tydyelady

Snakes - was that $400 total, or $400 each treatment?

Kissie kissee spot! Great news is always wonderful to hear!

I am so very sorry to read this. How horrible, for you, and for Billy. At least you were there for him at the end.

I am so sorry to hear about Gracie. This is just so damn sad. If you could elaborate, what is pamidronate treatment??

After reading all the above, I am more confused and depressed than ever. Opie ate some yesterday, cookies, (lots!), hamburger, canned food. This AM, he ate some chicken sandwich meat, and some cooked hamburger.. Now with this new (and growing) lump on his back leg towards the top (more in muscle, than on bone), and the swollen lymph nodes, I started thinking maybe we should go back to the oncologist and just do some radiation, and chemo. I know without surgery to remove any and all of these lumps it is only a matter of time, But to see that Nube got that, to the tune of $5000, and got a few months - do I want to do that? Is it worth it? To have him sick, with treatments, for the time he has left? Even OSU is baffled by his case, can't determine exactly what it is. They have been in contact with me since yesterday. Xrays inconclusive - suggesting CT scan if I want clearer pics? Will any of this matter to him, all these tests, just to tell me EXACTLY what it is? He has a tumor on his rib - that we know. He has another lump on his back leg, lymph nodes big on underside of leg. Do I keep testing and testing to put a name to it, and will the end result be the same anyway? I am at such a loss as to what to do any more, so exhausted. Oh, and the night coughing/hacking - not as bad last night, but am sure this is all related. (Of course he didn't do it at the vets, so she couldn't hear it). I wish I knew exactly what to do, but its so speculative.

Baxter's Mom - I am so sorry to hear abut your diagnosis with Baxter. It seems like you might have some options with the amputation, and some places to get second opinions. Cancer is taking so many of our babies, and my heart is breaking. Update on Opie, I just posted this on FB: We just returned from the vet, and we now have rimadyl & tramadol (sp?), plus something for his stomach. He did take treats at the vet, which is very rare, so we know he is hungry. The nodule on his back leg has grown in the past week, and there are now big swollen lymph nodes (3) on the inside of the leg. He does flinch when our vet was feeling underneath from back legs, along stomach. This is NOT good. We are VERY sad, and I have cancelled the consult with the surgeon this week, as surgery will not be an option now. Also got a quick reply from OSU, and they too said it would be a very difficult surgery, and I have just written them back with this latest news. Also send our xrays, as I was not able to attach them to the initial form, as they were too big. They have a Drop Box, for putting them in. Since this now appears to be spreading, and fast, we have to face the fact that we are going to lose him. My heart is breaking in tiny pieces, but I know I have to be strong for him right now. Question for you all - is there any herbal supplements I can give him? Where do I get this Artemisin (SP??), and do you think I should give it to him?

Hi all. I have been hesitant to post here, because, well, frankly I did not WANT to be here. Denial? Maybe, probably, OK, yes. :(I have been posting in H&M about Opie's rib tumor. We do not know if its osteosarcoma, or what. Aspiration, xrays and biopsy have not yielded any definitive diagnosis. But it is some sort of cancer. While a rib tumor appears not to be nearly as common as on the leg, a few GH people have chimed in with their experience with osteo on the rib and chondrosarcoma. Our frustration has been with not having an exact diagnosis, which obviously would effect our decision on what to do. And frankly seeing the costs posted here, will make our decision all the more heartbreaking, as $5000 plus is not in the cards for us. We have an appt. with a surgeon on Wed. to see what the rib removal surgery entails - although we had pretty much decided against (nobody here has done it), but felt we owed it to ourselves and Opie to at least get all the information. We have seen an oncologist, who suggested we at least speak with the surgeon. It has been 3 weeks since we first started with a needles aspiration, and have done xrays, and full biopsy, and still results are inconclusive. But the lump is there, and large, and showing on the exray on his rib. After being his normal happy self through out all of this, Friday he stopped eating, after breakfast. He has continued to drink. We have given him Pepsid, as he does get acid stomach from time to time. He also has continued to eat his turkey neck piece, but nothing else. Just now DH hand fed him raw hamburger, and he did take some of that. We had some company over last night, and he went from person to person for pets, and then periodically lay on his bed. But also Friday night he started coughing at night - more like hacking dry heaves sort of cough. Some liguid (bile?) has come up. He does continue to drink. We are trying to not take him to the evet today, particularly since DH just got him to eat some hamburger. I fear this is connected to the rib cancer, but don't know. Oh, for the record, his xrays taken on the Dec. 3 did not show anything in the lungs at that time, just on the rib. To say that we are devastated is an understatement, and trying to figure out what to do, as things are changing daily. We are overwhelmed with sadness, and for all the choices we have to make, and where to go from here. I just received digital copies of xrays from our vet, and was going to send those and copies of the reports to OSU. Is there anything else we have not done yet, something anyone would recommend?? :(

Just got the digital xrays from my vet today, so going to send those and all reports to Ohio State tomorrow. Opie hasn't eaten in a day now, and he yelped when he got out of the car today. We gave pain pill, and a Pepsid, but still not eating. He has been drinking, and he did eat his turkey neck, just won't touch anything else. If this keeps up tomorrow, will be calling our vet first thing Monday AM. Our poor boy, I am so very afraid for him.

Oncologist basically talked about the 4 different cancers it could be - Can't rule out or confirm one way or the other on any of them. Its so frustrating. Kept saying cells are so differentiated. Anyways, she wanted me to at least talk to a surgeon, and he would be able to answer a lot more of my questions about doing the surgery, odds, recovery, etc. I frankly am not that hopeful, but I do think we should at least talk to the surgeon. The only clear answer I am getting is it is some sort of cancer. How the heck to I make any type of informed decision with this little to go on? It all seems like one big gamble. I am so depressed, sad, frightened for our boy.

I don't mean to sound like cost is the major factor - it is just one of them. With no diagnosis on what type of cancer, no odds on how much time surgery would buy him. But with the words aggressive tumor, it does not sound good. I will be speaking with the oncologist tomorrow to get some more information, and then sending everything to OSU. Maybe with more info I will feel more secure in any decision DH and I make. It just hurts like he@# to be in this position and making decisions like this for our beautiful boy, who at this moment in time is still so very full of life.

Well, I was waiting till we had all the results - we had the xrays, which the radiologist did not think osteo. That gave me some hope but I refused to get excited. Then we did the biopsy last Thursday, and just got the results back today . It is still not conclusive as to what type of cancer it is, but from the type of cells they are, and what they look like, it appears to be very aggressive. I am speaking to the oncologist in the morning - my vet called her to discuss before she called me. I have no idea what to do. I am sick, scared and numb. The rib surgery sounds horrible, involved, and if they don't know what type of cancer it is (except that it is aggressive), I don't know what the odds are. And the cost. Damn, do I have to bring this up and factor it into my decision? Do I have to put a price on my boy's life? We are not rich people, surgery maybe $5-6000? I just looked up costs of ratiation, and it was $900-$3500 - this on top of surgery? OMG, how do I know what to do? This is killing me, my poor boy, I can't save him? I can't prolong his life because its out of our price range? How the heck do I make any kind of decision here? My heart is breaking, my tears are falling, and I don't to lose my boy. I will be sending to OSU, at least to get a second opinion, but going there is out of the question, I am across the country. I just don't know what to do.

Comfortis works REALLY well for fleas.

Thank you for sharing about Flossie, and I am so sorry. So far, you are the first I have heard of with a grey that had a rib tumor. After Monday, when we go to the oncology vet, and have more to go on, I know we will have to make some decisions. Hearing other people's stories helps.

Yes, I have never heard of a rib tumor on this board, which is why I am asking all these questions. I don't know if removing a rib is an option, but I have looked it up online, and apparently it can and has been done. I don't know what our options will be - On Monday we are going to a Canine oncology center, and the vet is a graduate of OSU. She is knowledgeable about greyhounds. I am just so upset and scared, and trying to gather information. Opie is our only furchild and DH & I are just besides ourselves with fear and uncertainty.

We are still waiting on an exact diagnosis on Opie's tumor. The vet suspected osteo. So far the blood work looked very good, the xrays showed this lump on his rib, but nowhere else. Chest looked clear. The radiologist report came back, and I just heard part of it, but he is suggesting chondrosarcoma. We have an appointment on Monday at the oncology center, and all our reports, xrays, etc. will be there, and then will know more I guess. But has anyone's hound ever had a rib(s) removed? I hear about leg amputations, but never about a rib tumor. I am just so overwhelmed right now with all the possibilities, and just trying to gather as much info as I can. Any input would be appreciated.

I just posted this update on Facebook, and will repost here. Well, its bad news/good news. The xrays have been sent to the radiologist for viewing and report, but here is what we saw at my Vet's office. The bad news is that the tumor seems to be growing on the rib bone. The good news (I hope this is true) is that she did not see any other growths anywhere in an around the chest area. She took 4 views, including a close up of the lump. So now its more waiting - for radiologist to review and give an official report. In the meantime we also are going to the Canine oncologist specialist who happens to be right here in Renton. She also will review everything. She came recommended to me, as knowing about Greyhounds, and I see from her bio that she graduated vet school at Ohio State. (for those that do not know, Ohio State has a huge greyhound research facility, so this is a very good thing.) Of course my question was can they cut the rib off, with the offending tumor? And that is to be determined after radiologist, and my consult with oncologist. I am clinging to hope that since it "seems" (please please please!) to be localized, that is a positive thing. So, it more waiting.

We took Opie to his greyhound playgroup, and his St Bernard friend showed up too. He had fun, we drove around in the car to run some errands, he had a nap with DH on the couch under a blanket. He will be getting some extra turkey tonight, and we are just loving him and trying to be normal until we get the xrays tomorrow. I am trying to breath normally and carry on and not worry - save that for when we know more information. Breathe, Breathe, Breathe.

Thank you all, it was nice to wake up to all your kind words. We slept in with Opie, and are going to take him to his greyhound group. I am trying so hard not to panic, but its so difficult. And he is just so normal - no pain, no loss of appetite, no loss of energy. I was just trying so hard to remember the exact words the vet said. She had left me a message, and then left her cel;# to call her back. She called me back @ 7:30 last night. Once I heard abnormal cells, and then something like appearing to be some sort of sarcoma but unable to determine exactly what, (something like that), I couldn't breathe and the room started to spin. Abnormal, "appearing:, all so vague but with hints of the worst. So yes xrays ASAP, Monday, and I have been told that there is an excellent canine oncologist near me that knows greyhounds, and yes I will get an opinion from OSU - BUT- now to get through today and tomorrow and get the xrays taken to have some at least better, more concrete answers. She did mention a biopsy in our conversation too I think, but after the xrays. I will keep every one posted when I know more. Its hard to even wrap my head around this, and not knowing exactly what type of cancer they even suspect is so frightening.

Opie is 9 1/2. The vet read me the report over the phone, but of course my heart stopped, and I wasn't comprehending anything. I did get abnormal cells, some sort of cancer, but could not tell what type, and she rattled off all the various types of cancers. Is it common for osteo to be on a rib, or would another type of cancer be more common there? I am just so confused and scared.

Within the past month we have noticed a lump on Opie's side on his ribs. We took him to the vet right away, she felt it and basically wanted us to watch it for a few weeks. Well, it did not go away, did not get bigger (as in longer), but did get puffier. So we went back to the vet on Friday, she did a bunch of needle aspirations, and just called us that it is some sort of tumor, cells were abnormal, but can't tell what type of cancer it is. We are scheduled for an xray on Monday, 3 views, to see if there is anything in the chest cavity, lungs, etc. Also being set up with an appt. with an oncologist, to determine type of cancer, etc., and course of action. Right now my head is spinning as we don't have all the information, so don't know exactly what we are dealing with, etc. All I know is something is wrong with my beautiful boy, and the "C" word is making its way into our house. Not even sure what I am asking from everyone, except that some support, some what comes next, some how do I deal with this. I feel like I am treading water in a pool and gasping for breath and don't have anything to hold on to. What should I expect, anticipate, do???? Do I send the xrays to OSU to get another opinion? I just can't believe this is happening,. I am shocked, angry, and frightened in no particular order.

No, no chance of biting, he is never alone with the bird. During the day, bird is in his cage, and Opie can't get into the kitchen - babygate. It's "possible" he kind of came down at him, perhaps when Opie went in to get a drink of water or something, while we were home. But mostly we are in the kitchen in the evenings. But tonight, I did try some of the above advice - We put his towel down in the regular place (by the bird) to get his turkey neck. Bird made his "dink" noise, Opie bolted into the bedroom. So DH put leash on him, and both of us are sing-songing - Lets go get the neck, Yum! We get him by the towel, DH positions himself between Opie and the bird cage, I am standing on the other side, still singing about the yummy neck. Dh is petting him, bird "dinks" again, I feel Opie tense up, we kept up the petting and good boy, good boy, and he finished his neck! Progress! So I think we will keep this up. We also will be having the thyroid checked, We just didn't get to it this summer.

We have covered the cage - doesn't make a difference, he still hears the "dink dink" noise. We are beginning to think something happened when we were away too. But the bird (Woodstock) has always made a racket, he's very vocal, and loud. It never seemed to bother Opie before. He does talk very well, and he knows Opie's name, and calls him. And ME - no, we never ended up taking him off the thyroid meds, so he is still on them. Tonight DH got him in to eat his food, although it took like 5 tries of leading him to the bowl. Once he starts eating, he eats with gusto - he's hungry! My poor scared baby.

Our Opie is 9 1/2 yrs old, and we have had him since he was 4. He is a big boy, not afraid of anything, is pretty much bombproof - watches fireworks, pays no attention to the very occasional thunderstorm. He hates the crows outside, and always wants to get them. He has never paid much attention to our bird, except he doesn't like it when he flaps his winds, he runs out of the room. But all of a sudden he is terrified of our bird (African Grey) and refuses to eat, as his bowls are near the bird cage. Nothing has changed, same house, same everything. The bird makes this kind of "dink dink" sound and that is it - Opie runs for the bedroom where he lays there trembling, refusing to eat. The bird cage is big, and really can't be moved. It is where it is. We have taken to moving Opie's bowls to around the corner at the far end of the kitchen, at the entrance to the living room, where he can't see the bird. Still it has taken DH getting aleash and leading the trembling dog out of our bedroom (where he hides) and over to his dish to show him it is "safe" to eat, and that he can't see the scary bird. I really don't like having dog bowls in my doorway to the living room either. We all used to eat together, no problem. I can't figure out why all of a sudden he has this "fear of bird" to actually make him not want to eat, even the yummiest of food, and even refusing turkey necks. DH just brought him over on the leash to eat a neck, and he took it to his bed. Normally this is a no no, he has to eat it on his towel (which was right next to the bird cage), but we let it go so he will eat. Any suggestions on how to make the fear go away, and where this fear might have come from? Oh, and I need to say that Opie is babygated out of the kitchen when we are gone, so there are never any close encounters when we are not there.

Don't leave the traps SET on the couch - snap them in front of them a few times, then move them to the couch, and snap them there in front of them. Then you can leave them on the couch unset. One of cour clients does this for their dog.

I mix in a number of different types of cans - whatever looks yummy. He has had rabbit, and likes that. and buffalo too. I also make meatloaf (beef & turkey) in a tray, cut in squares, freeze, and take out one each night for him too. Kibble always stays the same.