Zoolady
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Posts posted by Zoolady
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I'm so sorry. Heartbreaking. When we let Wonder go I had to think of it as his final gift of love, to be pain free. Wonder had a very strong will to please too. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and Tiny.
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Wonder was up to 6, 50 mg Tramadol and 3, 100 mg Gabapentin a day. He handled it well and didn't get too sleepy.
Oh, and also Metacam for a 70# dog once a day and Pepcid for his tummy.
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Thank you for the thoughts for Wonder. I thought I was doing okay until I came home at lunch and the first nose at the door was a cat and not Wonder. Then I saw the empty bed and just lost it. He was just here yesterday and every time I pass the bed I can picture him there. I miss him so much my heart is breaking. We love all our pups but he was so very special.
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I am so sorry to say Wonder went to the Bridge at 5:00 pm today. The hard tumor on his shoulder grew to the size of a big grapefruit and his leg began swelling. If he was laying down it was twice the normal size and when he stood up it was three times. His foot was so big it looked like a bear claw. Nothing we tried worked. It was so hard for him to lay down and he would circle and circle on a bed many times and his legs would shake.
We upped the meds and he still panted while standing. Although he was still greeting us at the door, eating great, going outside was becoming more of a challenge but he even took that on. He began losing weight and his coat wasn't "right." There was something in his eyes that said "I love you but I need your help."
The vet came to the house at 4:45 with a nurse. Scott had a room prepared with new age spa music playing, candles lit and a place for him to lie down. The dogs were outside and when they came in Wonder went to a bed in the living room so that is where it was done.
I had told Scott last night that I hope she brings enough stuff because she will be stopping the heart of a lion. The nurse gave the first medicine and when the vet gave the final medicine, sure enough she had to give it twice.
I think my five year old granddaughter summed it up. She said, "Wonder's really going to be happy in heaven."
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Haven't posted recently but have been following what is going on with everyone's precious hounds. Condolences again to Jen, Kari, Connie and Trip's Dad in their losses of Neyla, Sparks, Gypsy and Trip. I am sorry if I left anyone out. It will be 3 weeks tomorrow that we let Ward go. We are heartbroken but know that we did the best thing for him with the situation he faced. Our little Roxie is missing her big alpha brother and we hope she will not go back to her shy, spooky ways. We are giving her lots of attention but she quite frankly seems as depressed as we are.
I am thrilled to see how Dude, Lucy, Charlie, Callie and Gracy are doing. I pray for continued success with all their treatments and recovery. I hope that you all will have much more time to treasure them.
My heart goes out to Wonder and Tiny. Barbara and Kristen, I hope that you have a lot more time with your beautiful dogs.
I really enjoy seeing everyone's photos. Your dogs are so inspiring. Kim, when I saw Callie's picture I was shocked at how much she looked like my Ward. They have the same face and eyes. It warmed my heart and I wish her all the best.
Kathy
Wonder says "thank you." We started on the Gabapentin tonight (100 mg). He whimpered a little when I got home at lunch and tonight he was panting laying down for a minute which is new. He's hanging in there and still being himself which is priceless.
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Question
Wonder (osteo right shoulder) has been doing okay with his Metacam, Pepcid and six Tramadol a day. Last night he was uncomfortable and we gave him an extra Tramadol and he seemed more comfortable this morning. He's still eating like a champ and greeting us at the door. He always pants when standing but it stops as soon as he lays down.
We're thinking about Gabapentin. Do you think this would be a good thing to add? It seems it's helped a lot of dogs here but we're not familiar with side effects. Our vet hasn't had much experience with it. Do you think she should talk to an oncologist here or maybe OSU? I think there is probably enough experience here at GT so that might not be necessary?
Thoughts?
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"Wonder, I don't want to ruin the meaning of the photo to you, but since you asked, it looks like a strand of hair got in the way of the lens. But I could be wrong.
"I looked at the picture again and wondered why you can see through whatever it is. It doesn't look solid to me. Wouldn't there be some tiny line if it was hair? Don't worry about ruining the meaning...I appreciate all the thoughts.
"Wonder looks very peaceful. Give him a kiss for us."
I did and he says, "Thank you." This afternoon when I was home at lunch, he went to one of the porch beds and fell asleep in the sun. Hated to wake him up to go back to work but he did get some treats so that made it a little better.
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Update on Wonder: He's still eating very well, going outside....not necessarily when everyone else does but will pick and choose when he wants to join them (when he really has to go).
This week his vet said you can really see the tumor and it has grown very big this week and is pronounced.
He is still on the Metacam, Tramadol and Pepcid. He looked so peaceful tonight that I took a picture of him which took my breath away. I can only imagine what the light is....any ideas? Is it his time soon or a light of comfort? There wasn't anything that could have been a reflection. Somehow, it brings both comfort and sadness. I just don't know what to make of it. Any thoughts?
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I am so sorry about Sparks. Really at a loss for words. It's so sad.
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Wonder Update (because it's one of those unforgettable moments)
This was something new this afternoon...Wonder...digging with his good shoulder's left foot in the soft dirt in the butterfly garden. He was on a mission and looked so adorable. He's not a digger either so it was doubly cute. I wondered what he was thinking.
I gently called his name, he turned around, looked at me, and smiled.
Priceless.
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Update on Wonder. We think the Pamidronate is kicking in. He hasn't whimpered in a couple days, today he looked brighter and more alert. He brought a toy to the door when I got home at lunch and actually wagged his tail four or five times. Oh, what a delight to see that tail wag.
He is getting his Metacam in the morning now instead of night and is still taking the six Tramadol a day which is what he's been taking.
Appetite is strong and he goes out with the others consistently.
I wonder how long the monthly infusions will help but I'll take every second with our boy here and happy. Every day that goes by is a blessing.
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Update on Wonder and his canine Fosamax treatment he had Friday. The blood work came back fine and he could have his treatment which went well. He has a bruise on his right rear lower leg from the catheter but it doesn't seem to be bothering him. He ate well last night and this morning. His Metacam is now being given in the morning rather than evening.
He whimpered a few times last night and today seems very lethargic. He has slept most of the day. When he goes out he will stop in the yard and just pants and stares at you rather than coming in like normal (or what has become normal for him). We ran some errands today and when we got back he greeted us from the back of the pack (usually he's first) but not with a toy as historically he always does.
The vet said it may take a couple weeks for improvement to show but if he doesn't improve, then she said we will not do the treatment again.
We're hoping for a better tomorrow.
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I am so sorry for all that have lost a pup to the monster. Wonder had his first infusion today of the canine Fosamax. His blood work was fine so they were able to do it. His osteo is in the right front leg and the infusion was in a rear leg. He does have a small bruise but the vet said it's nothing to worry about.
He seems very uncomfortable tonight. I took two pictures of him sitting up in a strange position but couldn't upload them to Village Photo, tried Photo Bucket but it couldn't open an account for me for some computer reason.
He did eat a good dinner and is now sleeping. Tonight is the first night he whimpered when changing positions.
We're hoping tomorrow will see a strong improvement.
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Something new for Wonder....canine Fosamax. I can't think of the exact name but it's given iv and it takes a couple hours. Friday he will go in for bloodwork to make sure his kidneys are okay with all the Tramadol and Metacam he's had. If everything is okay, he will get this new medicine.
It's pamidronate, I think. The IV form of alendronate. I've heard good things about pamidronate. I really hope it helps!!
Thank you. He's such a trooper and good boy.
Yep, IV pamidronate. That's the treatment that Neyla had. I will keep my fingers crossed on Friday that it does the trick. For Neyla, I saw an immediate bounciness when we got home, which doesn't necessarily fit with the way it works, but Kristin saw the same thing each time she did it with Sutra. After that, I continued to see gradual improvement over the next 5ish days? The difference was somewhat dramatic, much more than I would have seen just upping her pain meds a little. I hope it really helps Wonder, and that he doesn't have any kidney side effects.
Your vets are doing IV fluids for several hours before/after and then administering the pamidronate slowly along with fluids, right?Yes. She did say fluids before and after. I will double check with her on the length. Thanks.
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Something new for Wonder....canine Fosamax. I can't think of the exact name but it's given iv and it takes a couple hours. Friday he will go in for bloodwork to make sure his kidneys are okay with all the Tramadol and Metacam he's had. If everything is okay, he will get this new medicine.
It's pamidronate, I think. The IV form of alendronate. I've heard good things about pamidronate. I really hope it helps!!
Thank you. He's such a trooper and good boy.
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I wish I had more words.
Our prayers are with you and your pups. -
Something new for Wonder....canine Fosamax. I can't think of the exact name but it's given iv and it takes a couple hours. Friday he will go in for bloodwork to make sure his kidneys are okay with all the Tramadol and Metacam he's had. If everything is okay, he will get this new medicine.
It's supposed to help keep his bones (shoulder) strong and will help with the pain. I will drop him off Friday morning and we'll go from there.
I'm a little worried too because for the past day or two, his back legs get shakey when he potties. He is not a leg lifter for peeing but leans and it seems this is a little more difficult for him.
He still has his zest for life, wants to go out when everyone else does most of the time, brings a toy to the door when we come home and still follows us room to room.
This is so hard.....
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Just got back from the vet. Tiny has osteo in his shoulder.
Crap. Crap. Crap.
We are going the palliative care route. The vet suggested a combo of Rimadyl, Tramadol and Gabapentin. He isn't showing much pain right now, just some minor swelling, so we're starting with Rimadyl. As things progress we'll add the other two meds in and increase the dosages as needed.
I'm so sorry about the diagnosis. Our Wonder has it in his right shoulder and is holding his own, one month past diagnosis. Tiny and all the others are in our prayers.
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Thank you for the greyt information. Extremely helpful. We love our GT family.
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Wonder is still doing the same. Eating like a horse, greeting us at the door with a toy, being excited about going out. The leg is dragging due to the osteo in the shoulder. The shoulder has lost all muscle so protrudes a lot. Still on the 250 mgs of Tramadol a day and the Metacam.
I saw something from one of the links about bisphosphonates and would like to know if they helped any pup with pain or prolonged their life. Here is something I copied.
"In humans, bisphosphonates are used to treat osteoporosis and to help lower high calcium levels due to certain types of cancer. They are also used to stabilize bones that are at risk for fracture from metastatic cancer or from multiple myeloma. The most common bisphosphonates are oral alendronate (Fosamax®), oral risedronate (Actonel®) and intravenous pamidronate (Aredia®)."
The opinion is that the I V one is better although it takes 2 to 4 hours for the drip.
I apologize that I can't remember where I saw it.
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Joining this club, but more in lurker mode. Wonder was diagnosed the last week in December and I posted then and got a lot of helpful information, support and encouragement for which we're very grateful.
Wonder has osteo of the right shoulder. He, too, was recently raised to 250 mg a day for pain. He gets two 50mg Tramadol in the morning, evening and one at bedtime. In the evening he also gets Metacam.
He is on a totally raw diet and is eating like a champ. His right leg is curled backward and he is not using the foot. When he gets up from sleeping or laying down he pants but as soon as he lays down again, it stops. He still greets us at the door with a toy when we come home and still loves his scritches.
His lungs are clear but the vet made it very clear that cancer is in his body and manifested in the shoulder. The statistics he quoted, even with clear lungs weren't very encouraging.
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We are devastated. Here is the short version.
Wonder has been holding up his right front leg with what we thought was an injury from a fall in an almost car accident. Our vet recommended we take him to a surgeon specialist to view the xrays. The new vet pointed out dark areas, good bone, bad bone, etc. The shoulder has lost most of the muscle and it's eaten too. The leg could break easily.
We will continue his Tramadol and Metacam for now while we make our decision. He is ten years old and eating well. The good news is his blood work is fine and his lungs are clear. We were told however that cancer is usually brewing someplace else. It's very malignant and aggressive.
Based on the surgeon's experience, here are our options.
Take him home, manage the pain and he could live another 4 to 6 weeks.
He is a good candidate for amputation and with that alone, life span probably around six months.
Amputation and chemo, life span a year to year and a half.
Over time I've looked at some of the pictures from GT and read some of the stories and just don't know what to do. Putting him through all that, not to mention the costs. I will read the pinned info and the 56 page Osteo and other posts and learn what we hoped we would never have to.
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We were going to the dog park Sunday afternoon. A car on our right passed us and then decided to turn left in front of us. By thiis time there was a car in the left turn lane so the other car just stopped horizontally in front of us. Scott had to slam on the brakes to prevent us t-boning the car.
All four slid forward. Wonder ened up between the two front seats, on his side, on the console box thingy with his right shoulder and leg completely underneath him. He seemed okay.
Monday he seemed okay but I noticed a slight limp yesterday and today a pronounced one. I squeezed, poked and bent with no complaints but something is definitely bothering him. He is using the leg but limping.
I'm wodering if I should give him anything to make him more comfortable or let it be so it doesn't get masked while we keep an eye on him.
Thoughts please.
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Our pups have had good luck with Iverhart Max which is once a month. It's chewable and (from the box) "prevent heartworm disease and to treat and control roundworm, hookworm, and tapeworm infections in dogs."
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Osteo Thread
in Health and Medical discussion
Posted
Amen. You said it all. It's always too soon. Thank you.