cavNrott

Jodie that is really fantastic news. I'm so glad Ollie is doing well enough that you cancelled the surgery. Rest and confinement allows scar tissue to build and it will hold as long as Ollie doesn't jump and run around too much. Thanks Jodie and family for thinking of Sophie. Thanks also to Oonga. Your encouragement makes a difference when I'm feeling low and for all your well wishes and positive thoughts for Sophie.

Thanks for thinking of Sophie. That people are sending healing thoughts her way is helping. I think the universe hears us and is taking care of her. Sophie is about the same and is doing quite well. She doesn't have the level of energy she used to have but she seems to feel quite well. She's putting up a good fight against this disease and that must take a lot of energy. I don't see any sign of pain in her. She's stable on the higher dose of pain meds. My aim is to prevent pain before it begins rather than try to deal with it once it's established. On the higher dose of meds she is usually able to eat her evening meal without her needing to be spoon fed so she's doing well. Her appetite is good and she's gaining weight on her cancer starving diet so that's a good sign. We see the oncologist on the 16th April. Hopefully her liver is responding to the Milk Thistle and her enzyme level will come down again. If not then we need to stop the chemo tablet and rebook an ultrasound. Jodie, all the best for you and Ollie tomorrow. You are in my thoughts every day.

Piebe if my dog was stable I would walk her but she is far from stable. She is neither depressed or miserable at not having walks. She gets plenty of one on one attention. She's happy with short games of fetch and playing with the other dogs. She's gained 4.3kg in 3 months so no weight loss. She has full freedom of the house and yard as usual. Sophie's on a new trial of a multiple drug regime which includes one chemo drug every 48 hours. When she's no longer on this regime and when I'm advised it's safe to walk her then she'll be walked. My dog is under the care of an oncologist and I follow the advice given. The oncologist has a full understanding of the drugs she's prescribed and the effect they have on the immune system. I don't have this knowledge so I don't second guess the advice. Sophie feels quite well. If she were to pick up an infection then she would not feel well at all. I want her to feel well for whatever time she has left. As Jodie says, Ollie is desperate for his walks and pines to go out. It seems your dog is the same. If Sophie was depressed at not being walked we wouldn't continue with the drug trial. I want what is best for her. Jodie, I wish Ollie all the best on Tuesday. This little bloke can do anything. He'll sail through this.

What a sad loss you have suffered Kaffy. I'm so very sorry. You're beautiful boy will live on in your heart. Godspeed Kaden :D

Thanks Oonga and Kiash. Her enzyme levels are still a bit high with her liver test but they have come down since the first test. We are testing again next visit. I'll keep her on the Milk Thistle because I think her lower levels are probably due to that. efs

How would you know what our circumstances are? So, yes, you were rude. You can call me rude if you wish but I'm not cruel. I never neglect the health of my dogs. Have you taken the dog to the vet yet?

You gave no indication that you were taking the dog to the vet. Had you mentioned your intention to do so there would be no need for everyone in this thread to comment on the urgency of seeing a vet and explain how painful a UTI is. Neither would anyone have asked what you would do if you were suffering the same problem You did mention you noticed her having problems yesterday. Have you taken her to the vet yet? The longer you wait the worse her pain will be and the longer and more difficult it will be for her recovery. It's not a case of slipping in a dig, I don't know you and have no reason to have a dig at you It's about us being unanimous in our concern for your dog who is suffering acute pain. eta: I see you have edited your post. Irrespective of your circumstances your dog needs to see a vet.

Can you crate him Staffyluv or confine him to an indoor pen. Each time he pulls up sore he may have torn it just that little bit more and any scar tissue he has built up will break down. He probably needs to be strictly confined to help build scar tissue.

I doubt it has anything whatsoever to do with an inverted or immature vulva. You need to get this girl to a vet URGENTLY. She is in pain. I don't wish to appear rude but if you were in pain and couldn't pee I bet you would be off to the doctor with without delay. You wouldn't be sitting at the computer posting about it looking for obscure reasons to avoid having the problem attended to.

Sophie's liver test results are in and they show an improvement, much to the amazement of the oncologist. She will do another liver test next visit and see the next results before booking the ultrasound. Sophie's a bit bored too Staffyluv. Like you, I'm not going to risk walking her either.

My guess is she has a UTI. They are very painful and she will need a course of anti biotics. Please take her to the vet URGENTLY.

Thanks Jodie. Safeway here used to stock turkey mince but it's now a deleted item they tell me. Wish I could find it somewhere. She's taking her meds without a problem now. I have no idea why the mid afternoon tablet is a problem though. She takes meds 5 times every day and balks only at the afternoon ones. Sophie is having a very good day, she's happily running around like a nutter. She seems to be very lethargic every second day when she has the chemo tablet. Haven't had the liver test results from the onco as yet. How is going Ollie today?

Oh that's not good news at all Jodie. Sophie has been down the path of ligament repairs too, she's had both knees done. The first when she was 18 months and the second one a year later. I do hope it all works out well for Ollie and the ligament doesn't rupture completely. Hopefully scar tissue will hold it. Sophie's still confined to barracks too. It's awful not being able to walk them isn't it? Keep us posted on Ollie please....and you are both amazing.

How is Ollie coming along Staffyluv? Hope he's fully recovered from the joint infection.

Thanks for the info guys and you well wishes for Sophie. She's been taking her pills without giving me grief...except for the afternoon ones. I wonder why that is. I'm going in search of a pill popper, I think I'm going to need it.

She can have bbq chicken Jed so that's a good idea. Griff, the pill popper sounds like a brilliant idea. Where would I find one of those? Sophie's been taking her tablets without issue apart from that one time yesterday. I'm just about to give her another couple so I hope she doesn't give me grief with them.

Jodie, I put them in minced steak because she likes it. I usually call out 'meds' and she runs up and happily takes them. Dunno what happened this afternoon, she took them happily at dinner time. It was the Tramadol for pain relief I was having trouble with this afternoon so she had to take it. I wonder if it was my hands she didn't like the smell of. I wash my hands before and after and I used a new bottle of hand wash...might have been that. She has no sugars and carbs so I'm limited. Can't put it right at the back of her mouth either. She can't open wide. I hope she keeps taking them in the mince. She likes raw chicken so I might have to try raw chicken mince if all else fails. The minced beef is raw too but I cook her meals now. She has one at 5am another 7 1/2 at breakfast (9 1/2 tomorrow because it's chemo tablet day) 2 at 2pm and 8 with dinner tonight. She has another 2 with her yoghurt around midnight. No wonder she's sick of them. So far, so good. I'll put the other two tonight on the spoon hidden in the yoghurt, that should do it. Going to do that now. Thanks for the suggestions. edited because I forgot the 5am one. That one is to build and strengthen bone and has to be taken on an empty stomach.

She doesn't look too porky yet Jodie but due to her knee surgeries I've always kept her very slim. She looks quiet nice with the extra weight. We'll both be happier when she can go for walks. Kiash, Sophie takes Milk Thistle tablets. The onco suggested them 3 weeks ago when the liver issue surfaced. I hope they're doing the job. We'll know when the results are in, probably on Tuesday. It is unusual for osteosarcoma to occur in the mandible but not unheard of. It's not painful for Sophie to run around like is it when it's in the limbs, it's the eating that causes problems. She's easy to spoon feed though and has a good appetite. It's getting difficult to give her the tablets. She's totally over them. She used to take them from my hand when I said 'eat it'. Then I rolled minced meat around them. Today she's eating the mince and spits out the tablet. I've spent 1/2 an hour trying to hide two tablets in cheese, mince, etc., She took them eventually. She has another 6 tablets to take with her dinner and I'm not looking forward to it. I can't mess with her mouth, it's too painful for her. Any suggestions would be very welcome. Hugs and kisses have been given and thanks for sending her your well wishes.

Jodie I'm in the same boat as you with the park and the walking. Because Sophie's liver is suspect I've been told not to take her out until we find out what's going on. Her immune system is low and I won't risk it. I'll take the advice of the oncolgist and won't put my dog in danger. An infection would kill Sophie and that's not quality of life. Quality of life is certainly important but it's not quality if it's going to cause in Ollie's case severe pain due to his joints and in Sophie's case something that will kill her. When they are in good enough condition to go out then is the time for quality of life. Both our dogs love to get out but what if Ollie and Sophie picked up another infection? There would probably be no life let alone quality of life. I'm taking vet advice. Sophie plays fetch in the yard where she's safe. The park can wait. With Ollie he is sore in the joints as it is...maybe he needs to rest a bit longer. He could sure do without another infection. Peibe and lillysmum I'm not trying to argue with you but if you had a dog with cancer and an infection could kill them. The vets told you NOT to take them to the park would you take you own advice and take your dogs out knowing it might kill them? For the sake of quality of life?

Thanks for asking Kiash, now I can pass on the news. I didn't post about Sophie because I thought it might be disrespectful to Shek and Jaida in the midst of the condolences. Sophie did quite well. Well enough that the oncolgist decided there was no urgency for the ultrasound and there's no change in her medication. Her FBE was fine and a specimen has been sent for detailed analysis of her liver which seems to have improved on the natural meds she's had for 3 weeks. The results of her liver test will be available next week so we'll go from there. If it's not looking good we'll reschedule the ultrasound. I had a lump on her rib aspirated. It was just a lipoma. Until the liver test results are in I would say all is well. The tumour in her mouth is still growing which concerns me a lot. She feels well, has a good appetite, playful, but she has less energy. She's also putting on weight on the cancer starving diet. She has no carbs, grains or sugars, only fatty meat and protein, all her food is organic. Cancer can't utilise fat it needs carbs to thrive. For the first time in her life she looks a bit porky. Her normal weight is 42kg. She's now 46.8kg. She doesn't look like my sleek, muscular girl now. She looks rather matronly. Considering Sophie's prognosis was so poor that they thought she would be gone by mid January, the vet and oncologist are happy with her progress. Her drug protocol is a new trial. They asked me at the start if I would be willing to have Sophie trial this new regime. I agreed, we had nothing to lose. Due to her excellent response they started another dog last week on the trial. The oncology has given us so many special days together. Every extra day we have is bonus.

No it's not. Cartrophen is Pentosan Sulphate. Glucosamine is glucosamine. It comes in either sulphate or hydrochoride. The glucosamine hydrochloride is more readily bioavailable to dogs due to the molecular structure. Glucosamine is not of much value without Chondroitin and preferably with MSM.

Thank you Allerzeit. That's a perfect description of the look. There is no way I could have described it no matter how I tried but you've explained exactly what it is and how it looks. You can't mistake that look, I've seen it before but thankfully not from Sophie. Our dogs make the decision when it's their time. They make it easier for us to know we are doing the right thing by them. They ask to go when they're ready. All we need to do is be aware.

Sophie and I thank you again for your good wishes and kind words. She's having a good day, happy and up for a short game of fetch. She brings me the damn ball about once an hour. She fetches 2 or 3 times and then it's rest time. I think the reason she had a bad day a couple of days ago is that I wasn't watching her closely enough to notice her increased pain level. She hides it well. It was unexpected because she's been stable on the pain meds I've been giving. Now I've increased the dose she's back to her usual self. Tomorrow is oncology day. If they think she's coping ok and ultrasound shows she isn't having organ failure then we'll keep going as we are. The onco said to administer pain meds whenever I think she needs them. Sophie isn't ready to go yet, she has more life to live. I won't give up until she tells me she's had enough. Sophie's calling the shots and I'm listening. If her ultrasound shows organ failure and it's serious then I'll have to rethink my decision to keep going and for how long. The onco is happy to work with Sophie and do what it takes to keep her happy and comfortable for as long as possible. Pain free is what counts.

Shek if Jaida is in pain give her Tramal. It can't hurt her and will give her pain relief. I doesn't matter if it sedates her as long as it takes her pain away. That's really all we can do for them in the late stage of osteosarcoma. Bone pain is excruciating. Sophie is now on 300mg a day of Tramal as well as piroxicam and if I see any sign of pain in her then I'll increase the dose again. She is much quieter than she used to be but the disease will cause inactivity, they're not likely to run around when they feel unwell. Sophie is able to live a comfortable life on Tramal and she's still playful. I don't think she would be if she was in pain. I don't find that the Tramal sedates Sophie much at all but I'd rather have her sleepy than in pain. Is Jaida eating? Is she vomiting at all?

No, they don't ALL do it. Some dogs are poop eaters, most aren't. I've only ever had one poop eater and I found that quick pick ups and verbal corrections worked. She either outgrew or was trained out of the behaviour by the time she was 6 months old. She never attempted to eat her own poop, just that of my older dog. They can be trained out of this behaviour the same as they can be trained out of other undesirable behaviours, it takes time and careful observation.