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Frankie has train to be Merry Myrtle's "Seeing Eye Dog". Bummer
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Michigan


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28 August 2018 - 4:16 pm
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The last time I was looking into this I saw the eye removal and didn't want to bring that up until the eye doc brought it up and it was time to discuss it. One of my first questions would be is that where we are headed no matter what? Can the injections control the pain for the rest of Myrtle's life? She is so young. I don't want to see you put money into injections and still have to do more later unless that is the only choice you have and you know you are making it and aware more may need to be done in the future.

Removing the eyes is the way to give Myrtle her life back she will be pain-free and remember she can't see now and sadly she will not regain that sight the eyes are painful to her. I know you will get thru this with Myrtle and Frankie and you will get back to a quality of life with them both. So sorry Sally enough already!

A couple of links might be helpful I found this am and did not have time to post. If you have seen disregard, please

This one explains the options you have
https://www.vis.....inful-eyes

http://animaley...../glaucoma/

Lots of loveheartheartheart



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28 August 2018 - 5:12 pm
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Sally, sweetheart 💗

I agree with everybody, especially after having read the links Holly posted (thank you!) 

I also agree with Jackie’s suggestion of letting us all help.

It seems the “ideal” scenario would be to have an artificial eye inserted so you’d see no difference in Myrtle’s expression. 

Cost wise it seems surgery could be less expensive than the injections so maybe you could check into that?

I never thought sweet Myrtle could be in pain, that could explain the lack of her using her other senses at it were.

Having a constant migraine can certainly be overwhelming hence the “not listening” or “not smelling” as before, right?

Sending you a super tight hug and million cuddles to your sweet girl and boy 😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹

Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-) 

Virginia







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20 September 2018 - 12:31 pm
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Thank you everyone  AGAIN for the support, the insight and for the great links!❤

I'm  still grappling  with the best course of action for my Merry Myrtle and how I can make that happen. Probably, the "amputation of those bum eyes" is what would be the best for her.    One surgery, pain permently removed after recovery.  Checking prices  as well as capabilities from my regular Vet, and a low cost Clinic in the area.  The Eye Specialist  Myrtle is seeing (okay, "visiting", not seeing) is the one obviously who has a vast amount of experience  and knowledge with this procedure.  

And yes, I prefer to "reframe" her situation  as an "amputation  of those painful eyes" as opposed to removing  her eyeballs!  It sounds more familiar and less scary!

In the meantime,  here are a few tutorial  videos on how to make your blind dog fat!  It is my HOPE that, once the pain is removed,  she will get her sparkle back and her hearing and sense of smell will come back to the forefront.  Right now food is what makes her wag🍔🍟🍨🥓🍗🥩🍕   I can relate!!!😂🤣😂

  

Notice how the Clerk holds her left hand as she realizes  it full of slobber.  Her ha d ie saying "EEWWEE"

Turn up the volume so you can hear her slurping! Beautiful  music to my ears!  Anyvody know how ro make this in slow motion with the sound??

LOVE TO ALL❤💙💜💙🧡💛❤💗💛💙🧡💚💜

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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20 September 2018 - 12:48 pm
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I'm just now catching up. But, as always, it sounds like you're on top of everything, Sally. 

I'll have to talk with my dad to find out exactly what was done, but for his dog Ripple, they had some sort of injection done to get rid of the pressure and pain. Of course, it also means he's permanently blind in that eye. I'm guessing it's the same procedure you mentioned for Myrtle. I'm not sure why my dad opted for that over the "eye amputation" other than Ripple still has his eye, even if it's just there cosmetically.

Hoping for the best for you and Myrtle and Frankie. I know whatever you decide to do will be the best decision. 

David and Rocky (and Baxter now too!)

Rocky had his right front leg amputated on Valentine's Day 2017 after being diagnosed with osteosarcoma.

He joined the September Saints on September 3, 2017.

He is the toughest, bravest, sweetest and best friend I'll ever know. 

Virginia







Member Since:
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20 September 2018 - 1:33 pm
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Oh tha ks David!  I would be very interested  in hearing what your Dad has to say.  The pros of the injection  are waaaay less expensive AND it's light sedation and quick,  The other is far more cost, heavy anesthesia and anxtual "surgery".  Concerns about the injection taking away pain permently and "possibi" of glaucoma  coming back...possibly?  

How did your Dad find the recov yo ve? Did Ripple have to wear a cone?  Were pain meds, ,lots pf check ups required  after injection?  Just trying  to get the perspective  from some who has seen the results.  

Thank you BERY, VERY MICH MUCH !!

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!

Livermore, CA




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20 September 2018 - 2:23 pm
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And yes, I prefer to “reframe” her situation as an “amputation of those painful eyes” as opposed to removing her eyeballs! It sounds more familiar and less scary!

Like so many things that happen here...this has got to be the only place where we would consider amputation less scary than anything big-grin

I have nothing technical to contribute but please know Sally that I think about you and your pack every day!

Karen

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

Michigan


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20 September 2018 - 2:50 pm
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benny55 said

Turn up the volume so you can hear her slurping! Beautiful  music to my ears!  Anyvody know how ro make this in slow motion with the sound??

I reduced the background noise Sally and slowed to 50% it got the best slurping audio😘

Sally, I believe this will show you Mytrle does have her sparkle in this video! Just saying she does!

What did the eye specialist think was the best option for Myrtle?

Whatever you decide you know we will all support you.
Lots of love
❤️❤️❤️

Member Since:
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20 September 2018 - 3:05 pm
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I’ll talk with my dad tonight and then post about how Ripple’s procedure went. 

David and Rocky (and Baxter now too!)

Rocky had his right front leg amputated on Valentine's Day 2017 after being diagnosed with osteosarcoma.

He joined the September Saints on September 3, 2017.

He is the toughest, bravest, sweetest and best friend I'll ever know. 





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20 September 2018 - 3:18 pm
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Awww Merry Myrtle.  We sure do love you and you do enjoy your Petco trips and Puppy Latte.   Sally you know we are all 100% behind whatever you decide to do and Myrtle is your love bug.  She knows that you will take care of her forever.

xoxoxo

Michelle & Angel Sassy

sassymichelle-sm.jpg

Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013

05/04/2006 -  Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19  fought cancer for 4 months.

"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."

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20 September 2018 - 7:38 pm
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Looks like Holly got your video spot onclapway to go Holly! 

The biggest difference between the procedures is that once the amputation takes place the pain and pressure is gone for good. There is a possibility of pressure building again with the injection and follow up therapy possibly leading to the amputation anyways. 

Less chance of complications with removal. Eyes are sterilized, sealed shut, no necrotic tissue, no bacteria, it's just done. 

I have to wonder also if removing the problem will help enhance her other senses. Without other chemicals to hinder her, as well as the pressure being relieved, her sense of smell may go back to normal which would greatly help her mobility. I have not researched this. It's just my mind pondering all the possibilities and end results. Would love input from Dr. Pam about these possibilities. 

Sally, you know you have 100% support from all of us, and i know this is just gut wrenching. 

If there's anything i can do, research, help with, you have my number. Any time, always.

❤️❤️❤️

Hugs,

Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry

Huckleberry's Blog

Virginia







Member Since:
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20 September 2018 - 10:02 pm
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OOOOOOMMDDDDDD!!!   LMAO AT THE SLOOOOOW MO!!!!😂🤣😂🤣🤣🤣   And the slurping sounds...  OMD!!!    Yes indeedy, that is one happy blind dog!!!!!   And it made me happy too!!!  THANK YOU HOLLY❤❤

And Jackie, you were right there with Holly  ready to make this a slo--mo sensation!! Thanks fot uour email to offer to try and do it!  And I really, really value your insight (inSIGHT😁😁) and for sharing  your knowledge  with me on this.

I have emailed the Eye Doc with very, very, very  specific  questions, as our next appointment  isn't  until mid October.  And I did include  questions about her senses improving (I think you or Holly had mentioned  that vefore)

And yes my dear Michelle,  I know you and my beloved tripawd  family are  ALWAYS  with us, and that makes all the difference  in the world to us!!!!❤

And Karen LMAO again!  Great observation!

           this has got to be the only place where we would consider amputation less scary than anything big-grin 

     

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







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20 September 2018 - 10:19 pm
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And PS...  Holly, tha k yiu alao fot uour earlier post about options.  Your input and links helped me formulate  my questions to the Eye Doctor......ans well as Jackie 's input!! Thank you BOTH!❤❤❤

And DAVID, that was sooooo kind of your Dad to take time to share his experience  with Ripple!!! It was very,very informative and so very kind of you both!!!.❤❤❤

Because  I know Dr Pam's dog is having  some "issues", as well as this may ve helpful to anyone  facing  this in the future, I'm  posting his experience  here.  It gave me another question for the Eye Doc.  I have an AWFUL time getting Myrtle to hold that big head still for drops, close to jmpossible!!  .  So that would be something nfor me to consider.     And my regular Bet said basically the same thing....she could do the "eye ampu9" but would not be the one to do the injection.

Sending best wishes to your Ripple!

Our experience with Ripple was that it was a pretty fast onset in his left eye. By the time it was diagnosed and we got him to a veterinary ophthalmologist (less than 4 days total), the pressure had already destroyed the optic nerve in that eye. The choices we were given were to have the eye chemically injected, which would kill the cells creating the fluid inside the eye, have the eye surgically removed and either have the socket sewn shut or have a prosthetic eye inserted.
After discussion with the Ophthalmologist, we elected the injection. The primary reason was it was less invasive for Ripple. We were told it was a much easier recovery. The injection could not be done by our vet, although he could surgically remove the eye. We used the ophthalmologist who is a 2-hour drive from us. We took him in early am, he was there about 6 hours by the time he was sedated, the injection administered, and recovery.
Its been about 4 years, so memory may be a little fuzzy, but I think he did have pain meds for a week or two. He was to wear a cone for the same period, although he did not seem to need it. We used it, but talked to others in her office who did not with no negative effect. It was cheaper than for her to remove it surgically, not sure what our vet would have charged, but we didn't check.
Everything we were told and could research said the injection was the least problem for Ripple. Since he still had one good eye, we had a lot of checkups to keep tabs on it. Ranged from monthly to quarterly. Again, I believe most of that was driven by keeping track of his good eye.
He is on an eye drop called Tacrolimus for both eyes, we were told it is for tearing. It costs about $50 for a bottle and lasts a little over a month. His bad eye did develop cataracts after the injection which we were told to expect, so the eye does not look normal.
We are now dealing with his good eye as over time it got resistant to the meds. If your friend's dog is sighted in one eye, I can tell here what we are  doing there, too.
Bottom line, I would never tell someone what they should do, that is a decision between them and their vet, but we are very comfortable with the decision we made and do believe it was easier for Ripple than surgical removal.
OS David's Dad the best of whar?????     And his baby boy is a pretty fine fella' 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!





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21 September 2018 - 3:07 pm
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That is so weird because the fistula Medicine for Bosch is Tacrolimus it is a cream and it actually put him in remission.  So he won't have the fistula break outs (for it is for Anal fistualas which can occur in any breed used to be mostly in GSD).  So it must be used for many things in different forms.  I never really researched it.  

I am glad you got some feed back Sally and sent or have questions formulated for the Eye Dr.   Keep us informed. 

xoxoxxoo

Michelle & Angel Sassy

sassymichelle-sm.jpg

Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013

05/04/2006 -  Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19  fought cancer for 4 months.

"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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24 September 2018 - 10:44 pm
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After weighing  all the wonderfully caring  and informative  feedback, checking out links,  googling,  hearing from Rocky and Baxter's Grandpa, and speaking with Dr. Blair today  (Eye Doctor), I've  made a decision.

Oh, and I also tried to discuss things with Merry Myrtle and Frankie.  As you can see, they were bored silly.

2018-02-17-00.43.56.jpgImage Enlarger

 My plan of action to eliminate  Merry Myrtle's increasing pain, is to do the injection that eliminates the fluid in the eyes.  That obviously destroys the eyeball.   I feel like, in my particular  situation , this is the best route.   And yes, the complete eye amputation (phrase for Karen😎) may have a slight edge over this route, nut not enough to make that much difference. .  

Here are the "pluses".

Light sedation as opppsed to heavy anesthesia.   Less time knocked out.  Less risk.  Dr Blair felt like that was a real plus  for her.  He mentioned  several times that this method would be easier in her.

Dr Blair assured  me that, in his experience,  the chance of infection  was very, very rare.   He injects  antibiotics at time of "injection".

Dr Blair said that, in his experience , it was 99% successful and it  was a very, very low chance that the pain would return.  

And, of course, if she fell into that 1% then we could always do the "eye amputation"  (phrase for you Karen)..  Yippee skippee!!

Dr Blair felt very confident  that SPECIFICALLY  this was the way to go for Merry Myrtle .  He said this is the path he would take if Myrtle was his dog.

And yes, the cost is waaay less this way.   Waaay less.   I feel like, regardless  of whether I was a millionaire  or  not, this is the route I would take.  It IS important  to me that this way is light sedation  versus heavy anesthesia and much shorter  procedure  time.

Down side.  I still have to deal with drops on a daily basis. UGH!  And for me, that is a big negative!  But I'll figure  it out.

Will start planning  for making this happen and get this done probably  within the next two months.   

Thank you, each of you, yet again for your unbelievable  support...and for your love too!!💖💖💖

Always wishing for   each of you the very best.....

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!

Virginia







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24 September 2018 - 11:23 pm
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Tee hee....I just found out how to do a "collage" on my bavy tavlet😎😎

20180925_010653.jpgImage Enlarger

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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