heartwrenching experience. Most of us on GT know this all too well and really feel for you because we've been there. You have to have faith in your love for SeeJ and his trust and love for you. Whatever you decide to do, it's based on your love for him.

 

My first hound, Kody, had a cardiac tumor. He was 12.5 and had always been healthy, except for having developed a few seizures earlier in the year. Kody was entirely himself until the New Year's weekend, when he stopped eating and began panting. I remember him being on my bed at night, and hearing him awake, panting, and I knew something was very wrong. We were at the vet the next day, and the vet noted that Kody had muffled heart sounds, and on Xray his heart was enlarged in a way that indicated a pericardial effusion (fluid). The next day, he had an echocardiogram and suddenly I had the answer I never wanted to hear.

 

What was most important for me was hearing what I could expect to happen within the days, weeks to come. What interventions or surgeries were possible, what they would achieve, and if they would give him any additional quality time. The vet told me that she could do a pericardial tap, but the effusion would almost certainly accumulate again quickly, as you've found out. Any improvement in symptoms would be only short-lived. She mentioned surgery to create a pericardial "window", an opening that would keep fluid from accumulating in the sac and preventing the heart from functioning normally. But this would not change the fact that the cancer was untreatable.

 

In the end, I thought about how stoic Kody (and all of these dogs) was, and the fact that he hid his symptoms until he couldn't mask them anymore. That he was likely feeling much worse than he ever let on. And he would not eat even his favorite baby food. I was going to bring him home to love him, spoil him, before he was ready. But I realized, on the way to the hospital to pick him up, that he was already "ready". And bringing him home to witness him worsening every day was for my benefit, not his.

 

It still hurts too much to think about, nevertheless talk about, but I guess what I'm sharing (that I learned) is that you always have to think about tomorrow, and whether his tomorrow will be better, or worse, than today. And decide if today he's feeling good enough to enjoy his tomorrow.

 

My heart goes out to you. Trust yourself, and know that whatever you decide will be right, and will be what SeeJ would want.

[Prayers Please For My Friend's Girl]

Lots of healing thoughts, prayers and love being sent to Jennifer, Hope and Robby.

[Update On Cofax]

 

What a huge relief! Please send Tina and Cofax my very best, and hope for a quick recovery!

[Dana Provost's Cartier]

another quick update, and fortunately, Dana is finally getting some answers. And the best news is that Cartier is eating and feeling better.

 

Dr. Couto just responded back to me that he said "absolutely" when I asked if he could help us. Cartier is actually pooping solid and this is his 3rd day of eating.

 

I just got off the phone with my vet and they told me his UPC results shows that his protein loss (albumin level) is positively thru the kidneys. His level shows 5.9 and they have diagosed his with glamarial (sp?) disease.

 

He is being placed on Enalypril (1 pill a day) (which I asked for a prescription to be able to fill it at Walmart)

Omega 3 fatty acids (which he takes already)

Diet change (I'm going to try the Royal Canin Renal diet and received a prescription for that)

 

They want to recheck his UPC in a month.

 

I feel a light beyond the tunnel. Please pass on the news!

 

Dana and Cartier

[It's Real- She Is Gone]

I'm so sorry that you've had an unbelievable amount of loss and personal pain in a very short period of time. Your courage and willpower are amazing, and in the face of all this loss, you're giving so much of your self to your mom, to Boo Boo.

 

I really believe that bringing home ashes makes it so painfully real. But I also believe that Boo Boo's essence will never leave you. The ashes are her physical remains, but her soul is forever meshed with yours, and will never leave you, nor will your Mom's.

 

[Manny's Epic Battle]

That's an understatement! How wonderful to hear that he continues to feel better and heal. I hope your upcoming summer is peaceful and very uneventful!

 

I hope you're able to get to the source of his facial palsy and visual impairment. For a boy with a lot of medical baggage, Manny doesn't let anything hold him back.

[Yeast Infection In Ears]

Smells like feet?!? I never noticed that!

 

This is what my holistic vet recommended to prevent ear infections:

 

Vet's Best

 

She suggested using the wash and dry together. I didn't use it only because Dandi was getting downright nasty if anyone came near his ears.

[Yeast Infection In Ears]

It sounds as if some type of allergy (especially food) is causing recurrent infections. But I wonder if it's truly ear infections as opposed to a chronic dermatitis from scratching. If the vet hasn't already cultured inside the ear, that should be done, so the presence of yeast or bacteria can be proven. And I'd think seriously about trying the pup on a novel protein, such as duck, venison, etc. - one of the diets designed for dogs with food allergies, and with only one protein source and one carb. Or, perhaps feeding raw?!?

 

If the vet says that it is indeed a recurrent yeast infection, in addition to the diet change, oral ketoconazole can work very well. Dandi had recurrent, very painful ear infections that were not improving with drops (and putting drops into his ears was traumatic for everyone). A 2-week course of ketoconazole completely cured the infection, and it has not returned.

[Tuna]

Sarah...

 

Everything you described could have come from my own heart, and my own experience. I know too well how frightening it can be when you're the only one there for the hounds. We feel so vulnerable and alone at times. And there's the ever-present worry about how we'll be able to manage if something happens and we have to move one of our pups quickly.

 

First, let me say that I LOVE LOVE LOVE Tuna, and am thinking of driving down right now to dognap her. Looking at that loving, gentle face, I don't see a dog who's lost her dignity. I see a beautiful face of a dog who's come to adapt to her limitations, and still gets enjoyment from eating, lying in the sun, and standing (even if only for a few moments) to eat her supper. These old ladies really are stubborn, aren't they? But this is what preserves their dignity. When she no longer wants to battle her handicaps, you'll see it in her eyes.

 

Is it possible to create a bolster around the bed so she doesn't slip out? You can even prop up a bunch of pillow, and that should work fine. Do you use the washable incontinence pads? That would keep her bedding dry, and she might also use the pads if one or two are left on the floor. I'm happy to send some down to you, if you'd like.

 

I was told about a vet in the Wilmington area who makes housecalls (or who is a mobile vet). If you want more info, I'll get it for you. It would be much easier for you to have someone who will come to you, especially when you know it's time for Tuna to make her journey.

 

Please PM or call me if I can do anything at all...

Jordan

[What Do These Symptoms Suggest?]

I would certainly include seizure disorder within the differential. Could also be a metabolic disorder - hypoglycemia, liver dysfunction, hypothyroidism, etc. I'd also consider TIAs.

 

At minimum, vet should be getting a full fasting profile (CBC, lytes, LFTs, renal function, complete Michigan State thyroid panel, urinalysis). Would be sure the vet gets a few blood pressure readings, and does a thorough neuro exam (or refers her to a neurologist). She should also have a careful fundiscopic exam (can be helpful in diagnosing high blood pressure, stroke). Either her own vet or a neurologist can do that.

 

That's where I'd start at least. If nothing metabolic is showing up, I'd explore the neuro possibilities, with a referral to neuro, and as per the neurologist, some type of brain imagine (CT or MRI).

 

I'd also recommend they keep a log of when these episodes occur, if they're related to eating (or not eating), activity when the episodes occur, and anything else they can think of that might be important.

 

PS - I'd ask the vet if the owners should begin giving the pup a small dose of aspirin daily.

[Struggling With Whitey]

I'm so sorry your time with Whitey is growing short. But the quality of life Whitey has enjoyed with you has been a lifetime's worth. Trust in yourself. Trust in Whitey. And know that Whitey completely trusts in you.

 

You were both blessed to find each other.

[Dana Provost's Cartier]

Cartier continues to improve!

 

Oh, we are doing the greyhound happy dance!!! He ate 3 cups of food today - 2 cups dry kibble Eukaneba straight nothing in it and 4 liver balls of phosphate binding meds and took all his meds. Tonight another cup of dried kibble - will try to get another cup towards the time I go to bed and will give him the meds that day too. Now for the good part: BUN from 63.7 down to 55.7 Creatine from 4.1 to 5.5 (expected to go up because of the kidneys not functioning properly). Phosphorus 9.5 down to 93. Albumin (his norm is 2.0) from 1.6 up to 1.8. The last test was 3 days ago. Then they took urine today they are sending in a UPC test. Should get the results on Tuesday. Electrolytes look good. Blood count normal. The vet is overly pleased with his results today. And if you ask me - I am as Bruce Willis says: "Yippee Cayea" Not out of the woods but he is EATTING!!!!! Dana

[Dana Provost's Cartier]

Another pupdate, now that the Polished Pooch is home!

 

Cartier came home last night! He is completely hydrated and starting the regimen of KD and UD diet along with some good stuff to get him to stay eating and drinking. He has a lot of meds that he will need to keep taking to sustain him to complete his recovery. His values didn't change the night before being on IV-Fluid, so the Vet felt he'd do better in his home environment with me being there for him. We want to get him back on his feet before we do anymore testing of where he is losing his protein. It is going to be a long road for us but he is home and that's a start. Getting some weight back on him as to where he can take these tests.

 

We don't have a lot of specialists here in Las Vegas, like they do out east. When I adopted Cartier he had this issue with his foot. I don't have a lot of resources to pay for extensive testing to find out what the disorder is on Cartier, so I tried to manage his care with holistic and western medicine. It seemed to be working up through now. His past being in Guam and ridden so hard, so to speak, brings a lot of uncertainty to where his condition spiraled from. No other dog from Guam has had this issue. I have attached a picture of a flair up of his foot. I am a bit overwhelmed right now Jordan. He still isn't right there wanting to eat. It took me 1/2 hour to get 1/2 cup of food and meds in him. With having to work full time, this is going to be a challenge for both of us the next few weeks. I'm trying to gather everything together from everyone and start a plan of attack. But with that I need to be realistic as to my available funds. Right now, I have to get him back up on his feet and then we will proceed with testing. His foot/hock swells and goes up and stops around the knee area. The area is squishy. Yes, it has been asperated several times and nothing shows up in the fluid. It really has everyone stumped. It gets inflamed and warm to the touch but he gets no temperature. His swelling has gone to his other back foot and a bit in his front foot. He has to be mobile otherwise it start collecting and I think with him being able to get up and move around now, that it will go away. They pumped him up with a lot of fluid and that may be part of it too. Since I've had him it has never gone into the other feet. I was warned that this may at some time be an issue and that it was a chronic issue up front. No one else wanted to adopt him and my heart went out to him. I'm doing all I can to keep him here. He is a fighter and we will get through this. That's all for now - I have to go back to my day job

 

Now, to offset his medical bills, I'm having a CARTIER SALE!!!!!

 

I'm offering 20% discount on any purchase from Wild Things for Greys (www.wildthingsforgreys.com). To get your discount, please email me privately and mention CARTIER and you will get that discount! And this helps in a few ways, keeps me busy in my sewing room with my boy close to me and snoozing away, helps with his medical bills, and you get a design from Wild Things for Greys for you grey. So, it is a WIN WIN for everybody! Contact: stealthn@cox.net - FEEL FREE TO CROSSPOST TOO!

Dana and Cartier (my jewel)

 

 

[Dana Provost's Cartier]

Good news!!!

 

HE'S HOME!!!! His values didn't change over night, so Dr. Patton thought he'd feel better at home. He's resting right now. I have to get him to keep eatting. He goes in on Sunday to check his values. Yee-hah! We will have to do some testing down the road to find out if his foot problem is the culprit as far as losing protein because his feet really leak. So, we will be doing testing on his urine, poop - if all is that is clear then everything has been eliminated and it is the foot circulatory issue leakage. It will take some time, but for now, we want to get his strength up. We still have a long road but at least he is home now and I'll be watching him like a hawk.

 

[Cofax Sends Her Thanks]

Wow! She looks awesome! Good girl! Lots of love and skritches to this brave little girlie.

[Dana Provost's Cartier]

Update from late last night.

 

The Lepto titer test came back today and was negative.

 

 

When Cartier came in the room and saw me his tail just started wagging! He was happy to see his mom! His BUN level continues to go down from 76 on Sunday to 63 today; creatine level has gone down to 3.7 and his phosphorus has gone up to 9.5 from 8.3. His albumin was 1.8 yesterday and now today is 1.6. But he ate 2 cans of Hills ID today and drank a lot. He was started back on Doxy and is still getting IV fluids. So happy – Cartier has gone 48 hours without vomiting. So good. He has not had a BM yet while being there. May be tomorrow since he ate twice as much as today than he did yesterday. He ate about 1-1/2 cups of liver today and about ½ cup of tripe. We took a longer walk today than any other day. We came back and he ate the liver and tripe, drank a bit and then laid down. I laid on the floor with him and I actually fell asleep massaging him curled up with him for ½ hour. I spoke with the vet tech that comes in at night to see and check on him and she said she let him just walk around the clinic with her as she was doing some of her tasks and he had a good time last night doing this with her. She said he is such a good patient. The results came back on the Lepto titer test and it came back negative. So, the vet is concerned that his back leg that may be the culprit that caused this kidney issue and just has been brewing for a while. I wasn’t able to see the vet before I left. I was able to visit with Cartier for 3 hours again. So, I will find out more on where we go from here tomorrow. At this point, I have no idea when Mr. C will be able to come home. He is looking better but needs to build more strength and we need to get that albumin level up – somewhere he’s losing that protein.

 

I explained to Dana about proteinuria as a result of kidney disease (protein-losing nepropathy). She's going to talk with her vet tonight - she didn't have much time last night. It's great that he's chowing down! I believe Dana already discussed cerenia or other meds for nausea, ranitidine, carafate, etc. I think she said that he stopped vomiting and is now eating well. One of the problems is the doxy, which as you all know make dogs (and humans) feel pretty yuck.

 

Here's another update from this morning. "Suzanne" is Suzanne Stack.

Suzanne said that when he is eating the way he is that he is over the hump! However, the vet and I really think the stem of this whole issue is his foot swelling chronic problem. It is mysterious circulatory issue and no one seems to know what the problem is with his swelling in the foot/hock. Now it is going into his other foot/hock back legs. I'll find out more tomorrow.

Thank you all for your prayers and well-wishes for Cartier! I know Dana is deeply touched, and very grateful!

[Dana Provost's Cartier]

Thank you everyone for the food suggestions!

 

Here's today's update - the liver was a go! (Ew) He really needs calories, though...

 

Yes, I've been visiting him 3 hours a day since Sunday. His values are still not normal but getting there. His albumin has come down. We are still waiting to see whether or not he has Leptospirosis. He just doesn't want to eat. He has lost 15 lbs. Dr. P has a vet tech come in at 11 PM to check up on him. So, he still cannot come home. We went over his values today and they are going getting more in the normal range but very cautiously. His albumin is low but has been kind of low ever since I got him. We compared his bloodwork from last year when Dr. P did some surgery on him. They were able to syringe some food down him but not much. He's been on Doxy and Ampicillin since Sunday but Doxy causes upset stomach, so they stopped that yesterday to see how he would do. I brought in some chicken yesterday afternoon and he would eat it - he just did some good drinking. He threw up yesterday morning but never again and not today, so everything is staying down, which is what he needs too. WELL THIS AFTERNOON I brought him some boiled liver and he ATE THE WHOLE BOWL! And he took a very long walk with me today before he ate and then after before I left. I've been going in at 3 PM and leaving at 6 PM. It was about a cup of liver. I asked Dr. P if he could have more tomorrow and he said certainly. That he wants him tomorrow to eat twice as much as he ate today. But he is going to put him back on the Doxy, which may cause him nausea and not want to eat again. I also bought some tripe made by Solid Gold because I received that info today. I don't know when my Guammie Bear can come home as yet - we still have issues to address - his chronic foot problem may have caused this whole thing too. Dr. P would really like to have an MRI on his back end because the problem he has with his one foot has started going into his other back foot. Anyway, he ate (which just seeing him eat that brought tears to my eyes) he has to eat to get stronger. I miss by boy and want him home but not before he is ready. Dana and Cartier

[Dana Provost's Cartier]

Thanks for sharing your experiences, Linda. I'm going to send your post to Dana. I haven't gotten an update yet this evening, but she's probably still snuggling with Cartier.

 

May I just say that renal failure can ? I also feel for Dana, having gone through chronic renal insufficiency and then renal failure with my heart-iggy Lexi. It's a very precarious disease, and it doesn't take much to cause the pup to crash and burn. I do hope, if it is lepto, that his ARF is completely reversible. But if they're able to get him stabilized with diuresis, there are many things Dana can do to keep his renal function controlled, and I'm sure if the vets recommend sub-Q fluid, she'll dive right in and do it.

 

Dana, being the ever-doting mom, sent along some photos of Cartier that appeared in a Guam newspaper (I don't remember if I mentioned that he's a Guammie):

 

1st article

2nd article

[Cofax Came Through Surgery Well]

Please send Tina my best, and lots of healing thoughts for Cofax!

[Question On My Girlie's Boobs]

Was she a broodmama beforehand, or recently had a litter?

 

I've also seen false pregnancies cause teat enlargement.

[Prayers And Good Thoughts Needed Please]

Lots of healing thoughts, and a quick recovery! How frightening for all of you!

[Dana Provost's Cartier]

Oh, crap. Tons of prayers and healing energy from Camp Greyhound for you, baby.

 

greyhndz, I am PM'g you some recipes. Thank you.

 

Got -em! Sent them on to Dana. I'll also let her know about the green tripe ().

[Dana Provost's Cartier]

Update from Dana:

 

I already heard from Noni Davis who was one of the rescuers in Guam. His vet hopes that is what it is the Lepto. Dr. Patton is concerned because he does not want to eat. I am taking off at 3 PM everyday. I spent 3 hours with him this afternoon. We went on a couple of short walks to get his circulation going. I gave him a head to toe body massage and I cuddled with him telling him he is strong and he needs to get better so he can come home and be with me and his brother and sisters. He drank a lot for me tonight and kept it down. They are going to try to syringe some food with him tomorrow and I'm going to make a chicken breast for him to see if he will eat it. I bought a plain breast of chicken from hamburger place but he wouldn't eat tonight for me either. Dr. Patton said it is good for me to be with him and they don't care how long I stay. His albumin level went down today but his hydration levels have gone up considerably. I do hope he eats soon my poor boy. <snip> I miss my boy. But he is in good hands with Dr. Patton. The vet and his staff are so good to me and the support staff are so greyt. Cartier has a lot of people all over starting a circle of energy to help him to recovery. And I talked to him the whole 3 hours. The vet techs said he looks so relaxed and bright when I come and be with him. He helps my heart too.

 

I know so many of you have your failproof "I don't wanna eat" yummy foods that you pull out of your arsenal for a sick dog. If you can send them to Dana or to me, I'll forward them on to her. Thank you!! My e-mail is greyhndz @ comcast . net

 

And here are some photos from the "Polished Pooch" contest which Cartier WON! just hours before he became very ill. What a handsome, elegant boy. Keep those prayers and healing thoughts coming... Dana is very grateful and knows they will help Cartier heal.

 

 

 

[The Most Beautiful Girl In The Whole Usa]

Zema, what a beautiful, loved and worshipped girl you were.

 

I'm so, so sorry, Jey. Dog-speed, sweet Zema. :gh_run Over the Bridge and up to the stars...

[Dana Provost's Cartier]

Yesterday was supposed to be an exciting day for Cartier. He was a finalist in the "Polished Pooch" contest out in NV where Dana lives, and indeed he even won the title! But as she put it, it was a bittersweet day for both of them:

 

He wasn't feeling well, and when she brought him to the vet, they discovered he was in renal failure. He's in hospital on IV fluids, and also ampicillin/doxycycline, as Suzanne Stack told Dana his symptoms (and the literally overnight onset) sound as if he might have lepto. Just heard back:

... they have him on IV fluids and doxy and ampicillin which are treatments for the Lepto. So, he rested the night and I received a call from the vet this morning to say he was very bright eyed and looked like he wanted to eat. So, I'm leaving work early this pm to get him a chicken breast to see if he'll eat for me. I get in the cage with him and visit for a while. He is strong and I really feel that this may be what he has and that he will come out of it.

 

The greyter the prayer circle the better the healing will be. I have made arrangements to leave work at 3:00 pm each day to go and see my boy and see if he'll eat from my hands as he did last week. Suzanne said that even though his BUN and creatine levels were really bad, she said that just having the antibiotics and IV fluids in him a 1/2 day and all night, does wonders and that he will be feeling better soon. I just pray that it is Lepto and not the other, but if it is the other, we'll cross that bridge when we get there.

Prayers, loving and healing thoughts are appreciated. :candle I'll post any updates Dana sends.