lucknow Posted April 27, 2011 Share Posted April 27, 2011 We are located in Ivanhoe for all those that asked. One of the things I will mention to the specialist is that Oscar's problems began when we moved to the north side of the city. We used to live in the south east. It could be coincidental but you never know. So it could be something in the house you are in now that wasnt present in the SE burbs? ie different carpet blend, type of grass etc I think its all been asked and considered with much more knowledgeable advice than mine anyway so dont know why I felt the need to mention that.. Sounds horrendous for both of you to be going through and I just wanted to wish you luck and hope you have a happy outcome with a full recovery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted April 27, 2011 Share Posted April 27, 2011 is there a neighbour with roses/fruit trees that is spraying? It's been a bad season and chemical use of all kinds has gone through the roof. I would ask if anyone is using any pesticide/herbicide/insecticide on a regular basis too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G.G Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 Can you get an earlier appointment with a different dermatologist? I can highly recommend Greg Burton at Melbourne Veterinary Specialists Centre. They are in Glen Waverley and Essendon Fields.Melbourne Veterinary Specialist Centre (click the DERMATOLOGY DEPARTMENT button) If your pug's overall health is deteriorating, I would think the situation has become urgent. Perhaps a chronic internal infection is setting in. Directly opposite the Specialist Centre in Blackburn Road, Glen Waverley is Animal Emergency Centre. They are open 27/7. It may be worth giving them a call now. Oscars appointment is with Doctor Burton and I will call them first thing on Wednesday morning to see if he can be seen earlier. Today I think we will visit the emergency vet in the hope he can be made more comfortable in the mean time. Oscar was meant to of had a skin biopsy during his skin scraping procedure but apparently the vet 'ran out of time' and the biopsy was not taken. I have never understood what happened as it was my husband that picked Oscar up afterwards. Has anyone had any experience with Canidae Grain Free Salmon food? I can't seem to locate the equivalent in Eagle Pack. Once again, many thanks to everyone for your help. I have really been at a loss as to what to do. Hi Pixandpug Could you you please send me your email address [email protected] Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pixandpug Posted April 29, 2011 Author Share Posted April 29, 2011 Just an update on Oscar... He has had a few calendula baths which seem to soothe him somewhat but we are always back to the redness and scratching come morning. I am reducing his cortisone dose as instructed by the vet to avoid masking anything before he sees the dermatologist. As it has in the past - this seems to make things much worse for Oscar. The good news is that I managed to have his appointment with the specialist brought forward to this Tuesday. I am counting down the days as it feels as though this could be our last hope. I just hope I don't see that same look of despair I have seen with every other vet that has treated Oscar. Will keep you all informed. p.s. we have moved twice since leaving the SE suburbs, so I have discounted floor coverings etc. Am thinking it could be plant based. One vet said he thought there were more allergens in the North. Who knows... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Champs Dad Posted April 30, 2011 Share Posted April 30, 2011 Hope you get some answers on tuesday. Poor little bloke, horrible to be itchy like that all the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuralPug Posted April 30, 2011 Share Posted April 30, 2011 Let us know what the dermatologist says, please? Also if you can get pure cotton baby socks (the ones with little lacy ties are ideal) and tie them on his feet he will do less damage with his scratching. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Panzer Attack! Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 Wishing you two the best of luck with your appointment, I really hope that you get an answer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pixandpug Posted May 3, 2011 Author Share Posted May 3, 2011 Oscar has cutaneous lymphoma. I am devastated. The dermatologist says that with chemotherapy he could live for another 6 - 12 months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 Oh NOT what you wanted to hear...however, at least now you know what is happening. I am so sorry, and will be hoping that they can keep him comfortable . sending thoughts .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skruffy n Flea Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 that's heartbreaking news and i hope the vets and derms have a heap of info to help you and oscar thru this stage of his life... i did a quick search and came across this site: K9 health support, which deals with canine cancers and nutrition --- perhaps it will provide you with some ideas of what you might be able to do to help your man with his cancer. it's an australian site too: home page, with an email contact at the bottom... i wish you and oscar the very best of good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeiLuvR Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 Oscar has cutaneous lymphoma. I am devastated. The dermatologist says that with chemotherapy he could live for another 6 - 12 months. I am so so sorry PixandPug Your poor little pug I hope the dermatologist advised u on the best way to soothe Oscar's skin and keep him comfortable. If u choose to try the chemo, i wish u well. Thinking of u and Oscar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Anne~ Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 Oscar has cutaneous lymphoma. I am devastated. The dermatologist says that with chemotherapy he could live for another 6 - 12 months. I am so sorry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bully Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 So sorry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christina Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 Oscar has cutaneous lymphoma. I am devastated. The dermatologist says that with chemotherapy he could live for another 6 - 12 months. Your only decision now is whether the side effects of chemo are worth it for quality of life & time given or to let go. Worst nightmare. My sincere sympathy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 Oscar has cutaneous lymphoma. I am devastated. The dermatologist says that with chemotherapy he could live for another 6 - 12 months. Awwww crap. So sorry to hear this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staranais Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 I'm so sorry. They're pretty careful to try to keep side effects to a minimum with chemo for pets, especially palliative chemo, since extension of the pet's enjoyable life (not merely extending their life at any cost) is the goal of treatment. I'm sure your derm will give you good advice about the treatment options, and I know you will make the choice you feel is best for him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karly101 Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 Very sorry to hear that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pixandpug Posted May 3, 2011 Author Share Posted May 3, 2011 I reread the report from the dermatologist and reading between the lines I think there is not much left to do for Oscar. I am trying very hard not to feel angry at the 4 vets that have seen him in the last year or so because it won't change anything. Oscar's cancer is very advanced and if I am honest with myself - I would say he is suffering. The dermatologist hadn't even touched him when he said what it was which was followed by a comment along the lines of "I could of told you what it was when he was walking across the car park". The horrible thing is that I had said to my colleagues yesterday that I hoped the dermatologist could tell me what it was straight away. I had imagined lots of allergy tests, diet restrictions and all the other things that can happen when a dog has skin issues. I know many dogs can go into remission and live for another year but the vet has written it would likely be a matter of months for Oscar. So we have made the hardest decision we have ever had to make and we will spend the next couple of days with lots of hugs and cuddles and he will have all the yummy treats he has been missing until the weekend. How does anyone ever get over this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 I am so pleased to hear you have made the decision to take away his pain. The next couple of days will be bittersweet , but you can spoil him ,and tell him you love him ..and make him as happy as you can :D Do you have any painkillers or anything which will keep him pain/itch free for a few days? Thinking of you - it will be a very hard time . The quick and confident diagnosis is because the Derm. sees skin all day everyday- he sees things which many general vets maybe will never experience- and so not know what to look for Take care ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 (edited) So we have made the hardest decision we have ever had to make and we will spend the next couple of days with lots of hugs and cuddles and he will have all the yummy treats he has been missing until the weekend. How does anyone ever get over this? It's not a matter of "getting over". It's a matter of "getting through". And you will. And you'll know you weren't the first to go through it, but you will feel as though your 'cut' is the deepest. And for you, it will be. But you'll know you're not alone as we are all here supporting you through this tough time. Hugs to Oscar. Edited May 3, 2011 by Erny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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