Gina, what a great update from you and the Goo!!! :) :) :)
You two have been such pioneers for all of us...thank you so much!
Please give your baby girl tons of hugs for us, OK??? ;) :p
Marianne
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Gina, what a great update from you and the Goo!!! :) :) :)
You two have been such pioneers for all of us...thank you so much!
Please give your baby girl tons of hugs for us, OK??? ;) :p
Marianne
Hi Gina,
Always great to hear good news from you and the Goo Girl. I do remember it was a rough road for a while. Glad she is doing well and enjoying life. :)
Hi Everyone....
Just got an e-mail from Dr. Bruyette reminding me that next year will be the one year anniversary since Lucy's surgery! Yikes! I can't believe it's been that long! We have to go in Monday for her tests and he wants to do another MRI....keeping my fingers crossed that all is still well.
Lucy's doing pretty good...definitely getting older and has good days and bad, so I'm looking into getting something stronger for her arthritis. She's taking Carprofen, but doesn't seem to do much any more. I'll post again after Monday when we get results:)
Hope all is well with you all...
Gina and Lucy
Correction! Not next year, next week will be 1-year anniversary....DUH!
Gina
Hi Gina,
Wow, it's so great to hear from you and weird too because I was just thinking of you and the Goo Girl this week. Glad to hear she is doing well and keeping everything crossed that she passes her 1 year check up with flying colors.
RE: The arthritis, our Mickee is 30 lb, 15 year old and we put him on Adequan a few months ago. He is doing really good, the Adequan really helped him. 1 shot a week for a month then once a month thereafter. Some dogs have to go every 3 weeks and some go about 6 weeks between shots. 4 weeks for Mickee is about right for him. Hope you find something that works for our Lucy Goo.
So good to hear from you :D:D:D:D:D:D and give her a big hug from me.
Hi John!
So good to hear from you too!:) And I'm so glad you responded, because I have a grooming question for ya...lol. Lucy is a shepherd mix, probably with some lab and rhodesian ridgeback, so she has that werid excess hair around her butt. As of late she tends accumulate dried poop there. Is there a quick fix trick that I can use to get rid of it, short of a full bath? Sometimes I'm not quick enough with the baby wipes.
Also, thanks for the Adequan info....I think we're going to insist on that, as I've heard nothing but good things about it. I just dread having to bring her in every month or so.
Thanks again:)
Gina and Goo
Weird excess hair, well I do butt cheeks for many dogs. Using a pair of curved shears and shape it so it looks like butt cheeks. My customers laugh but love it and always ask me to do it again. I would have to see it but many times do what called a feet, face and fanny (sanitary) and we use a 10 blade to shave around the anus and make what we call a potty path. (techinical groomer talk lol) trimming the hair so the poop doesn't catch on it.Quote:
Originally Posted by lucygoo
Some how we always get around to talking about poop around here. ;)
Regarding the Adequan, Some vets will let you inject it yourself if your willing. Each shot cost me $35.00. It doesn't work for all dogs but when it works, it wonderful. Love seeing Mickee trotting around without much of a limp. You won't notice a change for a few weeks as it has an accumulative effect or action. Hope it works for the Goo Girl.
Hi John...
I love the butt cheeks description! I wish you lived around here! We'd be in all the time:) It was never a problem with the poop in the hair until recently...I think because she's getting so old when she does poop it comes on suddenly, and she just sort of poops where she stands. That's what she does when I take her out too....I don't even call it going for a walk anymore. I just say..."Wanna go out for a stand?" :)
And sorry I used "poop" so many times in this post! I just said it again!;)
Gina and Goo
Hi Gina!
It is always so good to hear from you and the Goo! I just can't believe it either, that next week marks Lucy's one year anniversary! So very happy that she is doing well, and keeping everything crossed here for Lucy for her tests, which I am sure she will ace! :)
Please do let us know how everything turns out, and again it is so nice to hear from you! Give Lucy some hugs from Harley and me.
Love and hugs,
Lori
Hi Gina,
It is wonderful to hear that Lucy is doing so well. What a trooper she is! Hey, she's earned her spurs, she deserves to hang loose and take things smooth and easy.
Ken
Hi everyone...
And hi Lori and Ken! So good to hear from you guys, and thanks for the well wishes.
Lucy had her MRI yesterday and I'm happy to report there's nothing there:) Dr. Bruyette said there's no chance of her getting a tumor recur now, as it's been a year. There is, however, a slight chance of her developing cushings again, since the pituitary gland does try to regrow. He doesn't think it will happen, but wants to continue keeping an eye on her. He's reduced her thyroid dose in half, so we'll see what happens with that. Still waiting on her urine and blood work.
Hi Gina,
So happy to hear the good no, GREAT news. :D:D:D:D:D I hope she still enjoys going out for a stand :p:):D
Hi Gina,
Fantastic news on the Goo!! :D:D:D:D:D Excellent! Hugs and scratchies from us here,
Jane, Franklin and Bailey xxx
________
KIDNEY DISORDERS FORUMS
Whooooopppppeeeeeee! Love good news! Sue
You have an amazing story Lucy! Congratulations!
Love and hugs,
Hi guys....
It's been so long I couldn't find my thread...had to search for it!
Anyway, Lucy's doing okay, but has had a lump on her side for years that suddenly got huge. They took a biopsy and Dr. Bruyette called and told me it's a mast cell tumor; he wants to remove it Tuesday. He said so far the pathologist thinks it's benign. She also developed a bacterial skin infection, so I'm wondering if they're related. Does anyone have any experience with these tumors? I'm worried that it's gone too far and is affecting her appetite, which means it's in her bloodstream?
Thanks,
Gina and Lucy
Hi Gina,
So good to hear from you, but so sorry that it's in relation to Lucy's issues! I really don't have the knowledge to speak to the bacterial infection, but my guess would be that it is unrelated to the mast cell tumor.
However, I can share my mast cell tumor experience with my Cushpup, Barkis. One of the hallmarks of these tumors is that they can change in size dramatically -- both upward and downward -- in the drop of the hat. In their case, I don't think the size correlates with the "seriousness" of the tumor itself. They are one of the most common types of tumors in dogs, and are graded by pathologists from being benign to being more seriously malignant. If Dr. Bruyette is reporting that the initial pathology of the tumor seems to be benign, I think that is very good news.
Barkis' tumor showed up as a lump on his flank. In his case, the tumor did not change too much in size, but after watching and worrying for a month, I took him in to the vet. The tumor was excised with pretty wide margins, and we were relieved that the pathology came back as "Grade 1," which was the least serious class. He never did have a recurrence or any associated problems, so that was the end of the story as far as we were concerned.
Once again, since the initial pathology is positive for Lucy, I have every reason to believe that she will have the same outcome. But I know it is very worrisome in the meantime. Please give her some big hugs and pats for me, and definitely keep us updated, OK?
Marianne
Hi Marianne...
Thank you! That makes me feel better. She's hardly eating anything now except treats, hot dogs and chicken, and doesn't touch those until late afternoon, evening. Dr. Bruyette said sometimes they can cause stomach issues/ulcer. I've been giving her pepcid, since she's not only taking prednisone and thyroid but now she's on an antibiotic as well. They think the skin infection is due to the prednisone use, possibly. I hate to put her through another surgery but this doesn't seem like that big of a deal? But the tumor at least tripled in size seemingly overnight, which worries me; and, of course, reading about mast cells on-line isn't helping either! Now I feel guilty for not getting this addressed earlier.
Gina, truly I don't think the sudden increase in size is "sinister" in the case of mast cell tumors -- they are unusual in that way. I used to be able to recite "chapter and verse" about them, because I also read everything I could get my hands on at the time that Barkis was diagnosed. Unfortunately, I've forgotten some of the specifics. But it sounds as though Lucy's tumor is a cutaneous tumor as was Barkis' (in the skin layer rather than in an organ or buried in the body). Since it WAS so readily accessible, the surgery was basically a breeze (other than him trying to lick the incision afterwards, of course! :().
Marianne
Okay, I gave Lucy her antibiotic about an hour ago with Pepcid. She's taking Cephalexin (750 mg twice a day). She just woke me up and went outside and vomited, came back in and drank water. I'm starting to get paranoid now and feel like I should stay up and watch her. Anybody on that has any advice? Thanks
How long has she been on Cephalexin? Has she had it before and if so, did it cause any problems then? Cephalexin can definitely cause some GI upset in some individuals (humans and dogs) - although usually it doesn't.
Alison
Hi Allison....I just started her on it yesterday morning. I don't remember her ever being on it before. I'm wondering if I should give her her morning dose or hold off until I e-mail the doctor. Her appetite hasn't been good for a couple weeks, and I think it's because of the mast cell tumor causing stomach upset. I'm sure the antibiotic isn't helping either. Maybe I should time it better with the Pepcid, like give it to her an hour before anything else?
I suspect the worst thing that could happen is that she will throw up the dose if you give it to her - although there isn't much use in giving a medication if it isn't going to stay down - and it is unpleasant for all concerned too. Probably a good idea to make sure her pred has gone down and hopefully been absorbed before risking making her throw up though. How soon can you get in touch with the vet?
The mast cell tumor could be upsetting her - but the Pepcid should be helping with that because it is an H2 receptor antagonist which should help with stomach problems caused by histamine overproduction (as you probably know, mast cell tumors produce histamine). Did the tumor react (get big and puffy) in response to being biopsied?
Alison
FWIW, Harley was put on Cephalexin a month or so ago, after one day of taking this antibiotic he became nauseated and didn't want to eat. Maybe ask about giving her reglan for her tummy with the pepcid, when Harley's tummy was giving him problems these two meds given together really seemed to help calm his tummy and then he would eat something.
Big hugs to you and Lucy, and I will be watching for your updates.
Love and more hugs,
Lori
Hi Alison and Lori..
I will ask about the Reglan, thanks. She seems okay this morning, but since she doesn't eat anything in the morning, I gave her the pepcid and pred first, then I'll wait about an hour before giving her the antibiotic. The tumor got a little irritated after the biopsy, but it was already big and puffy.
Thanks guys:)
Hi sweetie,
Just popping in to add my healing thoughts and prayers to the list for you and Lucygoo. You are both so special to us.
Let us know how things are going!
Hugs,
Leslie and the girls - always
Thanks Leslie...
Just a quick note to let you all know that Lucy went through the surgery fine, but now she has a giant incision on her side, is on a Fentanyl patch and tramadol. I'm taking off today and tomorrow to keep an eye on her. The ride home was awful. She kept crying and whimpering and trying to get out of the car. I'm assuming that's the fentanyl. Poor girl has been through so much. Will keep you posted:)
Gina and Lucy
Oh Gina, thanks so much for the update. I'm so sorry that Lucy is hurting. I know how hard that is on you, too. But hopefully the medication will soon start to take over and give her some relief. All fingers crossed that the pathology will come out "negative," and that The Goo can just heal up quickly and get back to being her normal self!!
Big hugs to you both,
Marianne
Hi Gina,
So glad to hear that Lucy is came thru the surgery fine and is home again. Squirt had a Fentanyl patch, too, and it kept her pain under control...and her basically knocked out the first day and a half! She would go pee and get up to eat or drink, but otherwise she was out! It's a fairly potent drug so Lucy may have some strange reactions but hopefully she will settle down and sleep once she is back in familiar surroundings.
Hope her recovery is uneventful and speedy, and that the path report is negative!
Hugs,
Leslie and the girls - always
Gina, be careful about the tramadol. Both Kim's Annie & my Chewy have had serious problems with tramadol. Chewy tore up his knee on Monday night, the ER clinic sent me home with tramadol, told me I could give him one about 10PM which I did. I assumed the reaction I saw was pain as he was whimpering, whining, panting, couldn't get comfortable to go to sleep. I don't know how long it was before he crashed. After talking to the surgeon who works in the clinic where the ER is located, she told me that some dogs can have a reaction like this to narcotic pain medication including tramadol, & that it's extremely difficult to tell whether their response is due to pain or the medication. We stopped the tramadol, moved Chewy to Rimadyl, & there has been no further problem. I really think he did have a reaction to the tramadol.
Debbie
Hi Debbie...
Wow, do you think I should hold off on the tramadol for tonight then? They told me to give her one about 9 tonight, but it makes me a little nervous with her being on the fentanyl patch. I know I've given her tramadol once or twice before with no real effects, besides knocking her out. She's acting weird now; lies down for a little bit and whimpers, then gets up and drinks water, lies back down and whimpers, like she's agitated but sedated at the same time.
I know that fentanyl is a pretty strong narcotic, this is why I was kind of concerned that you had been given both for the Goo girl. I can't advice you to not give the tramadol, need to check with Lucy's vet. What Kim ended up doing with Annie was cutting the suggested dose by 1/2 which worked just fine.
What happened with Chew was he had been given morphine at the ER, they told me to give a full tramadol tablet at 10 PM & that's when the problems started. He has not had one since Monday night, only the rimadyl & he shows no signs of what was going on Monday night.
Debbie
Hi guys....
Lucy has recovered completely from her surgery, and is doing well. She had two weird days after the surgery, but as soon as I took off the fentanyl patch she was back to normal. They took out her stitches yesterday. Looks like they got all the tumor out, and it's a grade 2, meaning that we don't have to do anything more but just keep an eye out for more tumors popping up. I'm so glad because I didn't want to put her through radiation or chemo. Dr. B called her a "tough broad,".....my Goo:)
Love to all,
Gina and Lucy
This is great news, Gina! I had a feeling it was the drugs that were weirding the Goo girl out. Chewy had his knee surgery last week. I insisted on no tramadol. They used an alternate pain, sent me home with the alternate, & the Chew man has had no problems.
Debbie
Hi Debbie...
Thanks:) About the tramadol, I confirmed if she could have it with the fentanyl and was told that she could, so for the first few days she was on 50 mg every eight hours. The first day she seemed restless as well as sedated, but then was fine after that. I think some dogs do have an intolerance to it, but I did some reading and for many dogs the side effects go away after a day or two. Of course I was watching her like a hawk for the first 2 days, too.
I forgot to mention what Lucy looks like now. I wish I had a decent digital camera. She still hasn't really grown back her hair around her neck and sides from the original ultrasound and surgery; now she has a whole new giant shaved area with an 8 inch incision scar....she kind of looks like a science project gone awry, but I think it makes her look even cuter...LOL! I don't care if she ever grows it back, it doesn't bother her, so who cares. It's just funny the double take looks I get from people.:)
Hi Gina,
Good to hear the Goo Girl is doing well. :):D:):D:D:D
Hey Gina,
Always good to hear about Lucy Goo! I am glad she is doing will with her recent surgery even if she may look at bit like Frankenstein' bride. I think she's adorable period! ;)
Hugs,
Leslie and the girls - always
all good news!
Jeff
Yes, more good news, we love good news about our pups!!!!!!!
Keep up the good work:)
Addy
Hi all...
Hope all is well with everyone...Just a quick note to let you know that Lucy is going to be a superstar!:eek: Cedars did a press release and I've already been contacted by a reporter...possible TV news appearances coming up:eek: Going to try to post the link to Cedars press release, but keep in mind I'm computer illiterate...will keep you posted on what's happening.
Gina and Goo
https://www.cedars-sinai.edu/About-U...hance-Too.aspx