So glad that Dakota's lump was a lipoma. I haven't been active on the site for very long — what caused Dakota Dawg to become a tripawd?

We used to worry when Sammy went through occasional bouts of being not hungry. Sometimes after trips to the V-E-T, especially for blood work and chemo at U of I, he was plain old tired and wanted his humans to dance attendance. Perhaps Dakota is pulling that scam? One thing that used to pique his hunger was a little bacon in his green beans. It may not have been the best thing for him, but I figured it was better than him not eating anything at all. And, sometimes, just eating SOMETHING made him hungry for ANYTHING else. It seemed to remind him that, yes, maybe he was a little hungry after-all!

Dakota is adorable and his pictures always make me smile. Here's hoping your news about the blood work is good news …

— Beth and Spirit Smilin' Sammy

We got so busy I didn't post last night, but the V-E-T did call because the blood work came back right away and everything was fine. Dr. Russell wanted to make sure I had the news so I didn't worry over the weekend. When he had his dental done over the summer, he had a blood panel done and one liver enzyme was slightly elevated. Now it's normal. And his thyroid was the tiniest bit low, but as was pointed out, thyroid levels flucutate over the day so getting a tiny low reading is rather meaningless. Dr. R didn't think it was anything to follow up on. So overall, D seems ok. 

I gave him some canned food with his dry today and he definitely perked up. Tonight he ate all but about 6 pieces of his dry food so I think he's just bored and tired of the same-old same-old. 

Beth, Dakota had a soft tissue sarcoma but not osteosarcoma. He is approaching one year of being a tripawd. The tumor on his leg took up most of the space between wrist and elbow (whatever you call those in a dog) and there would have been no skin left to close him up so the leg had to go.

Thank you all for your kind words, well wishes and naked moonlight dances. We all know those have a high success rate at keeping bad news at bay. Dance on!

Shari

Shari,

Sooo glad to hear the bloodwork was boring!  Has your vet checked for Pancreatitis?  Apparently that does not show up on a normal CBC – they have to take a little extra blood and do a special test (I think it cost us about $38).  Zeus was a bit off his food back in July when we thought he still had a tendon injury.  The doc suggested the Pan. test and it came back positive.  Since we caught it very early, with a few days of Cerena he was back to his piggy self.  Over the last couple of weeks Zeus has again been a little off.  He will eat, just not very excited about it.  Knowing his history of Pancreatitis, and especially since we have switched his diet, I specifically asked for the test last Friday.  It again came back positive and he is on meds.  Might we worth asking about for Dakota?

BTW, you guys have to stop with the naked moonlight dance talk.  My husband is convinced I NEED to try that – "for Zeus' sake, of course." 

Just to let you all know the canned food seems to be motivating Dakota to haul his butt up and stand to eat. The V-E-T called last night to check on him and said maybe it's just his age catching up with him. He offered to add Tramadol or Gabapentin to his Rimadyl if I think Dakota's in pain, but I don't think he is. He is handling the stairs fine, no hesitation or stumbling. Better than I expected he would, actually. I figure the stairs are a good way to judge. But here's the proof the canned food at least is working:

Nice to see Dakota chowing down; he looks like he's licking the bowl clean 

Good to see you eating your dinner, Mr. Stop making your mom have more grey hairs…

Shari, I'm so happy the D-Dawg's bloodwork was good… we're breathing a sigh of relief for you

Rio's momma