brindlebaby

A quick history and then some questons................ We adopted Ava (formerly Lass Dance) in late February 2012. She was retired from the track (I think in November 2011) because she had three seizures in the kennel - the probable causes given were she was stressed at the kennel or they sprayed something at the kennel. She went into foster care at that time and was there until we adopted her almost three months later. Completely seizure free after retirement until Saturday morning. Had one seizure at 130am (very violent, lasted around 5 minutes). After was very wound up, pacing, panting uncontrollably. She went out in the yard and just kept walking very fast around the yard as if she was looking for something. Approximately 145am, she went to the back gate, came back towards me, her back arched up and she fell into another seizure (also very violent). I tried to craddle her as she was on the concrete walk (this one last maybe 3 minutes). Again she got up and continued to race around the yard (fast walk), I guided her in the house and locked her in the bedroom with husband (Herman) and I went and called the emergency vet to tell them we were on our way. In the bedroom Ava went to one side of the bed, jumped on the bed, and then jumped off the other side. Ran to the other side and just kept repeating this. She was panting so hard. I ran out to get the car ready with quilts and Herman said she had another seizure in the bedroom. In the car she was so restless, crying, panting, trying to force herself to the front seat. Herman blocked the front seat from her as she was really wild and wound up, I was afraid she was going to make me have an accident. She reminded me of someone you see on Cops that is high and out of control with super strengths. Ava was admitted to the hospital because they wanted to make sure she was seizure free for at least 24 hours. We waited for the labs to be done before we left her and everything came back normal. They started her on IV phenobarbital and I know they gave her valium as she kept pacing in her cage and was very vocal. We were able to pick her up on Sunday morning. She has a pink bandage up to her thigh on her back left foot because she cut her leg by her hock and it wouldn’t stop bleeding. (I imagine that was from the seizure out in the yard on the concrete). Ava looked better than I expected. She did whine off and on and was restless on the way home. Once home, I put her in our bed and sat with her while I did some research on my laptop. Our other dog Sam was laying next to me. At one point Ava looked up at us, although her eyes were vacant. All her teeth were shown as if she was in a growl mode and a lot of saliva was dripping from both sides of her mouth. It lasted about 20 seconds. I helped Ava off the bed and went into the kitchen. Ava had her head up, constantly smelling my shirt. She had the same episode (without the smelling) about 20 minutes later, which lasted 15 seconds. Then another episode 50 minutes later that lasted about 10 seconds. I didn’t notice any the rest of the day. Other than a few whines when I turned out the lights, she slept well. (I thought the whines may have been because the bandage was tight at her thigh so I cut it down a bit). (I did call the hospital about the mini seizures and the person who answered said they were able to talk to two technicians and their best answer was to bring her in. I felt that would stress her out more, and then I rationalized that these little episodes were probably happening in the hospital, but unless you happened to catch them, you’d miss them. I think I just wanted someone to tell me that this is normal activity after what she’d been through.) Now for my questions…. The week leading up to her seizures, I remember about three instances. One night after work she laid next to me as I watched tv in bed. I felt her shaking a bit and I noticed her eyes were half open, half shut (they looked weird) and were flickering/blinking. I called her name and it took a few moments for her to come to. Then there were two instances where the lights were out, but I was still awake and Ava was trembling in her sleep enough that you could hear her. I know dogs do this and maybe I am just overly paranoid because I know she has had seizures in the past, but these just seemed different. I didn’t think much about them until we were at the emergency hospital that night. Were these signs that she was headed to the violent cluster of seizures she had later that week? If these were signs and it happens again, is there something we can do to stop the seizures before they even start? Any other advice or helpful things to know? Thank you and sorry my “quick history” was all that quick! Kim & Ava

Ava's hair is smooth, she's just bald in spots. It's not that noticeable (she's red fawn and it kinda blends in), but when you pet her you feel baby soft skin. She is shedding, but it isn't coming out in clumps, just when you pet her all this fine hair goes everywhere. Sorry for the hijack -- but I can't help saying what a beautiful face!! I agree, gorgeous dog and what an awesome picture with the scenery in the background! That's interesting about the light colored - so Peggy is normally solid black? I was thinking a dark brindle. I'm really not worried about her coat - as long as it's not a medical issue. Regarding the counter surfing, she's just inquisitive I guess... I came home this evening, threw my big purse on the floor and ran to the bathroom and when I came out, Ava had her entire head down in my purse. I do have some packets of dry food that I bring home from work (because there's mice there!). She did get into them a week ago. She had all the packets in her crate, with some buried under her quilt (I guess for a midnight snack). She didn't eat them, just poked holes in all the packets with her teefers She is training me to be a neat freak! Why yes we did! After we lost Callie in December, getting another dog was the last thing on my mind. I think right before Christmas Cora sent me an email asking how we were doing and casually mentions she knows we aren't ready for another dog, but she's fostering a little girl now and if we were interested in her, she'd spoil her for us. As I'm reading I'm thinking no, we're not ready and then BOOM, there was Ava's picture at the bottom (called Dance at the time). One look at that sweet little face and how could I say no. (Plus I didn't want her to NOT be spoiled!) Cora kept us updated, sending cute little stories about her and a few pictures. She even took Ava to her vet to make sure she was cat safe (which would of been the only reason we wouldn't take her). That Cora is such a sweetheart and obviously very wise.

Thank you all! We had a dog with Cushings and hope it's not that! I don't think it is though - no puffy belly, she drinks normal, she doesn't go out sometimes when the other dogs do and she seems to be able to hold her pee longer (maybe from being at the track??) and has no accidents at all. I think she may have put on a couple of pounds since we got her, you can see her ribs, she looks good! As far as I know she was on NO medication for the seizures at the kennel, no steroids at all - and still isn't. I was told that the seizures may have been from being nervous in a kennel setting or possibly from some sort of spray from outside (weed killer/bug/??). She hasn't had any seizures since leaving the track/kennel and into a foster home in December 2011. Blowing her track coat? That's sounds like a good answer! We're taking Ava along when we take Sam for her shots next Wednesday. Ava will get a microchip and I guess we'll get the well exam blood work done so they have a record. She has really settled in well, doesn't seem to have a shy/scared bone in her body. She roached within a few hours of coming home. She's very smart, sweet and is a cuddler. She plays well (a little rough outside though) with our other two girls. She's gentle with our cat. I think she may have been muzzled a lot in her past and we've not used it all since her first week. I'm stressing to everyone to not leave ANYTHING laying around! Oh and yes, her coat is very soft! She is shedding, you can pet her and the fine hair just comes out. The bald thighs don't bother me, I was just concerned when I noticed her neck, chest and at her temples and was hoping it wasn't anything medical. Thank you everyone for all the information and suggestions! I think I'm just being a worried mom. Kim & Ava

Hello, Our new girl Ava has extremely bald thighs. She is also missing quite a bit of hair on her neck (not just where a collar would sit), but more from her chin on down the front of her chest. She has thinning hair at her temples (base of her ears) and I see numerous spots on her body where the hair is very thin. She turned 3 on January 1st. I believe she raced until October or November 2011, until she had a few seizures in the kennel. I think she was placed into a foster home in December 2011 and we’ve had her since February 25, 2012, no seizures in either home. She also has a RAVENOUS appetite, mostly food, but we’ve caught her with a screw and nail with a plastic cap (furniture caster). She is a gatherer (taking various things to the back of her crate – shoes, clothes, etc), but she doesn’t chew on these. She is very tall and lanky and surfs kitchen counters with ease – she’s had her mouth eating a bowl of cereal in the 2 seconds it took to put the milk away. She doesn’t knock the bowls off the counter, she eats out of them standing on her back legs (leaning with her front paws of course :0). Each night I fill 3 bowls of kibble for the dogs’ breakfast…she’s managed to eat the top bowl a couple times without hardly a sound. I started moving the bowls farther back in the corner of the counter – at first she whined because she couldn’t reach them, but she figured that out last night. Now they go into the cupboard overnight. Her daily food that WE :0 give her is 1.25 – 1.50 cups of dry kibble around 6:45am, 2 cups of kibble around 4:30pm and then a few treats before bedtime. Could the hair loss and huge appetite be a symptom of any medical issues, thyroid maybe or am I over-reacting? We’re getting her chipped next week and will discuss her hair loss and appetite with her vet. I was just curious if others think these were common or does is sound like something else could be going on? Thanks! Kim & Ava

Oh no, just saw this! I think I have some Pepcid a/c and Zantac, but it may be expired. (It was from Peanut and Kony) If you used the regular strength peroxide, it's usually about 3 percent. While peroxide is itself toxic, you're giving a very mild dose--that the dog will vomit. Hair-bleaching peroxide is a much higher percentage and is dangerous. If you don't have pepcid, just give a bit of bread or something so she'll have something on her stomach. Of course, that means she'll be having bread to go with her butter... Bread & butter More like bread and water, like criminals get. I have some Activia I may give her - she's sleeping sounding in crate (but has collar on) and I want to remove so I need to wake her up - don't like collars in crates. It was regualr hydrogen peroxide - since she's resting peacefully, I think I'll just give her some Activia for her belly since she's going to want a bedtime treat when I wake her. Sure wish you would of seen this! Bootsy is the spittin' image of my Callie, in your avatar and banner.

____________________________ Whew, thank you, it worked! I actually had gone out to the car to get some Bizy Bones that each one was going to get while we ate supper. I didn't get supper so no one is getting Bizy Bones now. She still went over to the counter when she came in kitchen right after in the yard! Thank you all, I will write these instructions down and thanks for the pancreatitis link. I'm having trouble opening it on my laptop, but will read in a bit on my other computer. Hope we have a calm rest of the night! Oh no, just saw this! I think I have some Pepcid a/c and Zantac, but it may be expired. (It was from Peanut and Kony)

I've done this before, but it's been awhile. How much should I give?

My grey ate a stick of butter. Is this enough to give her pancreatitis or make her sick? Is there any way I can help her? It was sweet cream butter, salted, 1/4 of a pound stick. Is this enough to make her sick? I'm a nervous wreck!

I've been away for awhile, but I wanted to let you all know that we lost Callie on December 7th. She fell on November 29th and after that, she couldn't use her back legs. I'm not sure if she had a pinched nerve or something, we really never got the chance to explore treatment options. My husband had surgery on December 1st and we were going to see about taking Callie to a specialist the next week, but never got the chance. She had some sort of attack the afternoon of December 6th (I do believe she had an allergic reaction to Tramadol because I think her tongue swelled up.) Thinking she was dying before our eyes, we were eventually able to calm her down. She refused dinner and I tried to get her to eat a little white meat chicken late that night. She turned her head, but I put a piece by her mouth and she took it and then devoured that bowl and another one. She then had some Frosty Paw nuggets, which we just discovered and she loved. She was a bit restless during the night and refused her breakfast and Frosty Paws the next morning. Rememberance Thread I wanted to thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for all the love and support you showed us. We were so frightened when Callie broke her leg in January and had her amputation, but what a comfort this group was, telling us the ropes about getting the chemo from OSU (which we're so greytful to), from what to expect during her recovery. I'm devastated to see that Dude passed away. I remember he, Lucy and Callie all had their amputations around the same time in January. I wish your pups long healthy lives and pray they'll beat this monster. I choose to believe that Callie did. With much love and gratitude, Kim, Herman, Pixie the grey, Kitten the cat, Sammie the German Shepherd and our beautiful angel Callie Callie Walker ~ 02-28-99 - 12-07-11

I'm devastated to read of Dude's passing. I was just about to post in the Osteo thread and saw your siggy line and my heart sank. I remember he, Lucy and Callie all got their amputations around the same time. I loved reading your stories about Dude and your tribute to him was beautiful, what a handsome boy he was. We lost Callie on December 7th. I'd like to think that Dude was there to greet her and showed her around. I'm so sorry. Cancer sucks. : Kim

It's been almost two weeks now and the subject line still makes me sob. I can't believe my beautiful girl is gone. She was very brave, much more than I. Callie was our first greyhound. I was mourning the loss of our dog PJ and would stay up late at night (mostly because I didn't want to sleep because I was afraid of dreams) just looking on the internet. I happened to see a couple of AboutMe pages on ebay, which were about greyhounds. One page was of Diane Krall's Jordan (who beknown to us went to the bridge on 12/05/11) and the other was Christel Ausman who told about her greyhounds. I had seen greyhounds in the past at a fall festival (I guess it was a kind of Meet & Greet) and remembered how calm and regal they were and was intrigued by their wide beautiful collars. I started looking up greyhound rescue groups in St. Louis (there are 3). I saw one grey on Rescued Racers website that reminded me so much of PJ in the face, the reddish fawn coloring and her personality and traits told by her foster mom. I emailed Rescued Racers and was told that Trish was in a foster home in Belleville, IL and they could arrange for us to meet her. That Saturday Rescued Racers was doing a M&G at a Petco near us. My mom and I stopped by (hoping Trish would be there). The rawness of just losing PJ and just seeing all those beautiful greys looking for a home, I started crying when I saw them. Feeling embarassed, I went to the back of the store to compose myself. A kind woman *which turned out to be Callie's foster mom* followed me to the back of the store and asked if I was alright. I apologized saying I had just lost PJ, etc. She handed me Callie's leash and asked if I wanted to walk her around the store. I looked down and the most sad beautiful eyes looked up at me. She said, "This is Callie." I mumbled I recognized her from the website. After walking Callie a bit, I took her up to the group in front. They asked if I wanted to meet any other dogs and I told them no, I'm interested in adopting Callie please. After a quick stop at Target for my mom, I raced home to fill out an online application. I was crushed to see "Adoption Pending" on Callie's profile. I went ahead and filled out an application anyway and then emailed the group asking if they received it. I think I had to wait a day for a response **seemed like months** but they said that they received it and would get back to me once they checked with our vet and our references. We got the word toward the end of the week that Callie was ours and I went on a shopping trip buying new bowls, new bed, new crate, new toys... read Cynthia Branigan's book from cover to cover in one day. I cleaned the spare bedroom, even getting down on my hands and knees scrubbing the hardwood floor. I was acting like royalty or the president(or a mother-in-law was coming to stay). Callie joined our family on a Saturday afternoon in April 2001. She brought so much joy to all our lives. (Trish ended up getting adopted by Kerry (stlgrey on GT) around the same time as Callie and was renamed Ali - so we eventually were able to meet her at Rescued Racers events which was cool.) That December Callie and I started donating items to various groups in need with Angela Curtis & Giving Greymoms, I believe it was called at the time. All donation photos had Callie modeling or posing with the goods. I still have all the photos by date and look through them every now and then and marvel at how she became even more beautiful with age. This was Callie's first modeling gig way back in December 2002. Some photo shoots were a bit challenging, if not comical (that's flour on her nose ). Madam Callie & Razzleberry with mystery box for Hope for Hounds Auction 2006 ~ always a good sport, she looked forward to her paycheck in the form of treats. Sometimes Callie's brothers modeled with her... Callie and Kodi (see how he's holding his best friend's leash) Callie and Peanut Eventually we (Callie & I) started running ebay auctions and online raffles under Long Tall Callie. I think Callie raised over $10 thousand over the years. We ran a Senior/Special Needs Raffle for Callie's group in June 2008 and our now Pixie (then Mary Ann) listed as a special needs grey. Her profile said she was extremely shy and needed a confident hound to guide her (or something like that). We weren't looking for another grey, but I thought, that "confident hound" is Callie! That July 3rd, Pixie came home and after more than 7 long years, we finally had a second grey. Pixie and Callie are the exact opposites, but they couldn't have been a better fit. They both complimented each other. Callie & Pixie Halloween 2008 Callie was diagnosed with osteo in January 2011 (she broke her right front leg). She had it amputated and did very well. Callie & Pixie the night she came home from the hospital after her amputation - we got an air mattress which Pixie, Sam & Kitten loved, but Callie hated. Callie celebrated her 12th birthday the night of her first chemo. She had a slight setback in early June, we had left her and Pixie at home while we went to Rescued Racers picnic (it was hot and Callie had chemo the next morning, so thought they'd be more comfortable at home). When we returned, Callie was favoring a back foot and refused her dinner. Knowing she had an early chemo appointment in the morning, we just gave her a Tramadol for pain. (I was able to coax her into eating a little dinner). At chemo they thought she had something going on with her cruciate liagment, so they gave a prescription for Tramadol with instructions to restrict her movement and call if she didn't improve). By that Wednesday she was peeing blood. Got an appointment to our regular vet (praying it was just a UTI or something minor) and when they weren't able to sample her urine (it was like sludge), we rushed her to the emergency hospital where she receives her chemo. Once examined, they thought Callie may have Rhabdomyolysis, so they started flushing her system. She spent the night and by morning she was improving. I was told to visit that afternoon and bring some food to tempt her. They carried Callie out to me and her eyes were glazed over and she couldn't even lift her head, they had it propped up on a small cat beanbag bed. The doctor came in and said that while she was better that morning when she talked to me, she had been going downhill. They said if it was Rhabdomyolysis, she should of gotten better. All lab and blood results were coming back normal and they were stumped. She said they could do an ultrasound of her abdomen, but usually they have a reason, now it's just a kind of last resort thing to check. I gave my permission and asked for copies of Callie's labs so I could go home and scour the internet, GT, Dr. Stack, GH-L. I requested Callie's doctor to consult with OSU and she said she would call after I left. I hadn't even made it home and they called and said that Callie's spleen had been ruptured. She said it possibly a hematoma, but more than likely hemangiosarcoma. I asked if they could remove the spleen and she said yes, but since it's probably hemangiosarcoma, surgery would only give her 2, possibly 3 months. Right then I told her that I thought it was a hematoma, it all made sense now. That Sunday she was perfect before we went to the Rescued Racers picnic. When we returned home (4 hours max) she was favoring her back foot and not eating. I said that I think she may of slipped getting on the couch (she did this little run before jumping on the couch) and probably came down hard on her abdomen on the edge of the couch, rupturing her spleen. She doubted that, but said she would talk with the surgeon and see when she could do it. She called back within the hour and said the surgeon wanted to remove the spleen that night, but first wanted to check her heart. (I think hemangiosarcoma can be in the heart). Her heart came back fine and she had the surgery that evening. The surgeon called me and said Callie did really well (she said she always worries more about greyhounds, how nervous they can get, etc.) and she wanted to get her into surgery quickly. She said Callie should be able to come by Monday. Callie spent Friday in the hospital. At the Saturday morning call, they said she is still refusing to eat. They said to come visit later that day and they may discharge her (only because she is not eating). She did get to come home Saturday night and I was so worried about her, that she would go downhill. She ate that night and quickly gained all the weight back that she lost (since not eating for almost 7 days). We got the call the next week from the surgeon telling us it was a Hematoma! She said they were all surprised, but I wasn't. So weird because I am the biggest worrier on earth and I had no worries about hemangiosarcoma because I was positive it was a hematoma. Callie stayed right on track and received her final chemo treatment 2 weeks later. I thought this one would really wipe her out after all she'd been through the past month. She was usually tired the rest of the day after a chemo treatment, but this last time she wasn't. Playing August 2011, (one month after her spleenectomy) She went every month for checkups and they had her on chemo drugs that we could give at home. At one of her checkups, her backlegs were a bit loopy. They took her back for x-rays, thinking the osteo returned. It was shown she had a little arthritis on her spine, but no osteo. They thought she may possibly have a pinched nerve. She was put on meds for arthritis and she did seem to improve. On Tuesday November 28th, Callie fell in the hallway while I was at work. After that her back legs wouldn't hold her. I called her oncologist and rushed her in. She said that it's probably her spinal problems. We took Callie home and continued to use the sling to take her out. My husband Herman was having surgery that Thursday morning and I was going to be off work for 12 days with him so I would be home with Callie too. Once Herman's surgery was over I planned on taking Callie to a specialist, seeing if accupunture or something would work. On Tuesday 12/6 Callie ate a good breakfast and then a Frosty Paw at noon. Trying to move her from the couch to go potty before dinner that afternoon, she had an attack where she was wheezing and I think her tongue was swollen. She started pooping and I screamed to Herman to help me get her on the floor. We drug her from the living room to the bedroom on a shower curtain to her bed. After comforting her, she did settle down, but refused dinner. That evening I got her to taste some white meat chicken and she woofed it down. She had a restless night, but we had already made the decision to call for an appointment in the morning. That Wednesday morning, Callie refused all food. We got an 11am appointment with her regualr vet. My brother came over Wednesday at 1020am to help us get Callie to the car. (He carried her himself, which was easier on Callie.) I had put a bunch of blankets in the back seat to make her more comfortable. My cousin rode in back with her and Callie laid her head on her leg while she gave her pets and comfort. One at the vet, two of the technicians came out and carried her in on a stretcher to a tastefully decorated private room with a couch, chair and a cushy bed in front of the couch for Callie. (This room is new, in the past we've just had to go in a regular small exam with the big metal table in the center.) We were offered coffee, soda or water. I asked for water for Callie. Her regular vet came in and talked to us and Callie and kissed her head several times. Callie was very alert. The vet gave her a shot to make her more comfortable and then left us alone for a bit. I talked to her and told her not to be afraid, that her mom and dad loved her very much and that we were right there with her. After a few minutes, her vet came and Callie was gone. Thankfully it was very peaceful and she just seemed to drift away (I was so thankful she didn't die when she was in distress like the previous night). I held her and talked to her throughout. We sat there awhile and then I asked my cousin and Herman if they would let me have a few minutes alone with Callie. I told her how much she changed our lives and how loved she was. I told her that her best friend Kodi (our shepherd) would be waiting for her, with Kony and our cats Peanut and Bailey. I told her to watch over us and wait for us to join her. Her vet had cut some of Callie's hair for me and I am going to wear it in a memory locket. Herman had given me a necklace for my birthday which has a sterling heart pendant with Callie's actual paw print (like a fingerprint) and her name engraved on the back. I have been wearing it, but I'm constantly feeling my neck to make sure it's still there. We had her cremated and got her a nice wooden box. They brought her home this past Wednesday. Her vet sent a card with a touching personal message and some cards with Callie's name and foot prints on it. I had prayed Callie would have more time after her amputation, but we had her with us over 10.5 months (95% of it good) and that was priceless. I am most worried about Pixie. She looks lost. I've looked at Rescued Racers adoptable dogs, but I think it's too soon. Maybe February, mine and Callie's birthdays are in February. When we get another grey, it won't be to replace Callie, it will be because of Callie. Watch over us beautiful girl, until we meet again Kim, Herman, Pixie the grey, Kitten the cat, Sammie the German Shepherd and our Angel Callie

Oh no, just seeing this! I'm so sorry Carrie and Matt. Lilac had the best home ever, she definitely knew she was loved. to you both and the girls. Kim

Oh I'm so thankful for the greyt news about Dude! That's good he's being a brat, that means he feels well! Callie had one massage about 4 years ago, she and I had a mommy & me day out for Valentine's Day and our birthdays and she got a massage. I think she really enjoyed it! Thank you Robin and Nancy!

Thanks everyone for the well wishes for Callie! We got the call from the surgeon ---- it was a HEMATOMA, not hemangiosarcoma!!!! I told her I was so happy and she said they were all pretty surprised. Sheesh, thank goodness this time I listened to my instincts that it WAS a hematoma (the injured foot was all to coincidental) as I think the critical care doctor was trying to steer me to euthanasia. The surgeon said she talked with Callie's oncologist and they want to keep her on schedule with her chemo. Her 6th and last treatment is scheduled for July 2. She has her personality back, is bright eyed and her appetite is back. She has lost quite a bit of weight though so if anyone has any suggestions on putting a few pounds back on her, that would be appreciated! Thanks all for being there and such wonderful support.

Thank you for asking Robin. I hadn't posted here yet, but last Sunday we left Callie and Pixie at home while we went out for 4.5 hours to Rescued Racers annual festival. It was in the 90's and Callie was also scheduled for her 5th chemo on Monday morning, so we thought they'd be more comfortable at home. When we got home, Callie somehow fell or something and was favoring her right back leg. Started treating with Tramadol myself since she had a chemo appointment at 9am. Chemo went well (chest x-ray and blood work fine) and we were given more Tramadol for home and instructions to call our regular oncologist next week with an update or call if she got worse. I forgot to say that after she injured her leg, she stopped eating willfully. I was able to coax her to eat a plain Steak n Shake hamburger with her food twice. The injury was on Sunday, the chemo was on Monday and Wednesday morning Callie had peed on the kitchen floor (it had blood in it). Went to work and called our regular vet and got an 1130am appointment. After looking online for causes, I was hoping it was just a UTI and it was all a big coincidence that the injury and her not eating were happening at the same time. Our vet freaks me out saying she thinks maybe she was getting a reaction from the chemo drug and it was affecting her liver, the rest is hazy because when she mentioned that time is critical to flush out her system and maybe it's her time to go... I asked if we could take her to the emergency hospital where her oncologist is and she said that would be for the best, they are there 48 hours. She said we didn't have to worry about paying and escorted us out the door. ((Herman had got a urine sample to take with us and the tech came in while she was being examined and said she couldn't get a dip stick in it and they tried to spin it and said it was like sludge.) Our vet had called ahead and they were waiting for Callie and rushed her right back. After examining her, the critical care doctor came out and said wasn't sure, but was leaning toward some kind of muscle trauma - rhabdomyolysis. She said they were going to flush her system out with IVs and in the meantime they would send her blood work and urine sample out. They let us go back to see her before we left to say goodbye. She was really panting and they had a little silver fan on the cage door by her face. The vet asked if she somehow got overheated and I told her that our regular vet took her temp and it was just a tad higher than normal. She said it was normal there too. She asked the tech to send the lab samples out stat and said she would call us later with an update. By 8pm when no one called, I called and was informed the tests hadn't come back yet. (so much for stat) Callie was resting comfortably they said, she had thrown up a couple of times, but they think it was from the IV pain meds so they were giving her an anti medic to stop the vomiting. On Thursday the doctor called after morning rounds and said that Callie was doing well and they were continuuing to flush her system. She said I come see her and bring some food to see if she would eat. I left work, picked up a couple of plain hamburgers and stopped at Treats Unleashed and got a can of Grammies Pot Pie and a soft green turtle pillow. Once at the hospital they lead me to a room and brought out a large very cushy blue satiny quilt for Callie. They returned with Callie and a small cat bean bag bed for her head. She looked horrible, very glassy eyed and aloof. Her feet were curled over and she wouldn't hold her head up, so they propped it on the bean bag. They said the doctor would be in shortly to talk to me. The doctor said that when she called me that morning, Callie was doing better and she has been going downhill. The other greyhounds she treated with rhabdomyolysis improved where she is getting worse. She said all her labs are coming back normal and they are stumped. She then asked if we wanted them to do an abdominal ultrasound. She said normally they do one as they are looking for something, but they don't really know about Callie. I gave my permission and asked if I could have copies of her labs so that I could check online. I also asked if she would call OSU and she said yes. She ran out to try and see if she could get Callie in then for the ultrasound. The tech came back with copies of her labs and said they were going to take Callie back for the ultrasound, but would bring her back so I could visit with her again. I said to just hook her back up to her IVs and I was going to go home and look online for what could be going on with her. So devastating to see your baby wasting away and they don't know what is causing it! I hadn't even made it home and the doctor called and said they had found a large tumor or hematoma on her spleen. She said they could remove the spleen and I said yes, I wanted that. She mentioned it could be another cancer hemangiosarcoma, which is fast moving and the surgery could only buy her 2 -4 months. I said this all made sense now, I think it's a hematoma. Callie was PERFECT before we went to the greyhound event on Sunday - ate a good breakfast and was walking fine. 4.5 hours later, she fell (I suspect she took a running leap to the couch, slipped and hit her abdomen on the edge of the couch and hurt her back foot in the process.) This makes sense of why she didn't want to eat and just didn't seem herself. In my mind any other dog would of shaken off this stumble/fall, but she is going through chemo. The vet said they would certainly do the surgery, but she still is leaning toward it being another cancer. She was going to talk to the surgeon and see if they could do it possibly tonight or in the morning. She called back and said the surgeon wanted to do it tonight, but wants to make sure there isn't any cancer in her heart. I found out on COG that they do an echo of the heart to check. Her heart was fine so they wanted to proceed with the surgery in 20 minutes. They asked if I wanted them to wait until I arrived, but I told them to go ahead. I cleaned up and headed to wait at my friend's house that lives down the street from the hospital. Within 2 hours the surgeon called and said the surgery went actually very well. They will send the spleen out to U of Colorado, but we won't hear until sometime this week what the results are. I visited Callie Friday and she was better than the day before, but not as good as I expected. The critical care doc had called Friday morning and gave a good update and was very upbeat, where the night before she was all doom and gloom so that made me feel better. I kept telling myself, she had surgery less than 24 hours before and she's been through a lot. She was able to sit up (where the night before she had to rest her head on a bean bag bed). Saturday morning the weekend doctor called and said he was concerned since she won't eat so he wanted me to call back at 6pm and they may discharge her then. She came home last night about 730pm. She (we) all had a rough night...she woke us up around 410am trying to move around on her bed and got caught on the floor between her and Pixie's bed and when we tried to get her up, she had already peed all over herself. Today has been a better day. She slept some on the couch and Herman woke me up around 10am to tell me she ate two breakfast sausages. Probably not the best thing considering she's on Pepcid AC now, but I was just happy she ate! For dinner she did eat 1/2 a can of her food (she wouldn't eat the kibble so I went and got a couple different cans of the same brand, Blue Wilderness low carb.) She is drinking well too. Sorry for the L.O.N.G. version here and taking so long to post. Her back leg is still bothering her, but I want to get her over the spleenectomy hurdle first before we tackle that. The oncologist said she thought maybe it was her knee (cruciate ligament) so maybe that just takes time to heal?? Whew, I've written a novel! Anyway, thank you Robin for asking! to you and Treasure and everyone else! Kim p.s. Our dog PJ had a hematoma on her spleen. This was back in 1998 I think. We drove her in the middle of the night to Columbia, MO so she could get surgery at the U of MO Veterinary School. It turned out she had a basketball size hematoma and she too had a spleenectomy and was fine afterwards. I remember the vet at the emergency clinic telling us that something this large isn't usually cancer. If not for this with PJ, I would be clueless about a hematoma. I am hoping it's also a hematoma with Callie and not another cancer. Things just seem too coincidental - her being fine one at 1pm and hurting her foot somehow by 520pm and not eating afterwards. That makes me believe that she had some sort of fall (probably jumping on the couch, as she always gets this little running leap and coming down hard on her abdomen. If not for the foot injury I would be thinking cancer too. I hope I'm right.

I'm so sad to read this. Phoenix was so handsome. You and Treasure are in my thoughts and prayers.

We have fleas. My husband went to PetsMart and bought BioSpot Yard & Garden Spray and Adams Plus Fogger for inside. We have 2 greyhounds (one who is presently undergoing chemo for osteo), a GSD and cat. Does anyone know of any issues of why we shouldn't use these. Herman brought home some flea spray (but after reading online I told him I didn't feel comfortable with it) and he took it back. When he told the lady at PetsMart I read up online about it and he was bringing it back, she put her arms up and cheered. (I wish she would of told him not to use it when he was buying it, but I guess she could get in trouble.) Anyway, any recommendations or suggestions would be appreciated. Kim, (Herman), Callie, Pixie, Kitten & Sam St. Louis, MO

Hello Jennifer, I'm very sorry to hear about the possiblity that Baker has bone cancer. We just recently went through the same thing, but our Callie broke her leg. She was just a month shy of 12 at the time. We opted for the amputation (right front leg) and so far **knock on wood** she has done very well! She just had her 4th chemo treatment this past Friday and we are opting to get an additional two treatments. (she receives it every 4 weeks) I'm not sure if you know this, but OSU provides the chemo drug free of charge. (they send it overnight to Callie's oncologist) I can't tell you what a Godsend this is! The support on here is invaluable. I can't thank everyone enough, Jane, Kyle, Cora, etc.. the list goes on and on, that welcomed us and supported us. I'm not sure if you can get or send private messages yet (since you just signed up), but you are more than welcome to email me at greysunderpressure@sbcglobal.net to you and Baker Love, Kim & Callie

We're so relieved they see nothing bad on the films! Charlie, you better slow it down before you give all your fans (not to mention your dad) heart attacks! sweetie! xoxo, Kim & Callie

Callie had the vaccine a couple of years ago and I would never do it again. I think her teeth and gums were worse than before the vaccine.

Do not feel guilty. How could you of known? At the time, you did what you could to give James the best chance at fighting this #$@%# monster. You made the decision you did because of your love for James. How can you second guess that?

I'm so devastated to hear this about James. I've been so worried about Callie all week getting her chest x-ray today before her 4th chemo treatment only to find out that they weren't even going to do an x-ray until next treatment (in 4 weeks). Can they still do the chemo if there are mets, would that shrink them?? I have never asked because I didn't want to think about it. I hope you have much more quality time with you James. James and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. I was supposed to meet my Herman (husband) at the hospital, he was leaving from work with Callie and I was leaving from work. The appointment was at 1030am. I called about 945 home and cell and no answer, wanted to tell him that I put a new collar/leash with tags out for Callie and to bring quilt for her to lay on. I went ahead and left work and hoped he'd be at the hospital waiting. Almost at the hospital he calls and said he just got back from running and I should of reminded him. (he made the appointment!) Anyway, went and pleaded our case with the receptionist if there was anyway we could still keep the appointment. So we didn't get in until 1145am, but everything went well. The oncologist said this is her last treatment and I told her (after research) that we would like to do two more treatments and she said she thinks that is a good idea. They did bloodwork today, but won't do a chest x-ray until next time (in 4 weeks). I was so relieved that today went fairly well and Callie was able to get treatment, but hearing the news about James really hit hard.

Enjoy your vacation Dude! Make sure you take lots of Wow, what a beautiful soul. So happy to hear that Lucy is acting silly! Callie is getting her 4th chemo tomorrow and with it comes the dreaded chest x-ray. I've been a nervous wreck all week, unable to concentrate and really irritable. I just want tomorrow morning to be over with and everything to be ok. I don't think I breathe again until the oncologist comes back to the waiting room and tells us it was normal. Seriously, last time she told us that I breathed a big sigh of relief and then zoned out and didn't hear much of what she was saying after that. I guess she doesn't know how terrified I am waiting for the results. Will post more tomorrow. Night everyone.

OMG, I got chills reading your post!! I'm so HAPPY AND RELIEVED for you all!!

You have our wishes, prayers, crossed fingers, paws, tails and eyes that everything goes greyt!! :clover I'll be checking in at work tomorrow for any word. Callie has one more chemo on May 6th. We haven't decided if we are going to do the extra two or not. Does anyone know if there is there any benefit or danger of doing 6 treatments of the carbo instead of the four? oxoxo to Dude!!