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[admin]

Jen, it’s not fair that they have all these things which make us even more stressed out. If your vet is confident it has all gone, you must be too. These things are often contained in a kind of “sac” so the vets know it’s all GONE. Vally is right – we all become complete & utter worry gutses.

I am umming & aaghing about an external skin overgrowth, probably a cyst, right next to Worzel’s anus as it is slowly getting bigger -it’s like a sac & is not red or painful. It doesn’t bother him in the least & the vet has always assured me it’s benign, but we always keep an eye on it. Not a pleasant place to have something like that & we are concerned about it healing up properly if we remove it. I also worry about anaesthetics as greyhounds don’t do too well, and he’s getting old. After your experience, maybe I should have a rethink & get it removed.

Maggie has obviously been a real star & I know she means the world to you – YOU mean the world to her too and you are doing a wonderful job of taking care of her. It’s only natural to worry – we all do.

Love Sheena xxxxx

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Tick Tock Tea – Original Rooibos Redbush Tea – caffeine free hand picked – sorry Vally, my mistake, I’ve just looked at the box & it’s not Australian, it’s South African! Close!
http://ticktocktea.com/

Workers who pick hops always nod off to sleep – worth a try finding some dried hope on the net?

Love Sheena x

[admin]

Hi Jen
I’m sorry I don’t have any personal experience with plasma tumours at all. I found this for you:

http://www.vcahospitals.com/main/pet-health-information/article/animal-health/plasmacytic-tumors/547

I looked at a few other sites as well – Ear canals seem to be a fairly common location & have a really good outcome after complete excision – hence your vet was confident. The deeper tissue forms are more rare apparently (more time needed to develop?). Certain breeds are also susceptible & it says everywhere that older dogs are more prone.

Is this the IMHA trigger? I’m sorry I can’t answer that – I just don’t know but will try to look for more information for you – I hope someone else may have some experience with this. I think you are right to question this further with your vet. In some ways, it might be good to have a definite cause & to know it has been eliminated. Maggie is doing so well, Jen, & as long as she is happy, eating, playing & behaving like she enjoys life, that is great. She is getting so much better & that is what counts. I know you could do without the stress of finding this out – we all like to hear negative results with lumps & bumps & I’m so sorry you have this extra problem to contend with.

Sending much love & hugs to you all
Sheena & the boys xxxxx

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Lynda

It’s just very bad luck that Mabel didn’t fit in. Don’t feel bad – Brigitte is right. When you don’t know their history, it’s hard to understand what makes them tick. The dogs home I supported in the UK had a few “bait dogs” rescued from dog fighting circles up for adoption & there is no way they are ever going to trust another dog – they have to be on their own, full stop, and some can be (understandably) aggressive with other dogs. Sadly, I know first hand that lurchers are often used for this purpose, even though they are not aggressive by nature. This may not be the case of course, but it is possible that Mabel had a horrible experience that she cannot get over unless she’s the only dog in the house.

To you, the most important thing is that Dora is happy with her new friend Bally – you would have worried about her with Mabel & you have had enough worry to last you a lifetime recently. I bet Bally will be of the usual greyhound sweetheart variety! I love ’em. And I love lurchers too of course (in case Ollie is listening!).

Let us know how she’s doing
Love Sheena & the hounds xxxxx

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Hi Tamara

Good news on your beautiful boy Ashki’s pink gums – if they are acting fine, they are feeling fine & that is the biggest bonus.

I have always preferred famotidine because of the much fewer drug interactions, so you are right to change in my opinion. It is also part of many IMHA protocols I have read as it has the least side effects too. I always use drugs.com to check everything & I think it’s pretty good. I am always suspicious about “kick backs” from drug companies too, making professionals prescribe differently – does that happen over there? It certainly does here!

Strange goings on at your specialists – that is very uncooperative, but I’m glad it won’t disrupt your appointments as you are onto a good thing for Ashki’s wellbeing.

Sleep? I don’t remember ever having a good night ever when Worzel was going through his treatment, so you must be exhausted as it has been such a long haul for you – much longer than for us. Have you tried hops (as in beer making hops)? I have heard that if you put them in your pillow, they send you into a deep sleep, although temporarily, are not addictive & at least you might be able to get some rest. I have tried Tick Tock Tea, an Australian tea which is very relaxing. I cannot function without 8 hours solid sleep myself & it is no fun. We all know it’s not good for a clear head & you end up running on adrenaline, which makes things worse & worse.

Hope you are feeling sleepy after reading this message – go & get a big relaxing cuddle with that lovely boy!

Crossing everything for the next test! Pink gums are the best
Sheena & the boys xxxxxx

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Hi Terri

I’m so pleased that you are going to keep fighting for Koda, and that you are going to see a specialist and try Patrice’s suggestions. It is so very difficult when you are working with a vet who has given up, but it sounds like you are taking the bull by the horns which is great. We are all different of course, but I know for me that I would need to know what is causing the anemia before I could make a decision about what to do. Personally, I’d be reluctant to reduce the pred at the moment with his HCT falling. What does your vet suggest about this?

I’m really sorry to hear about your cat and very glad you sought another opinion. Like all professions, there are some shoddy vets out there, and those who get it wrong, but there are also some wonderful ones and I am keeping everything cross that your specialist will be one of the latter and help you get to the bottom of Koda’s illness.

All best wishes

Mary and Mable x

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Hi Tamara

I’m happy that Ashki got a treat of two cats to monitor! How is he feeling? Glad his tummy is a little better. Do you think the omeprazole is helping? I didn’t realise dogs also eat grass when they have a tummy upset. When is Ashki’s next PCV check?

I can hear in your post how tired you are feeling, and I know you have really been in this for the long haul. It is testimony to your love and dedication to Ashki and I admire you no end. Keep on keeping on! You are doing such a wonderful job and I hope you are managing to get some sleep. Insomnia is horrible and difficult to deal with. Personally, I find worrying about it is the worst thing. The more you worry you can’t sleep, the more you can’t sleep! Have you found anything that helps?

Remember to take care of yourself too.

Much love, Mary and Mable x

[admin]

Wonderful news Jen, I’m so pleased to hear how well Maggie is doing :)

Mary and Mable x