SanTanSnuggles
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Posts posted by SanTanSnuggles
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I once had VPI and they hardly covered anything. Long story short, Healthy Paws are the group now that seems to have the best reviews. So my younger one started on healthy paws. Not my boy as he had pre-existing conditions by the time I learned of HP.
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Thanks Jen for your comment. Both my husband and I feel that she should have at least looked at Surprise before he was shaved and put under. She apparently did not.
On top of all of that stuff, I just discovered that they did not give me a copy of the correct x-rays I asked for for Surprise and for Pasadena. I always get copies of their labs and x-rays no matter where we go if they are done. They did not give me the pictures of the current x-rays they were supposed to have taken on 11/4/17 for Surprise and for Pasadena taken on 11/17/17. . So tomorrow I will have to call and get the current x-rays for each of the dogs. This is absolutely nuts. Both CD's I received are copies of x-rays Surprise had back in June 2017 they got from me in the first place. They gave me no xray at all of Pasadena, but labeled the CD as Pasadena but it contained Surprises 6/2017 x-rays.
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This will gross you out. Back in the late 80's we had our first girl greyhound. She was a wild girl. Very cat like. Very much a tomboy and independent. She hunted everything.
But never left home. She was so awesome. This was before there was the internet in our area.We got her for free. They did not give much information back then. Just a few handwritten note scratches.
We were walking along the wooded trail and my husband looked at her butt and something was coming out of it. This is crazy. It was the end of a small hemp rope. No idea where it came from. She was trying to go, so he said he just had to do what he had to do. He pulled it out and it was about six inches long. She made one sound like whooooooo and it was over. No problems ever with her butt. We missed a bullet on that one for sure. But a little chocolate
probably did not hurt, not like that rope anyway. Look for strange sounds when it comes out.
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Here in Maryland they are very strict. Even if your dog has cancer, to license, one must do rabies. Even with an exemption from the vet oncologist. Have you checked to see if they could do a titer? Our state is so strict, that when one of my new greys was vaccinated in Arizona, they made her get a new one here, even when it was not her time to get one. Otherwise they would have taken her away. The laws should be revised to allow titers. I do not vaccinate for things that are not in our area. Will do a vaccination for things if going somewhere where they may have contact with dogs we do not know. Otherwise forget it. If they had a previous vaccination for anything else, titers can be done and should be done by an outside lab, so you can tell if it is necessary. Our dogs should stop being experimented on.
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The Use Of Negative Pressure On Extremity Front Leg Surgery (Surprises story continued here)
I had started a second subject on Surprise, as I was given false hope more or less, so if you would like to follow this subject, you can see more. In total the center in Frederick Md, charged me almost $1,400.00 for something that they said they could do, but backed out of after they got him on the table. They did x-rays read by the radiologist, blood test, got copies of previous work done, examination and told us it was good to go. The doctor had some training sessions the next week and said she felt better waiting to the next week to do the operation so she would be available.if Surprise had post op complications. So we agreed. She was the doctor. I cried for days for sure. We knew there were risks of it growing back, but to put Surprise and us through all of that was wrong.
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It is so hard to loose one of our greys so quickly. I had one boy that I did not get a chance to say goodbye to seven years ago and till this day, it makes me sad. It is hard enough to know that will happen in advance and that maybe you can get to do a bucket list, but when it happens so sudden and unexpected, just hard to take. I pray that you will find peace that he is always in your heart and know that you will see him one day and be together forever. God Bless.
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I was at C.A.R.E. last week in Frederick MD. and a lady had her greyhound with her that had a plate in it because of a broken leg. The same thing happened to her, it started to come out. So the Surgeon there took the plate out as the leg was becoming very infected. I seen the dog about a week or two after the operation. It was healing very nice and the infection was starting to go away. They also have a Hyperberic Chamber there to aid with healing if needed. http://www.carefrederick.com/services/hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy-hbot. They helped save the life of my Pasadena. They could not help my Surprise. I can tell you they are very expensive. But I have seen several Greyhounds there in just the week we were there. They can also do negative pressure treatment if the wound is more intense.
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Sorry that you lost your Sophie. Will be praying for peace in your heart. I am sure she gave you awesome memories so you would not be alone.
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Thank you. Pasadena is continuing to improve. On our second batch of Chicken Rice treats. Boy do they love them. Tomorrow, making the Turkey and will be making more of the same with some Pumpkin. Happy Thanksgiving to All.
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Just wondering if no symptoms show up after the meds are done, how long should I wait to have her stool rechecked for blood? I was told that it would take about a week to ten days for that to clear up. Neither the ER or the vet suggested a follow up, unless systems returned. But in my mind, I think a recheck would be a good idea.
She even roached a little. She loves to do that. I keep looking to see if she has any bloody leakage and thank God, she is not leaking or throwing up. Going to make more of the treats today. The chicken rice ones. Both Pasadena and Surprise seem to really like them. The advice that I have received here has been awesome.
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hemorrhagic gastroenteritis-That is what they said. She is home and resting. They gave her an antibiotic, panacur-even though they did not test for worms, a probiotic to sprinkle on her food for a week and told me to give her an acid pill as well. She has not had any issues since being released and took a small walk today and is on her usual bland diet of chicken, turkey, etc. Made them both some Chicken-Apple-Rice treats. The treats are a soft cookie like thing. They love them. Guess it will become a regular on the treats. Any regular or non-emergency follow-up appointments for Pasadena will be done through her regular vet. Any suggestions or thoughts are always appreciated.
Thank you to everyone who has read this thread and for the support. It is very much appreciated.
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I do not even know what to say here. We took Surprise for his operation on Wednesday as arranged to get the hemangiosarcoma removed. We had worked really hard to get things ready at home for this because there is just issues in our life that require a lot of preplanning. We did food shopping for a month at least and arranged people medical stuff for another time. We were so happy that we finally found a surgeon who would remove this growth. Willing to do the graft, the special treatment for helping the graft take. Labs had been done, x rays had been done and reviews of his history also. Good to go. Operation scheduled one week after exam. We explained to the surgeon that we could not amp. It was understood. She explained that she was very experienced in this and had no problem with it. Or so we thought or were lead to believe.
Apparently, after we dropped him off, he was second in line to get an operation, the tech shaved a very large area on his front leg where the growth is, than proceeded to shave large area where the graft was to be taken from. I guess then they did the anesthesia. Apparently, the vet did not see him until he was on the operating table. She decided not to operate. She called us in the mid afternoon and said that it had grown 1.5 centimeters in one direction and about l centimeter in another direction in that short time. We were told we could pick him up after 4:30 P{M that evening. When we picked him up, we were given an invoice for for nine hundred dollars on top of what we had to pay for the pre-exam. She had left for the day and an assistant came out, apologized, and an aid handed me Surprise.
Upon checking out, since this was prepaid on the estimate, they did not want to return my funds to my cards. They said that we could have a credit on hand, should we want to bring him back. There was no way that I was going to do that. I truly felt like I was given false hope, don't understand why she did not see him before all the prep. It made us feel so bad that they put Surprise through all that preparation for no good reason. He now is naked on about half of his side, and had to go through getting over the anesthesia. He has a lot of redness where they shaved him so close and some nicks. So I am treating that with wound care stuff. We had purchased bandages, meds, bed, etc. to get it just right, especially with the proposed graft that was to happen.
It is difficult to say what directions my emotions are going at this time. I am somewhat in shock. The whole thing did not really kick in until now about what happened. My greyhound girl got into a serious issue while we were gone, and waiting for Surprise, so there was no time to even think about it till now. She ended up in ER care until yesterday morning.
I want to thank all of the folks who helped me prepare for the operation with the information they sent and for private messages received. The kindness of the GreyTalk members is awesome. It just broke my heart that I am not sitting here with encouraging results.
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What about her physical exmination? Abdominal tenderness? Did they see excess gas with the xrays or ultrasound? I might suspect the nylabones as I have seen them splinter as they're eaten, but if she didn't have one up to 24 hours previous to the issue beginning (that morning) then probably it isn't that. It wouldn't show up on an xray though (I don't think).
Before we went to the vet, I did a lot of pushing on her abdomen and washed off her butt area and checked the color of her gums and put my finger slightly down her throat to see if she complained and with those palpitations, she did not. The vet did not see any flinching or such when she checked the abdomen.The vet did not think an endoscopy was necessary according to Pasadena's symptoms. There is no choking, or coughing or gurgling or belching. On the xrays, the vet said that the stomach appeared to be just a little cloudy, but the vet said no worry. The radiologist did not have a concern on them either. I have not seen the x rays yet, but will tomorrow and get a copy. The vet did a rectal exam and said she did not see anything there. I was told they did a mini sonogram for a look see, and did not see anything and they feel that a complete one is not necessary at this time. The nylabones so far have never splintered, as they are the baked edible ones, not the real nylon bones just to chew on. I would not trust them to be safe. They do not get animal basted bones or any animal bones of any kind. I did discuss with the vet, her diet. Glad they took the xrays, as she is a working trash baby. We keep lids on them, but folks forget every once in a while, and than they have the wrath of Linda upon them. She mainly likes to steal paper or boxes and tear them to shreds in piles. I was assured by the vet that they did all of the necessary testing. I would have liked more just to avoid having to drive back again and again and again.
They kept her again tonight, as she still has not ate for them and she remains on IV fluids to stay hydrated. No more bleeding. I will take her home in the morning and see what I can entice her with. But being competitive is good, as once she is around Surprise I think she may eat. They only grow at each other now and then and steal bones back and forth all day. She will steal his, bury them in the yard while he watches. Afterwards, he just goes and gets his due and she could care less. It is a game.
They are sending her home with medication for inflammatory bowels , an antibiotic, an antacid and of all things, worm medication. They have never shown up with worms in previous examinations. The heartworm is also supposed to take care of hook works per the directions. I always look for tape worms in their poop, as she is a killer hound. In the past she has killed a groundhog, a rabbit, a ground squirrel and I think a field mouse. I told the vet I gave them some panacur C in the spring, even though I did not see anything. I worry a lot about over medicating.
They are fenced in with a tall,small animal fence and then chicken wire over the bottom to prevent critters from getting in. But critters are smart and climb fences, etc to get in a place that they will be sorry they got into. Their yard does not have a gate for folks to get in or one they can get out of.
She did have nylabone, a kirkland milk bone and some milk that morning. My son said she did not get into anything as the gates were up between the rooms and at times she laid on the couch with him. She did not have any scratches or wounds on her after he let her in her yard to pee while I was at the vet with Surprise. I checked that out myself. She can catch a fly now and than as she is very fast. I have not seen her eat any other bugs like bees or stink bugs, spiders etc, but who knows. Did someone say country living is healthy?
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Had she been exerting herself in any way prior to the bleeding? See rhabdomyolysis.
Had she taken any NSAIDS?
She had not been exerting herself any more than usual. Since her partner was not at home, she did not have anyone to compete with.
She had not taken any medications. Not since last winter/spring when she was on doxy for ten weeks. Both she and Surprise were on it
together, as Echinaeca showed up positive in her tick test. That is when I changed to the Seresto Flea and Tick Collar. As the spot on
was not doing it's job. I took her to the vet because she had gotten a few ticks on her and she got tested early on. I asked the ER vet
if that was an issue and she assured me that it was not. Since changing to Seresto, no ticks. Never any fleas have been found inside
or on the dogs. But we live in the country next to a state park and there are deer, bear, skunks, squirrels, snakes, groundhogs, birds, big
and small. That is just to name a few. Along with that come the fox, horses, coyote, bobcats, mice, moles, opossums, and more. A few years
ago, we even had a pot belly pig come by for a visit. They are in a fenced in yard and only get out to go for walks with me, Lots of stuff to
consider for sure, but the vets seem not to be concerned and use to the wildlife in the area. They do get their heart guard every month.
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So here are the numbers only that had some levels posted next to them. The vet said they are of no concern
I did not post all of the numbers as this format does not into this post and I tried a facebook link, but the face book
did not give me options to post. To get here, I converted the pdf to word, than pasted.
LIPA
1930HIGH
200-1800U/L
LAC
3.05HIGH
0.50-2.50mmol/L
Osm Calc
309
mmol/kg
RBC
9.99HIGH
5.65-8.87M/µL
HCT
* 69.2*
37.3-61.7%
HGB
24HIGH
13.1-20.5g/dL
LYM
0.45LOW
1.05-5.10K/µL
MONO
0.18
0.16-1.12K/µL
EOS
0.01LOW
0.06-1.23K/µL
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I have the most awesome hole digging, trash picking, hyper-active little white greyhound that is an awesome roacher as well. While my Greyhound Surprise was preparing for surgery yesterday, his girl developed problems after we all returned last night. She was not her typical self, and did not come to greet us at the door with enthusiasm. She only had a few Kirkland dog bones before we left in the morning, so we knew she should be hungry. She loves to eat with vigor, and the little princess wants to be hand fed. We offered her chicken and she walked away. In addition, she did not want to drink. That is okay, we thought as she may have been missing her Surprise. Pasadena loves her playful interacting playtime with Surprise and their walks through the park together.
Surprise had his typical post anesthesia reactions, and he was not in the mood for kibitzing with Pasadena. We all had a late dinner, did a little TV, and went to bed. It was now 11:00 PM and Pasadena was pacing like Surprise who was still working off the effects of his anesthesia. Odd for sure that Pasadena would also be pacing. Pasadena kept asking to go outside and did. A little later, Pasadena began to vomit. The lights were low to help calm Surprise down, so when I cleaned it up, I did not look at her vomit very close. I just thought it was a tummy issue. Pasadena did not have access to all of her foibles while we were gone earlier, as the gates were up and my son was keeping an eye on her.
She then became projectile in her vomiting. On with the lights and to my dismay, there appeared to be very pale, pinkish color in the foaming mucus coming out of her facial orifice. Okay, not normal, so I called up to my husband to inform him that if it continued, we would be off to the ER. She made a slight yelp and defecated on the wood floor. Immediately, her precious little butt was red with some blood. It happened again when I went into the kitchen to call the ER. This time, it was as if she farted and it came out in a small stream, and then dripped across the floor and stopped.
The ride to the ER was uneventful, other than the fact that she continued to vomit all over her new bolster bed in the back of the SUV. They ER performed the standard check in, and whisked her off to the forbidden back area where only employees are allowed. We arranged after speaking to the DVM on duty, for her to get x-rays, blood tests and whatever else would be required. By now, it is five in the morning and no sleep since the morning before. The tasty coffee in the waiting room did not help. The DVM on call said that Pasadena would be hooked up to an IV after the tests to keep her hydrated and would be spending today in their watchful care.
We received an early morning call from the ER at about 7:30 AM. None of us heard it as we were exhausted. Nothing profound was found according to voice mail, but they were waiting for the ER Radiologist to come in and read the x-rays. They said that Pasadena was still hooked up to the IV and was resting comfortably and that there was no more diarrhea. I later spoke to them and questioned what did they mean? Diarrhea? That it was blood coming out of places it should not have been. Yes, they said, that is what they met by diarrhea. My voice mail said they also did a sonogram. However, when I spoke to them at 1:00 PM today, it was stated as being a mini-one. Since the person I spoke to over the telephone was not there when things were being done, I let it be for now.
We feed our guys a low fat protein healthy diet, with a little milk. (No artificial sweeteners ever)! They also eat after their meal, a Nyla edible chicken bone, some Kirkland chicken and rice bones (a milk bone kind of thing) Surprise and Pasadena get chicken apple chips also sold from Costco when available. We ration the apple treats out, as they are not on the shelf much. I am going to make my own. They get a little pasta now and then. Some Greek yogurt. A taste of ice cream now for something special. Whenever I am eating one of my health bars, I may share some with them. However, over all their diet is easily digestible.
I was told that upon examination, they did not see any lumps, bumps, or protrusions. It was stated that the x-rays did not show anything in her body that would cause the bleeding. There are some issues in the blood work, but again I was told that there were no remarkable differences for a greyhound. So far today she has not ate on her own. Before I bring her home, should I insist on an endoscopy or such? A full sonogram on some part of her body? A CT Scan? They would have to put her to sleep to do that and we all know how we hate to do that to our greyhounds.
Below are her blood tests they emailed to me. I am open to opinions that you may have, so I can share them with the vet before we bring her home. They are talking about sending her home tomorrow morning. They told me that I could have a copy of the x-ray to take home when I pick her up tomorrow.
I have tried to post her blood work numbers, but I keep getting a message that I have posted too may images.
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The machine is usually about 6-7 wide by 3 deep by 5 tall. Depends on the brand. When its plugged in it is charging. It has a carry case with a shoulder strap so easy for you to carry over your shoulder for sure. The biggest problem we have with wound vacs are the air leaks but it is easy to troubleshoot once you get used to it. Sounds like you only have to have it on for one week? No problem!!!!
http://www.kci-medic...-ENG/vactherapy
That is the brand I use most often but theyre all similar
Activac on that site is the specific machine I see most oftenmrsmcd7:
Thank you for this link and your input. It is very helpful. I have really looked at the sitet and also downloaded info. Yes, the doctor said a week. She did say it was KCI. I am getting the Amacar tomorrow for post op. The plan is to have him stay the night, and if he does fine, than bring him home.
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I am very encouraged about how I hear these bandages work, but very scared. I have no idea how big the thing is that keeps the negative pressure going, only that the vet told me that I would have to carry it around for a week. I was hoping that I could put a holder on him to help, but not sure. He is a very big greyhound. He weighs 94 lbs. I will be sleeping with him for sure and except when I can get someone to sit with him for a short time when I have to go or bath. But he is my Surprise and I love him so much. My other greyhound is a three year old girl and is so very playful and it will be a challenge. I walk them in the state park most days and this will surely be hard on them both. They both play a lot together. But not to worry about that right now. I got to do this. MRSMCD7 : if you have any more hints or suggestions, I would love to hear more from you in detail on what to watch for etc. It seems like vets don't talk too much unless one asks them the right questions. I ran across a man in the market the other day, as I did groceries for a while so I do not have to go out and he commented on how much I had in my cart. So I explained to him. He said that he had one on his dog, but that it was done with a hand pump rather than what I think I will be using. So I guess that may be different?
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So sorry that your MoMo is going through this terrible trouble with Osteosarcoma. I have been reading your post since you started it and it broke my heart, as it made me remember my HeartSweet who crossed over into the rainbow bridge with that. I pray for you both as you travel this journey. Glad to read that you have found some help. My Surprise goes in next wednesday to have his third tumor removed from his front left leg. He has a hemangiosarcoma and they will be doing a removal of the tumor and a graft with a vacuum pressure bandage on it to help the graft take. All we can do is pray that it also goes fine. There is just something about the greyhound that makes me keep going back for more. As I write this the tears are streaming down my face as I truly am trying to write the right words, but just am at a loss. Someone expressed how brave you both are and they are so right.
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Two are better than one. Have had two alone and four with partners. Also when I go out, I make sure they have lots of toys to play with, confine them to two rooms and leave on the tv set for them. If they are having a dog show on tv, they get that too. I would be broken if I was left home alone with no one to talk to, or no entertainment or no toys like computers to use for my human self. You could hire a dog walker to give them some socialization or take them to a doggie sitter in the day time. Some will walk your dog and have long runs in them in and out of the facility. But my guys can be left for up to 8-12 hours if needed. I put a doggie pad down for the girl, as she seems to have a smaller bladder. Each dog has two beds, one in each room and they are allowed on the sofas. They have the ability to change around as they want till I get back to them. But I am mostly home now since I retired do not have to be too concerned. They did great in the hotels as well when we went out to dinner. Give it time. My latest girl did chew up on a corner of a cabinet and an end table and we had a long talk about that and she never did that again. She does and I will let her chew up the roll of paper towels if she wants. It keeps her entertained and she does not bother important things. I do make an effort for them to also be able to look out windows and see and bark at what is entertaining out in the world. It is so good for them to feel the love. Bongs can help till they get over the SA. Fill it up with great treats they have to work on when your gone.
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It is easy, if you can do it, two are better than one. Just as easy to do two as it is to do one. Had two dogs with out partners and the last four with, and what a difference it makes having a friend to share with.
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Do you just have one? They are like the potato chips, you just can't have one. They do soooo much better if they have a partner, at least mine do. I have one who is on his third partner as the first passed with osteosarcoma and the other with GME. He has a friend who just turned three and he will be ten in February. As soon as Surprise lost a partner, I got him a new one so he did not have to grieve a long time. My Surprise teaches her and she keeps him exercised. They are like a song together, they run, bark and play together just fine. Here is hoping you will get another grey for your baby to play with and it will give you some rest too. My two dig big holes in my yard together, bury bones and love walks together in the woods. It is no harder to take care of two than it is to just have one. Just sharing what is working for us.
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Sorry to hear about Lola. They are just like humans and have the same problems in aging. My gal San Tan Snuggles was incontinent when she first came home after being diagnosed with GME. I would put down a shower curtain, doggie pad over that and human bed pads. She too hated this problem, but I never ever let her know how hard it was to care for. I only had her 14 months in total after adopting her with just getting over a broken leg she got while racing. She had several conditions off hand and that was okay. She was my heart dog. You just gotta do what is best for you and her. Snuggles was on a lot of medications and they made her go more often. Every two hours. I feed my current greys chicken, turkey, fish and no kibbles, Kirkland bones from Costco, Chicken/Apple chips from Costco and Chicken Nyla edible bones we get at Costco twice a year, about three dozen bags. Their poo is pretty nice, not too hard to pass and unless they eat grass or such, not runny. They love ice cream, milk and other human treats. Lola is lucky to have you to care for her. I pray that you get some quality time together before she crosses over the bridge. Hugs.
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My Surprise has more surgery required to remove a hemangiosarcoma on his front left leg that has grown back for a third time. The vet will use a graft held in place by the use of negative pressure, and a sponge and a film to hold the sponge on for about a week. It requires a pump with a tube to be place in the area of the wound/surgery to help the graft heal and I would love any and all comments on this. She said she has used this type of surgery on dogs before and that it has worked really good. It will require me to be with him 24/7 at home so he does not bother the set up for one week. After that it will take a while to heal with regular bandages, etc. They are going to take the skin from his left back leg where it is thin at the top where it connects to the abdomen. Kind of like the skin that is in between the thumb and the fingers (web like area-I do not know what you call that) Here is a human link to help understand. http://www.woundsresearch.com/article/negative-pressure-dressing-split-thickness-skin-grafts-experience-alternative-method. Still looking for a link maybe in You Tube or such on a dog to show this type of thing. Thanks again everyone for your prayers in advance. The operation is scheduled for 11/15/2017. Right now with my other half having medical concerns of his own, travel is limited.
to follow. 
I do not even know what to say here. We took Surprise for his operation on Wednesday as arranged to get the hemangiosarcoma removed. We had worked really hard to get things ready at home for this because there is just issues in our life that require a lot of preplanning. We did food shopping for a month at least and arranged people medical stuff for another time. We were so happy that we finally found a surgeon who would remove this growth. Willing to do the graft, the special treatment for helping the graft take. Labs had been done, x rays had been done and reviews of his history also. Good to go. Operation scheduled one week after exam. We explained to the surgeon that we could not amp. It was understood. She explained that she was very experienced in this and had no problem with it. 
Odd Behavior
in Health and Medical discussion
Posted
The sooner you take him to the vet to get the help he needs, the less it will cost you and the more sleep you will get. Waiting is hard enough on humans waiting for a doctor appointment and he is trying to tell you the best he knows how with his whining. . Surly you have your hands full now, but if he gets what he needs now, it will be a lot easier for you when the new baby comes. Wishing the best for both of you. Joining Pet Assure and using one of their vets can save you twenty five percent on their inhouse treatments may be a solution to saving some dollars if you do not have pet insurance. I get some of our pets meds in AZ and they ship over night. I have saved hundreds of dollars that way as well. Costco is also cheaper than the vet and some more popular drug stores. My vet gives me a prescription so I can get their meds elsewhere and save as well. Ask if your vet is savvy about greyhounds. There have been times that I have had to tell a vet about how different greyhounds are in their physical make up and where. Most do not mind, as it helps them treat the greyhound better. Hoping to encourage you to see the vet and to help your family to get some much needed sleep.