Zoolady

Ben's future treatment decision has been made. We were at the regular vet's today for a small cyst on one of the cats and brought Ben's x-rays with us that we haven't been able to see. Today we saw the tumor/sunburst area of the pelvis pretty much looks like it did in January and has more bone proliferation. Through the good advice we have received here and from what we saw, there is no reason not to continue treatments. We will go with the palladia and a monthly pamidronate treatment for now. I will also ask his oncologist about artemisinin. Ben looks absolutely fantastic, his coat looks so shiney it looks oiled, he is eating well and has even resumed running with the others (gently). We stop them before they really get crazy. It is so nice to see him being his old self and enjoying life. You'd never know he was sick. We didn't have insurance and lost our Wonder very quickly to osteo of the shoulder. Ben's is in his pelvis area which isn't weight bearing so that is good, plus he has Trupanion insurance and we pay exam fees ($59.90 a visit) and 10%. Everything else is covered, no limits. The oncologist bills the insurance company directly, the claim is paid within days and we settle up with exactly what we owe at the end of the month.

Ben Update and question Ben finished his six chemo treatments and had his sixth pamidronate today plus the six month x-rays. Some of what follows is from the written paper we get every time he's there. X-rays of his chest are completely normal with no evidence of any spread of tumor to his lungs. Muscle mass looks normal, no lameness and weight is still good. Here comes the part we could use your input on: "On the x-rays of his pelvis the amount of bone that is abnormal has not changed. There is less destruction of bone that there was before. There is more proliferation of abnormal bone but that is not usually as painful as destruction of bone. This is all very excellent news. The change in his tumor is quite minimal given that it has been 6 months since we last looked at it. This could mean that the medications are working extremely well or that the tumor itself is not what we expect it to be. It is theoretically possible that this is either an unusually slow growing osteosarcoma or it could be another type of cancer. From here we have options in terms of how to proceed. We can continue pamidronate as a monthly therapy or not. This is designed to slow down the destruction of bone and to reduce bone pain. We can give him palladia or not. Palladia is designed to slow the growth of tumors in general. These decisions are independent of each other. You can give nothing and just plan to recheck him in about 3 months or we can give either or both therapies. If we are treating him I would recheck his x-rays in 3 to 6 months." If we go ahead, the palladia would be added in 3 weeks and the pamidronate once a month. She sent the x-rays home on disk but we can't open them. She had an emergency and wasn't able to meet with Scott when he picked Ben up. I think we need to make an appointment and go see them. We're not sure where this abnormal bone proliferation is coming from or why. Could it be the pamidronate? She offered a biopsy but we prefer not to do that at this point. So, what do you do? I asked her if Ben was her dog, what would she do. She reminded me what she does for a living and said the palladia and pamidronate. We also have rimadyl and reglan for nausea when he doesn't want to eat (rare). He ran with the pack yesterday which was the first time in a long time, and had a great time but we didn't let him run for long. So, do you say ok, he's had enough and what will be will be? Do you keep him on the rimadyl and go for the extended pamidronate and palladia (I think they only do palladia for six months) or do you do nothing and re x-ray in three months? It's such a big decision so must get help from the power of GT please.

That's good to know. We will definitely keep up his twice a day regimen. Thank you and thanks to all for the good thoughts. He didn't want to eat last night so went back on the Reglan and at 85% of his breakfast this morning.

Update on Ben We've taken him off the Reglan for nausea about a week ago and his appetite is still strong. He had his last (sixth) chemo today and next week the pamidronate. The oncologist will also x-ray the hip and lungs to see what's going on. She was talking about putting him on Palladia. I called the insurance company to see if it's covered and it is. He is currently taking 75 mg of Rimadyl twice a day. I was wondering if that is something we can cut back on or eliminate, depending of course how he's doing or is that something you never take away? He is the first one at the kitchen door at meal times. The only thing he sleeps a lot more than usual. The oncologist said to wait a month and if he doesn't perk up after the chemo is finished to perhaps have his regular vet check his thyroid. He will be eleven in November so maybe he's earned a little extra nap time.

Good ideas. Thank you. This time they put some anti-itch powder on the new area they used yesterday, but it didn't stay on for long. We will get some spray.

Ben goes for his fifth Pamidronate tomorrow. His last one he had the leg swelling in four days and we're hoping it doesn't happen again. He's been licking the leg and I put it on the sheet last week when he had chemo. Last Saturday he opened up the leg and by Sunday the size had doubled so off to the emergency room at the hospital for him. They cleaned it up, put him on antibiotic and now he's wearing a muzzle with stool guard when we are not watching him. I spoke to his oncologist today and she said sometimes when they shave them an itch begins. Tomorrow she said they would use an anti-itch powder but if he does start licking to put something like bitter apply on it so he won't lick. She said there are many products out there. I mentioned how tired and sleepy he's been this week. She said they don't get much rest as much is going on in the hospital but with his age, it's okay to let him sleep. This is his fifth round and one more to go, then xrays. He is eating so we're taking that as a good sign. One day at a time....

Update on Ben: He had his fifth chemo yesterday and did well. He's still wagging his tail when he gets there and he's greeted like royalty. We have added reglan to his rimadyl and he's back to finishing his meals. Oncologist says his muscle mass is great as well as his weight and he's doing fine.

Ben's leg has returned to normal. Eating well (as long as there is canned food or fresh cooked chicken or hamburger). Sleeping a lot. When I come home at lunch time he doesn't come out to greet at the door. After a few minutes he appears. He doesn't have chemo (#5) again until the 23rd so I'm hoping he perks up some before then.

Called the vet. Swelling has gone down a little but still warm. They said sometimes the catheter can cause irritation and to do the warm compresses. If it's not better tomorrow to call as they will want to see him. Thank you for all your help. It is so comforting to know you're there and I can rely on your suggestions and expertise. to you.

I will call them today. His oncologist doesn't come in until Tuesday but it's a hospital that is always open. I'm sure they can cntact her if need be. This morning it's not as warm but is now almost double in size.

When he's standing, the leg isn't so swollen but is still warm.

Ben may be having an issue. He had his fourth chemo a week ago Wednesday and his fourth Pamidronate Wednesday this week. His left front leg was partially shaved down a little more than usual. He's been acting okay and eating. We were watching tv on the couch tonight and I looked down and saw the leg was swollen, about 1 1/2 times the size of the other. The leg is much warmer than the other to the touch. Any ideas of what could be happening? Here's a picture (can't really tell if that's pink at the top of shaved area creeping up the leg or not...didn't even see it until the picture)

Pinky

Ben's chemo went well today. The oncologist said his physical exam was normal. No lameness, labwork fine and muscle mass is very symmetrical which is excellent. He even gained several pounds since his last visit so he is eating enough to maintain himself which pleased her. They gave his a Reglan this morning and said to use it or cerenia as needed. We just have the Reglan for now so will go with that. The nurse said a tablet a half hour before meals if we want. Will probably give him that in a day or so as that was when he got icky last time. Maybe sooner if he doesn't eat well tonight. He was so funny. After our hour's drive, we got out of the car, his tail started wagging and when we went inside it went even faster. It was like a rock star was there with people coming out to see him. Tail never stopped. The nurse said when she took him back to have the blood draw, he leaned on everyone he saw and gave them a tail wag. When Scott picked him up, the adoption group lady was there and Ben was happy to see her too. He recognized her and gave his best greeting. She was there with someone that had brought in her dog that had a broken leg.

GT is losing too many great dogs and my heart breaks for each of them. It's really hard to stay positive. Ben goes for his fourth chemo tomorrow. He's been fine on his 75 mg Rimadyl twice a day. Sunday he refused a meal and this morning he didn't want his breakfast. The oncologist gave us some Reglan 10 mg to keep on hand because he went off his food about two days after his last chemo. She's going to back off a little on how much he gets tomorrow. Do any of you give the Reglan "just in case" or do you wait until you're sure the tummy is nauseous after chemo? He's usually a great eater so Sunday and today were a surprise. Other than that he's been fine. We had some cooler weather for yesterday and today and he really wants to run in the morning when it's cool. The oncologist said he could run a ittle but just to be careful when the others are out too. He ran about two laps this morning with increasing speed and I had to stop him. My heart was in my throat and I was holding my breath. He was so proud of himself though and had the best smile.

Hurley will be missed by many. I'm so sorry.

So sorry about Sam. I can't even imagine how terrible that was.

I will have many more questions/suggestions for the oncologist next Wednesday. I'm so happy and feel much better about being proactive for Ben and of course, thanks to you all, more knowledgeable.

No, he didn't come home with anything. Scott is cooking hamburger for his dinner tonight which we're hoping he will get some of his zest for meals back. If he continues to be okay I will still ask the oncologist about keeping some Cereina on hand. We are so grateful to have everyone's help and advice. This is totally uncharted territory for us. I was just thinking yesterday about if they do follow-up xrays on the hip and redo chest xrays. He's been totally awesome it was unsettling to see him not himself. He's still taking the Rimadyl, 75 mg twice a day. They're chewable and he makes it a point for the others to see him and know that they're not getting "the treat."

Update on Ben: He's had his third chemo Wednesday. He has been wonderful up to this one. Went to bed right away when he got home but did eat dinner. Thursday slept all day and ate most of his meals. Friday refused breakfast and ate half his dinner. Didn't want to get out of bed this morning when everyone else went out but he did eat his breakfast. Sleeping again. Is this "normal icky" after a few chemos? He's scheduled for his Pamidronate next Wednesday and then has three weeks off.

We have Trupanion for our four greys and two cats. I chose them because the premiums don't go up as the pet ages and there are no limits/ceilings on coverage. We took the 90% coverage with a $500 deductible. Because of them we are able to treat Ben's osteo. We are able to take advantage of all the knowledge to help him which we weren't able to do when Wonder had osteo and no insurance. When Wonder was diagnosed we saw a big poster in the vet's office advertising Trupanion. Our vet files electronically with them, Trupanion emails us when they receive bills and they pay within days and send another email with notes about how happy they are to help with Ben's care. They don't cover routine care or exam fees. Everything else is covered. Extremely pleased with them.

We are losing so many so quickly. It breaks my heart. I can't even imagine. Crying a lot for them and pray for strength for all that have lost ones recently. It is so painful. Hugs to everyone.

I am so sorry too. That final act of love is the hardest. You have many sharing your sorrow and tears.

Update on Ben: He was able to have his chemo yesterday and is doing great. The bone stuff next week. We will be doing chemo every four weeks instead of three. My heart is heavy for all that are sharing and have shared this monster. Hugs to everyone.

Ben had carboplatin the first time. I will try to email OSU again. It was Ben's white count that was 2000. I'm not sure what neutrophil is. This is so strange for us as our Wonder, who would have been a candidate for amputation, couldn't have it because the bill would have been over $10,000 for everything and not an option. When you amputate, you know you removed the pain and hopefully extend their lives. There is no measuring or statistics that we could find on the area Ben has it. We're going with what is recommended and just wish for clear xrays down the road? I guess I'm just feeling a little sad tonight. Ben was the star there today, having to lean on everyone just to make sure they felt loved. He's getting a reputation already. We're finding even with good insurance, it still takes a bite out of the wallet.