Lots of very helpful tips there, thank you!!!! George is a former AKC champion for his breed but even show dogs get old. It is just so dang hard to watch. Lucky me, he has such a sweet and happy spirit that it makes it easier, and every extra day we get post-surgery is a blessing. 

I do have a vet nearby who does laser therapy and I hear that is a wonderful thing.  I know it did wonders for ME, so .... I'll try it. I am going to check into that tomorrow. I will look into the hydro therapy as well, although I am not sure that is available here. (I am in Utah, in the US).

And, last night and today have been a bit better food wise.  He usually eats Eukanuba puppy food, and he used to free-feed.  When we found out how much weight he was losing, I started to measure it out, 2C morning, and 2C at night, each time with a small package of wet food to encourage him to eat it all.  

WHen his front shoulder started hurting, his appetite was cut in half, so now I give him small portions of the dry food, with the goal of feeding 3 or four times a day.  I Have also purchased a bunch of different things to add to his food on some of those feedings, with great care to keep them as natural as possible, and high in protein. He LOVED the eggs I gave him this morning and cleaned up his bowl all at once for the first time in ages!  🙂 And yes, I have also given him chicken.  I boiled a big pot, four large breasts and 6 or eight thighs, shreds it all together and put in baggies with 3/4 c in each.  He loves the chicken as well. 

Funny thing is, the boyfriend (actual owner of George) has always been very picky about his food... no people food allowed.  But at this point in the game, I just want our boy healthy for as long as we have left with him, and since the boyfriend has been in Alaska for three months .... I say anything goes, lol. 

THank you SO SO much for your response, both of you.  It has been so helpful to hear from other puppy families who have been through this.  I honestly had no idea we would face so many challenges after his surgery.  I am grateful for every one of them though. His cancer grew so fast that we really didnt have a lot of time to process anything. 

Talk soon ! 

Stupid damn cancer. 

I took George for laser therapy today.  He won't be going back. 

The lady that gave him the treatment didn't like the feel of his elbow, and I had to go see his normal vet for meds anyhow. With just 20 minutes notice at the end of his workday, the vet squeezed him in checked him out. Quick exam turned into new xrays.  He didn't even have to tell me because the image was plain as day.  Ten days ago, xray was clear. 

The cancer has returned, in his elbow, same leg that has been bothering him. 

He hasn't hardly eaten anything today. Pain seems greater tonight (but he WAS in and out of car a couple times.) 

Changed meds from Tramadol to Loratab. He needs to eat enough to keep his strength up til the boy comes home, but no longer a need to be so fussy about getting him to eat. 

Called the boyfriend, who incidentally, was already preparing to head home. Told the kids and then had to listen helplessly while they cried their hearts out.  Alternating between tears and nausea myself, but kinda have to keep it together for everyone else. 

So, it is almost midnight.  My girls and my puppy love are finally asleep. My man is alone on an airplane, turning it all inward because that is how he is.  I am finally eating a bit of dinner.  With tequila.