Dear Ragley and Mum,

First, let me say just how sorry we all are to hear of Ragley's diagnosis, and to welcome you to this community that no one really wants to have to join. However, you will find that the site is filled with wonderful people who will share their collective experience base, provide excellent guidance, and be very supportive.

For Miss Cherry, the chemotherapy was worse than the amputation. Her first chemotherapy treatment occurred just hours after her amputation and as these chemicals circulated through her system, she lost all appetite. It was a case of the taste that the chemotherapy left was so bad, that she did not want to take anything. I literally had to stuff about 85% of her caloric in take during her chemotherapy protocol. This also meant that I became very adapt to getting the nutrition into them. First, since Ragley is still drinking, I would suggest that you start using a full nutrition drink like that Ensure. At times, I used the Wal-Mart equivalent. However, many times Cherry found that the taste was too strong, so I had to dilute it into Vinilla flavored Soy Milk. I used the Soy Milk because it does not sour in the stomach like cow's milk. There is the usual chicken broth which will add calories, some nutrition, but also will sooth the stomach if that is the problem. Cherry would eat soda crackers at times which also has a similar effect.

I could post many more suggestions, but I am afraid that these are only treating the symptoms and not the root cause of the loss of appetite. In Cherry's case, even I could taste the horrible chemicals as I kissed her good-night. Thus, I knew that once we made it past the two months of chemotherapy, I was on the down hill. Please keep us all posted on what you learn.

I will close by saying that I have vacationed many times in the Cotswolds and was lucky enough to be able to spend about a month a year working in the UK. I even spent some small time staying at one of the colleges in Oxford where my sister recieved her advanced degree. I always found the scenery beautiful, the people delightful, and the history infective. I just love exploring all the historical sites.

Sending Pawsitive Thoughts and Prayers,

Spirit Cherry's Dad

Welcome to the family. It's times like this we wish our buddies could talk. I would like to think if Ragley had been at the vets they would have been checking for possible infection, but I would think the he/she would be past the point where that would most likely happen. At least your trying to stay on top of the situation, not much to say except hopefully you can get some kind of definite diagnosis. Do you think taking Ragley to a different vet for second opinion might help? Good luck, Paws up, Spirit Gus and Dan