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Aerosmom

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Posts posted by Aerosmom

    Willie

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Just a question, but I think they typically take lung x-rays to look for lesions to determine the extent to which the cancer has spread. If I remember correctly, osteo typically spreads to the lungs first, not to other limbs. You might be paying for and putting Willie through extra tests that aren't going to change your course of action. I remember with Snickers that I felt very anxious to get rolling with treatment, the sooner I got fighting the osteo the better. I think we had her leg amputated within a week, probably about five days. Many prayers for Willie and you.

    Mango Has Joined The Club...

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    I'm so sorry to hear about your Mango. I went through this with my Snickers, who was only 5 when she was diagnosed. I remember all too well that awful feeling of shock when you are facing the x-rays. I'm not sure about Mango's age, but if you are going the amputation route, I'd give her the chemo too. Although I lost Snickers just before her fourth chemo, I don't think it made her too sick and it can extend their lives for quite a time. The oncologist told me that they don't give as potent a dose to dogs as they do to humans. Snickers had an anti-nausea drug and Flagyl on hand in case the gastro-intestinal side effects got too rough.

     

    I agree with all the other posters about the chemo -- it's what will prolong Mango's life after the amputation.

     

    Have you joined Circle of Grey yet? That was a great source of comfort and info, along with GT. Sending lots of prayers for Mango and her family. :grouphug :grouphug

    Prayers For Foster Clark

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Can you try walking him with a sling? If he's able to use his front legs, you can use a towel under his belly and help him walk by taking the pressure off his hind legs. The only thing, is it will press on the bladder, so you may end up with some leaks.

     

    Sending lots of good thoughts for this brave boy. Hugs for his foster family too.

    Osteo Sarcoma

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Snickers had just turned 5 a few months before she was diagnosed. I remember thinking that she was too young and that there was no way it could be osteosarcoma. It ws devastating to lose her just a few years after adopting her at 3 1/2. I'm glad your pup is okay.

    Post Amp Concerns

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Thanks for all the comments and thoughts.

     

    Aerosmom, did Snickers scream and wake up from sleep? Jamaica is looking for neck massages way more than she used to, so maybe there is something to what you said about stiffness and soreness due to her new gait.

     

    During the day, once she is up, she is fine; it's the initial moves and the dream running that set it off. What worries me is the screams are getting predominant -- I can't figure out what instigates the worst times, except that they mostly happen at night. She looks about like an animal cornered and certain of eminent death.

     

    I'm not so worried about the depression; I know it will take time for her world to re-organize itself. It's the screaming that worries me most and I feel rotten that there doesn't seem to be any way to prevent it. The vets I talked to all seem to say, "That's normal" but I think "They haven't heard her!" I don't know what to think, and I am so tired from being woken often every night. I just don't get it; other than these bouts she is progressing so nicely.

     

    I found a way to tempt her to eat more, once I get her up and moving: something called "Dog Desserts". So far they are all enjoying carrot cake.

     

     

    I think it was a few moments after standing up. For instance, if someone came to the door, she'd get there and then start screaming when someone went to pet her. It scared people to death. I felt so bad because I felt like I had made her life horrible. It might not have been just neck pain, but she really wanted the massages. It's so hard but there really is light at the end of the tunnel. Give Jamaica a big hug (and a neck massage).

     

    Here's the link when it was occuring:

     

    http://forum.greytalk.com/index.php?showto...amp;hl=Snickers

     

    And here's the link when she improved:

     

    http://forum.greytalk.com/index.php?showto...amp;hl=Snickers

    Post Amp Concerns

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    When Snickers came home after a front leg amputation, she had a really rough time. She had horrible screaming fits and would sit on a cushion in a room far away from everyone else. For the first few days home, she would repeatedly look at where her missing leg should have been and look bewildered. I posted here asking about the phantom pain and screaming fits because it broke my heart. I can't remember who long it lasted, but I massaged her neck and she'd stand next to me for long stretches just enjoying the massage. Her neck must have been stiff and sore from her new gait. It also could have been phantom pain. I got lots of advice here, too. Some suggested that her pain meds (Tramadol) can affect greyhounds oddly. I'm not sure about Percocet. It seemed like the longest time before she bounced back to her old happy self but it did eventually happen, maybe within a few weeks.

     

    I'd ask your vet or OSU for advice. It could be that the pain meds aren't covering the pain, or there's a reaction to them. At least from my experience, I think they go through a rough patch just after the surgery. Hang in there. :grouphug :grouphug I"m sure Jamaica will turn the corner very soon.

     

     

    Do You Use Flea Meds Year Round?

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    I use Frontline Plus almost year-round,; if the winter is especially harsh then I might skip Jan/Feb. We have a lot of ticks in the area, and I've seen live ticks in Jan, despite the cold temperatures. To me, the cost of the Frontline is a lot less expensive than the health problems/medical bills that can occur down the road from TBDs. If you are trying to trim expenses, it's a LOT less expensive to get Frontline from Australian sources. The price of Frontline in the states has skyrocketed.

    Polli Is Home

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Hang in there. Snickers went through a similar recovery. She had the screaming fits, particularly after standing up and there wasn't much you could do but feel horrible. I'm not sure if it was phantom pain but it was heart-wrenching. I don't know if it helped end the screaming episodes, but I massaged Snickers's neck -- with the new trpod gait their heads bob up and down and I know that she seemed to really enjoy that. Snickers was on Tramadol, and if I remember correctly they told me to increase her dose. I really don't know what helped but I remember the episodes lasted for at least a week if not too. Hang in there! :grouphug :grouphug

    Polli Tripped

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    :cry1 Did they take an x-ray? From the little I understand, you might want to try to avoid the bone biopsy. I think Dr. Cuoto recommends a fine-needle aspirate, which is less invasive and has less chance of further damaging the bone. :grouphug :grouphug Sending lots of good thoughts for you and Polli.
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