ramonaghan Posted July 13, 2023 Share Posted July 13, 2023 (edited) I noticed a lump on her right front wrist yesterday. After what we've been through recently with Richard, we got the first appointment we could get with any vet in town. They took x-rays and did a FNA and the bone is pretty obviously compromised. There's also a tiny spot in her lung that the vet doesn't think is a met, but she's sending it to a radiologist for a second opinion. It doesn't really matter; Willa has a corn on her front left foot and some back leg issues from racing, so we don't feel she's a good candidate for amputation, not to mention I don't think we're emotionally equipped for it again. She's only 5 and hasn't even been with us a year. We're in utter shock and heartbroken. It looks like Willa and Richard will be making their journey together soon. Please keep us and Doolin in your thoughts. Edit: Not so fast, Satan. Edited July 26, 2023 by ramonaghan strikethroughs Quote Rachel with littermates Doolin and Willa, boss cat Tootie, and feline squatters Crumpet and Fezziwig. Missing gentlemen kitties Mud, Henry, and Richard and our beautiful, feisty, silly Sweep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted July 13, 2023 Share Posted July 13, 2023 Nooooooo! No No No! I know life isn’t fair, but come on universe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiveRoooooers Posted July 13, 2023 Share Posted July 13, 2023 * Quote Old Dogs are the Best Dogs. Thank you, campers. Current enrollees: Punkin. AnnIE Oooh M Angels: Pal . Segugio. Sorella (TPGIT). LadyBug. Zeke-aroni. MiMi Sizzle Pants. Gracie. Seamie . (Foster)Sweet. Andy. PaddyALVIN!Mayhem. Bosco. Bruno. Dottie B. Trevor Double-Heart. Bea. Cletus, KLTO. Aiden 1-4. Upon reflection, our lives are often referenced in parts defined by the all-too-short lives of our dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerilyn Posted July 13, 2023 Share Posted July 13, 2023 This is cruel and unfair. You will all be in my thoughts. Quote Jerilyn, missing Lila (Good Looking), new Mistress to Wiki (PJ Wicked). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Time4ANap Posted July 13, 2023 Share Posted July 13, 2023 I am so sorry that you are going through this again. Please spoil Willa and Richard completely rotten for all of us here. Please give Doolin, Willa and Richard some ear rubs from us. Quote Camp Broodie. The current home of Mark Kay Mark Jack and Gracie Kiowa Safe Joan. Always missing my boy Rocket Hi Noon Rocket, Allie Phoenix Dynamite, Kate Miss Kate, Starz Under Da Starz, Petunia MW Neptunia, Diva Astar Dashindiva, and LaVida I've Got Life Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gracegirl Posted July 13, 2023 Share Posted July 13, 2023 I cannot understand the universe. This is not fair. I am so sorry. Quote Poppy the lurcher 11/24/23 Gabby the Airedale 7/1/18 Forever missing Grace (RT's Grace), Fenway (not registered, def a greyhound), Jackson (airedale terrier, honorary greyhound), and Tessie (PK's Cat Island) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MerseyGrey Posted July 13, 2023 Share Posted July 13, 2023 2 hours ago, Remolacha said: Nooooooo! No No No! My exact words. This is the crappiest news for you, but I’m so glad she found her way to you for her retirement. She couldn’t have had a better home. Quote Buddy Molly 🌈 5/11/10-10/10/23 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EllenEveBaz Posted July 13, 2023 Share Posted July 13, 2023 My heart breaks for you. Quote Ellen, with brindle Milo and the blonde ballerina, Gelsey remembering Eve, Baz, Scout, Romie, Nutmeg, and Jeter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beachbum1 Posted July 14, 2023 Share Posted July 14, 2023 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyPoopon Posted July 14, 2023 Share Posted July 14, 2023 Noooooo!!! It's so incredibly unfair and unbelievably sad. My heart breaks for all of you. I hope she has more good time than you expect. Quote Standard Poodle Daisy (12/13) Missing Cora (RL Nevada 5/99-10/09), Piper (Cee Bar Easy 2/99-1/10), Tally (Thunder La La 9/99-3/10), Edie (Daring Reva 9/99-10/12), Dixie (Kiowa Secret Sue 11/01-1/13), Jessie (P's Real Time 11/98-3/13), token boy Graham (Zydeco Dancer 9/00-5/13), Cal (Back Already 12/99-11/13), Betsy (Back Kick Beth 11/98-12/13), Standard Poodles Minnie (1/99-1/14) + Perry (9/98-2/14), Annie (Do Marcia 9/03-10/14), Pink (Miss Pinky Baker 1/02-6/15), Poppy (Cmon Err Not 8/05-1/16), Kat (Jax Candy 5/05-5/17), Ivy (Jax Isis 10/07-7/21), Hildy (Braska Hildy 7/10-12/22), Opal (Jax Opal 7/08-4/23). Toodles (BL Toodles 7/09-4/24) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
45MPHK9 Posted July 14, 2023 Share Posted July 14, 2023 Such awful news. Thinking good thoughts for your sweet Willa. 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...
greysmom Posted July 14, 2023 Share Posted July 14, 2023 Rachel, I'm so sorry. This is totally not fair at all. {{{hugs}}} Quote Chris - Mom to: Felicity (DeLand), and Andi (Braska Pandora) siggy by Chris Harper, on Flickr Angels: Libby (Everlast), Dorie (Dog Gone Holly), Dude (TNJ VooDoo), Copper (Kid's Copper), Cash (GSI Payncash), Toni (LPH Cry Baby), Whiskey (KT's Phys Ed), Atom, Lilly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spottydog Posted July 14, 2023 Share Posted July 14, 2023 How shocking and awful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LBass Posted July 14, 2023 Share Posted July 14, 2023 I'm so so sorry. You and Willa, Doolin, Richard will indeed be in my prayers. Quote Lucy with Greyhound Nate and OSH Tinker. With loving memories of MoMo (FTH Chyna Moon), Spirit, Miles the slinky kitty (OSH), Piper "The Perfect" (Oneco Chaplin), Winston, Yoda, Hector, and Claire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
palmettobug Posted July 14, 2023 Share Posted July 14, 2023 cancer. That is all. Sending gentle whuffies and kitty biscuits your way. Quote Current Crew: Gino-Gene-Eugene! (Eastnor Rebel: Makeshift x Celtic Dream); Fuzzy the Goo-Goo Girl (BGR Fuzzy Navel: Boc's Blast Off x Superior Peace); Roman the Giant Galoot! (Imark Roman: Crossfire Clyde x Shana Wookie); Kitties Archie and Dixie Forever Missed: K9 Sasha (2001-2015); Johnny (John Reese--Gable Dodge x O'Jays) (2011-19); the kitties Terry and Bibbi; and all the others I've had the privilege to know Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houndtime Posted July 14, 2023 Share Posted July 14, 2023 That's a double whammy. I am so sad and 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...
Potomacpupsmom Posted July 14, 2023 Share Posted July 14, 2023 This is just not fair. I am so sorry. Make sure you spoil Willa and Richard as much as possible! Quote Humans Kathy and Jim with our girls, Ivy (Carolina Spoon) and Cherry (Fly Cherry Pie) Missing our beautiful angel Breeze (Dighton Breeze) and angel Beka (BM Beko) - you are forever in our hearts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramonaghan Posted July 14, 2023 Author Share Posted July 14, 2023 Thank you, everyone. We just got the call with the radiologist's confirmation of likely osteo (you know they always say they can't 100% rule out osteomyelitis without a biopsy, which we're not doing) but no mets—phew. Now that I am feeling slightly more rational, I am planning to reach out to Dr. Couto with the report and rads and see what he thinks re: Willa's corn/back leg stiffness. Sweep was 11.5 when she had her amp, after all, and had a chronic limp on a front leg since age 6 and hind end weakness, and she did fine. She was no Taylor or Tessie running laps in the yard, but she had a good quality of life. Now whether John and I can handle this process again and so soon is another discussion, but...Willa is only 5. It's so wrong. I hate this disease. Quote Rachel with littermates Doolin and Willa, boss cat Tootie, and feline squatters Crumpet and Fezziwig. Missing gentlemen kitties Mud, Henry, and Richard and our beautiful, feisty, silly Sweep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BatterseaBrindl Posted July 15, 2023 Share Posted July 15, 2023 Don't know how I missed this yesterday... So, so sorry you have to face this again Quote Nancy...Mom to Sid (Peteles Tiger), Kibo (112 Carlota Galgos) and Joshi. Missing Casey, Gomer, Mona, Penelope, BillieJean, Bandit, Nixon (Starz Sammie), Ruby (Watch Me Dash) Nigel (Nigel), and especially little Mario, waiting at the Bridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bogangles Posted July 15, 2023 Share Posted July 15, 2023 This is terrible news. I am so very sorry. No it is absolutely not fair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickiesmom Posted July 15, 2023 Share Posted July 15, 2023 I am so sorry you and Willa are going through this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MerlinsMum Posted July 16, 2023 Share Posted July 16, 2023 I don't know how I missed this. What ghastly, ghastly news. I am just speechless. Absolutely hate osteo with every fibre of my being. Rachel, I'm sobbing as I read this. I am so terribly, terribly 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...
ramonaghan Posted July 16, 2023 Author Share Posted July 16, 2023 Thank you all so much for your sympathy and nice messages. Kerry, I know how recent this is for you and am sorry to trigger the tears again. Dr. C confirmed the presumptive diagnosis, not that we had any doubt. I explained the corn and sent videos of Willa walking and, although there's no guarantee since he can't examine her himself, he doesn't think amp is off the table. So now we wait to hear from one of the two oncologists in town to discuss next steps. We're really struggling with the decision; Sweep was happy until the end, but her world shrank so much after amp that I'd be lying if I said we'd never second-guessed our choice. On the other hand, it's not fair to compare a senior (who had not one, but two cancers) and a five-year-old. My stomach feels like it's full of rocks. I worry constantly about a leg break and about what this means for Doolin's future. Meanwhile, Willa is rolling over for belly rubs, flinging stuffies and talking smack to her brother, and wondering why we're being such sad weirdos. Quote Rachel with littermates Doolin and Willa, boss cat Tootie, and feline squatters Crumpet and Fezziwig. Missing gentlemen kitties Mud, Henry, and Richard and our beautiful, feisty, silly Sweep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greysmom Posted July 16, 2023 Share Posted July 16, 2023 Have you been hulling her corn?? Flexor tenotomy surgery has been extremely successful in ridding most dogs of their corn issue. It's a super fast and easy surgery - basically creating a sprung toe by snipping the tendon instead of a naturally occurring tear - with only a two week recovery period. It might be the kind of surgery that could be done without anesthetizing her completely, if you have a vet that would consider it. Many dogs have an almost immediate relief from their corn and it doesn't return. There is a chance that corns will pop up on other toes, but you'll have that anyway with her altered gait whether you amp or not. It may be something to consider if her corn is one of the obstacles to an amp and have some time to fit it in prior. Quote Chris - Mom to: Felicity (DeLand), and Andi (Braska Pandora) siggy by Chris Harper, on Flickr Angels: Libby (Everlast), Dorie (Dog Gone Holly), Dude (TNJ VooDoo), Copper (Kid's Copper), Cash (GSI Payncash), Toni (LPH Cry Baby), Whiskey (KT's Phys Ed), Atom, Lilly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramonaghan Posted July 16, 2023 Author Share Posted July 16, 2023 1 minute ago, greysmom said: Have you been hulling her corn?? Flexor tenotomy surgery has been extremely successful in ridding most dogs of their corn issue. It's a super fast and easy surgery - basically creating a sprung toe by snipping the tendon instead of a naturally occurring tear - with only a two week recovery period. It might be the kind of surgery that could be done without anesthetizing her completely, if you have a vet that would consider it. Many dogs have an almost immediate relief from their corn and it doesn't return. There is a chance that corns will pop up on other toes, but you'll have that anyway with her altered gait whether you amp or not. It may be something to consider if her corn is one of the obstacles to an amp and have some time to fit it in prior. Yep, regular hulling and dremeling seems to help keep her comfortable and not limping. I'll talk to the surgeon about the other if we get that far. Quote Rachel with littermates Doolin and Willa, boss cat Tootie, and feline squatters Crumpet and Fezziwig. Missing gentlemen kitties Mud, Henry, and Richard and our beautiful, feisty, silly Sweep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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