Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Rio has recently developed some abdominal swelling. It seems very similar to the seroma she had following her surgery (minus the bruising) -- the skin is very loose and flabby, fluid-filled, but with no fever associated with the tissues. When I run my hand over her stomach, the skin feels puffy but her tummy doesn't feel bloated like it did when she was having the most trouble with her Cushings. She's also got similar swelling around her private areas as well. Is this normal in a dog whose lymph nodes are tumorous? Or is this more related to splenic involvement? Is this something that can be treated with hot/cold packs or should I be making an appointment with her oncologist or regular vet? Any thoughts???
(I searched for answers from previous situations, but none of the descriptions seem to match what I'm seeing with Rio.)
Micki
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~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
Oh Rio!
You know I don't know. And I can't think of anyone having it before here. Hopefully Pam will help out.
Not to scare you, but if her gums are grey or pale, rush her to the vet.
Sending good thoughts.
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
I'm not sure what this means but just want to send healing thoughts your way!
Hugs & wags
Joanne & lylee
http://lyleegir.....ipawds.com
No pale gums... I read that, too. No problems with appetite, pooping, peeing, either...
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~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
could it be a side effect of any meds she is on? Sorry I have no answers...
Coopsdad/ Kenneth Blackburn
http://cooper.t.....ipawds.com
the monkeydogs only THINK they have invaded the tripawd state
we dealt with lymph tumors, and with gayle, they were very firm and down her neck. they were not 'squishy' but did grow extremely fast once established. but, we had a different type of cancer and maybe that's why. sending out best 'et juju' to the woo, hoping you get an 'easy answer' for a change, as you are due that for sure. hugs.
charon & spirit gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
Max had fluid retention around his lungs; this was caused by the mets in his lungs, sort of a "by-product" of the mets I guess. I never felt around his lungs during this time (as he was having slight difficulty breathing), but we noticed his chest seemed to be more pronounced than before.
I hope this is nothing major for The Woo, and that she'll get through this easily.
This sounds like edema and I have seen it sometimes with dogs with mast cell tumors. If you touch the area does it leave a fingerprint? If so that is called pitting edema. If it is not bad it does not always require treatment but I have had to give some dogs prednisone and/or Lasix (a diuretic). I know that Rio is sensitive to prednisone so that might not be a great option for her. Edema can eventually involve legs, belly, neck, and genital areas.
Other causes of edema other than cancer include heart disease and low protein levels in the blood. It is not painful unless the limbs become excessively swollen.
Pam
Thanks, Dr. Pam,
No fingerprints left behind... So far, it's just a small area on her belly and around her behind. I feel like I'm bugging the crap out of my regular vet these days (the Monkeygirl monsters have been particularly inventive with their attention-grabbing methods lately), so I thought I'd get some answers here instead of pestering her yet again...
Would there be any benefit to the contrast therapy? Or does that only work on seromas and bruise-types of swelling?
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~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
Micki, I don't want to scare you because I'm sure there are a lot of reasons for edema (like Pam said) but edema was about the only indication we had that Tate's cancer had spread into his abdomen. That, and excessive thirst/peeing. I'll sleep a lot better if I knew you were taking the Woo in for a check-up.
I have some diuretic pills left over that I can send to you if you want, let me know.
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
Good thoughts coming your way - we hope Rio girl is ok - you too! We know how much you've been through! Hang in! Xoxo Sue
Worried about the Woo!
Please keep us posted on her health!
Sending our Feb Furball Princess and her mama our love and good thoughts!
tatespeeps said:
Micki, I don't want to scare you because I'm sure there are a lot of reasons for edema (like Pam said) but edema was about the only indication we had that Tate's cancer had spread into his abdomen.
Jan, I'm not scared... Rio's cancer is most likely the cause. She's had her mets now since this summer, and I know that they are progressing. I can feel the tumor in/on her lymph node when I pet her tummy, and it's definitely getting larger. I'm guessing the swelling in her spleen has gotten more pronounced as well, but I'm not exactly sure what a normal spleen feels like or even where it is, so I can't say for certain. However, she continues to be her usual happy self and doesn't seem to be in any pain or distress. I was mostly asking because her tummy has gotten floppy and I worried that it might get in the way of her getting around as quickly as she likes.
Try not to worry about us... 🙂 Our time is coming eventually, but we've had a better run at this cancer sh*t than so many of our friends have. And in the meantime, Rio is still my little Ultimate Fighter, and she continues to flip the bird at cancer (and thinks you all should, too)!
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~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
ooookaaaaay...if you're not scared then I won't be either. Oh, Woo. I know Tate is anxious to meet you but we need you here for awhile longer, okay?
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
She is totally the Ultimate Fighter. I would love to see Rio in a cage match versus cancer. Cancer's a fricking coward. It would wet itself and cry uncle as soon as Rio looked at it angry.
Glad she is still happy. That is the most important thing. 🙂
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
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