Valencia

This is such a great post, Jane, for those of us who are making our first trip down this road. Thank you for taking the time to put this here. Sharon, I have a 10 1/2 year old with osteo, and I am opting to not do any of the aggressive treatments on my boy. He's not a good candidate for it, for a number of reasons. I also believe that just because we CAN do things doesn't mean we SHOULD. Every dog is different, and some tolerate each of the treatments differently; at the end of the day, you have to do what you think is best for your dog. Do not feel guilty for not pursuing every single option that is available. Baxter lives in the here and now, he doesn't think about the future (well, maybe when his next meal will come. ) I think that sometimes we feel like we HAVE to do everything possible in situations like this, and it makes us feel guilty if we can't or won't.

I got waterproof crib sheets and pads from Walmart for around $10 ea; I've washed them a LOT, and only one is leaking, and just barely. They are like the Invacare ones. I'm so bookmarking that link, that's a fantastic price!

Aw, thank you.

My first girl had Lymphoma, she did really well on prednisone. Chemo has great remission rates. I'll keep Beanie in my thoughts.

Okay, thank you, I really appreciate it. I have to think more about this. My heart hurts.

OSU got back to me this morning, I JUST filled out the consult form yesterday in the late afternoon! Unfortunately, the images of the xrays aren't clear enough for Dr. Kellogg to decisively say if it's osteo, so I have asked if I can mail her the actual films (my vet has already said this would be fine). Also, Dr. Kellogg is asking for comparison films for the other shoulder, scans of the chest, and has also suggested doing new bloodwork. (How did I not think to have this stuff done at the previous visit?) I am going to get a script for Xanax for Stewart so that I can hopefully alleviate some of his anxiety when I take him back, because I would really like to be able to get these tests done for my own peace of mind, and to track the progression as needed... Have any of you needed to treat with Xanax for vet visits? Normally I wouldn't be so quick to medicate, but he's gotten much more anxious with each visit, and the contact pacing, panting, and whining just breaks my heart. And, I have had to carry him into the clinic and / or the exam room the last few visits, otherwise he bucks and freaks out and tries to escape, and I don't want him getting hurt. If I try to hold him steadily by his collar, he gets really agitated and growls and whips his head around (I have him muzzled to prevent him from biting).

Okay, thank you so much for the info. I was aware not all dogs did well on Tramadol, and he has had issues with morphine, so I'll be extra vigilant with the Tramadol. The vet did give me the dosages for 'when things are going badly'. I do have the option of seeing an oncologist, but since it seems like the advice for pain management care seems to use the same drugs and the same dosage ranges, and my vet seems to be very well versed in all of it and the side effects, I haven't really seen a good reason to drag the poor dog into yet another clinic and freak him out again.

Sorry to hear about Stewart's diagnosis. I'm wondering why they are saying amputation is not an option? I'm glad you're getting a 2nd opinion from a specialist. There is certainly nothing wrong with choosing not to amputate and to just manage pain with palliative care. However, if you're interested in considering more aggressive treatment, I wouldn't just take one vet's word that it's "non-amputatable". Most cases of osteosarcoma affecting limbs can be amputated, and it's more a factor of whether the dog is a good candidate based on overall health, and soundness of the other legs. Best wishes for you and Stewart, and I hope you still have a lot of good, quality time with him regardless of how you decide to proceed. Although I very rarely post in the H&M forum, I'm not new to greyhounds or their medical care. I've been actively involved at the board level with my local group for years, and have been involved with a lot of the medical issue dogs, as well as researching the diseases and conditions and treatment protocols. However, it's much different when it's my own beloved greyhound I have to make decisions for (plus I just sometimes need a bit of emotional support from people who understand). Stewart isn't a candidate for amputation or even the other drug therapies because he is extremely fearful and anxious at the vet, to the point I struggle to get him out of my vehicle, and he paces, pants, and does his best bucking bronco impersonation when I try to move him anywhere except to the exit. He growls and snaps at me if I try to change a bandage on him from any routine injury, so caring for him after an amputation would be traumatic at best, and god forbid there were any issues. And finally, he has back end issues that preclude him from having only three legs; I suspected LS, but it doesn't appear to be that. I didn't push for a better diagnosis since it's a bit of a moot point with the osteo. I got digital copies of the xrays from my vet, and have sent them on to Dr. Couto. I can confirm that there is now a mandatory $50 consultation fee for non-members, if using the consultation form on the website. The confirmation form and email both state a response will be given within 3 days. I picked up Stewart's tramadol today, and will start him on it tonight. He is still limping with the Metacam, although he is in much better spirits than he was after the exam and xrays. You never realize how much even just a few dogs jostle each other until one has an injury...

huh, that's interesting, I've always joked that she has a small bladder, she's never been good at holding it. Design quirk oh, that's what I was wondering, since she has no other symptoms. My other girl didn't have issues, but she was a lot different in many ways. I respectfully disagree. We've had a lot of dogs in my family and none of them, as long as they were healthy, had issues with urinating as they got older. Given everything you said about her always being iffy on housebreaking, having had access to a dog door which she no longer has, living with another dog who is not reliably housebroken--this sounds more behavioral to me--but if she were mine I'd go with a course of antibiotics anyway and see if that helps. If she does have a UTI, she might not have any of the symptoms you mentioned. It could also be a number of other health issues which might come on at her age--but age in and of itself is not an reason. It's just coincidental that as dogs age, they start to have things wrong with them. The only reason I suspect medical over behavioral is this morning, she couldn't wait a few minutes to go outside, and we ALWAYS go outside first thing in the morning. It's not like I was at work and she didn't think I was going to come back. I'm beginning to think she just can't hold it, for whatever reason. She is, at least, hitting the potty pads more reliably now, I can live with that. I'm going to get her tested, just to be on the safe side.

Maybe he has a pinched nerve?

Ironically, every faucet in the old house leaked, so I was extra excited to move into my new place and NOTHING leaks!!! Except the dog. :lol And thank you, I picked up Tramadol today to start him on that along with the Metacam. He is doing okay. His momma, not so much. I'm leaning towards that, just to rule anything medical out. My new vet will either think I am a crazy dog lady, or that I'm doing something to make my dogs fall apart. :lol

oh, that's what I was wondering, since she has no other symptoms. My other girl didn't have issues, but she was a lot different in many ways.

I have a 9 1/2 yo spayed female greyhound; I fostered her after she came off the track, and ended up keeping her because she's so cute. She is a spook, mostly reformed, but still very quirky, which I love. She's always been somewhat questionable on housebreaking; she went through periods where she was terrified of the doors and wouldn't go out, and so would go in a back room and pee instead of going through the door. For the last few years, we lived in a house with a dog door with no flap, and as long as she had access to go out, she didn't have accidents in the house. Plus, I was always very careful to make sure she went out regularly to potty because it has always been such an issue. Recently, we moved from Southern to Northern California, and are in a new house with no dog door, and no option for one. I take her out in the morning to potty, and she does; I come home at lunch to potty them, and again the minute I get home from work. However, she is still peeing in the house, sometimes several times a day. She has no apparent signs of a UTI; it doesn't seem painful for her to pee, she doesn't strain, and she appears to empty her bladder each time. She is not drinking more water than usual, at least not that I am aware of. She goes out around 7am, and if I don't get home for lunch by 12:30-12:45p, she pees in the bedroom (luckily, I have put waterproof pads down that she usually hits). If she pees inside, she will NOT go outside, no matter how long I stand out there with her. (She won't pee on walks, because of the spook thing, so that isn't an option). Then, if I don't get home from work at 6p, she pees inside again. It appears she can't go more than 5.5-6 hours without going pee, and she thinks NOTHING of peeing in the house (I think she seems to prefer it!). This morning, I didn't get her outside fast enough after we woke up, and she peed in the bedroom again. Adding to the problem is that the other dogs in the house now think it's perfectly acceptable to potty in the house, and so I'm cleaning up accidents 3 times a day, and I'm starting to feel really defeated. The boy greyound was just diagnosed with osteo, so he gets a free ride, but the Chinese Crested has never been reliably potty trained, so he is now really learning bad habits. I will start closing off my bedroom while I am home so he can't go in there (he is crated while I am at work, so that's not an issue). I am going to take Shae into the vet for a blood panel and a urinalysis, but I'm just curious if this is normal for them to not be able to wait as they get older, or if it's either a behavioral issue or a sign of something being wrong? Has anyone had any experiences like this?

Sorry to hear about Stewart's diagnosis. I'm wondering why they are saying amputation is not an option? I'm glad you're getting a 2nd opinion from a specialist. There is certainly nothing wrong with choosing not to amputate and to just manage pain with palliative care. However, if you're interested in considering more aggressive treatment, I wouldn't just take one vet's word that it's "non-amputatable". Most cases of osteosarcoma affecting limbs can be amputated, and it's more a factor of whether the dog is a good candidate based on overall health, and soundness of the other legs. Best wishes for you and Stewart, and I hope you still have a lot of good, quality time with him regardless of how you decide to proceed. It's not an option because of the location of the osteo, because of existing issues with his lower back and back leg stability, because he lashes out when he is in pain and not feeling well and we'd never survive even a bandage change after the surgery, because going to the vet is so incredibly traumatizing for him, for a lot of reasons.

She seems to really get it; she's already prescribed Tramadol, and suggested Gabapentin. She's been fantastic, and has talked about everything that is in line with current pain med protocols and dosage rates and times. I feel really lucky that I found such a great regular practice vet.

Thank you so much for the sad but warm welcome, I really appreciate it. I just moved from Los Angeles to the Bay Area (three weeks ago!!!) and hadn't even found a vet yet!!! I am lucky, I found one, called them and grilled them on the phone, then made an appointment. The only bummer is they don't have many greyhound patients, so the vet isn't grey-savvy, but she listens to me and has been WONDERFUL. I've been calling my group president for support, but I'm glad to have you guys too so I have greyhound-knowledgeable support.

Okay, perfect, thank you so much for the fast response. I just wanted to make sure it was in days and not weeks.

Can I join? Stewart was just diagnosed, osteo in the front shoulder. Non-amputatable. I'm going to send the xrays to either a specialist in Southern California, or to OSU, does anyone know how long it takes for OSU to review films and get back? I know there's a consult fee, I don't mind that.

Mo... :grouphug I'm so sorry you are going through this. Let me know if I can ship you meds.

I'm glad to hear things are going well without the crate. If you have any concerns about Jett and the cat, you might confine the cat while you are away. I had greyhounds and cats before, and one of my greyhounds was a little interested in the cats; I never felt comfortable enough to leave them all together, I always separated.

done

:lol That is so awesome!!!

I am so, so sorry.

Kirkland Lamb and Rice. My two didn't tolerate the chicken and rice as well; their coats became duller, the boy started eating poop, and their skin became a little dry. They've been on the lamb and rice for several years, and both started eating poop again (gross!!!!), so I am debating on trying a different formula.

FastFriends dogs, awesome!!! Welcome!