Guest dwolfe711 Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 (edited) Our sweet old boy Apollo was diagnosed with osteo yesterday - we are devastated - at 13.5 we knew he wouldn't be with us forever, but we had hoped for another year or two. This has been quite a different process than our osteo babies in the past who all had it in their leg or shoulder - when they starting limping it was very obvious to us. But Apollo is different - about three months ago he had a little confrontation with one of our metal stand food dishes. In attempting to make sure there was not a smidge left in Ripley's breakfast dish, Apollo caught his tags in the holder and then panicked when he couldn't move, flinging the dish and holder into the air and getting hit by the dish above his left eye. No cut or noticeable bruise at the time but by lunch it was starting to swell. We called the vet and took him in the next day and his eye was by then quite swollen and red. She did a thorough check of the bone above the eye where he got hit and checked the eye for scratches or damage and saw nothing. We gave him Derramax for a few days and a round of antibiotics in case of infection. Within two weeks he was back to normal. But a few weeks later the redness and swelling returned and so she looked at it again - thinking he might have an absess from the bowl incident, she put him on another round of antibiotics. Things were good for a few weeks until a week before Christmas when the corner of his eye got red and it was seeping and the bump looked a bit bigger on that bone. We called the vet and got more antibiotics which we gave him for three weeks with no improvement and he started to cringe away when we tried to pet him or check his eye. We called the vet and told her we were ready to do an x-ray and find out what was going on. He was in all day yesterday and they had to put him under to get good pictures. The bone was definitely osteo-looking and they managed to aspirate and get a fluid sample which confirmed their suspected osteo diagnosis. He woke up fine and was soooooo happy to be home last night and get a little dinner - he was still giving us the stink eye (no pun intended!) for not giving him breakfast yesterday!! So - he had a bit of a restless night - but was tired and sleeping soundly when I left this morning. At lunch he got up and went out with Ripley and Ellie and watched them play. He was resting when I left to come back to work. I think his body is adjusting to the meds - he's on 1/2 deramaxx and 3-4 Tramadol per day. We are going to manage pain only - there's really nothing else we would do for him at 13.5. Unfortunately, we are leaving from Sat - Tues for a planned trip to New Orleans. We have for our house/petsitter one of the vet techs from our vet's office. She is very capable of handling anything that happens while we're gone - but we hate leaving him. He'll be okay until we get back and then we'll have to watch him and make a decision based on how he is feeling. I called his first Mom last night to let her know - it was hard for her to hear the news too. But she knows we will do what is best for him. He's been with us all too short a time - 2 years, 2 months - he was a return to GPA-MD from a family that had moved from MD to MA. We went to MA to pick him up under sad circumstances as we went to MA for DH cousin's funeral. But Apollo was perfect from the time we picked him up, came home with us as a foster and, of course, never left as we adopted him soon after. His mouth was a mess and he lost all but five teeth the week after we brought him home but he loves to eat and has thrived on his raw diet. He is such a sweet, happy boy - we will not allow him to suffer with this - but it will be hard to see him go - Hug your pups today and say a little prayer for our Apollo. Donna Edited January 7, 2010 by dwolfe711 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest boondog Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 I'm so sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tammymacb Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 I'm sorry. That is terrible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lanielovesgreys Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 I'm so sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFullHouse Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 Oh I'm so very sorry to hear this. Many prayers for you all. Quote Judy, mom to Darth Vader, Bandita, And Angel Forever in our hearts, DeeYoGee, Dani, Emmy, Andy, Heart, Saint, Valentino, Arrow, Gee, Bebe, Jilly Bean, Bullitt, Pistol, Junior, Sammie, Joey, Gizmo, Do Bee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TinyMityMo Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 Oh Donna - how sad and what a lousy location. Quote Maureen, Sean, Molly (Garnett Madonna) and Sully (Starz Top Style) Visit LongDog Leather Works for adjustable leather martingales, wrap around leather tag bags, breakaway tag necklaces and cool leather people gear. Check out our Etsy store! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MandysMom Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 I'm so sorry. Sending prayers for Apollo. Quote 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 BlueCrab Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 So sorry to hear the news. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Smiley Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 Oh Donna, I'm so so sorry. It seems we had the exact same day yesterday. Smiley too was diagnosed with osteo. Please know I am right here with you and sending you so many hugs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burpdog Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 Quote Diane & The Senior Gang Burpdog Biscuits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhead Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 Very sorry to hear this about Apollo. Sending prayers. Quote Mary with Jumper Jack (2/17/11) and angels Shane (PA's Busta Rime, 12/10/02 - 10/14/16) and Spencer (Dutch Laser, 11/25/00 - 3/29/13). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest FrostyBottoms Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 So sorry to hear the sad news about your boy Apollo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaliforniaGreys Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 My heart is truly broken. I am so so sorry Quote Missing my little Misty who took a huge piece of my heart with her on 5/2/09, and Ekko, on 6/28/12 For the sick, the lost, and the homeless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jerrybird Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 Cherish each day as I know you will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dante2zoe Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 Donna - I am so very sorry to read this. We will be thinking of you. Cindy - GPA-MD. Quote Cindy with Miss Fancypants, Paris Bueller, Zeke, and Angus Dante (Dg's Boyd), Zoe (In a While), Brady (Devilish Effect), Goose (BG Shotgun), Maverick (BG ShoMe), Maggie (All Trades Jax), Sherman (LNB Herman Bad) and Indy (BYB whippet) forever in my heart The flame that burns the brightest, burns the fastest and leaves the biggest shadow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SoulsMom Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 Ah crap, crap, crap! I'm so sorry to hear this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MP_the4pack Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 I absolutely hate seeing the words osteo or OS in the title. Hits me right in the pit of my stomach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackandgrey Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 I'm so sorry. I wish for many pain free and treat filled days for your Apollo. Quote Susan, Jessie and Jordy NORTHERN SKY GREYHOUND ADOPTION ASSOCIATION Jack, in my heart forever March 1999-Nov 21, 2008 My Dancing Queen Jilly with me always and forever Aug 12, 2003-Oct 15, 2010 Joshy I will love you always Aug 1, 2004-Feb 22,2013 Jonah my sweetheart May 2000 - Jan 2015 " You will never need to be alone again. I promise this. As your dog, I will sing this promise to you, and whisper it to you at night, every night, with my breath." Stanley Coren Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 I'm so sorry to hear your news. Will be keeping you and your sweet, handsome boy in my thoughts. Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houndtime Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 Donna and Dave, I am so sorry to read this. Quote 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...
MerlinsMum Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 Oh no I'm so very sorry :( Quote Kerry with Lupin in beautiful coastal Maine. Missing Pippin, my best friend and sweet little heart-healer 2013-2023 Also missing the best wizard in the world, Merlin, and my sweet 80lb limpet, Sagan, every single day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VinnieAndRexsMom Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 I'm so sorry Quote Tonya, mom to May, and my angels Vinnie, Rex, Red, Chase, and Jake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greymama002 Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 Hopes & prayers that you will have many joyful times before you have to say good-bye to your beloved boy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2hounds Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 I am so sorry Quote 2 Hounds Design Martingale Collars | 2 Hounds Design Facebook PageAlisha, Bob, Livvie (the 2.5 year old!) plus Mia Bella, Tippy, + Wahoo and Diesel the crazy kitties (and missing sweet Iceman, Paradise, Bandit, Cujo & Sebastian) in Indian Trail, NC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.