Guest freightsmom Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 Freight has had dermal hemangiosarcoma since he was 4. Today was a routine visit to the dermatologist to have some places checked out and removed. Everything went as normal until the trip going home, which takes about 30 mins. I noticed that by the biopsied place on his left rib cage area there was blood beginning to pool. By the time we got home, I knew there was a problem so I called the dermatologist and told them what was happening and rushed back. Luckily, the dermatologist is located in a practice that also has a vet ER along with many vet specialists. By the time we made the trip back, the area was the size of a baseball and sticking out like a huge tumor on Freight's ribcage. Compression wrapping was done and the search for Amicar began. Four pharmacies later, we located the Amicar and I went to get it. Started him on the Amicar and the vet took blood for a CBC. Blood work came back okay but Freight continued to have the bleeding spread throughout his left groin area. Because of where he was, we were able to have an internal specialist, an oncologist and a surgeon all look at him. Long story short, he is staying at the ER tonight to be observed and hopefully, not have his condition worsen. He will probably get a plasma transfusion. Lesson learned...although Freight has had multiple biopsies and places removed, he has never bled. We will now do Amicar before any procedure, no matter how minor. It's not worth his life not to spend $50 for Amicar to prevent this from happening again. I wanted to share what happened today as a reminder that bleeding in a greyhound can happen at any time and just because a hound has not bled before, it can happen. Please send healing thoughts to my big red boy. He is the heart of our hound family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KF_in_Georgia Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 Best wishes to your boy. Quote Kathy and Q (CRT Qadeer from Fuzzy's Cannon and CRT Bonnie) and Jane (WW's Aunt Jane from Trent Lee and Aunt M); photos to come. Missing Silver (5.19.2005-10.27.2016), Tigger (4.5.2007-3.18.2016), darling Sam (5.10.2000-8.8.2013), Jacey-Kasey (5.19.2003-8.22.2011), and Oreo (1997-3.30.2006) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest FawnFan Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 Hope he has a peaceful night and is much better by morning. Thanks for sharing your story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest elliemae421 Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 (edited) WOW! Hugs for your boy,hoping things get way better! FREIGHT! I know what you mean,in 2007 Willie had very bad anal glands and he had to go to Ohio state for the surgery. On the detailed bill I noticed 2 emergency coagulation tests,I asked and they said he started top bleed out upon catheterization for surgery. He was very close to getting plasma,at least he was at the right place. Then I showed them that in his notebook I carry everything he has had done in a binder,and they knew but he was okay when they removed the tonsil in June. Thanks for sharing your story,you never know when it will happen. Edited July 23, 2013 by elliemae421 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houndtime Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 Good thoughts for your boy. 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...
3greytjoys Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 (edited) So glad you found Amicar on such immediate notice! I hope it helps Freight. Having three excessive bleeders, I feel for you. Several years ago, one of our hounds was finally stabilized after a scary O.R. experience (small masses removed), but then began bleeding at home... 30 hours later... at midnight. (I requested aminocaproic acid prior to surgery, but that's another story.) At that time, the ER vet didn't even stock it. The vets who handle more retired Greyhounds in our area now keep it stocked in their veterinary hospitals, including local ERs. Positive thoughts and prayers for Freight. Please post an update when you can. Edited July 23, 2013 by 3greytjoys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greytpups Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 sending good wishes for Freight Quote Jan with precious pups Emmy (Stormin J Flag) and Simon (Nitro Si) and Abbey Field. Missing my angels: Bailey Buffetbobleclair 11/11/98-17/12/09; Ben Task Rapid Wave 5/5/02-2/11/15; Brooke Glo's Destroyer 7/09/06-21/06/16 and Katie Crazykatiebug 12/11/06 -21/08/21. My blog about grief The reality is that you will grieve forever. You will not get over the loss of a loved one; you will learn to live with it. You will rebuild yourself around the loss you have suffered. You will be whole again but you will never be the same. Nor should you be the same, nor would you want to. ― Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFullHouse Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 Good thoughts for your sweet boy. 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...
tbhounds Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 There's always a dram full of Amicar in my cabinet! Hope your boy is improved today and thanks for the reminder-sadly many vets are still unaware of the use of Amicar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlies_Dad Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 Good thoughts for Freight. I hope you get good news today and he can come home. I agree about the Amicar, better to be safe than sorry. Quote Kyle with Stewie ('Super C Ledoux, Super C Sampson x Sing It Blondie) and forever missing my three angels, Jack ('Roy Jack', Greys Flambeau x Miss Cobblepot) and Charlie ('CTR Midas Touch', Leo's Midas x Hallo Argentina) and Shelby ('Shari's Hooty', Flying Viper x Shari Carusi) running free across the bridge. Gus an coinnich sinn a'rithist my boys and little girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest freightsmom Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 Update on Freight....I called the ER this morning and spoke with the attending vet. Freight is stable but the bleeding/bruising continued to spread to both back legs overnight. His compression wrap came off at 4 am and she noticed his chest area was also showing bleeding/bruising so she left it off to keep an eye on him. His abdomen circumference has not changed overnight so that is a good thing. He is alert and did eat when they offered him food this morning. Water intake has been good as well. They continue to give him Amicar and a Chinese herb that is good for bleeding. His dermatologist and the vet who admitted him yesterday will be back this morning and determine what we will do next, so I am heading back to the ER this morning. Thanks so much for the well wishes, I know many of you have experienced similar situations with your hounds and understand the anxiety and heartbreak it brings. We live for these hounds and anytime something happens that jeopardizes their health and happiness, it turns our world upside down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
45MPHK9 Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 Thinking good thoughts for your boy. Quote Tricia with Kyle, our senior mutt dog Always missing Murray Maldives, Bee Wiseman, River, Hopper, Kaia, and Holly Oaks Holly“You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.“ -Bob Dylan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 Oh my goodness. Sending best thoughts for you and your boy. 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...
RaineysMom Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 oh no :( sending prayers for your boy!!! :hope Quote Kim and Bruce - with Rick (Rick Roufus 6/30/16) and missing my sweet greyhound Angels Rainey (LG's Rainey 10/4/2000 - 3/8/2011), Anubis (RJ's Saint Nick 12/25/2001 - 9/12/12) and Zeke (Hey Who Whiz It 4/6/2009 - 7/20/2020) and Larry (PTL Laroach 2/24/2007 - 8/2/2020) -- and Chester (Lab) (8/31/1990 - 5/3/2005), Captain (Schipperke) (10/12/1992 - 6/13/2005) and Remy (GSP) (?/?/1998 - 1/6/2005) at the bridge"Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut." -- Ernest Hemmingway Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carronstar Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 Prayers for Freight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 (edited) Quick question for you--did you sent the excised tissue out to the lab so it may be read by a pathologist? Curious to see if its Dermal H. Damn scary :-( Edited to add-I assume the E vet ran a clotting profile too--results were norm??? Edited July 23, 2013 by tbhounds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest freightsmom Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 Freight is home! He did so well today, they released him with strict instructions of no activity for the rest of the week....he's a greyhound, we can do this. Still on the Amicar and the Chinese herb yunnan baiyao. I was really surprised how much the swelling from the blood pooling had improved by the time I got to the ER today. We have to go back to the dermatologist on Thursday for her to check him. His dermatologist also mentioned that the oncologist who looked at him said that the place on his rib cage might have been a MCT (mast cell tumor) and that is what caused all the bleeding and problems. They gave him Benedryl just in case. Will not worry about that now, we've lived with dermal hemangiosarcoma for 6 years, we can deal with most anything. Pathology report will confirm or not. Freight and I send our thanks for the good wishes, it worked! BTW, I have a picture of how he looks today on my Going Grey Facebook Page. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest freightsmom Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 Quick question for you--did you sent the excised tissue out to the lab so it may be read by a pathologist? Curious to see if its Dermal H. Damn scary :-( Edited to add-I assume the E vet ran a clotting profile too--results were norm??? Yes, we have been going to his dermatologist since we moved back to Virginia in 2009, she is one of the best in the state and has had greyhounds herself. She's probably taken 20 plus places off of him and some have come back as dermal hemangio. So, we keep a close eye out for any unusual bumps or lumps and visit her every 3-4 months. Yes, when we got back to the office, they immediately ran a clotting profile to make sure that not an issue. It was fine. That's one reason why I posted what happened...it was a routine visit doing the same removal and biopsies she had done many times before with no problems. Then, yesterday he bled. Thanks for asking the important questions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galgrey Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 So glad he's home and doing well. Quote Cynthia, & Cristiano, galgoAlways in my heart: Frostman Newdawn Frost, Keno Jet Action & Chloe (NGA racing name unknown), Irys (galgo), Hannah (weim), Cruz (galgo), & Carly CW Your Charming Princess http://www.greyhound-data.com/d?i=1018857 "It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life, gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are." -- Unknown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovinggreysslp Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 Glad to hear he is home and doing well. Quote Cosmo (Fuzz Face Cosmos), Holmes (He's a Dream), Boomer (USS Baby Boomer), Ella and missing our angels Clay (Red Clay), Train (Nite Train), Trip (Bock's Teddy Bear),Larry (Bohemian Frigid) and Jimmy (Bohemian Raw) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carronstar Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 So happy to hear that Freight is home and doing well. I hope he is relaxing today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlies_Dad Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 Great news he is home! Quote Kyle with Stewie ('Super C Ledoux, Super C Sampson x Sing It Blondie) and forever missing my three angels, Jack ('Roy Jack', Greys Flambeau x Miss Cobblepot) and Charlie ('CTR Midas Touch', Leo's Midas x Hallo Argentina) and Shelby ('Shari's Hooty', Flying Viper x Shari Carusi) running free across the bridge. Gus an coinnich sinn a'rithist my boys and little girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest freightsmom Posted July 25, 2013 Share Posted July 25, 2013 Not so good update....just got back from Freight's 10 o'clock appointment. The place on his rib cage, which seemed to cause all the bleeding, still had a small blood pocket and when the vet gently touched it, it doubled in size. That tells us he is still having a problem with his blood clotting. He has been on Amicar and the Chinese herb Yunnan since Monday when his biopsies were done. Had to leave him there and come home to pick up the Amicar and Chinese herb to take back. He may need to stay at the ER again tonight. Anyone else had a situation like this? Would contacting OSU be of any benefit to what is already being done for him? Just trying to make sure we cover all the bases for him. BTW, anyone know what result to look for in the blood clotting test? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted July 25, 2013 Share Posted July 25, 2013 It sure wouldn't hurt to consult with OSU. Assume his platelet count is well within normal range? 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...
tbhounds Posted July 25, 2013 Share Posted July 25, 2013 Did you receive the path report yet? I think identifying the type of tumor will help immensely in determining future treatment. There are many different types of clotting profiles that can be run-I'm sorry did you say one was run already?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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