Osteo Thread

[brindlebaby]

I'm so sad to read this. Phoenix was so handsome.

 

You and Treasure are in my thoughts and prayers.

 

 

 

 

I sent Phoenix to the bridge yesterday. It was time. He went downhill so fast.

 

I hope all of you get to spend many happy days with your hounds.

[robinw]

I'm so sad to read this. Phoenix was so handsome.

 

You and Treasure are in my thoughts and prayers.

 

 

I sent Phoenix to the bridge yesterday. It was time. He went downhill so fast.

 

I hope all of you get to spend many happy days with your hounds.

I've been following Callie on Circle of Grey. I'm glad she's home. How is she doing?

[brindlebaby]

I've been following Callie on Circle of Grey. I'm glad she's home. How is she doing?

 

Thank you for asking Robin.

 

I hadn't posted here yet, but last Sunday we left Callie and Pixie at home while we went out for 4.5 hours to Rescued Racers annual festival. It was in the 90's and Callie was also scheduled for her 5th chemo on Monday morning, so we thought they'd be more comfortable at home. When we got home, Callie somehow fell or something and was favoring her right back leg. Started treating with Tramadol myself since she had a chemo appointment at 9am.

 

Chemo went well (chest x-ray and blood work fine) and we were given more Tramadol for home and instructions to call our regular oncologist next week with an update or call if she got worse. I forgot to say that after she injured her leg, she stopped eating willfully. I was able to coax her to eat a plain Steak n Shake hamburger with her food twice.

 

The injury was on Sunday, the chemo was on Monday and Wednesday morning Callie had peed on the kitchen floor (it had blood in it). Went to work and called our regular vet and got an 1130am appointment. After looking online for causes, I was hoping it was just a UTI and it was all a big coincidence that the injury and her not eating were happening at the same time.

 

Our vet freaks me out saying she thinks maybe she was getting a reaction from the chemo drug and it was affecting her liver, the rest is hazy because when she mentioned that time is critical to flush out her system and maybe it's her time to go... I asked if we could take her to the emergency hospital where her oncologist is and she said that would be for the best, they are there 48 hours. She said we didn't have to worry about paying and escorted us out the door. ((Herman had got a urine sample to take with us and the tech came in while she was being examined and said she couldn't get a dip stick in it and they tried to spin it and said it was like sludge.)

 

Our vet had called ahead and they were waiting for Callie and rushed her right back. After examining her, the critical care doctor came out and said wasn't sure, but was leaning toward some kind of muscle trauma - rhabdomyolysis. She said they were going to flush her system out with IVs and in the meantime they would send her blood work and urine sample out. They let us go back to see her before we left to say goodbye. She was really panting and they had a little silver fan on the cage door by her face. The vet asked if she somehow got overheated and I told her that our regular vet took her temp and it was just a tad higher than normal. She said it was normal there too. She asked the tech to send the lab samples out stat and said she would call us later with an update.

 

By 8pm when no one called, I called and was informed the tests hadn't come back yet. (so much for stat) Callie was resting comfortably they said, she had thrown up a couple of times, but they think it was from the IV pain meds so they were giving her an anti medic to stop the vomiting.

 

On Thursday the doctor called after morning rounds and said that Callie was doing well and they were continuuing to flush her system. She said I come see her and bring some food to see if she would eat. I left work, picked up a couple of plain hamburgers and stopped at Treats Unleashed and got a can of Grammies Pot Pie and a soft green turtle pillow. Once at the hospital they lead me to a room and brought out a large very cushy blue satiny quilt for Callie. They returned with Callie and a small cat bean bag bed for her head. She looked horrible, very glassy eyed and aloof. Her feet were curled over and she wouldn't hold her head up, so they propped it on the bean bag. They said the doctor would be in shortly to talk to me. The doctor said that when she called me that morning, Callie was doing better and she has been going downhill. The other greyhounds she treated with rhabdomyolysis improved where she is getting worse. She said all her labs are coming back normal and they are stumped. She then asked if we wanted them to do an abdominal ultrasound. She said normally they do one as they are looking for something, but they don't really know about Callie. I gave my permission and asked if I could have copies of her labs so that I could check online. I also asked if she would call OSU and she said yes. She ran out to try and see if she could get Callie in then for the ultrasound.

 

The tech came back with copies of her labs and said they were going to take Callie back for the ultrasound, but would bring her back so I could visit with her again. I said to just hook her back up to her IVs and I was going to go home and look online for what could be going on with her. So devastating to see your baby wasting away and they don't know what is causing it!

 

I hadn't even made it home and the doctor called and said they had found a large tumor or hematoma on her spleen. She said they could remove the spleen and I said yes, I wanted that. She mentioned it could be another cancer hemangiosarcoma, which is fast moving and the surgery could only buy her 2 -4 months.

 

I said this all made sense now, I think it's a hematoma. Callie was PERFECT before we went to the greyhound event on Sunday - ate a good breakfast and was walking fine. 4.5 hours later, she fell (I suspect she took a running leap to the couch, slipped and hit her abdomen on the edge of the couch and hurt her back foot in the process.) This makes sense of why she didn't want to eat and just didn't seem herself. In my mind any other dog would of shaken off this stumble/fall, but she is going through chemo.

 

The vet said they would certainly do the surgery, but she still is leaning toward it being another cancer. She was going to talk to the surgeon and see if they could do it possibly tonight or in the morning. She called back and said the surgeon wanted to do it tonight, but wants to make sure there isn't any cancer in her heart. I found out on COG that they do an echo of the heart to check.

 

Her heart was fine so they wanted to proceed with the surgery in 20 minutes. They asked if I wanted them to wait until I arrived, but I told them to go ahead. I cleaned up and headed to wait at my friend's house that lives down the street from the hospital.

 

Within 2 hours the surgeon called and said the surgery went actually very well. They will send the spleen out to U of Colorado, but we won't hear until sometime this week what the results are.

 

I visited Callie Friday and she was better than the day before, but not as good as I expected. The critical care doc had called Friday morning and gave a good update and was very upbeat, where the night before she was all doom and gloom so that made me feel better. I kept telling myself, she had surgery less than 24 hours before and she's been through a lot. She was able to sit up (where the night before she had to rest her head on a bean bag bed).

 

Saturday morning the weekend doctor called and said he was concerned since she won't eat so he wanted me to call back at 6pm and they may discharge her then. She came home last night about 730pm. She (we) all had a rough night...she woke us up around 410am trying to move around on her bed and got caught on the floor between her and Pixie's bed and when we tried to get her up, she had already peed all over herself.

 

Today has been a better day. She slept some on the couch and Herman woke me up around 10am to tell me she ate two breakfast sausages. Probably not the best thing considering she's on Pepcid AC now, but I was just happy she ate!

 

For dinner she did eat 1/2 a can of her food (she wouldn't eat the kibble so I went and got a couple different cans of the same brand, Blue Wilderness low carb.) She is drinking well too.

 

Sorry for the L.O.N.G. version here and taking so long to post. Her back leg is still bothering her, but I want to get her over the spleenectomy hurdle first before we tackle that. The oncologist said she thought maybe it was her knee (cruciate ligament) so maybe that just takes time to heal??

 

Whew, I've written a novel!

 

Anyway, thank you Robin for asking! to you and Treasure and everyone else!

 

Kim

 

p.s. Our dog PJ had a hematoma on her spleen. This was back in 1998 I think. We drove her in the middle of the night to Columbia, MO so she could get surgery at the U of MO Veterinary School. It turned out she had a basketball size hematoma and she too had a spleenectomy and was fine afterwards. I remember the vet at the emergency clinic telling us that something this large isn't usually cancer. If not for this with PJ, I would be clueless about a hematoma. I am hoping it's also a hematoma with Callie and not another cancer. Things just seem too coincidental - her being fine one at 1pm and hurting her foot somehow by 520pm and not eating afterwards. That makes me believe that she had some sort of fall (probably jumping on the couch, as she always gets this little running leap and coming down hard on her abdomen. If not for the foot injury I would be thinking cancer too. I hope I'm right.

Edited June 12, 2011 by brindlebaby

[Guest Blitzkrieg]

here is the other article:

http://www.oregonlive.com/pets/index.ssf/2010/04/pet_talk_bone_cancer_care_tech.html

 

it says most of the same stuff - but does make mention that the treatment was free

Edited June 12, 2011 by Blitzkrieg

[robinw]

Blitzkrieg, I'm sorry for your losses. Thanks for the articles. They look interesting.

 

Kim, it's great to read some good news about Callie. You've been through so much! Please keep us posted, OK?

[greysmom]

Oh Kim! I'm so sorry you had this set-back with Callie! We'll be thinking of you and your family and hoping this is now over with for this chapter.

 

Dude continues to do well. He's still taking his metacloprimide before meals for nausau and he's eating well and eagerly again! He had his second massage therapy session Thursday - which he absolutely loves! - and he's moving around great and being a brat!

 

Hugs to everyone!

[Batmom]

Holy smokes, Kim! You and Callie have been through the wringer. Sending lots of prayers and gentle scritchies for your lovely, gallant girl.

[tbhounds]

Brindlebaby-- sending healing thoughts. Just wanted to mention that in a recent lecture Dr Couto mentioned he has never seen hemangiosarcoma in a spleen in a greyhound (or the heart for that matter). Hoping this is just a benign hemangioma. Fingers crossed for you!

[Charlies_Dad]

Kim, wow! That is quite the scary experience with Callie. I had been reading your story on COG and am so glad she is home and eating for you. She is obviously one tough little nugget and hope the healing has started and will continue!

[brindlebaby]

Thanks everyone for the well wishes for Callie! We got the call from the surgeon ---- it was a HEMATOMA, not hemangiosarcoma!!!! I told her I was so happy and she said they were all pretty surprised.

 

Sheesh, thank goodness this time I listened to my instincts that it WAS a hematoma (the injured foot was all to coincidental) as I think the critical care doctor was trying to steer me to euthanasia. The surgeon said she talked with Callie's oncologist and they want to keep her on schedule with her chemo. Her 6th and last treatment is scheduled for July 2.

 

She has her personality back, is bright eyed and her appetite is back. She has lost quite a bit of weight though so if anyone has any suggestions on putting a few pounds back on her, that would be appreciated!

 

Thanks all for being there and such wonderful support.

 

 

 

 

 

Brindlebaby-- sending healing thoughts. Just wanted to mention that in a recent lecture Dr Couto mentioned he has never seen hemangiosarcoma in a spleen in a greyhound (or the heart for that matter). Hoping this is just a benign hemangioma. Fingers crossed for you!

[robinw]

Wonderful!!!! I'm just thrilled to pieces for you!! It's been a long road, but everything is OK now :confetti

[queenwinniesmom]

Oh, Kim, what a nightmare you have been through! I check in here periodically to see how everyone is doing, and had noticed that you hadn't been around for a while. I was hoping that everything was status quo with Callie. She is such a wonderful dog, and you are so finely attuned to her. She couldn't have found a more loving, compassionate family.

I'm glad that it was a hematoma and not the alternative. I hope we will see many more positive updates.

Hugs to you both.

[brindlebaby]

Oh I'm so thankful for the greyt news about Dude! That's good he's being a brat, that means he feels well! Callie had one massage about 4 years ago, she and I had a mommy & me day out for Valentine's Day and our birthdays and she got a massage. I think she really enjoyed it!

 

 

Thank you Robin and Nancy!

 

 

Dude continues to do well. He's still taking his metacloprimide before meals for nausau and he's eating well and eagerly again! He had his second massage therapy session Thursday - which he absolutely loves! - and he's moving around great and being a brat!

 

Hugs to everyone!

[greysmom]

 

 

What good news for Callie! Glad she's doing better again and back on track!

 

Dude seems to be through his nausau though we're keeping a supply of metacloprimide on hand just in case. Not sure what caused it but probably one of his metronomic drugs. He has another massage session this week and continues to be spunky, alert and driving me nuts! All normal for him!

 

Now we need a good update from Lucy and to find out how James is doing. And how all our other friend are!

 

Hugs to all!

[Charlies_Dad]

Just wanted to check in and let everyone know that Charlie is doing well. He's definitely back to being his cheeky self and other than the flies out in the yard, he's enjoying the beautiful weather we have been having for the past couple weeks.

 

I am so glad to hear of Callie's diagnosis, what a relief that is. Now she just needs to heal! Good healing thoughts coming her way Kim.

 

Dude!!! That is great the nausea is behind you. I am sure you are looking forward to the massage session!

 

I hope all the others pups are doing well and am glad this 'membership' has not grown in recent weeks.

[NeylasMom]

So glad to see great updates for Callie, Dude and Charlie!

 

Hoping to get updates on Lucy, James, and Joe soon!

[greysmom]

Update to the Update:

 

Dude had his one-month checkup and he's doing great! His oncologist was really super pleased with his energy level and attitude! He's holding his weight steady, even after that nausea bout. Results of blod and urine tests will be in later today or tomorrwo, but Dr Melanie didn't anticipate anything being off given how good he's acting. He'll continue on the metronomic protocol (cytoxin and Feldene opposite days and artemesinin in the mornings, plus salmon oil and yogurt) for the foreseeable future. I've started adding in some fresh veggies for his dinner. Mostly ones with cancer-fighting properties. Fortunately he likes his veggies!

 

Next big hurdle is chest xrays in July! I'm going to worry for a month!

 

Hugs to all!

[greysmom]

Update to the updated update:

 

Tests are back and COMPLETELY NORMAL!!!!! No signs of any inflammation or organ issues. His WBC count, which had been low to barely low, have bounced back to over 4000 in the normal normal range!! Urine has good concentration and no blood or other bad things!

 

We're beyond happy with how he's doing!

[Guest juliagulia630]

James update:

I am starting to notice subtle changes in James for the past week. He was limping on his remaining hind leg last week after a run at the park and after Deramaxx and rest he was better the next day. But ever since then, his back leg has been giving out a lot more and he is hesitant to run up the ramp into the house and jump into the car (we have a wagon). I wasn't sure if his joints/arthritis are bothering him with all the humidity or if I am missing something bigger. I know it is really rare for osteo to spread to other bones but I remember it happened to someone here.

He is still eating his food, excited for treats, love and walks but wants to lay down as soon as he comes in from walks and even lays down outside instead of smelling the yard for any bunny leftovers. He has no cough and is breathing normal in general (hard to tell with the summer heat).

What joint supplement/medication do you have your post amputation greys on?

 

*Edited to add that I am so happy to read everyone's progress. Sending warm hugs to the greys fighting.

Edited June 21, 2011 by juliagulia630

[krissn333]

Sutra didn't have an amp, but, we used Springtime, Inc's Joint Health Chewables and were very pleased with how Sutra did with them

[greysmom]

Dude is on the Greyhound Gang's MSM/Chondroitin/Glucosamine trio - Get up and Go. I don't give him the Vit C that comes with it since my onco said there wasn't much information on how it interacts with the chemo drugs.

 

Dude - who has always been my summer dog - is having a lot more trouble handling the heat. Even the 70's we've finally been getting up to lately. Could be James is just getting tired faster in the heat. You might want to dial back his exercise a bit as it gets warmer.

[joejoesmom]

Here's an update on Joe and my other furkids, Twister and Shelby (whippet mixes who I call whipadors).

 

Joe: His last appointment was unremarkable except his white cell count is still on the low side. They had me stop all chemo (meaning palladia and cytoxan) for a week. He would normally be due for x-rays next month, but we will wait until August. To save some money, he gets his bloodwork done at his low cost vet ($45 for CBC and profile -- total with no additional fees) every other month. My oncologist at OSU reviews the bloodwork and we see them on alternate months. Since the treatment would be the same if he has lung mets, I decided to wait until we would normally go back to OSU for the x-rays. So the next x-rays will be during our visit in August. His amputation was July 28, 2010. He continues to be my very sweet and loving, but goofy and clumsy Joey.

 

Twister: Twister is one of my whipador sisters, born to a pure whippet mom (rescued when pregnant) and a probable black lab Dad on August 15, 1996. Yes, they are almost 15 years old. Twister was diagnosed with lymphoma a few months ago and had some mildly elevated kidney values when diagnosed. She started on the CHOP protocol (chemo) along with prednisone with the goal of making her feel better and to put the lymphoma into remission. Well the CHOP protocol was hard on her (diarrhea and nausea) and the kidneys got worse. So after 3 weeks we discontinued the CHOP protocol. However the 3 weeks of chemo did put the lymphoma into remission and her lymph nodes were back to normal size. She started on subQ fluids and remained on the prednisone. At this point it was looking like I would need to say goodbye soon. Well the subQ fluids worked magic. She is back to her normal self and is enjoying life again. She is putting some weight back on and has even chased a squirrel and has been regularly begging for food. She has even started to eat kibble again, although she prefers my home cooking . Her lymph nodes started to grow again so we decided to add leukeran a few weeks ago. Since then the nodes haven't shrunk, but haven't grown either. So we are walking the fine tightrope between treating the lymphoma, treating the kidney disease, and ensuring she has a good quality of life. I have taken a break from greytalk, with the exception of this thread and will continue to do so. I want to spend as much time with my furkids as possible.

 

Shelby: Twister's sister has had elevated liver enzymes for over a year. After the initial spike, they went down almost back to normal for 6 months but then began creeping up again. She has been on denamarin for the last 3 months but the values are still high. An ultrasound showed some changes in her liver but no masses. A recent bile acid test came back showing that her liver was working okay. After the first elevated enzymes we went to OSU to get their opinion, which was basically to watch and see. But now with the values elevated again, I am in the process of gathering her history and tests to give to Dr. Couto. He has agreed to review them for me. With her age and trouble with anesthesia (the last time she was put under for a dental 3 years ago her heart started having irregular contractions), a full biopsy is not an option. But if Dr. Couto feels an aspirate is warranted (he didn't know about the OK bile acid test last time I spoke with him), we will do it. Without knowing what is going on, there is no way to determine what medications might be helpful.

 

Lastly, a bit about my friend's labradors that I saved from being put down at the county dog shelter. (For a bit more on this, see my Twistmas thread). One of the labs had come from a rescue that saves brood mama's from the Amish puppy mills in the state. They agreed to take her back. Since she is 10, they are expecting her to still be available when my friend gets back on her feet. The other two were rescued from the local humane society. With their age, they would likely be euthanized if returned there. The local lab rescue groups have agreed to post about their availability but are not able to take them in. So I still have two rambunctious labs at my house. All I can say is "Oh how I love my laid-back lazy sighthounds!!!". The 12 year old girl has more energy than the other lab, my 3 dogs, and me combined and multiplied by 2 or 3. I told my friend that there is just no way she is 12!! Unfortunately, it looks like it may be a long time before my friend gets back on her feet and these labs are just driving me crazy. So I really don't quite know what to do. But I just couldn't let such sweet dogs get killed.

 

So that is my long saga. If you don't hear from me for a while, it just means that I am busy loving on Twistmas, Joe and Shelby -- or cleaning up lab hair, muddy lab paw prints, destroyed stuffies, or giving the labs their daily baths after they get into my little pond and then roll in the mud or dirt. I will post if something major happens.

 

Jane

Edited June 21, 2011 by joejoesmom

[NeylasMom]

Well first of all, go DUDE!!!! So happy to hear such a great update! Oh, since you mentioned adding veggies to his food, parsley is supposed to be a good thing to give for cancer - there's some info about it in Dr. Dressler's book.

 

Julie, have you considered a chiropractic adjustment? For some reason I think you moved out of our area, but if I'm wrong, I have the name of the one I used for Neyla that I could send to you if you're interested. She's reasonably priced AND she comes to your home! She does the adjustment and can also do some gentle massage and/or show you how to do it. It might put some spring back into his step. Just a thought. I would definitely consider a joint supplement as well if you're not already using one. I really like Acti-flex, it's what many greyhound trainers use. They do make a canine version, or you can just give a smaller amount of the horse version (they're quite similar, I've compared in depth ). You can buy them on line - I get mine at Big Dee's.

 

You could also consider something like Boswellia or yucca to supplement/enhance the Deramaxx (they're herbal anti-inflammatories). Neyla was on Boswellia, 500 mg 3x/day, we worked up to that dosage though to make sure it didn't upset her stomach.

 

Jane, wow, you really have your hands full. So glad to hear that both Joe & Twister are doing well. I hope you can get the liver issues sorted out for Shelby. I do not envy you with the labs in your house - they are pretty much the antithesis of greyhounds and I would feel the same as you for sure. Hang in there. It might be time to start visiting the local dog park to see if you can make friends iwth someone who already owns a lab.

[greysmom]

I really can't say enough about how much the massage therapy has helped VooDoo. Before the first one, he was walking stiffly and having trouble with the stairs, and I could feel his neck muscles like steel bars along his cervical spine. After the first hour he was really happy and playful, moving MUCH MUCH more free and easy (even running quite a bit in the yard), his neck bars were gone, and his attitude made a huge leap upward.

 

I wasn't really expecting such a dramatic difference. Maybe, I thought, it would help keep him loose and able to walk around a little better, but it has really been a godsend for him. The therapist, Miss Rita , comes to the house. Dude runs upstairs as soon as she says she's ready. He jumps on the bed and grabs a toy - just like a little kid showing off his room - "This is my bed, and thi is my toy an this is where I sleep..." He's just adorably cute! Then he lays right down on our bed and she starts working on him. It's great to watch his eyes roll back in his head!

 

Jen, thatnks for the parsley idea. I got some Yucca Intensive from Greyhound Gang too, but Dude didn't like it at all - he refused to eat any food it was diluted in, so I figured he could still smell/taste it, as it's supposed to have a very strong unpleasant taste. BUT I started giving it to my senior bounce Dorie after she started limping after overdoing in the yard. It works like a charm and is at least as effective as the rimadil I gave her in the beginning. I'm about to start it with my senior boy to see if the results are as dramatic.

 

Jane, we'll be thinking about you and hoping we don't hear from you for a while! Take care of those babies!

[Guest MorganKonaAlex]

What joint supplement/medication do you have your post amputation greys on?

The Surgeon recommended Dasuquin for our tripods. I now have my 4-legged greys on it too.