CharlieRhea

XO all of you!!!!!!! I just got home, i rec'd a call on my cell phone @ 12:30. Surgery went well nothing unusual found, no tumor! The sac was thicker than he has seen, not sure if it means anything. They will do a biopsy on the tissue which is the normal process. Poor baby has a tube in his chest for now and is on pain meds of course. This has to be the last of this for Charlie! Am i forgetting anything? I hope to bring him home tomorrow! They will call me later and in the morning with updates, As i thought, it isn't as easy to speak with someone there as it was in the Tufts Walpole. The Doctor said he would rather i didn't call tonight as i may get the wrong information but then he said he would have his assistant call me :-) He knows i am not a nut i think and just a loving mother who won't panic.

I called twice yesterday and once this morning. They always say they are doing rounds but do eventually find someone who speaks with me. He is there because they have the laparoscopy but Walpole has a number you press if your animal is there. They were right there for you. I asked them if they would possibly do his nails as he will have stitches. I actually felt funny asking that but under the circumstances, i didn't expect the surgeon to cut his nails. I usually keep on top of that but it has been 3 times to the hospital this month as you know. I also need to ask them about something safe to calm him for the ride home. He shook and panted heavily on the way there yesterday. I can't have him going through that when taking him home. Anyway can't wait to hear after the surgery. Going to take Rhea out and go to work for awhile. Thanks Tracy-and everyone! Even with the Goodrx it will be $177.00 btw the aminocaproic acid.

Thank you, it was a long night, i didn't sleep much at all. I tried to read but couldn't concentrate well. UGH I will call soon just to check on him. Tufts Grafton is much larger than Tufts in Walpole so it isn't as easy to get to speak to someone quickly.

So glad he is doing well and coming home!!!!!

Thank you everyone-Met with the doctor, he is looking for blood donors but doubts he will need it. Charlie there now and i miss him. He was so nervous in the car but settled down when there after awhile. Surgery not until early afternoon tomorrow! I will hopefully, if all goes well, pick him up on Friday. They still wouldn't let me sleep over. I told the doctor to sleep well tonight, he laughed. It's what i do when i'm upset, make jokes. He said this procedure is a lot easier to do on Greyhounds because of their lack of fat, He will need to see the cardiologist again as i was told his heart rhythm was "off". They will biopsy the tissue, aren't ruling out cancer yet but still saying it is idiopathic at this point. Will be checking with my pharmacy in a minute to see if they have aminocaproic acid. They only have the liquid intravenous form at the hospital. Thank you all again and a HUGE thank you to Tracy who was the person who told me about the non invasive surgery, I shudder to think about the other type. I won't hear from the Dr until after surgery. They will call tonight if anything awry.

desiraysmom-i guess i am a basket case but hanging in. One month of this, we are all tired. at least i am, Charlie doesn't know about tomorrow. :-( It will be over soon i tell myself and for the better. It just came out of nowhere seemingly.

I'll say it again before tomorrow, don't know how i would have gone through this with all your support. So many of you and i love you all.

Huge hugs for you! it stinks and it is only time when you can look back at the happy times. I am so sorry.

Charlie goes in for 10am tomorrow.3/4 I will have a consult with his Doctor but the surgery may not be until the next day (Thurs) 3x away for at least 2 nights each time in a month. I can't wait until this is over and he is home and healed. XO to all of you for your support through this trying time.

I procrastinated about pet insurance. I wish i hadn't now as i have had to incur high vet bills for a sudden emergency twice this month and a scheduled surgery tomorrow. I heard Healthy Paws was a good one.

i just read how Zander came to be with you, it was meant to be. Thinking of you both.

Thinking of you and Zander.

just read this thread over from the beginning, no wonder i am tired! Tomorrow is Monday, Charlie has hung in there with no symptoms although i imagine his pericardial sac has filled a little, he will be at Tufts in 3 days, i think we will make it.....

you know, sometime when this is over maybe i can explain how much this means to me. Some ppl have donated and some ppl have lent support, it's all good and needed. I will say briefly, i have loved dogs all my life. I was adopted by wonderful ppl who died when i was a child. I guess i understand the dogs need for love more? No i'm not needy but i relate.

you have it exactly right Charlies_dad, i am stressed as he has to go back in the car and go away again, 3rd time in 4 weeks and i can't explain why to him. Hanging in as i know this will save his life. This guy is really special, i know they all are but he really has had enough bad times in his short life. i have adored this dog for 3 yrs and i tell myself it will be over soon and he will be ok. Worried about the stairs, guess i will sleep in the basement with him until he is healed. Hoping it is a quick process. Thank you and all of you.

Wish i could help, i'm not a vet. Curious if she smells yeasty with the oily coat? Just sounds like perhaps allergies as i have been there but with a different breed. Also is it year round or seasonal?

I'm so sorry you are going through this. I empathize but with a different problem. Hang in there!

I have seen a lot of allergies to potatoes where i used to work, in a pet food supply place. Try something without potato. There are lots of foods that are potato free, go somewhere where they have knowledge. I feed raw because one of my dogs (GSD) had a gurgly stomach and diarreah all the time years ago. (She can't eat chicken either) Not anymore, i will tell you it is pricey but i now belong to a coop which makes it affordable. Keep us posted!

So sorry-wishing a fast and easy recovery

I will ask. Rhea my German Shepherd has Xanax for Alzheimers. I gave Chalrie 1/2 one time for fireworks and it knocked him out. Greyhounds are so susceptible to drugs, still I will ask. I have natural calming treats but I don't think they do anything this is the vet that will do the surgery-i believe Charlie will be in good hands. Dr. Robert Rob McCarthy is a veterinary surgeon specializing in both orthopedic and soft tissue surgery. Although he works primarily with companion small animals, he also performs surgery on exotic, wildlife and zoo animals. He has a special interest in minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopy, arthroscopy) of all types. Dr. McCarthy grew up in Natick, MA, and first became interested in veterinary medicine while he was an undergraduate student at Boston College. He was offered admission to both veterinary and medical school, but decided to pursue veterinary medicine at Tufts, where he earned his degree in 1983 as a member of the school's first graduating class. He served on the faculty of Louisiana State University and earned a master's degree from the University of Minnesota prior to returning to Tufts as a faculty member in 1993. The Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine has the best clinical programs, small animal hospital, faculty and staff of any veterinary school in the country, he says. From my perspective, this is a perfect job. Dr. McCarthy's notable cases range from fracture repairs on bald eagles, turkey vultures and hawks at the Tufts Wildlife Clinic, to a penguin at the New England Aquarium, and a wallaby and cheetah at the Roger Williams Zoo in Rhode Island. Most recently, Dr.McCarthy has begun performing minimally invasive laparoscopic spay surgeries on large dogs and other animals; among his first patients were two tigers from Southwick's Zoo in nearby Mendon, MA. Dr. McCarthy has lectured on small animal surgery at meetings from Puerto Rico to Australia and in all corners of the United States. He has a strong interest in feral cat management and has coordinated a trap-neuter-release program on Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands for the past several years. Dr. McCarthy lives in Grafton with his wife, Paula, a part-time staff member at the Wildlife Clinic. The couple has two children, Sara and Nick, and share their home with two cats and three dogs—two of whom were rescues. He plays tennis and soccer as often as he can and is an avid SCUBA diver.

thank you deboosh- i will keep you all in my pocket. the trip is 23 miles, he doesn't like car rides but this is necessary obviously.

Hi Ann-i am going through this with my 13 yr old German Shepherd. They call it Sundowners in ppl but canine cognitive dysfunction in dogs. Rhea started acting spooky at night, noise, anything. She was on Zylkene which worked wonders but only lasted for 4 months. Now she is on Alprazolam (Xanax) It helps a little. I hate seeing her so uncomfortable mentally. Today i am cleaning out my closet in my bedroom and putting a dog bed in there. She seems to like small spaces now. I thought of a puptent but don't have enough room in my house. Thinking of you and you pup!

thank you scullysmum, 3 more days. No signs of fluid build up thank heaven. I can't wait until he is home again after this and healed. I wish i could explain to Charlie what is going on. I know, i'm a bit crazy.

thank you guys-i am teary eyed again

Thanks again Tbhounds