Sirocco_Nikki

I am glad that Fast is doing well. Good girl, Angel.

I am glad to hear he is doing so well.

I took Sirocco to see Dr Sheff last Friday because he started the dreaded limp and has a lump on his right shoulder. Dr Sheff took 3 xrays of his right leg and couldn't find anything suspicious with the bone. The next step is a soft tissue biopsy of that right shoulder on Friday at 0830. Sirocco will receive a light sedative before the biopsy. Total procedure should take about a half hour. Sirocco had an episode before with limping and a swollen leg. The vet immediately suspected an infection that time because the swelling was above and below the joint. I was told that cancer rarely jumps a joint. However, the swelling this time is all above the joint. I don't think there is anyway that this will be "nothing". However, I am praying, hoping & wishing that it is something that can be resected with clean margins. I would greatly appreciate any good thoughts and prayers for my sweet little heathen. He's ornery and a little rotten but he's mine. Also, what questions should I ask? Prognosis and pain control are at the top of my list right now. He is currently taking rimadyl and I am not certain that is enough. Thanks

3 weeks is not unreasonable. Taking prednisone medication causes the body's adrenal glands to slow its production of steroids. Weaning off of prednisone too quickly does not give the body time to kick production up to adequate levels. Death can occur when steroids are stopped suddenly. Please talk to your vet or pharmacist if you are thinking of changing the weaning schedule.

Sirocco had staph infected sores when we adopted him. (He is white with orange.) He had a round of antibiotics that he finished while at the foster home. We had to continue the baths 3 times per week with a medicated shampoo. I think it was Chloro-hex. The vet had us switch to oatmeal shampoo after a couple weeks. I would guess that a weakened immune system contributed to his infection also. Sirocco had a nasty case of hookworms when we got him. He was almost 10 pounds under his race weight at our vet's office the day after we adopted him. His skin improved quickly after our vet treated the hookworms. He has not had another staph infection in the 8 years he has owned us.

Lots of hugs, prayers, and healing thoughts. Whatever it is, your love and dedication to your pups will make the right decision.

Nikki is a world class whiner. She rarely whines at night if she is wearing her jammies. For the "cause I feel like whining", a squirt bottle is your friend.

I am very sorry for your loss. I hope she is running fast and free with Batman at the bridge. She must have been a very special girlie.

Run fast and free at the bridge, Bear.

Your memories of Riley will develop a soft patina but you will never forget him. My Polly has been gone since 2001; however, there are still times at night that I can smell her sweet doggy scent or feel the soft feathering on her ears. I hope he sends you a really good sign soon that he is ok.

I am very sorry for your loss. Zeus is running fast and free with his buddies at the bridge. And with the Queen there to tell him what, when, where, and how to do it, he will be well cared for until you are someday united.

My brittany had surgery for laryngeal paralysis when she was 12. The surgery was done by a board certified specialist who was supposedly the best in the state. The result was absolutely horrible. She was very spry and otherwise healthy before the surgery. She developed extreme complications after it. She was at the emergency clinic the night we brought her home for infection, possible renal failure, and breathing difficulties. She spent a total of about 2 weeks in the hospital before she was stable enough to be home. Scar tissue developed at the surgical site and she would turn blue and wheeze any time she was stressed. I still feel sick and cold inside whenever I think of those many episodes. Agreeing to the surgery is without a doubt my biggest regret in life. I am not saying you should not have the surgery done. However, please be aware that the surgery is not always successful and can cause extreme problems.

Please know that you are not alone and that grief does not have to be rational.

I am glad to hear that Poodle is doing better.

Sending lots of light, hugs, good thoughts, and big hopes that Miss Treasure (a REALLY good girl) is doing better very soon.

Thank you so much for all your advice and good thoughts. Yukon is home from the vets. They know what the episode wasn't more than what it was. His labs are good. The xrays were good. They gave him some iv morphine and a small dose of iv steroids. He had some irregularities on his ekg that improved as the day progressed. They think he may have had a cardiac episode resulting from a full tummy putting pressure on his vagus nerve. They sent his ekg's to Purdue University for their cardiologists to review. I am definitely going to ask about hypertension. For those with greys with hypertension, what are their episodes like? Also, what medication and dose works well? He is doing fairly well right now. He still seems a bit wobbly. Not interested in eating. Pants when he is walking around. He wants to drink a lot of water but that is a no no. This weekend, we are supposed to try and feed him 5 very small meals a day and only let him have small amounts of water at a time. I am taking him back to his regular vet next week for a follow-up. Please let me know if there is anything else I should ask about or suggest. Again, thanks!!!!!!!!!

Yukon (12 y.o.) seemed fine this morning at 6 when he went out to potty and then eat breakfast. However, he suddenly became very restless and started staggering around and panting. He also seemed to have a lot of problems getting his right rear leg to move. A couple of times, he propped himself against Nikki to stay standing. I gave him a rimadyl in case he had pain. DD helped me load him into the car and we were at the vet's office by 7. His abdominal xrays looked fairly good. The spleen was a little hard to judge since he had such a full tummy. No signs of bloat though. We are still waiting on the blood work to come back. The vet thinks he has some type of neurolgic condition; could be a stroke, tumor, meningitis, vestibular............ He suggested we could send Yukon to a neurologist to get a definitive diagnosis. However, I would like to avoid that if at all possible. I am not worried about the cost. My concern is that Yukon is very shy and is only happy when he is in his house with his bed and his family. Even going out for ice cream causes him to get very stressed. I am not sure if having a definitive diagnosis is worth causing him that much stress. We'll probably be starting him on steroids and then see how he does. I am probably going to need to use a sling on him to get him outside to potty. If anyone has any instructions on how to make one, I would greatly appreciate it. Any prayers, positive thoughts, white light or healing wishes would also be greatly appreciated.

Please know that you are never alone with your grief. Polly has been gone for 8 years now. No experience in my life has been as bad as watching her turn blue and gasp for air and knowing I was the one who insisted she have the surgery to "relieve" her laryngeal paralysis. It took a long time for me to work through my emotions since they were so jumbled. I didn't know if I should be glad that her suffering was finally over or sad that she was gone or devestated from the guilt. I still think of her a lot but now it is always with a smile.

Run free little Raven. I hope the angels are giving you, Lori Ann and Skittle lots of nutty bars at the bridge.

lots and lots of prayers for your girl.

Chipped here also and never any problems. Chipping helped save my nephew's boxer so definitely worth it to me.

My pups have used the Sam's Club glucosomine for years and never had any problems.

Sucker signs? More likely that Delgado knew where to find you.