Report On Bodie's Trip To Osu And Dr. Couto

[Guest Bodie]

Yesterday was a day full of emotions: hope, love, saddness, anguish, gratitude, relief... I can not begin to describe all that was going through our minds. We arrived at OSU around Noon and Bodie was given a quick physical and we met with Dr. Couto right away. He was able to tell from the X-rays we brought with us that Bodie has osteo in his right shoulder that is literally eating away at the bone and causing him miserable pain. Dr. Couto told us that the pain from osteo is similar to the pain we feel from being kicked in the shin - sharp, sudden, and brutal everytime Bodie moves the wrong way.

 

We had been expecting that diagnosis and it was almost a relief to have in confirmed. Dr. Couto told us that amputation and chemotherapy were Bodie's only hope for survival. As many of you would be, we were concerned with how Bodie would cope with amputation, was it the right thing to do to an animal, etc., but Dr. Couto explained that animals do not view the loss of a limb with the same emotions we do - they don't even miss it and are actually relieved to be rid of the pain. He said he never had a greyhound who couldn't cope with learning to walk on 3 legs. (As an interesting aside, we saw a tripod greyhound in the waiting room who was waiting for a follow-up visit. The owner told us, without knowing what Dr. Couto had told us, that her greyhound didn't miss the limb at all and actually seemed to express relief at the loss of the pain.) The deciding factor, for me, was when Dr. Couto said that if one of his own greyhounds had osteo, he wouldn't hesitate to do the procedure for them.

 

Once the decision was made to try and save Bodie, things moved fast. He was taken back in for x-rays of his lungs. Dr. Couto said that if the cancer had spread to his lungs, he didn't have much hope of survival and we should probably reconsider surgery. That was an agonizing three hour wait for us while we waited for radiation to perform the x-rays. We realized that if the cancer had spread, we would be going home with a dying dog. While we were waiting, Bodie was assigned his own resident oncologist, Dr. McMahon, a wonderful, caring woman. Dr. McMahon spent some time with Bodie, getting to know him, sharing her trail mix. It was during that time she discovered, to her amazement, that Bodie knew how to sit and shake hands as he did both for her to get his paws on some of that trail mix! Dr. McMahon also had Bodie evaluated by an orthopedic specialist to make sure his remaining limbs would do well when he becomes a tripod. Bloodwork was also performed to make sure he was healthy in every other way.

 

We met with Dr. McMahon and Bodie's surgeon (sorry, but I forget his name) at about 5:00 and learned that Bodie's lungs were clear (an enormous relief!) and he passed the orthopedic exam and bloodwork with flying colors. They told us Bodie is scheduled for surgery at 1:30 today. Dr. McMahon told us someone would be calling us twice a day to keep us posted on Bodie's progress. Someone even called during our trip home at about 10:45 pm to tell us Bodie had eaten dinner, had a pain patch, and was given a shot for his pain, and was sleeping off his day in a large crate with a big padded, bed.

 

Dr. Couto told us, in detail, about the treatment Bodie will receive. They are doing some amazing work on cancer in greyhounds at OSU. For example, he told us greyhounds routinely bleed, for unknown reasons, after the surgery. So now they give blood-clotting medicine before surgery and throughout recovery as part of normal treatment. They have discovered that five chemo treatments - two weeks apart - after the surgery, is the right amount to kill remaining cancer cells. More is just overkill and may stress the dog. They also discovered drugs that, when added to the chemo, help the chemo work even more effectively.

 

The most interesting news that Dr. Couto told us is that they discovered, in their research, that osteo in greyhounds is very similar to osteo in children. Therefore, they have received a large grant from the National Cancer Society to study this. Dr. Couto told me that they are starting studies on some amazing new drugs, that will possibly be ready for use, should the cancer recur in Bodie in the future.

 

So we started home without our beloved Bodie. Yes, it was very hard to leave him. But we know he will be receiving the finest care in the interim. We will be able to pick him up in approximately 3 - 5 days, depending on how well he does. At that time we will schedule an appt to return in two weeks to have his staples removed and his first chemotherapy. (As a side note, Dr. Couto said greyhounds react much better to chemo than people do. They rarely get sick - he had only one greyhound that got diarrhea - and the only side effect is that Bodie's coat may get a little thinner and he might lose his whiskers). We are going to have a hard road ahead of us, returning to Ohio every two weeks for that chemo. There are no guarantees, the cancer may recur, but if it buys us another year or two with Bodie - it will be worth it.

 

 

Rhonda

 

[Guest KyGrey]

to all of you. It will be a long road but there are people here on GT who have been through it and can possibly help with the emotions you are feeling. One that comes to mind is Deuce. I saw him at Bluegrass this year and he is doing great. Dr. Couto also helped him. His mom is Shelby (gottaluvgreysindy). Edited August 8, 2007 by KyGrey

[Patsy]

Thanks for the details; good thoughts are headed your way.

[Burpdog]

Sending lots of prayers!

 

If you have not yet read Winlow's diary, now would be a good time See if you have a swimming facility near you like he has. The cost was not bad (I think $35 a session?). Also, if Dr. Couto has not mentioned it yet, check into artemisinin. Ask him when to start it. I can't remember if it's right away or after chemo is finished.

[Guest LolasMom]

Rhonda, thank you so much for taking the time to write about your trip and what you learned with Dr. Couto.

My heart and prayers go out to you and Bodie.

[SPDoggie]

While I am so sorry you and your family have to go through this, thank you for sharing your experiences, and for yet another shining report on Dr Couto and OSU.... while I hope to never have to meet him, I am so glad to know that he is there.

[gazehund]

Maybe, just maybe Bodie will be the one to make a full and complete recovery from this monster. Wouldn't that be great? Praying for you sweetie. Keep us posted!

[Guest greybookends]

:hope :hope :hope

[dmdsmoxie]

He said he never had a greyhound who couldn't cope with learning to walk on 3 legs.

 

Best wishes for a speedy recovery for Bodie. He will do just fine as a tripod and he will be running, jumping and playing in no time. check these out.

 

 

 

and even a

 

Good luck to Bodie and may he have a long and healthy life.

Edited August 8, 2007 by dmdsmoxie

[Guest hannahmom]

Praying for you and Bodie

[Guest PiagetsMom]

Thank you for the update......sending good thoughts and prayers for his surgery today and his following recovery

[greyhoundlov]

I believe if you can find someone in your area to administer the chemo, Dr. Cuoto provides it at no charge.

[cello]

Continuing prayers for you and Brodie and the wonderful staff at OSU.

Carol Ann

[Guest boondog]

Thank you for the update. I'm near OSU, so please let me know if you need anything.

[maryz]

Sending prayers and well wishes to Bodie and your family.

[feemandvm]

Here is a video of a tripod following front leg amputation (actually taken at OSU).

 

http://www.vet.ohio-state.edu/2108.htm

 

They really do amazingly well. As others stated, ask about Artemisinin and when/if to start it. Depending on the chemo protocol you may see vomiting, diarrhea or anorexia although these only occur in about 20% of patients receiving chemotherapy. My own greyhound did have some anorexia and diarrhea wtih chemo that we treated and got him through.

 

There truly is no better place for a Greyhound with cancer than Ohio State. Some owners travel all the way from Florida and even further to see Dr. Couto. He is truly the best vet I know, the most Greyhound savvy vet I know and one of the nicest people I know. There really isn't enough good things to say about him!

 

 

[Guest whatahound]

Thanks so much for the detailed update. You all will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. Hugs to you all.

[Guest JohnnyBell]

Prayers comming your way.OSU and their staff are awsome.

[mareyeka]

Thank you for posting this. I have emailed Dr. Couto to tell him that his group is receiving a portion of the proceeds from Oscar's book and posts like this really make me glad I made that choice.

 

Lots of good thoughts being sent Bodie's way.

[ShantisMom]

He is in the best hands now. We will keep our prayers coming for you and Bodie.

[grey14me]

thinking of you and sending prayers for sweet Bodie :hope

[Guest EmbersDad]

bodie is gonna get the best care and amaze us all. those videos are inspiring, especially the 2 legged hound. rock on bodie, i want to hear about how you are a cancer survivor.

[Guest Tenderhearts]

[Houndtime]

Best wishes for a full and complete recovery for Bodie.

[Guest loveagrey]

Tons of prayers and good thoughts coming your way for Bodie and yourselves. Dogs are an amazing animal, and always surprise and amaze us. Here's to hoping that Bodie will be around for many, many more years!