Jilly Bean Update

[TheFullHouse]

It looks like the new antibiotic for the UTI is working. No more blood in her urine and she's acting a lot better. I have taken her off the Tramadol because she's not in any pain any more. The urine culture should be back tomorrow and we'll see if this is the right antibiotic to take care of this UTI for good.

 

As far as her nose goes, she went 5 days without any bleeding after starting the prednisone but early this morning had a few drops of blood again only from the left nostril. Today is the day we start tapering her off the prednisone too. After doing a ton of research on nasal cancer Mike and I just can't see spending a ton of money on an MRI or CT Scan when the prognosis is so bad. She has been x-rayed and scoped and nothing was found and that's about as far as we will go with this. She will be 14 in a few months and the thought of putting a dog her age through radiation is just too painful to think about given the chances of her surviving this type of cancer for any good length of time are slim. We would rather take that money and spoil the tar out of her for whatever time she has left. Right now she has no outward signs of a tumor. Her eyes track well and there is no deformity in her face and no signs of anything growing behind the pallet of her mouth so we will be taking her in to see the vet once a month to be checked out carefully for any changes. Until then we will just continue to clean up the little spots of blood that drip from her nose a few times a day. She has only had one major bleed and that one resolved quickly. She is still eating very well, in good spirits and playing (though not as much as she used to but she's getting older).

 

 

 

July 20th update.

 

I decided to update in the first post so people wouldn't have to hunt for it. I received a call from the vet last night. The urine culture came back sensitive to the drug that the e-vet put Jilly Bean on so she will be on that for 3 more weeks to make sure the uti is totally gone. The marshmallows are still working! Jilly will eat anything you put in it so for now all in good in the medication administration department!

 

Unfortunately the vet was not happy to hear that Jilly Bean continues to bleed from the nose despite being on prednisone. She wants to see her at the end of next week. She said at that point we will discuss what we plan to do to keep Jilly Bean comfortable since we have decided we will not put her through surgery or radiation. We will set up a plan to manage her pain when she starts to have it. If she is in pain now she doesn't show any signs of it. She is starting to have issues with her balance and miss stepping when she walks on occasion. She was walking the other night and stepped on one foot with the other and tripped. She's misjudging the step to the back porch and starting having issues every now and again climbing the steps up to our bed. She's fallen a couple of times and we've caught her. I told the vet I don't know if it's old age or something else. She said it may be the start of something neurologically going on so she wants to check her out. She sticks pretty close to me these days, which is fine because one of the symptoms she could develop are seizures and if she's by me and I get to her before the dogs do. She will have to be in her crate when I go anywhere from now on for the same reason and I don't think she's going to like that but it's for her own safety.

 

For now I've covered our bed with a sheet that I can throw in the wash every day instead of changing the entire bed every day from the blood spots that occur at night. Jilly is still happy. She played with Kevin on the bed with the ball last night and then enjoyed chewing on it for an hour or so. She's loving her treats and eating well. She still has her sense of smell as far as I can tell so she's pretty happy at this point.

Edited July 20, 2012 by JillysFullHouse

[Remolacha]

Thanks for the update, it is great to hear she is feeling better! When they get older, I think the most important thing is keeping them comfortable and happy. Sounds like the Bean is in that place

 

 

edited to add, of course you would fix anything fixable

Edited July 15, 2012 by Remolacha

[greyhoundlov]

Good update, Judy. Please give that little girl a big sloppy kiss from me.

[Brindles]

Glad to hear the old gal is feeling better. Keep it up, Bean!

[Guest PhillyPups]

Continuing prayers for continuing improvement for JillyBean

 

Many hugs for you, Mike and Kevin.

[seeh2o]

Thanks for the update, I'm glad the antibiotic worked. The way you are handling the situation with her nose makes sense. Ed's 14 year old Boston Terrier, Captain, was having symptoms which may indicate cancer, he chose the same path as you for the same reasons. He's doing very well, too!

[gazehund]

Sounds like the Bean is doing better and that is all that matters. Please live her a scritch from all of us. Even Cracker who is mortally terrified of her!

[Houndtime]

Gee. I didn't know anything about this. We wish little Jilly Bean all the best. May she continue to show signs of faring well.

[greytpups]

Glad to hear of the improvements...hope the Bean continues to do well.

[DesiRayMom]

So good to hear that JillyBean is feeling better. Her world would be in chaos without her to keep it all running in the right direction.

[Charlies_Dad]

Glad to hear JB is doing okay. May she continue to for many years to come!

[Guest patterpaws]

Glad to hear JillyBean is feeling okay, I hope she continues on that path.

[PattyE]

Sending good thoughts to everyone's favorite "Bean". Glad to hear she is feeling better.

[MTFSTHNDS]

Sending good thoughts to Jilly Beanie Baby! Hope she continues to feel better. for her.

[RaineysMom]

sending more prayers for your sweet little girl! :hope

[BatterseaBrindl]

 

Good plan.

 

Our GSD, BillieJean ...yes ...the 'opposite name' of your sweet JillyBean .... lived a wonderful 14 ++ years being 'managed' carefully.

[heartdogs]

Please give that very special girl a hug & kiss from me.

[galgrey]

Hope she continues to improve! Sending good thoughts.

[GreyPoopon]

Glad to hear the Bean is doing better. Trust she'll continue to supervise for a long time to come.

[Guest MyCody]

So glad she's doing so well, she does get the best of care bless all of you.

[Newgreymom]

Glad to hear JB is doing better. Give her a big hug and kiss from all of us!!!

[maryz]

How wonderful that Jilly Bean is feeling better. I agree with your decision. Spoil her rotten.

[Guest patgam]

Glad that Jilly Bean is doing better.

[dante2zoe]

If the pred helps with symptoms, is there a reason why you are stopping it? My 15.5 year old whippet is on long term low-dose pred (7.5 mg twice a day and he weighs 28 punds) for his issues and he is doing well and feeling pretty good. Just curious - not being critical at all. I agree with keep 'em comfy! Scritches to your little girlie.

[TheFullHouse]

Well it was working until yesterday. She started yesterday morning with a few drips. I woke up this morning to bigger spots all over my bed where her nose had dripped while she was sleeping. Yesterday was her first day on the lower dose and she was bleeding before her body had time to adjust to it.