[Hemangiopericytoma]

Here is the report that we got from the Dr. Concerning Surprise and his Chemo treatment. The Dr. is going to retest Surprise again, before she does any treatment, as she says that his white blood cell count is low. However, a second opinion was given and we were told that his numbers were okay for a greyhound. So I am checking in with the folks on grey.talk to see if anyone knows what the range should be for a greyhound.

Hope Advanced Veterinary Center - Rockville 1 Taft Court

Rockville, MD 20850

(301) 637-3228

DeLuca, Linda Surprise

Sex.......: MN

DOB......: 02/22/2009

Species..: Canine

Weight.: 0kg.

Age......: 6 years and 7 months old

Breed...: Greyhound

Primary Hospital: New Market Animal Hospital

Next Appointment:

Primary Doctor:

09/08/2015 Note Oncology Recheck - Staging

Provider: Dr. Rachel Rasmussen

Sep 08, 2015

Presenting for: Staging tests and to start treatment with metronomic cyclophosphamide

Diagnosis: Soft Tissue Sarcoma - left front leg

7/28/15 - hemangiopericytoma, low grade (grade I), 3 mitotic figures/10 HPF. Margins of the

neoplasm were poorly defined. Neoplastic cells abutted tissue margins.

Technician notes:

History and side effects since last visit: Surprise has been doing since his last visit. Mom and

dad have nothing to report - LW

Current diet:

Current medications: None

RR

PHYSICAL EXAM:

T: 102.3 F P: 120 bpm R: pant Weight: 84.14 lbs. ( 38.7 kg) (1.15 m2)

Previously: 39.4 kg

Eyes/Ears/Nose/Throat: Pink & moist mucous membranes, CRT 1 sec.

Thorax: No abnormalities noted upon auscultation of the heart and lungs. No murmurs or arrhythmias

appreciated. Pulses strong and synchronous.

Abdomen: Non painful upon palpation, no masses or organomegaly noted. Musculoskeletal: Ambulatory

x4, no pain or lameness.

Integument: Healing incision over the left antebrachium; no swelling or edema noted, no evidence of

gross disease.

Peripheral lymph nodes: Soft, small, and symmetrical.

Neurological: No neurological deficits, full neurologic exam not performed. Rectal exam: Normal

stool, no melena, no rectal masses noted.

ASSESSMENT:

Information for Surprise DeLuca Page 1 of 3

Hope Advanced Veterinary Center - Rockville 1 Taft Court

Rockville, MD 20850

(301) 637-3228

Surprise presented to the Hope Center oncology service following his initial appointment for

purposes of staging (determining extent of disease in the body) to then start treatment with

metronomic chemotherapy in hopes of to trying to prevent tumor recurrence. Based on the chest X-

rays and lymph node aspirates (though the samples were very minimally cellular) there is no

evidence of metastatic disease, which is great. As discussed, one of Surprises' kidney values

(creatinine) is mildly increased, though stable compared to previous blood work. We will continue

to monitor this value on future rechecks. One change noted on today's blood work is the one of the

white blood cells, specifically the neutrophils, were below reference range. Looking back on

Surprises' previous blood work, his neutrophils have always been on the low end of normal. We

discussed rechecking the neutrophil count with a CBC at the end of the week (either Thursday or

Friday) to see if the number is somewhat improved before starting treatment with metronomic

chemotherapy, since chemotherapy does have the potential to further decrease these white blood

cells. You can either return to your primary care veterinarian for the CBC and fax the results to

the Hope Center or we'd be happy to see Surprise for the blood work check.

As discussed, the monitoring plan once a patient is receiving metronomic chemotherapy is as

follows: Once starting metronomic chemotherapy a CBC should be checked two weeks after the start of

treatment. Recheck exam, blood work (CBC/chemistry panel), and urinalysis should be performed one

month after the start of treatment. These recheck visits can then be spaced out to every 2-3 months

as long as Surprise is doing well at home. Chest X-rays should also be taken periodically while on

metronomic chemotherapy.

Results of today's tests:

• Blood work:

o CBC - HCT 55.9%, neutrophils 2,040/uL (ref range 2,940-12,670/uL), platelets 139,000/uL - mildly

decreased neutrophil count, unclear of the cause at this time.

o Chemistry panel - creatinine 2.0 mg/dL (ref range 0.5-1.5 mg/dL), glucose 126 mg/dL (ref range

63-114 mg/dL), potassium 3.5 mmol/L (ref range 4.0-5.4 mmol/L) - mildly elevated kidney values

(creatinine), stable compared to previous blood work.

• Urinalysis (free-catch) - SpG 1.039, pH 6.0, trace protein, no bacteria seen - unremarkable

findings

• Thoracic radiographs - Impressions/Conclusions:

1. Bronchointerstitial pattern consistent with age-related changes +/- some degree of chronic lower

airway disease. There is no evidence of pulmonary metastatic disease.

2. Gastric material may represent partially digested food vs. foreign material. There is no

evidence of gastric outflow at this time.

• Fine needle aspirate with in-house cytology - left prescapular lymph node - minimally cellular

sample, predominantly fat and blood, no neoplastic cells seen (not submitted for review by a

clinical pathologist).

TREATMENT PLAN:

• Recheck CBC prior to starting treatment with metronomic chemotherapy

Treatments given: None

Information for Surprise DeLuca Page 2 of 3

Hope Advanced Veterinary Center - Rockville 1 Taft Court

Rockville, MD 20850

(301) 637-3228

Please schedule your next exam on:Blood work (CBC) recheck at the end of the week

Please do not hesitate to call me if you have any questions or concerns after today's visit. Thank

you for coming to the Hope Center and we look forward to seeing you again soon.

[Immune Granulomatous Meningoencephalitis Or Gme]

San Tan Snuggles continues to improve. She has been able to take some very short walks with Surprise. She seems to have a little bit of a fear of leaving the house at first, but once she is out, she is a little better. Each day we try to take her just a little more to build up her stamina. She still has some movement issues. When she goes to lay down, she sorta plops, not smooth like it used to be. She developed a sore on the hock of her right rear leg, where there is a pin from when she broke it racing about 18 months ago. She came to live with us about 4 months after she broke her leg and right after her cast was removed. It was doing really good. We have all but one entrance with ramps to the house, so she does not have to jump or go down or up steps. She only has one step to do, if we leave the house. She did not have trouble with that step at first, but since her sickness, she will drag her rear foot a little when she goes down that step. The Dr gave her cephalexin to help heal the hock and it scabbed up nicely. She finished that prescription. However, she has now developed a few more areas with the same type of irritation. I bathed her with a mild soap and I am treating it with a water based mild wound antiseptic spray I had tried neosporin, but that was not good. It would not heal over with a scab. The antiseptic water spray seems to be working. I hope her irritation is not any reaction to her GME or her medications. I will give her a couple more days to see if it gets better. Otherwise her over all demeanor is very good. Her peeing at night has decreased since the Dr, reduced her prednisone. That makes everyone getting a little rest much better. I thank everyone for their advice and input. It is all very helpful. Thank you for sticking with us through these interesting issues.

[Hemangiopericytoma]

Thank you for the heads up on the Lasix. That sounds like an important thing to know. I am going to talk to Dr. Rasmussen about that for sure. If you have any other pointers, please feel free to speak freely. I can use all the advice I can get to learn.

[Hemangiopericytoma]

Yes, Dr. Couto did mentioned the 5-FU local injection. However, Dr. Rasmussen said she could not locate where it was published. She

also had not used the 5-FU before and was not comfortable doing it the first time on surprise. Surprise also had two other small

growths about the size of an eraser-one on his side and one on his chest that were removed and not previously tested. Just like your

foster, their was not clear margins on the one removed on his leg.. They did tell me that there was about a 10 percent chance of possible bladder issues. Did your

foster have any bladder issues? if so, can you share what they were ? Dr. Couto did express that he was confident with the treatments that Dr, Rasmussen offered. Sounds like the metronomic chemo worked great on your foster and I hope it works as well for surprise.

[Hemangiopericytoma]

Here is every thing that I covered with Dr. Rachel Rasmussen at the Hope Advanced Veterinary Center in Rockville:: (She also went to school with and is friends with Dr. Couto's daughter and knows of him and the work he has done with cancer in dogs.) You and my friend Bob who I met on greytalk, encouraged me to see an Bob also helped me consult with Dr. Couto, Dr. Couto saw the lab report and the following from Dr. Rasmussen:.

 

Note Oncology Consult #fax Provider: Dr.

Rachel Rasmussen

Aug 27, 2015

Technician notes

HISTORY: Surprise is an approximately 6 year old male neutered Greyhound. Surprise was seen by his

primary care veterinarian at New Market Animal Hospital on July 23rd to have a mass checked on the

left front leg. On exam the mass was 2.5 inches long by 1 inch wide and 1/2 inch deep. On palpation

the mass was hard on the proximal aspect but soft on the distal aspect. Two other masses where

found - on the left lateral neck and flank. On 7/27/15 Surprise had surgery to remove all 3 masses.

Result of the biopsy from the mass on the left front leg came back and local chemotherapy was

discussed with the owner. Sutures were removed on Aug 8th. Local chemo was scheduled for Aug 17th

however the surgery site was not healed completely. - LW

8/27 - Since the surgery Surprise has been feeling great. The area/paw was swollen following

surgery, but resolved within a week. No current medications. Eating well at home. - LW

Prior blood work:7/24/15 - CBC, Chemistry - creatine 2.0H, T4 - wnl

Biopsy and/or cytology report(s):7/28/15 - hemangiopericytoma, low grade (grade I), 3 mitotic

figures/10 HPF. Margins of the neoplasm were poorly defined. Neoplastic cells abutted tissue

margins.

Date of initial diagnosis: 7/28/15

3 view thoracic radiographs: None

Abdominal ultrasound:None

Current diet:

Current medications: None

RR

PHYSICAL EXAM:

T: 101.1 F P: 85 bpm R: 35 brpm /0 Weight: 86.68 lbs. (39.4 kg)

Eyes/Ears/Nose/Throat: Pink & moist mucous membranes, CRT<2 sec.

Thorax: No abnormalities noted upon auscultation of the heart and lungs. No murmurs or arrhythmias

appreciated. Pulses strong and synchronous.

Information for Surprise DeLuca Page 1 of 3

nced Veterinary Center - Rockville rt

MD 20850

228

Abdomen: Non painful upon palpation, no masses or organomegaly noted. Musculoskeletal: Ambulatory

x4, no pain or lameness.

Integument: Healing incision over the left antebrachium; no swelling or edema noted. Peripheral

lymph nodes: Soft, small, and symmetrical.

Neurological: No neurological deficits, full neurologic exam not performed. Rectal exam: Not

performed.

ASSESSMENT:

As discussed, Surprise has been diagnosed with a hemangiopericytoma on the left front leg, which is

a type of tumor that fits into the general category of soft tissue sarcomas. The histopathology

report indicated that Surprises' tumor is low grade, meaning that it has a low potential to spread

elsewhere in the body, particularly lymph nodes and lungs. Unfortunately, all of the tumors cells

do not appear to be completely removed during surgery and so there is the potential that the mass

could return/regrow at the original site on the left front leg. We discussed options for staging

(determining extent of disease in the body) as well as treatment (radiation therapy, metronomic

chemotherapy) to try and prevent tumor recurrence.

General background soft tissue sarcoma tumors:

Soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is a group name for a variety of tumors of the connective tissues. These

tumors often grow passively along tissue planes by pushing tissue out of the way but they can also

spread to distant sites such as regional lymph nodes and lungs. STSs are generally first noted as a

lump that grows slowly over time. The mass usually feels fixed to the underlying tissue and its

borders are indistinct due to the deep growth of the tumor. The tumor behaves like an "octopus"

with deep tendrils that can grow into the underlying tissues. Symptoms are usually associated with

the tumor pressing on surrounding tissues and can cause pain, swelling but can also affect

movement.

Recommended staging discussed today include:

Tumors are staged with blood work (CBC, chemistry panel), urinalysis, thoracic radiographs (chest

X-rays), and fine needle aspirates of regional lymph nodes to check for metastatic spread.

Occasionally an abdominal ultrasound may be recommended if abdominal disease is suspected. In some

cases a CT scan or MRI is used to determine the extent of any tendrils of the tumor into

surrounding tissues (surgical or radiation planning). A biopsy is needed to determine the

histological grade, which helps us predict the metastatic potential of the tumor.

Treatment options discussed and to be considered:

Surgery: Surgery is the most effective treatment approach for tumor control. However,usrgery is

often incomplete because of the local invasiveness of the tumor. For low grade tumors, surgery can

be curative, if all the cancer cells have been removed. With incomplete margins, the tumor is at

risk for local and regional recurrence. In cases where the tumor is incompletely resected, a second

(revision) surgery is recommended (if feasible) or adjuvant radiation therapy.

Radiation Therapy: We discussed full course radiation therapy protocols and discussed side effects

and the anesthesia this is required for radiation therapy. Adjuvant radiation is recommended for

surgeries resulting in incomplete margins and can result in excellent long-term control of the

cancer

for Surprise DeLuca Page 2 of 3

nced Veterinary Center - Rockville rt

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228

for low-grade and even some high-grade tumors. Palliative radiation (not discussed during today's

visit) is used to address symptoms caused by an inoperable tumor.

Systemic Chemotherapy: We discussed general side effects of chemotherapy (bone marrow suppression

and gastrointestinal signs), the frequency of treatment, and costs. Chemotherapy is recommended for

high-grade tumors, which present the risk of metastatic spread. For high-grade tumors, injectable

chemotherapy is considered most effective. Doxorubicin is generally our first choice chemotherapy,

which is given every three weeks for a total of 5 doses. Newer approaches, include the use of oral

chemotherapy given frequently at low doses on a regular basis ('metronomic therapy' using NSAIDs

and cyclophosphamide) and have been reported to result in good outcomes for incompletely resected

STSs if radiation is not feasible. Another option would be to use a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, such

as Toceranib (Palladia), but these drugs are less well studied for the treatment of STSs.

Other option such as palliative care to treat symptoms and make sure your pet is comfortable.

It's important to continue to monitor for pain and quality of life issues, such as behavior or

appetite changes.

TREATMENT PLAN:

You have considered you options and have elected to go home with this information and consider an

appropriate treatment plan for you and for Surprise. Please do not hesitate to contact with any

questions or concerns as you're reviewing this information and trying to come up with the best

diagnostic and treatment plan. Surprise is certainly a very sweet dog and obviously an important

member of the family.

Treatments given:None

Please schedule your next exam on:As needed, if you elected to return for recheck exams/monitoring,

further diagnostics, and/or treatment.

Please do not hesitate to call me if you have any questions or concerns after today's visit. Thank

you for coming to the Hope Center and we look forward to seeing you again soon.

End of her report.

So next week we are scheduled for more blood work, chest xrays, test the lymph nodes, exam. Onco fine needle aspirate.

if all goes well, she will call in the oral medication and we will start. She is using Compounded cytoxan (another name is cytoxan/piroxicam)

We would like to do the radiation, but the cost is prohibitive. Cyber-knife radiation is even more expensive, but closer and less time and treatments.

Dr Couto's email said he was comfortable with Dr. Rasmussen's choices.

[Immune Granulomatous Meningoencephalitis Or Gme]

Update/upbeat for San Tan Snuggles: Had a blood test last week. They decided to increase her Cyclosporine 130mg capsule from two times a day to three times a day. They are reducing her Prednisone 20 mg tablet from 1 !/2 tablets twice a day to 1 1/2 tablets once a day. Her Phenobarbital 64.8mg tablets by mouth twice a day (every 12 hours) until otherwise directed-has not changed. She is off of her antibiotics. Her Gabapentin (Neurontin®) 300mg Capsule Give 1 capsule by mouth 2-3 times a day with food (every 8-12 hours) as needed for pain remains the same. The side effects of the prednisone and the phenobarbital are a little daunting to say the least. They give her excessive hunger and thirst. That in itself is not hard to deal with, but she has to pee a whole lot at night, almost every hour. I do not sleep a lot. I put pee pads down for her, if I do not wake up for her to goout, she will go in the house.. I use the human size washable pads I get on prime, as they are large, hold a lot of pee and are washable. I put hem down near the door on top of a shower curtain every night. I leave the door open every night for a while as it is warm outside and as long as I can force myself to stay awake. But winter is coming and it gets pretty cold here in Maryland. I have cut back on her water at night and that helps a little. The Dr's assistant said it was okay to do that. The Doctor said it is necessary to leave her on those medications for at least six months. I agree with all he has done, as she improves everyday. I was just wondering if there is a better way to deal with the pee? Prior to her medical condition and medications, she was always and I mean always able to hold her pee for 6-8 hours a night and never had an accident in the house. Next week my other greyhound starts oral chemo. So this house is busy. Husband is also going to get a back operation soon (he has a kidney transplant) and adult live in son has CP. I hope that cutting back some on the prednisone will give us some relief. It's just a busy, busy household right now. But I am not complaining as each thing is slowly being resolved. Maybe a little tired. It I only had one sick greyhound at a time, things would hardly skip a beat, but two do make it a loving challenge for sure.

[Metronidazole For Dogs Diarrhea]

My dog took this drug before I adopted her. I changed her diet and never had to give it to her,as the diarrhea went away. How ever she recently may have gotten GME and is recuperating slowly under the care of Dr. Cuff, a neurologist. He has helped her so much. (She had been off the drug for 10 months when she got sick) We adopted her 09/07/2014.Could her current problem have been caused by that drug? shared the article with him, as I never mentioned to him that she had taken that drug, as I did not know its use could cause adverse neurological problems.

[Hemangiopericytoma]

Surprise did not have his Chemo today. YEA! The vet said that he needs to let his sites to heal a little more. I asked the office to give me a break down of how and what the treatments are going to be line, in a week by week basis. I got a copy of the lab report and it seems to me that the margins and edges were not as clear as I thought they were. So I really want the treatment plan in advance, so I will know what to expect. I do not think , now that I finally saw the actual report, that there should be any hesitation about getting chemo. It is state one. Just the question of what kind iis best for Surprise. catch up more tomorrow.

[Immune Granulomatous Meningoencephalitis Or Gme]

this evening San Tan Snuggles has another thing going on. Her right front foot has gotten swollen. She does not complain, as most greyhounds seem to never complain, The Neurologist wants to see her if it gets bigger or does not go away in the next 24-48 hours. He said it could be a lot of things, such as a med reaction, cellulitis, bite, injury. etc. She lets me put cool ice on it. Has not changed for hours. I would put in a picture, but have not figured out how to do that yet on grey talk. Still the newbe. Only thing that changed was that she finished her 150 mg soft gel cyoclosporin and is now taking 130 mg of cyclosporin twice a day, from a compounding pharmacy, as the dose was lowered just a little by the Neurologist. Any one know of a place -pharmacy that has a reasonable $ cost for the prescription? The one we were given to use, charged $285.00 (shipping included) for one months Supply. I was told that the cost would be $200.00 for two months worth. but apparently not so?? Anyone, any idea?

[Immune Granulomatous Meningoencephalitis Or Gme]

The life center in Leesburg is part of the Bush Neurology Center in Rockville where we went to see the neurologist, Dr. Cuff. It was reassuring when I followed the link that you were kind enough to send, that they are all part of the same group. Today San Tan Snuggles did great, but this evening she added a really strange roll to her routine as we were getting down for the evening. I was able to distract her by giving her a dog biscuit. She has always been a really different greyhound since the day we got her. I am thinking that is because she is part Galgo.Before her GME Incident, she was really funny with Surprise. She would bump her head and chest into his and than stomp her feet, several times to get him to play with her, snort like a pig and grab her toys and shake them as hard as she could. We all ran for cover.That for now is gone and that is good, as her brain needs some calm. When she tries to lay down now, it is a little more harder than she should. I think she is still fighting for better control of her body. Dr. Cuff agrees about the Gabapentin,, that we should give it to her every 8 hours and not every 12 or discontinue it. She still can not really do a good doggie shake (like shaking off water). Guess that is it for this report.

[Hemangiopericytoma]

Injecting small amounts of chemo at the site of the tumor (or the scar where the tumor was) is called intralesional chemo. Dr. Couto recommends this intralesional chemo with a drug called 5-FU for soft tissue sarcomas with narrow or incomplete margins. Given the description, maybe that's what your vet is planning to do?

 

I think this sounds more like what the vet is doing, after talking to him when Surprise got his stitches removed. Chemo is to start Monday and Dr. Chad said he has to keep him for observation till the close of day. This will be his first of five. Is this a normal procedure to keep the greyhound for the day? What reactions should I expect from my dog in general, after getting this type of Chemo?. My vet is not as forthcoming as I would like..

 

I keep reading the word soft tissue sarcoma in posts, is that the same as Hemangiopericytoma? My vet only told my husband and I that the lump removed was of mixed tissue?

[Immune Granulomatous Meningoencephalitis Or Gme]

I am happy to report that San Tan Snuggles, continues to improve every day. I am amazed that she is walking so good. Her sassy personality has changed, she has become a little more reserved. She actually broke out into a small trot yesterday.

 

When we visited the Neurologist on Thursday,

she got a little stressed out, I think. Because when we got her home, she seemed to have lost her ability to walk for a couple of hours, but in a few more

hours, she was back on her feet, and by Friday, she was back to her getting better self.

 

She has become a night owl.

 

Dr Cuff, is the Neurologist that is treating her in Rockville, MD. He is doing an amazing job. I have shared your comments with Dr. Cuff. It has been very helpful to those involved with Snuggles.

 

Thank you for sharing information about your experiences concerning GME.. Please continue to do so, if you discover more information, have suggetions. I will continue to post her progress. .

 

As I mentioned before, her personality changed a little, did anyone else experience that with their greyhounds? She is lovely to me no matter what. I am glad that she is still attached to me as much as ever. Please share any thing I post, if you know of someone who would be helped or encouraged.

[Immune Granulomatous Meningoencephalitis Or Gme]

can anyone who had a greyhound with this condition, share what they have gone through? She seems to be doing okay, improved, but today, she seems to have a little more pain and is more quiet. Is walking a little better, but still has her unsteady moments. Are there up and downs to this as a normal process of getting better?

[To Flea-Med Or Not To Flea Med?]

I am confused as to what to use on my guys. I do live next to a state park that is hundreds of acres, deer, bear, possum, rabbits, snakes, skunks, groumdhogs, and what ever else that lives in near the Howard County, Maryland area. They have their own fenced in yard, with a high rabbit fence to help keep critters out and my greys in. I have tried k9 advantage, at half dose, but they seem to get lethargic after applying it. So I stopped using it, after about three times. Then I got frontline, no better. I even cut the dosage down to 25% of the suggested amount. So, anyone have a suggestion of something that works for them, with out the side effects?

 

I have asked my regular vet and he can only say what he prefers. I asked the neurologist and he said he was not up on that for a while, and that I should check with my vet? So, I want to check with other folks who are friends of greyhounds instead.

[Immune Granulomatous Meningoencephalitis Or Gme]

Medications:

1) Prednisone 20 mg tablet (disp # 60, 1 refill): Give 1tablets with food twice a day (every 12

hours) until otherwise directed.

- Next dose due at Bpm tonight

- This medication is a corticosteroid to reduce inflammation and pain, and modulate the immune

system

- Side effects may include GI upset - please call if your pet develops diarrhea or if you notice

blood in the stool

- With long-term use blood will need to be monitored by your regular veterinarian every 4-6 months

- A handout with further information has been provided

2) Cyclosporine (Atopica®, Neoral®, Sandimmune®)

- 1OOmg capsule (# 20 disp, 1 refill): Give 1 capsule on an empty stomach twice a day (every 12

hours)

- 50mg capsule (# 20 disp, 1 refill): Give 1 capsule on an empty stomach twice a day (every 12

hours)

- Next dose due at 6pm tonight

- "Cyclosporine 130mg capsule, #120, 2 refills - 1 capsule on an empty stomach twice a day" has

been called into Pet Health Pharmacy (800-742-0516) . They will contact you in the next 24-48 hours

to arrange delivery.

- Give at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals

- Keep refrigerated

- This medication is an immunosuppressant

- Side effects may include gastrointestinal upset

- A handout with further information has been provided

3) Clindamycin (Antirobe®) 300mg capsule (# 28 disp, 0 refills): Give 1 capsule with food twice

daily (every 12 hours) until gone or until otherwise directed

- Next dose due at Bpm tonight

- This medication is an antibiotic

- Side effects may include gastrointestinal upset

4) Doxycycline (Vibramycin®) 1OOmg tablet (# 42 disp, O refills): Give 1 tablets with food twice

daily (every 12 hours) for 14 days or until otherwise directed

- Next dose due at Bpm tonight

- This medication is an antibiotic

- Side effects may include gastrointestinal upset

5) Gabapentin (Neurontin®) 300mg Capsule (# 60 disp, 1 refill): Give 1 capsule by mouth 2-3 times a

day with food (every 8-12 hours) as needed for pain

- Next dose due at Bpm tonight

- This medication is to reduce pain and discomfort

- Sid- You may discontinue this medication once your pet is no longer painful

6) Phenobarbital 64.8mg tablets (# 30 disp, 1 refill): Give 1Yi tablets by mouth twice a day (every

12 hours) until otherwise directed

- Disp written script for Phenobarbital 64.8mg tablets (# 180, 2 refills): 11'2 tabs PO q12h

- Next dose due at Bpm tonight

- This medication is an anti-seizure drug

- Side effects may include sedation, increased appetite and thirst and urination

- Long term use requires blood monitoring approximately every 6 months

- IN THE EVENT OF SEIZURE: Please give an additional dose after each seizure (once able to swallow)

up to 3 times in a 24 hour period. Continue to give maintenance doses when due. If your pet has

more than 3 seizures in a 24 hour period please contact us or seek emergent veterinary care.

7) Famotidine (Pepcid®) 1Omg tablets (# 0 disp, 0 refills): Give 1 tablet by mouth twice a day

(every 12 hours) while giving Prednisone

- Next dose due at Bpm tonight

- This medication is a gastroprotectant

- This medication is available from any pharmacy without prescription as Pepcid AC

e effects may include mild sedation

She is improving and even more so since she has come home

[Hemangiopericytoma]

My regular vet removed the the two pencil eraser growths from his side and chest and the golf ball size one that was on his lower left leg. I think that he just had a pathology completed on the larger one and told me that it was a hemangiopericytomas. He did not give me a copy of the report. He said that he has had success with treating them with the site shots with four to five injections. How often are these four or five shots usually given (time between each one)? What is 5-FU? He did not mention this? The lump was in the area where there is not much fat on his leg. I did not receive any instructions as to the name of the chemo he was injecting or what to expect? all I know is what I have read on the internet, that there may be some pain? Is there concern to the environment when he goes? I read that the area may develop sores and loose hair or it may turn white? Any place that I could go on the net to receive valid information?

[Immune Granulomatous Meningoencephalitis Or Gme]

We have a five year old, red, female retired racing greyhound who has just been diagnosed with GME. We are bringing her home today because someone had reached out and helped her get the proper diagnoses, to whom we are so grateful. We are new to this and do not know where to begin, even in asking questions. Her name is San Tan Snuggles. She raced 141 races and won many for her owners until she broke her right, rear leg while racing in Palm Springs, Florida.. San Tan Snuggles adopted us September 7, 2014.She has a partner, named Surprise who will be so glad to see her.

[Hemangiopericytoma]

Vet said he got clean margins. He is due i understand to get his first Chemo next Monday when the stitches are to come out. Did your Get Em have chemo?

If my dog was the same age as your dog when your dogs problem resurfaced, I would have done the right thing that you did.

 

My Ec Flirt had back issues at 13 yrs, so we had to help her move on and not be in pain. No matter how long our little buddies have been gone, we can never stop loving them, or how many greys we adopt, we love each one differently and never forget one. Ec Flirt -we adopted in 1989.

 

As a matter of fact 4 of the five greyhounds I adopted was sight unseen. I got one by going to one of the early rescue places and she picked her for me.

 

Three of my greyhounds, I got off the internet and just picked them up nearby. Never even ever saw their picture or anything. They were all sent to me by the owner through haulers that were going nearby, so I just met them on the road for two of them in a gas station. Stormy got hauled to Wheeling WVA, I walked up to the guard desk and they just handed him to me and left.

 

San Tan Snuggles I found on Pet Finders, drove to NJ to get her. She was the only one I seen a picture of in advance.I am going to miss her dearly. All I needed was to see her smile an was hooked.

 

I want to thank you for your prayers and i know that Surprise knows that you are praying for him too as he goes through this journey.

Pray a little pray for my Snuggles as she will probably be going to that rainbow place this week, if nothing changes for her.

[Hemangiopericytoma]

My greyhound "Surprise", who just turned six in February 22, 2015 developed a lump on his inside lower left front leg (about the middle where there is not much muscle tissue. Doctor Chand, our vet at New Market Animal Hospital, MD removed the golf size growth and sent it out for lab test. He also removed an eraser size growth on the left side of his chest. He also removed an eraser size growth on his left side over the middle part of his rib cage. Apparently, they were not attached to muscle tissue or bones in any of the cases, but were of mixed tissuue . The wounds appear to have closed nicely. Stitches are to come out next week. Dr.Chand called to tell us that it was Hemangiopericytoma. He said that he thought "Surprise" would to well with about four or five treatments of Metronomic chemotherapy drugs in very small doses. I know next to nothing about these kinds of issues and joined Greytalk to learn first hand from others. He feels that he removed the lumps clearly leaving nothing behind.

 

Has anyone else had a greyhound who was treated this way? How successful would you say the treatment was?

 

If I understand this type of chemo correctly, it is pretty much concentrated and stays at the site area it is done in?

 

I have to ask him tomorrow if he is giving the dose only in the leg, or if he will be doing the small eraser spots also. In all fairness, we did not have much time to discuss this.

 

I have another gravely sick greyhound in his care who may have a degenerative disk disease, or a tumor in her spine or neck or brain. She can not stand on her back legs and walk. Snuggles is only five years old, So I know that I am not concentrating as well as I should. He also said that it could be a damaged disk, but that would require an MRI.

 

We just lost a different greyhound, named Heart Suit ten months ago with bone cancer at the age of five. She suffered for five months with seizures, until she began to limp. That is when The doctor at the Country vet hospital took x-rays and told us she had bone cancer. So we had to let her go

 

I did not want my heart to break too much, so I found Snuggles on pet finders and adopted her right away as she had such a beautiful smile. Snuggles was available for adoption because after racing 141 times, she broke her leg while racing. I wish I could afford the MRI to know if it is a repairable disk problem or the other bad things. But now I have to make a decision tomorrow that I do not want to make. If it were repairable, we could do the surgery, but if the news is bad, than we would have spent funds that we can use towards Surprises treatments. I wanted so much to give Snuggles a good life, as she worked so hard for her owners for so many years. I have a spouse who is a kidney transplant and a son who has CP. The greys are my joy in life. Now I hate the decision I must make without knowing if I am doing what is best for her.

 

Back to Surprise, are there any food things also that I should know about as we try to help that little guy.

 

 

[Anyone Know Of Good Long-Lasting Bones?]

I gave up on rawhide chews/bones, after my mail greyhound decided to one day try and swallow a very large piece. They did work for a long time and fine till he decided to change his way of eating them. I walked in on him swallowing it and getting it caught a little in his throat. Worried about it digesting properly. Tried to get it from him, but he would have no part of it and took off. That was enough for me. Dog biscuit will be his treat of choice.

[Epileptic Seizures]

I had a retired greyhound who started to have seizures about the age of five and they continued to get worse in strength and more, in spite of her medication, She than started limping, so back to the vet again. It was very sad to hear that she had bone cancer and that the cancer had spread through her body. We had to lay Heart Suit to rest long before her time. At the time she began to limp, is when they took the x-rays and found her condition. There was no long term cure. Her first seizure began in April of 2014 and the cancer was not discovered until August 25, 2014. If I had the proper diagnostic facts, I would have laid her to rest sooner, as I was told that bone cancer is extremely painful. These are personal choices that have to be made for each of us.