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8 yr old Gabbar suspected of Osteogenic Sarcoma. Biopsy pending.
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Member Since:
14 February 2016
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23 October 2016 - 4:30 am
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Wish they could get you in for surgery sooner.  Are there other options which provide a level of care with which you are comfortable?  Perhaps someone else could take him earlier?  Horrible that you are having to manage this much pain at home.

Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016.  Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016.  Lung mets August 25, 2016.  Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016.   Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.  

Wherever they are, they are together.

Member Since:
20 October 2016
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23 October 2016 - 4:40 am
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I don't want to really switch the doctor at this point in time. I would prefer that the vet who diagnosed him correctly, whom we jointly took the call with is the one who is doing the amputation. Even if it means waiting a day or 2 more, I'd prefer it done right, by someone who is fully aware of the history.

I think home is the best place for him. This is where he's most comfortable. I'd rather it be tough on us than on him. I'm trying to at least maintain the illusion that everything is normal, everything is OK. My wife has even called friends home for dinner tonight so he has some human interaction other than us. He loves people. Plus his sister is here by his side all the time.

I'm having a wheelchair delivered this evening so I can easily wheel him out for his pee breaks. Maybe push him around for a nice stroll.

Read about Gabbar's journey from diagnosis to amputation at

http://gabbar.t.....eosarcoma/

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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23 October 2016 - 3:49 pm
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You are an incrediblely proactive advocate for your Gabbar! Goodness knows you are doing EVERYTHING POSSIBLE for him!!

Your love for Gabbar comes shining through!

Soooo glad your were able ro get an anti inflammatory, as well as the Tramadol! I know it felt good to see him get asome little relief, even if it didn't last very long!

What a sweet idea ro have some friends over. I do think it will help Gabbar to have a new focus for awhile. Plus, I'm sure he'll get a few bites of dinner food tossed his way! 🙂

Let us know how it goes.

Hugs to all!

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!

Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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23 October 2016 - 8:21 pm
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ooh poor puppers, I'm sorry he's in such pain. I hope the pain specialist can help make him more comfortable with fentanyl or similar drugs. I agree that if the pain can be managed until his surgery, that sticking with your current vet, who seems really up on things, is wise.

You ARE a great advocate for him, that is so beautiful. And you have a really great attitude that will help tremendously before and after surgery. Your friends are very certain to be good medicine for Gabbar. Keep us posted on how he's doing OK? We all send our best and many hugs to your pack.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
20 October 2016
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24 October 2016 - 3:06 am
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Thanks for all the positive thoughts.

Gabbar had quite an energy boost this morning. Yesterday, the vet added meloxicam to his pain management . I took him for a pee/poop stroll last night, on his human wheelchair . Helped him off it, didn't bother leashing him thinking, "Where's he gonna go?" He looked in all directions, and then started running. Had to go catch him and make him pee. Then he stood around, jetted again. Caught hold of him, put him back on the wheelchair , and he had a decent sleep.

He woke up this morning quite perky, put him on the wheelchair again, took him down. And as we were rolling to his spot, crazy guy just jumped off the wheelchair . Again, had to control him, bring him back.

Then we went to the pain management specialist who gave him a couple of injections, one for the swelling in the leg (Lasix), another for the pain. He has also ordered the Fentanyl patch, so we may put that on him tomorrow. He's quite particular about him getting used to this patch before the surgery.

His antibiotics have been switched from Doxycycline to Clindapet (Clindamycin Hydrochloride), which the doc feels is better in terms of reaching the bone. The lasix relaxes the muscles, and drains fluid from the body, but unfortunately, it also relaxes the urinary muscles. So he drinks a lot of water, and then ended up peeing himself all over his mattress. Gotta go get some doggie diapers urgently because this will be the case till the surgery.

We have also been asked not to give him Meloxicam anymore, and keep it just as an SOS drug. Because when Gabbar's on it, he starts moving around, and he needs to be restrained. Because of swelling, doc is afraid he might fracture the leg.

Eventful Monday morning. Each day we wait for the surgery, feels like a week!

Onwards & upwards!

Read about Gabbar's journey from diagnosis to amputation at

http://gabbar.t.....eosarcoma/

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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24 October 2016 - 8:18 am
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Oh vosh! Tha ks so much for taking the time to update! I, like everyone else here, have been hoping ne would get pass this rough period. Clearly, he has!!

You REALLY have a great Vet team taking care of Gabbar!! It sounds like they are really on topmof everything and prepared for any hurdle they may arise.

We MUST have video of Gabbar in his wheelchair ! If you can make him stay on it long enough without trying to jump out and run a marathon!!

I'm soooo glad Gabbar is feeling better. I know you and your wife are so relieved and, thankful you can get a little sleep!

Yeah, waiting for the surgery to be done a d recovery over with is pretty stressful. Just have fun thinking of different ways to spoil Gabbar in tbe meantime and it will help keep your mind off things!

Hugs to all!

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!

Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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24 October 2016 - 12:02 pm
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oh that crazy doggie! I'm glad he's ok and got additional pain management . I'm glad the surgeon reiterated the risk of fracture right now. It's a bit surprising that he didn't give him the Fentanyl yet, because if any drug gives a knock-out, it's that one.

Keep doing what you're doing, his surgery day will be here before you know it.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
20 October 2016
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24 October 2016 - 12:32 pm
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I've put doggie diapers on him now. But he wants to go out. Doc has asked me to try and avoid it so he doesn't drag his paw outside and cause it to swell more. I'll take him for a short spin tomorrow morning. But relatively speaking, he seems to be comfortable. Hopefully the Lasix brings the swelling down over the night.

Also got a few yoga mats and laid them out on the floor. Great idea. He gets a good grip.

Earlier in the morning during the checkup, the vet was a little concerned by some slowness in the nerve reflexes in the other legs. He wanted to address this and look into this after the surgery.

Gabbar also had a good appetite today. Ate his morning meal of boiled chicken, carrots, and an egg without fuss, without me having to hand feed. In the evening too, he ate well. First i fed him a couple of boiled eggs. Didn't think he'd have the appetite for more. He was still hungry, so i had to wing something. Fed him some steamed rice cakes called idli (clean, steamed, healthy south Indian food). Made a very unusual combo by soaking them in chicken broth. Trust me it's super weird to do that. But he kind of went crazy over it and gobbled it all up too.

He's been telling me in his own ways that if I take his pain away, he's got some major fight in him. He's made me stronger. 2 more full days to get through before the surgery.

Read about Gabbar's journey from diagnosis to amputation at

http://gabbar.t.....eosarcoma/

Livermore, CA




Member Since:
18 October 2009
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24 October 2016 - 12:56 pm
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When Maggie became incontinent I found that puppy pads and human incontinence pads were very useful.  I actually liked the human ones a little better because they came in bigger sizes.  I lined all the dog beds and any furniture she might get on with pads.  Everything made a crinkling noise when I sat down but at least my furniture was protected.

Hang in there, you are doing such a great job taking care of him!

Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls

Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.

1999 to 2010

 

              Maggie's Story                  Amputation and Chemo

Member Since:
27 September 2016
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24 October 2016 - 8:56 pm
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Oh my goodness, what an amazing pawrent you are to Gabbar! You obviously have a good team in place who will keep him comfortable before and after surgery. This pain is like no other. Our oncologist said it's because the bone is literally exploding from the inside. My Fionn is 2.5 weeks post op, but 2-3 days prior to surgery his pain increased and was not as well controlled as it had been. He was taking 150mg tramadol every 6-8 hrs, 400 mg gabapentin and 3.75 meloxicam pre op and still in pain. Trust me, the pain from surgery is NOTHING like it- he will feel SO much better!

You are in the right place to get support and advice. I blogged every day of the first 2 weeks so it would help others know what to expect because it is a process. Not that Fionn's experience is exactly like any other's, but the general advice is the same. http://fionnsjo.....ipawds.com

Glad you got yoga mats. I have a colorful array of various bath mats, rugs and yoga mats covering my hardwood, but the yoga mats are the best. Like you, I had some time to prepare which is a good thing. 

Please keep us up to date on Gabbar's progress. With such an awesome dad to support him, I'm sure he will bounce back before you know it!

Best wishes,

Nancy and Fionnheart

Nancy- mom to the FABULOUS Fionn. He rescued me in 2015 when he was 6. 

Right front leg amputation at age 7 for osteosarcoma 10/6/16. Taken too soon 6/12/17. Read about our journey here:

http://fionnsjo.....pawds.com/

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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56
24 October 2016 - 9:25 pm
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So glad Gabbar is feeling better AND eating some ...er...yummy??..stuff!!

Uesq, Gabbar is letting you know he has no intention of giving up in life! That sweet boy has a lot more spoiling and loving to embrace for a long time!

Higs!

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!

Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!

Member Since:
20 October 2016
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57
24 October 2016 - 9:58 pm
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A little low energy this morning since his Meloxicam was taken away. But it's a good thing so he doesn't start running around. Went for a wheelchair stroll, pooped fine, ate his morning meal without much fuss.

Thankfully, the swelling in the affected leg has come down after the 2 doses of Lasix. Still a bit swollen, but a huge improvement from yesterday.

Here's a tiny video of Gabbar on the wheelchair . Couldn't record while taking him for a stroll since I can't handle the phone and him at the same time. He's a little groggy on the meds.

https://drive.g.....p=drivesdk

Read about Gabbar's journey from diagnosis to amputation at

http://gabbar.t.....eosarcoma/

Member Since:
20 October 2016
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58
24 October 2016 - 10:06 pm
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rmmom said
Oh my goodness, what an amazing pawrent you are to Gabbar! You obviously have a good team in place who will keep him comfortable before and after surgery. This pain is like no other. Our oncologist said it's because the bone is literally exploding from the inside. My Fionn is 2.5 weeks post op, but 2-3 days prior to surgery his pain increased and was not as well controlled as it had been. He was taking 150mg tramadol every 6-8 hrs, 400 mg gabapentin and 3.75 meloxicam pre op and still in pain. Trust me, the pain from surgery is NOTHING like it- he will feel SO much better!

You are in the right place to get support and advice. I blogged every day of the first 2 weeks so it would help others know what to expect because it is a process. Not that Fionn's experience is exactly like any other's, but the general advice is the same. http://fionnsjo.....ipawds.com

Glad you got yoga mats. I have a colorful array of various bath mats, rugs and yoga mats covering my hardwood, but the yoga mats are the best. Like you, I had some time to prepare which is a good thing. 

Please keep us up to date on Gabbar's progress. With such an awesome dad to support him, I'm sure he will bounce back before you know it!

Best wishes,

Nancy and Fionnheart  

Nancy,

Fionn's & your story is so amazing. I was just skimming through your page. It gives me so much strength and hope. Thanks for sharing.

Read about Gabbar's journey from diagnosis to amputation at

http://gabbar.t.....eosarcoma/

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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59
24 October 2016 - 10:16 pm
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NANCY! Having trouble finding a comments section in your blog! Strange, but true! Anyway, EXCELLENT job of chronicling Fionn's journey! EXCELLENT!! Also, don't know why, but I've been missing all of these. Glad you gave the link here. Good job!

GABBAR!! Glad he's eating. Bummer he's not quite as perky since he's been off his Meloxicam. The swelling is going down...that's good!

My stupod connection isn't strong right now so wasn't able to see his wheelchair . I'll come back though!

Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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60
24 October 2016 - 11:24 pm
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Awww....I just now saw the video! So sweet!

Yeah, he looks a liitle druggy, but that didn't stop him from wagging his tail!heart

Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!

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