Bandit

[macoduck]

My boy Bandit came to us one year ago and is now 13. We've struggled with his teeth and he really needs to get a dental. I am so afraid of this because our last senior to get a dental at 12 had a stroke as soon as we got home and he died an hour later.

Bandit has had a lump come up on his right front leg just above the wrist, suddenly, 3 weeks ago. He is not fussing with it or limping from it. I think I know what "it" is.

When I had Little Dude the iggy at the vet's recently I told my vet about this. He said bring him in and let me listen to his chest. We go in tomorrow and may get pre-anesthesia bloodwork done too. A dental and xrays can not be done tomorrow, consult only.

Bandit does not like car rides and will be anxious at the vet office. At least at the hour of his appt there shouldn't be too many other folks/dogs there.

But Bandit also has an old broken hock injury on his right rear leg. He walks like he's about to keel over yet he still loves to run (and it looks painless).

My dilemna:

13 year old dog undergoing anesthesia for his leg lump and probable chest xray.

If the chest is clear, go ahead with the dental....or....if the leg has osteo proceed with the dental or not?

How many months of a good life would he have if it is osteo, and wouldn't he be happier/healthier with a cleaned mouth/extractions?

Bandit is not a candidate for amputation because of the old broken hock and weak hind end. We will opt for pain control only. This boy had a difficult life before coming here and deserves a comfortable send-off.

On top of it is that my husband has been sick for 6 months with a bad blood disorder and now a blood clot. He is still able to go to work and is one tough retired Marine but it adds to our stress in worrying about Bandit.

 

Friday at 2:30 Bandit will see Dr Martin. Some of you may remember that name as I posted his hunky picture when he took care of Gracie.

Think good thoughts for my boy.

Edited January 14, 2011 by macoduck

[Guest RiverCityGang]

All the best and strongest thoughts I can muster up are coming to you and Bandit!

[greyhead]

No advice, just the toughest good thoughts for your Marine, your Bandit, and You.

Edited January 13, 2011 by greyhead

[TheFullHouse]

Oh Ducky, I'm so sorry this is all hitting at once. It's hard to try and give someone advice in this situation. I know what I would probably do but what I would do isn't what everyone else would do. You've got all the prayers I can muster going with you tomorrow.

[maggiespet]

Prayers and healthy thoughts coming for DH and Bandit.

[Houndtime]

Reading these posts makes me so sad. All the best for Bandit tomorrow. You are a special boy.

[sarabz]

Many hugs to you, Bandit and your Marine.

 

 

My thoughts - and of course from the perspective of Bandit not being mine, my heartstrings not being tugged at, etc - I think if it were me and the lump is osteo I would opt for no dental and yes to pain management. Only you have the perspective of the difference between pre & post dental - Bandit doesn't. I would save the funds, the worry and the stress on him and forgo the dental. Also, that is based on my understanding that opting for pain management only if it is osteo means a few more months of care, not years.

 

Edited January 13, 2011 by sarabz

[sabrina]

No advice I know you will do the best for Bandit but I wish

Bandit the best

[Guest IrskasMom]

Ohhh Ducky, it's just never easy. You have my Prayers and Hugs for your Husband and Bandit and of course you (Caregiver).Please don't think of the worst yet. Your hunky Vet will guide you through and we are here for you to.

Edited January 13, 2011 by IrskasMom

[racindog]

Prayers going up for Bandit!!!

Semper fi to your hubby.

Everything will be OK just remember to ADAPT, IMPROVISE, & OVERCOME (Your hubby will be quite familair with that!)

[Magdalyn58]

Sending lots and lots of hugs and many prayers.

[Guest meakah]

I don't have much advice but I do want to say that a lump can be many different things besides "it". So don't stress...it may be nothing. Especially if it isn't bothering him. Also, Koda just had a chest x-ray (side shot and one with her on her back) and they did not sedate her. I was holding her head neck steady while the vet and vet tech had her front and back end. She fought a bit and HATED it but it was doable without sedation. So with that being said, he shouldn't have to go under to have his leg looked at and chest x-rayed. Unless they want to biopsy or something but at the same time....can't they do a localized freezing in the leg? I would request that over anesthetic at this stage...but that is just my opinion.

 

As far as teeth....I guess tackle that after you have everything else looked at. Koda is 9.5 and has HORRID teeth...to the point that every single one of them need to be yanked at this point. However, at the same time, we discovered she is in renal failure and congestive heart failure so her teeth are the least of our concerns and are no longer considering getting them done. Just wait until you have all of your facts in front of you and go from there.

 

Hope the lump turns out to be nothing and that all goes well with the tests...

[Guest PhillyPups]

Oh Ducky, I so know what you are going through right now. to you and for Bandit.

[heartdogs]

Ducky, I'm so sorry to see this. Lots of prayers for all of you, Bandit is a very handsome boy. I'll keep you in mind during your vet visit.

[silverfish]

Ducky, I'm so sorry. Both to hear about sweet Bandit and also your husband. Hugs all round.

 

In the end you must decide with your vet what the best thing is to do, if the lump turns out to be 'it'. You've already decided not to amputate, for good reason, but if he's under GA for the x-rays and maybe a biopsy, I'd probably let them do the dental - especially if it's mostly cleaning and not too much trauma in the way of extractions. If it's 'it', you probably won't have another chance, and you're right, having a clean mouth will contribute to his general well-being.

 

Nobody can tell you how many months he'd have. You simply have to make the best decision you can with the facts you have at the time. It's all anyone can do. Let your vet help you decide, and then don't stress about whether you did the right thing. Bandit was very lucky to end up with you and have you so determined to do your very best for him right to the end.

 

And you have your Marine to think of too.

[Guest zoolaine]

For Bandit:

[Guest moremoney]

Good thoughts for you, DH and Bandit.

[45MPHK9]

no advice for you, ducky. just hugs and prayers. thanks for being such a good momma to bandit.

[Guest TBSFlame]

When Beecher had x-rays they just gave him something to make his sleepy and drunk. He didn't care what they were doing to him.

 

Ducky, I'm sorry to hear that Bandit might have a lump. I know how scary that is.

Edited January 13, 2011 by TBSFlame

[Guest Energy11]

Sending you all the LOVE and PRAYERS we can!

 

If Bandit were MY dog, and I found OS, no, I wouldn't do the dental. I'd opt for plenty of love and pain control. Max, whom we, too, adopted as a senior, did have OS and a bad mouth. He had three VERY good months with us, after his OS diagnosis, AND was able to get up here with us too!

 

CALL if you need me! Love, DEE

[DesiRayMom]

My most sincere prayers for the handsome Bandit, & your DH......strength for you.

 

Please keep us posted.....

[Guest goofydog]

Another no advice, but sending healing, positive thoughts for your Marine and Bandit.

[macoduck]

It helps to read what you all have posted. Still trying to sort things out and from what you posted maybe there are options I haven't thought of.

Although I have given this vet clinic's 2 offices both copies of Care of the Retired and Racing Greyhound and notebooks with Dr Stack's, Dr Couto's and Dr Dodd's reference information, will have to remind them about greyhounds. They'll listen.

For Bandit's age I would only want anesthesia this one time. I strongly doubt I'd be able to talk the vet into xrays without general anesthesia but will ask him about "just something to make him really relax" rather than be totally under. Anyone know what meds might work for that?

Until reading your replies I hadn't thought about limiting the dental to a cleaning and no extractions. I'll ask about that too if we go that way.

Or maybe we'd do some turkey neck therapy to clean up that mouth.

 

There's the guilt involved in wanting the best of care, and the reality of how much is too much to put him through if his time is short.

 

Poor Bandit had another visit from the Turd Fairy last night. It had been a while since he'd pooped in his sleep. Odd that this is certainly something I'll miss when he's gone.

[Guest Energy11]

It helps to read what you all have posted. Still trying to sort things out and from what you posted maybe there are options I haven't thought of.

Although I have given this vet clinic's 2 offices both copies of Care of the Retired and Racing Greyhound and notebooks with Dr Stack's, Dr Couto's and Dr Dodd's reference information, will have to remind them about greyhounds. They'll listen.

For Bandit's age I would only want anesthesia this one time. I strongly doubt I'd be able to talk the vet into xrays without general anesthesia but will ask him about "just something to make him really relax" rather than be totally under. Anyone know what meds might work for that?

Until reading your replies I hadn't thought about limiting the dental to a cleaning and no extractions. I'll ask about that too if we go that way.

Or maybe we'd do some turkey neck therapy to clean up that mouth.

 

There's the guilt involved in wanting the best of care, and the reality of how much is too much to put him through if his time is short.

 

Poor Bandit had another visit from the Turd Fairy last night. It had been a while since he'd pooped in his sleep. Odd that this is certainly something I'll miss when he's gone.

 

There are LOTS of good products out there for keeping the teeth as healthy as possible. Also, Dr. Beau used to recommend, "zapping" a "bad" mouth about once every six weeks, with Amoxicillin, to keep it as healthy and clean as possible, if a dental was not being done. There are also lots of good things to treat the mouth out there, including my new favorite, Biotene Gel and Petzlife Gel and Spray. I have used all of these on Staggerlee, 10.5, and Oakly, 8.5, whose teeth aren't great by any means!

 

Dr. Beau recommends Valium and Ketamine for light sedation, NEVER ACE. There is also Domitor, which is directly reversed by Antesedan. Something to ask about, as well. I have seen MANY senior greys do VERY WELL with the Domitor and Antesedan.

 

Again, let me know if you need anything, and, YES, these vets ALL HAVE TO BE REMINDED about Greyhounds and their sedation! I HATE that! Mine here is STILL learning, and because is in my age bracket, and has "been there, done that ..." it is HARD to "teach" her "new tricks! " :-(

Edited January 14, 2011 by Energy11

[Batmom]

Drives me nuts when vets automatically sedate for x-rays but nothing you can do about that. I'd suggest maybe a small dose of Valium.

 

Whether and what to do about the teeth depends. If he does have osteo and it's well advanced, I'd do only as much as needed to keep him comfortable, which might be nothing, might be some antibiotics, etc. If he doesn't have osteo, harder question. You don't want him to die of an infection caused by nasty teeth or to be in pain from them, but it is hard on a dog to go under, too.

 

Sending lots of hugs.