Guest FLT Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 Poor Chester is at the vet today to have some fluid withdraw from his chest for testing. Over last weekend Chester stopped eating (he sometimes goes off his food - so we weren't really worry for the first day) and seemed even calmer than usual. We had company that weekend, and he didn't really jump up like he has the bad habit of doing but was otherwise very happy to see everyone like usual. Normally when he doesn't eat, he actually starts throwing up bile after about 12 or 15 hours and if we can get a little food into him the throwing up stops. We've always just considered that one of his quirks, and it's been going on for a year. We were concerned that he was NOT throwing up since he wasn't really eating. His appetite continued to be very slight, and he was only eating about a cup of kibble over the course of a day so we called the vet on Monday afternoon. They were able to see Chester on Tuesday, and I dropped him off for full work up. on Tuesday they took blood, and I provided a urine and poop sample. They also took x-rays. My fear was that he had eaten something and had a partial blockage, but nothing bad showed up in the digestive track or on tests. Bloodwork came back with very slightly elevated Chlorides (129), and very slightly low platelets (137,000) but nothing else of note. Urine was perfect, Poop showed no signs of parasites. The X-Rays however showed liquid in his chest (between the lungs and the chest wall) and possibly an enlarged heart, but the view wasn't ideal for the heart. His appetite has continued to decrease, and he is no longer interested in taking even a single step to go down into the yard, or to step up into the van. Last night he started a bit of coughing that we haven't ever noticed before. We just dropped him off at the vet again, and they are going to sedate him and withdraw some of that fluid to test to see if they can figure out why he has the fluid.. but from everything I've read having fluid between the lungs and the chest wall is not a goodness :-( I also let them know that they are welcome to take other view(s) on x-ray if they wish to while he is out. We'd appreciate any input, and of course well wishes are greatly appreciated. Thanks from the home of Chester, Drake and Kaylee the greyhounds (and Trillian the cat). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest poopsie1 Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 No advise but plenty of good thoughts and prayers for your Chester. I hope they find the answer quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MP_the4pack Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 Lots of prayers coming from the 4 gems. My Pearl has had cardiac problems for 5 yrs now. But we've been lucky and have been able to keep one step ahead of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest trevdog Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 This is similar to what happened to my Jam....the fluid had cancerous cells in it. He was acting much the same way as Chester and developed a cough. Hoping that's not what's going on with Chester..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LoveMyJoseyBean Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 I'm sorry. I hope they figure out whats causing Chester distress. You have our good thoughts and prayers. Keep us updated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ullaluv Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 Sending prayers for Chester, and hoping for a good report from the tests. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iluvgreys Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 Sounds like you're doing all the right stuff for your baby boy. Holding Chester in my prayers. Jeanne with Remington & Scooter the cat....and Beloved Bridge Angels Sandee, Shari, Wells, Derby, Phoenix, Jerry Lee and Finnian.....If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heavenand bring you home again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazygang Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 Prayers for Chester, and hoping for a good report from the tests......... Your Vet may put him on fruisamide (think that's how you spell it) or something similar which gets expells water building up in the lungs when the heart is tired and isn't functioning as well anymore. My old dog Rosie was on that for quite a number of years, but they do empty the bladder a lot more though so be prepared. Keep us posted on progress Run free our beloved Sir Snowy, Pip, Queenie, Sadie, Tess & Rosie until we meet again......I would rather feel the thorn than to never see the rose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Spencers_Greyt Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 Sending prayers to Chester! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Gert Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 I'm sorry you've come to GreyTalk under these circumstances..... . Keeping Chester in my thoughts and prayers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patsy Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 I'll put Chester in on the candle that burns in ND nightly. Patsy and DH with the Humane Society specials, Linus & Jazz, in North Dakota Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest FLT Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 Thank you for the welcome! I actually have been a member for years.. and I used to have posts, I swear.. not sure if because I haven't posted in so long that they all vanished or if it from when the big upgrade happened. I'm obviously a big lurker, LOL. I really appreciate your (and everyone's) support. They said they probably won't do the procedure until later this afternoon because he had actually had a small nibble this morning and they don't want to put him out with the food in his system. Thank you, FL I'm sorry you've come to GreyTalk under these circumstances..... . Keeping Chester in my thoughts and prayers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan41 Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 Sending buckets of prayers for Chester and hugs for you. Linda, Mom to Fuzz, Barkley, and the felines Miss Kitty, Simon and Joseph.Waiting at The Bridge: Alex, Josh, Harley, Nikki, Beemer, Anna, Frank, Rachel, my heart & soul, Suze and the best boy ever, Dalton.<p> ....for all those hounds that are sick, hurt, lost or waiting for their forever homes. SENIORS ROCK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest FordRacingRon Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 Prayers and white light from the left coast for Chester. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lovemyhounds Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 Sending prayers for you and Chester and hoping for good news from the vet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carronstar Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 Sending lots of good thoughts and prayers for Chester. Hopefully this is something that can be caught and controlled with meds. Furosemide does make for lots more pee runs but that can be handled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest fatesrelease Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 Sending warm thoughts and prayers from my way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burpdog Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 Sending prayers! Diane & The Senior Gang Burpdog Biscuits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ss556 Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 Sending prayers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MandysMom Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 Sending prayers for Chester Beverly. Missing my happy toy-flinging boy Sammy (Where's Mandrill), (8/12/2009-9/30-2021) Desperately missing my angel Mandy (BB's Luv) [7/1/2000 - 9/18/2012]. Always missing Meg the Dalmatian and Ralph Malph the Pekeapoo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Annie Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 Sending up prayers for your Chester Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brandimom Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 Unfortunately I do not have any advice or suggestions but my thoughts and prayers are with you, Chester and the family. Whisper in his ear that he has got to come home and be well! Please keep us posted. Welcome to Greytalk! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houndtime Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 Unfortunately, these were the symptoms Brandy had just before she left. I sincerely hope you have a better outcome for your dear Chester. Sending good, positive thoughts your way from New Jersey. Please keep us updated. Irene Ullmann w/Flying Odin and Mama Mia in Lower Delaware Angels Brandy, John E, American Idol, Paul, Fuzzy and Shine Handcrafted Greyhound and Custom Clocks http://www.houndtime.com Zoom Doggies-Racing Coats for Racing Greyhounds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest FLT Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 I am sorry to report that the day did not go well for Chester.. but we really appreciate all of your positive thoughts and well wishes. The vet pulled fluid from his chest that appeared bloody, and asked that we take him immediately to the cardiac expert at the emergency clinic. She took a look with a sonogram and saw that in addition to perhaps something on his heart that he appeared to have massive bleeding into his belly, and some masses in his abdomen. The Internal Medicine specialist did a scan with the sonogram and reported a very vascular, very aggressive, and very widespread cancer in his abdomen. At least one of the sites was bleeding into his belly, and causing him significant discomfort. They told us that the prognoses was not at all good, and although chemotherapy was an option it was not going to help with as advanced as this was, and as acute the bleeding was. We opted to be gentle with Chester, and he crossed the bridge about an hour ago. We are shell shocked - it was so sudden. His remains will be cremated and returned to us, and my husband and I are planing to take one more trip to Dewey with him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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