Confused and Overwhelmed-Diagnosed Anal Sac Carcinoma (Woody has passed)

Evening all - Nurse Woody has continued his duties today, he has kept mum company whilst I went for the food shopping, but had to take my gran with me, she is 86 yrs young and is all there and more. She has a brilliant sense of humour and had me in stitches most of the day. I took her back to see my mum and she kept calling Woody, Bruno which is my bridge baby after I corrected her twice i decided to let her call him whatever, she ended up calling him doggie lol.

I have decided to change Woody,s diet to something that might help his colitis, but will speak with the vet first. This colitis is really getting to me not only does it mean I have to get up twice a night to take him out for a poo but I cant go on watching him strain like this. He has also been itchy the past couple of nights, I had a good look over him and he has no "visitors" it appears it is his elbows he is scratching, I had a look and it looks like the white lumps he has (I suspect calcium deposits) are causing the itch. I have written down a list of symptoms that Woody has, and a list of what we know, he has like his MDR and will be putting them to the vet on Monday. I know I am clutching at straws on a diagnosis as he is a little mystery but I need to know what to do next, was his collapse due to the cancer or was it because of his heart or both, should I look at his heart or look towards the cancer I don't know. I hope the vet can shed some light on Monday

What's he eating now Tracy? I know you have experience with this, but when Flynn flares I swap to a new protein. I just keep him on one protein at a time and grain free. Quite often if his bowel is bad he has been sneaking or getting people food, so that's a no no for him. I wonder if a bit of extra fibre would help too, I use 1/4 teaspoon Metamucil dissolved in approx. 50 mls water together with his probiotic. I use the Metamucil just at night but give the probiotic again just 1/4 tsp twice a day. Flynn has been on venison for quite a few months but recently swapped him to lamb and it seems to be doing the trick at the moment *crossed fingers* :D

I hope the vet comes through on Monday too, have you got your list of questions written out?

Your Gran sounds a hoot, love hearing stories of the oldies doing well! xxxx

Trish he is fed chicken based at the moment, get a tablespoon of porridge in morning and night for fibre (advice of surgeon) although I have stopped this on Friday, he takes a priobiotic drink every morning and has done since he arrived almost 4 yrs ago. I have no doubt thT mum and my niece have bn sneaking him food so they've all been told to stop. I think I'm going to change him to duck as my bridge baby did good on that with his IBD. I will look out Bruno's hospital notes and see what else I can do. I think this is why I'm so frustrated with this as I lost Bruno to chronic IBD and never thought I would have to go back down that road :(

I look at some of the links you posted on another thread, makes for interesting reading as it stated it's an endocrine tumour and Woody has the pu/pd symptoms, collapse and possible blood pressure, I'm sure he doesn't have a pheo but worth a mention to the hospital don't you think. I haven't made up questions yet but will do it today it's where do you start with them lol

Tracy:
I hope Woody's IBD get under control as that has to be miserable for both of you. Not sure but would lamb help? I know we can buy venison, rabbit etc. here in the U.S. Now don't get any ideas about going out hunting rabbits!!! Sounds like your mom is a strong woman too and that is wonderful that you still have your Gran and she is such a character. I guess you will have to find the culprit giving Woody food! They probably just think they are being good to him and don't realize the consequences. We are in the single digits here with the streets looking like glass from all the ice. We will definitely be staying in today. How is the weather over there? Blessings
Patti

Tracy, I certainly know your frustration. I really really hope you get some concrete answers tomorrow. It is sooooooo frustrating.

Poor Woody and his IBD. I know personally what that's like :o and it's no fun at all.

Sure am glad to hear nurse Woody is doing his duty. Dogs have an instinct for older people. My dog used to do semi-circles around my mother sitting in a chair when anyone strange was in the house and yet my mother didn't even like dogs. Keesh stayed away from getting close to her, but no one else was going to get close to her either.

Best of luck tomorrow.

I think it is lovely how Woody is so protective of your mum. What a good boy. :)

Your grandmother sounds a dear. Sounds like a really great family Tracy.

I know others have mentioned changing up proteins when the colitus flares up, so that might be a good move.

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

We,re back home, I want to be here first thing incase the hospital calls my house phone.

Sharlene I do have a great family and we are all very close, if not for them I don,t know what I would have done in years gone by ;)

I have written out my questions for Ian, and just hope he can shed some light on some of them at least. What,s the bet he doesn,t call, but if he knows whats good for him he will or I will set the K9 angels on him :p

Woody has had a busy weekend, with all his nursing duties and people coming and going in the house, I tried to keep him as stress free as possible, but honestly he was loving all the attention, and really playing up to the "look I,m sick, make a fuss of me " Some of my family can,t believe how well he is looking and yes he does look well and happy and that's all I can wish for him. We came home and he went straight to his bed and is out cold, I did go check on him as he was sleeping so peacefully I had to poke him to make sure he was alright, the dirty look he gave me was priceless. I will let you all know if Ian calls me or not.:)

Hahahaaa! They don't like to be disturbed do they? I can visualize that "what the heck" look. :)

Tracy:
Wishing you luck on your vet visit today and hoping you get some good solid answers to formulate a plan for Woody. He is certainly full of so much personality. Jack Russells are like that they are like little clowns, and when they get you laughing they just love it and keep on doing whatever it is that made you laugh. If I wake Tipper from a deep sleep sometimes she shows her teeth with her lip sticking up. She looks like she is going to tear your hand off, but she is just letting you know she is annoyed. I will anxiously be awaiting the results from your discussion with the vet. Blessings
Patti

Well still no call from hospital and it's almost 2 pm. Woody is very quiet today and hasn't moved off my knee in hours, so unlike him :confused: I called the hospital this morning as we have no power here so I have no landline so have made sure they have my mobile number which they do. The power company has said they hope to have it on by 8 pm tonight better had as my whole house, cooker etc runs on electricity :)