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Subcutaneous SubQ mets: Tazzie 2
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Oregon
Member Since:
19 September 2009
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20 November 2009 - 8:24 pm
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Hey Tazzie 2 -

Glad to hear the kidney's are good... I was hoping that it would have been all flying colors for you!! You hang tough though. Your still a hero in our eyes. Naughty??? That is always a good thing at this point ain't it... Bright & happy take it!! Living and loving that is all they know and all we can give them.. I wish I had some smart thing to say to bring comfort. Just know we are always thinking of you..

By the way we have been expecting a PM from you to get a Trade card... We have plenty and would love mybig brother to get one!! smiley2

Shilo - oh yeah and Mom too!!

Shilo diagnosed with osteosarcoma 9/4/2009, amputation 9/9/2009. ShiloAnne lost her battle 11/23/2009 where she regained her fourth leg and is patiently waiting for her parents to join her. We will always love you baby girl.

Winnipeg
Member Since:
13 July 2009
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20 November 2009 - 8:42 pm
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Shilo - thanks for the good thoughts. Tazzie seemed to take the news better than I did. Thank dogness for the dogs to remind us what matters. We just went to the park. I was starting to assume he wouldn't want to go far. But he did. Then when we started to hop back, he got into his crazed-wolf mode, circling, running out a distance and then tearing back, turning on a dime and leaping as if to take down his prey (me), not for the faint-hearted. Wish I had it on video but it is always dark when he does it. Maybe a bit of tramadol at night is a good thing.

We are supposed to have a few more days of unseasonably warm weather (it has been one month now), so maybe I'll ignore the enormous pile of work and take him back to the beach tomorrow. 

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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20 November 2009 - 9:35 pm
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Tazzie said:

perky enough to be naughty (this week it was an empty - but small - bag of Hershey kisses and a pizza container that I found on the living room floor).


Tazzie, you are one baaaaaaaaad kid! You crack us up. Keep on keepin' on my friend, you're one Tripawd rock star!

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

Kirkland, WA
Member Since:
2 June 2009
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20 November 2009 - 11:01 pm
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Have you considered having the lump removed?  we once had a cocker spaniel that would get tumors in his ear canals and we had them removed 3-4 times before it started growing faster than it could heal.  It's an option!!!  Glad he's feeling so good, although after his run in with the chocolate and the pizza, I don't envey his intestines one bit...

Winnipeg
Member Since:
13 July 2009
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21 November 2009 - 9:09 am
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Hi Jackers

I don't think removal is an option. We took it out earlier, which was about 8 weeks ago. We could feel it and other lumps about 2" apart (which are now melded into one big lump) growing back by the time that the stitches were removed, so just as fast as the recovery period. It was anchored in the muscle then and probably is entrenched in a broad area (~5" wide) of muscle now. So to cut it out could do real damage (this is all my speculation). On the other hand, I have wondered - if we were to cut it out - whether it might grow back more slowly now that his has been on metronomics for a while. This would require an oncologist's and board-certified surgeon's opinion, and such people are not found in this town. Once classes end in two weeks, maybe I'll drive him to the nearest specialist center (Minnesota or Calgary or maybe Saskatoon) if my vet thinks there is a point in doing that. Those places also have access to radiation in case they want to use that to relieve pain, although that idea scares me.

I thought I saw squiggly wormy things in his poo yesterday which is weird since he took heart worm medicine the last two months. In the middle of the night, I realized it might be the little ties to the hershey kisses. I'm more worried about the foil than the little bit of real chocolate in those things, but hadn't thought about this potential worry until last night. We had finished the pizza so it was just a smelly box, resulting in only a little deviation from his 'low-carb or sugar' diet, probably a lot of short-term "I am so clever" satisfaction, and then the inevitable guilty crouch when I held up the box and said "what is this?"

Member Since:
20 May 2009
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21 November 2009 - 1:16 pm
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Tazzie,

When will those people learn there are no bad doggies?  There are only Mommies' not clever enough to hide Hershey Kisses and Pizza boxes where we can't find them!  When will those people learn that we are smarter than they are?

Angel Emily

P.S.  Don't tell my Mom I said that.

Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.

Winnipeg
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13 July 2009
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21 November 2009 - 1:27 pm
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Angel Emily

Definitely you are right about the stupid humans, at least my mum. Last week, she used Hershey kisses in a lab for a class (it was supposed to be dinosaur scat in an outdoor radio-tracking lab - the students find the dino or a mammal and they also find some scat) and did not even know the leftovers were in a box on the dining room table in the house! Stupid mom! Goodies like pizza boxes can sometimes be found in the recycling container, in case you want a tip on where to look. I sure wishes she would forget to hide the trash can some day so I could get a really big meal. (We used to have a door knob that I could open easily with my nose to get to the trash or outside, but she had them all replaced and I can't turn the new knobs, darn.) I only get about 10 meals per day. A good dog could starve to death around here!

Tazzie

krun15
23
21 November 2009 - 3:44 pm
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Hey Tazzie,
I think one of Maggie's saddest days was when our city changed from using crates to collect recycling to big rolling bins. One of Mag's favorite things to do at my parents house was to get into the garage and rummage for treasures in the recycle crate. Even at her size she could get into it (she is a pug). The best scores were the cardboard from frozen pizzas or the crushed milk containers. And you can't forget the toilet paper tubes. No food scents but really fun to run with then rip into soggy little pieces:smiley15
I think my mom was enabling her though- she could have put the newspaper crate on the bottom, and put the food stuff up higher. Still somehow it was always me picking up the soggy bits of cardboard ("it's your dog!")sf-laugh

Karen and the pug girls.

Winnipeg
Member Since:
13 July 2009
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21 November 2009 - 4:18 pm
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Maggie - Thanks for the heads up - our city is talking about introducing the big rolling bins next year. I better organize the dogs (without any owners' knowing) for a pawrotest! My mum used to have the bin in the mud-porch, but she now has about 6 bags of food for me in that room, plus various harnesses, slings, life jackets and coats, so she had to move the bin inside the kitchen. So what can she expect if it is sitting right next to my food bowl?

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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21 November 2009 - 5:07 pm
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krun15 said:

One of Mag's favorite things to do at my parents house was to get into the garage and rummage for treasures in the recycle crate.


That Maggie, she's so smart! She has perfected the art of dumpster diving!

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

Winnipeg
Member Since:
13 July 2009
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26 November 2009 - 4:26 pm
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Happy Thanksgiving to all the yanks - I love the collage posted by Codie Rae and the picture by Jake.

I could see this day coming. The SQ lump was affecting Tazzie's mobility a little bit yesterday, as he started to lift the toe off the ground a bit. I came home today to see a cantelope sized lump (I was sure it was only as big as a grapefruit yesterday). And it is definitely affecting his mobility more than it did yesterday, even his comfort level sitting.

Earlier today, I talked to my vet and then sent an email to CSU to request a consultation to find out whether some form of radiation might relieve the pain (and whether the side effects and duration of response would make radiation worthwhile). Given it looks much worse this afternoon (and will likely get much worse the next few days), I am not comfortable waiting until next week to hear back. So I guess I'll see if my vet can get in touch with a Canadian oncologist tomorrow - although I think the Calgary ones do not work on Fridays, sigh.

His mind and heart are still bright and bushy - if this had sound, you would hear him barking at the kids walking by on their way home from school right now. He still hops on the couch to watch everyone go by, and we went to the park earlier this afternoon. He cleared a few dishes off the kitchen counter when I was at work today (which is clumsy since normally he just cleans them without them falling onto the floor). He also ended up taking the phone off the hook! Of course I am glad he does not have systemic problems such as lung mets or nausea. But a bum leg just seems a lousy reason to draw things to an end. At the same time, you don't want him to have to tolerate what seems to becoming a constant source of pain.

Really sorry to give bummer news today.

On a constructive note, my questions for the oncologist are: whether some form of radiation might alleviate the pain; if so, what are the side effects; how long can we expect a response to last; and how many treatments would be needed over what period of time? If anyone has insight into any of these questions, let me know. Univ of Minnesota is surprisingly close (looks like about 7-8 hr drive) from here; CSU about twice that distance, so those are possible places where I could take him (or Calgary, which has places and people we both know).

Oh - my vet thinks that it might be worthwhile trying Gabapentin (sp?) for pain relief in this situation (the one many of you use for seizures or phantom pain ). The tramadol (if given during the daytime) seemed to make him uncoordinated and his front leg would sometimes collapse. I have no experience with Gabapentin. Does this seem like an appropriate drug for Tazzie's current situation? 

Susan

Wesley Chapel, FL
Member Since:
13 September 2009
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26 November 2009 - 4:42 pm
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Hi Susan,

I'm sorry to hear about Tazzie's cantelope lump... Frown The fact that it's affecting Tazzied mobility is a problem... and I know that you're worried. I'm not sure if the radiation would do anything... it all depends on what the lump is, and if it is radiosensitive... But I'm sure your vets will know. Gabapentin is supposed to be a great drug for neuropathic pain... so maybe once Tazzie tries that, it will help.

What's the deal with those crazy Calgary oncologists not working on Fridays??!! Don't they know that cancer doesn't take a freaken break??!!! Mad 

Well, I hope that you can reach a vet tomorrow, and get the gapabentin going... That might make a huge difference in Tazzie...

Sending you good thoughts and a big FAT hug!!!

Angel Jake's Mom

(a fellow Canadian, from Montreal... living in the states the past 18 years!)

Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!

Winnipeg
Member Since:
13 July 2009
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26 November 2009 - 5:09 pm
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thanks Jake! great info!

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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26 November 2009 - 7:29 pm
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Tazzie said:

Oh - my vet thinks that it might be worthwhile trying Gabapentin (sp?) for pain relief in this situation (the one many of you use for seizures or phantom pain )...I have no experience with Gabapentin. Does this seem like an appropriate drug for Tazzie's current situation?


Oh Tazzie, those dang lumps, we hate how they are getting in the way of your fun! Aggggh! Yell We're so sorry.

Susan, we've never used the drug but lots of folks here have. Tazziedog here has said about Gabapentin, in regards to phantom pain :

"Gabapentin usually works quickly for phantom pain and may cause some dogs to be a little lethargic or sleepy for the first few days."

"If Rimadyl is helping and your dog isn't getting an upset stomach from it then you can continue for the anti-inflammatory effects.  A better drug is Gabapentin, because it works at the nerve root which is the cause of the problem.  Ask your vet but the dose for her should be in the 200-300 mg twice daily range.  It is cheap and works great."

So that's all we could find in the Forums, but for many dogs it seems to be a good solution. We hope you get some answers ASAP. We wish we were in Colorado so you could stay with us if you had to go to CSU. Well, let's hope you don't have to go too far for help. Paws are crossed for your boy.

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

Member Since:
20 May 2009
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26 November 2009 - 8:15 pm
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Susan,

I'm sorry that Tazzie's lump has grown so big.   If your vet decides to go with gabepentin check out the Angel Exchange.  Emily has some listed but I'm not sure about the strength.  I'm thinking they are just 100 mg.

Your comment about the University of Minn. being surprising close cracked me up.  That seems extremely far away to me!  I guess things are closer in Columbus than in Winnipeg!

Debra & Angel Emily

Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.

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