Walker's Petfinder page
Here's hoping a very good application is sent for him. He has come such a long way since his arrival in November!
Sorry there have been no new posts. I don't have an explanation other than laziness for April.
My mother had a liver transplant on May 1st and she's still in serious condition in the ICU. Please say some prayers/send good thoughts for her recovery.
Thursday, 17 May, 2012
Sunday, 25 March, 2012
March updates
Oops! Didn't mean to let my posting slide! It has been a busy month+ since the last posting.
Delta Update: Delta's leg healed well and there has been no sign of recurrence of the tumor (so far).
Her ears remained on the thick side, in danger of turning into full blown aural hematomas. Fortunately, her right ear (the site of the original one 2.5 years ago) subsided, but unfortunately, the left ear persisted until it started to get larger the weekend of the 10th. Then it tripled in size early in the week, swelling completely by Wednesday.
On Thursday, March 15th, she went to see our Vet, whose car we have completely paid for by now, I'm certain, and Delta's ear was to be drained on the spot. I assisted out back by holding Delta's head to keep her calm on the surgical table (I'm not squeamish so I asked to come back). Our vet said that with her ear as swollen as it was, her skin would be numb anyway so no anesthetic was given. A catheter was punched in near the tip, and then the blood/fluids drained away. A crazy thing to witness in person, even though I'd seen numerous videos over the years.
Next, the canula was inserted where the catheter had been, and then came the hardest part, to stitch it in place. Delta flinched a bit, but was the best patient ever. We were done in 15 minutes from start to finish. She was bandaged for the drive home, and then came the instructions to massage her ear as often as I can, give her warm compresses, keep tip clean, wiggle/rotate the canula, etc. This will remain in place for 4 to 6 weeks. She had a one-week checkup this past week, and all is going well. She's had the occasional filling up overnight or through the day when I'm away from home, but this breaks up and drains easily with massages.
It never seems to end for my dear girl! However, she doesn't let this get her down and she will still run and play with the boys. She is the most patient pup, and still the best big sister the boys could wish for.
Walker update: After several long months, it was revealed that the Advantage Multi was not working for treating his Demodex Mange, and therefore we switched to the dreaded Ivermectin (the rescue hoped to avoid using this, but there simply isn't another effective treatment). Walker started off very slowly with his dosage. A little bit for 3 days, a little bit more for 5 days, and little bit more for 7 days, and then finally his full dose for however long it takes. He has had no side effects apart from early on when he seemed a little out of sorts for 2 days, but that may have not been related to the Ivermectin.
He is full of energy, and doesn't give me any trouble taking his medicine in the mornings despite being told that it tastes awful. He just wiggles his bum into my legs and takes it like a champ. Good boy! He lost quite a lot of hair on his undercarriage and legs while on the Advantage (as the mites were active), but that appears to have stopped and the peach fuzz is coming back! His horrible breakouts he had have cleared up (no more spot cleaning around my house, my clothes, my furniture, etc... it was like a crime scene at times!).
Walker has started agility class and has just completed week 4 of an 8 week class. He is loving it and learning quickly. His tail wags constantly and he just seems so proud of himself when he goes through the equipment. His confidence is skyrocketing! I fully expect he will be ready for adoption in about 1 month's+ time, once we know the Demodex is a thing of the past for good.
Brosa Update: Not a whole lot new with Brosa - he is his usual Turdy self, ha ha! I took him out one afternoon last week for a trip to Point Pleasant Park and downtown Halifax. He had a great time, and I got very lovely photos of him as a result as well. Brosa will begin agility classes again when Walker has completed his.
Our friend Tara has a new pup - a Cane Corso who she has named Spock. Brosa met him the day after he arrived and was very nice with him. Spock looks just like Brosa, except with a whole face and cropped ears. ;) I'm hoping they'll get to be great friends.
Delta Update: Delta's leg healed well and there has been no sign of recurrence of the tumor (so far).
Her ears remained on the thick side, in danger of turning into full blown aural hematomas. Fortunately, her right ear (the site of the original one 2.5 years ago) subsided, but unfortunately, the left ear persisted until it started to get larger the weekend of the 10th. Then it tripled in size early in the week, swelling completely by Wednesday.
On Thursday, March 15th, she went to see our Vet, whose car we have completely paid for by now, I'm certain, and Delta's ear was to be drained on the spot. I assisted out back by holding Delta's head to keep her calm on the surgical table (I'm not squeamish so I asked to come back). Our vet said that with her ear as swollen as it was, her skin would be numb anyway so no anesthetic was given. A catheter was punched in near the tip, and then the blood/fluids drained away. A crazy thing to witness in person, even though I'd seen numerous videos over the years.
Next, the canula was inserted where the catheter had been, and then came the hardest part, to stitch it in place. Delta flinched a bit, but was the best patient ever. We were done in 15 minutes from start to finish. She was bandaged for the drive home, and then came the instructions to massage her ear as often as I can, give her warm compresses, keep tip clean, wiggle/rotate the canula, etc. This will remain in place for 4 to 6 weeks. She had a one-week checkup this past week, and all is going well. She's had the occasional filling up overnight or through the day when I'm away from home, but this breaks up and drains easily with massages.
It never seems to end for my dear girl! However, she doesn't let this get her down and she will still run and play with the boys. She is the most patient pup, and still the best big sister the boys could wish for.
Walker update: After several long months, it was revealed that the Advantage Multi was not working for treating his Demodex Mange, and therefore we switched to the dreaded Ivermectin (the rescue hoped to avoid using this, but there simply isn't another effective treatment). Walker started off very slowly with his dosage. A little bit for 3 days, a little bit more for 5 days, and little bit more for 7 days, and then finally his full dose for however long it takes. He has had no side effects apart from early on when he seemed a little out of sorts for 2 days, but that may have not been related to the Ivermectin.
He is full of energy, and doesn't give me any trouble taking his medicine in the mornings despite being told that it tastes awful. He just wiggles his bum into my legs and takes it like a champ. Good boy! He lost quite a lot of hair on his undercarriage and legs while on the Advantage (as the mites were active), but that appears to have stopped and the peach fuzz is coming back! His horrible breakouts he had have cleared up (no more spot cleaning around my house, my clothes, my furniture, etc... it was like a crime scene at times!).
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| Nearly nekkid Walker, on St. Patrick's Day |
Walker has started agility class and has just completed week 4 of an 8 week class. He is loving it and learning quickly. His tail wags constantly and he just seems so proud of himself when he goes through the equipment. His confidence is skyrocketing! I fully expect he will be ready for adoption in about 1 month's+ time, once we know the Demodex is a thing of the past for good.
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| Walker, running out of the chute Saturday, March 24th (just learned that morning!) |
Brosa Update: Not a whole lot new with Brosa - he is his usual Turdy self, ha ha! I took him out one afternoon last week for a trip to Point Pleasant Park and downtown Halifax. He had a great time, and I got very lovely photos of him as a result as well. Brosa will begin agility classes again when Walker has completed his.
Our friend Tara has a new pup - a Cane Corso who she has named Spock. Brosa met him the day after he arrived and was very nice with him. Spock looks just like Brosa, except with a whole face and cropped ears. ;) I'm hoping they'll get to be great friends.
Sunday, 12 February, 2012
Delta Update long overdue!
The day after Delta's birthday, a stitch broke through her skin. I felt she was swollen, and as the bleeding wasn't stopping, she went to the animal emergency to get looked at. The tissue was starting to heal so the vet didn't want to add a stitch/staple back in. She seemed to be on the verge of infection however, so antibiotics were prescribed and her leg was wrapped up for a couple more days.
On Tuesday morning she seemed better at first, but then she broke out again after breakfast.
The vet wrap slid down by the next day however, and so it was removed and I needed to resort to some very sticky tape to keep the incision covered up. Which unfortunately made THIS happen...
I grew progressively concerned about her broken stitch and bleeding, so on January 21st we were in to the vet, where I assisted her with adding an additional 3 stitches in place. Not surprising, I was told no more bandages in order to allow her leg to heal. I was given Fuciderm gel for that, and Metacam for her pain.
She broke out in hives the next day, full blown on Monday evening. She received Benadryl (but not Dexamathasone as she'd had Metacam within the past 3 days). She also received Benadryl pills for me to give her each 8 hours, so I stayed home from work.
On Tuesday morning she seemed better at first, but then she broke out again after breakfast.
1/2 hour later, and I called the vet. They advised me to discontinue the Cephalexin antibiotic she had been taking since the Emergency visit, and I also discontinued using the Fuciderm.
The hives continued periodically. On Wednesday, the vet gave her the Dexamathasone, and advised me that she wasn't so much concerned about the hives and the incision any longer; she was more concerned about both of Delta's ears, which were on the verge of aural hematomas from head shaking wearing her cone.
So, no bandage to protect her her incision. No bandages to protect incision and catch the weeping. No cone to keep her from licking her incision. What I did do was put a very light self-sticking tape wrap over gauze for the next 2 days. I also dabbed some Bitter Orange cream on the bandage to discourage her from licking. The wrap slid down her legs a bit, but seemed to do the trick.
Of the 3 new stitches, 2 of them ripped through. But her skin was looking much better after a few days.
Finally, the stitches came out and she's now fully healed at long last!!
She had some occasional hives prior to stitch removal and I am beginning to believe that it was mostly stress for paying such close attention to this awful thing. I thought perhaps she developed a chicken allergy as well as an allergy to the antibiotic. Time will tell (I've eliminated chicken for now but plan to try some with her again).
I hope this is the end to her medical dramas and that she can live the remainder of her life stress-free!
Saturday, 14 January, 2012
Delta is 10 today!
Delta is 10 today! To celebrate, we removed her banadage, and then later had Three Dog Bakery treats. I'll let the pictures tell the story...
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| Moments before bandage removal, the kids are enjoying a nap/cuddle. Sorry to disturb you, kiddies! |
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| Bandage - the sticky side ripped out some fur too - ouch! Delta didn't even flinch but goodness... and look how it matches the blanket as well. |
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| 8 stitches |
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| Oh nos!!! The "Cone of Shame" and the pen.... unfortunately Delta wouldn't stop licking the stitches, so to protect those, and also her from the crazy boys, this is what we had to do. "Mom! My birthday SUCKS! You should have left the bandage on me!!" |
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| Three Dog Bakery |
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| Let Them Eat Carrot Cake Boxer Brownie Drooly Dream Bar |
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| Everyone stayyyyy! |
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| Yummy! |
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| mmmmm! (Walker ran off with his in the living room) |
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| So good! Happy Birthday Delta! xoxo |
Wednesday, 11 January, 2012
Delta update
Here are some BlackBerry photos of Delta at home after her surgery. She is feeling quite good more than 24 hours later. So happy!
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| At home and in a rigged up pen for Delta using my coffee table, a collapsed kennel, and two baby gates! This is for Delta's protection, to keep her from being too active, and to keep the rowdy boys from injuring her further! |
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| Feeling tired and probably a little pain - what a sad face. :( |
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| Bandaged for 5-7 days (although if it starts to roll, I can remove it. The first day or so was most important for keeping pressure on the incision) |
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| I'm inside the pen with Delta now, and Brosa is crying about it, ha ha! |
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| Delta was unhappy about not being able to see me in my recliner (this is the view from it) and therefore I changed the layout for her. She was much more content with this. |
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| Unfortunately, in order to create this pen, I had to utilize the space in front of the picture window, and it's somewhat cold/drafty there. So I bundled her up and she stayed asleep for hours. |
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| Day 2 - our friend Shawna O'Handley came to the rescue and loaned us one of her xpens for a few days! This is much better! I set this up away from the cold wall/window and Delta can see much better now. |
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| Hee hee! She was talking to me here. I imagine her saying "AWWWW MOMMMM! Why do I have to stay in here? This sucks!!" |
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| I let the boys come in for a visit for a few minutes. |
Monday, 9 January, 2012
It's NOT Osteosarcoma!
I spent a long morning on pins and needles, but Delta is doing well!
The xrays were clear and the tumor was removed without any issues - good margins were taken and still there was enough tissue to stitch the incision closed.
She was a very good girl for them, and a tired one tonight. I have a make-shift xpen created in my living room to keep her quiet and the rowdy boys away from her. She has been sleeping the evening away on the pillows in the space.
To say I'm relieved is an understatement! There is always the possibility that the tumors will recur, but for now, we are in the happiest of places that Delta will be with us for a while longer, with any luck. Photos to come later. :)
The xrays were clear and the tumor was removed without any issues - good margins were taken and still there was enough tissue to stitch the incision closed.
She was a very good girl for them, and a tired one tonight. I have a make-shift xpen created in my living room to keep her quiet and the rowdy boys away from her. She has been sleeping the evening away on the pillows in the space.
To say I'm relieved is an understatement! There is always the possibility that the tumors will recur, but for now, we are in the happiest of places that Delta will be with us for a while longer, with any luck. Photos to come later. :)
Friday, 6 January, 2012
Delta has cancer
I wasn't going to post anything until next week but I need all the positive vibes I/Delta can get.
Yesterday, Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 10:30 a.m., my world was turned upside-down yet again. A phone call from my vet confirmed that Delta has a malignancy in her right rear leg (this is not the same leg that had the sheath injury a few months back).
This was a result of concern I had over a lump near her knee, which I thought was a cyst. It appeared around the end of November. However, last week on my Christmas vacation, it appeared as if it had gotten a little larger and so I made an appointment to be seen last Friday. The vet was concerned as she could tell the lump was attached to the tissue. A fine-needle aspiration was done and due to the New Year's long weekend, wasn't sent to the pathology lab in PEI until Tuesday.
It's not known yet what type of sarcoma she has based on this aspiration; on Monday morning, she will be undergoing x-rays and a subsequent biopsy or lump removal.
I was warned that depending on how large a margin needed to be removed, there is a possibility that she may not be able to stitch the incision back up as there is no extra skin in that area. It would mean that Delta would need to wear a bandage for a long time, changing it regularly, due to an open wound.
The vet will be instructed that should the x-rays reveal bony involvement, particularly if it has metastasized to the chest as osteosarcoma will do, that she should NOT remove the lump. I'm realistic in knowing that at 10 years of age next week, I don't have years left with Delta and do not want to reduce her quality of life with treatment that isn't likely to work.
Please cross fingers/pray that she has the lesser of the sarcoma evils. I'm devastated, but at the moment, remaining practical until a diagnosis is confirmed.
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