Monday, June 1, 2009

Might be a poor prognoses

I have to say right away, I love my dog. He is the most well behaved (I say that now), smartest, kindness, friendliest, family dog that I've ever known. I know this lovable lug would risk life and limb for any member of his family, I know he knows his job, and he knows it well. His mission in life is to be with me, and although I really bonded with one other dog and vowed up and down never to take another, Tartarus has learned from me, been trained by me, and kept me company for 12 years, everyday.....he is loyal to me.



It is with a heavy heart I say.....my beloved pet went to the vets for a out of control growth on his ear. This diagnosed growth was a discomfort 2 years ago when the vet first said 'there was nothing we could do about it'. It was flat and slightly opened at the time. Now it has ballooned to the size of a walnut and become heavy for Tartarus....he is uncomfortable with it, unhappy. You can barely see it in the photo taken May 23 but it's his right ear if you feel inclined to enlarge the picture..



Two things can happen, surgery to remove half the ear and the growth or antibiotics for the necrosis in hopes it will shrink the tumor. Tartarus has a secondary issue though, the vet wasn't encouraged about enlarged lymps in his neck. Might be the infection from the growth or it might be lymphoma, she could not say.... and would not depress us with the prognoses.



The quick resolve would be to aspirate it, antibiotic it with pain meds for 2 weeks, and then mega blood work for the surgery that will remove 1/2 the ear.



Or .....antibiotic with out pain meds to see if it helps to reduce the growth and MAYBE the lymps, if we are lucky. See, pain control meds work depending on the liver function, the function (good or bad), is determined by the blood work. Good God.......how much to take from this, how much to put my dog through?
What if we do a regime of antibiotics and find the lymps reduce? That would be good, perfect situation would be the growth reduced by 1/2 too! Even if it isn't ....just to have the lymps reduced would be a good sign, NO change in the size of nodes means.... cancer.




10 days should tell....5/28 was the start of the antibiotics. The vet was nice enough to say in Tartarus's file.....an additional 2 week supply of antibiotics IF! it works for the swelling on the first 14 days. No change in size of the ear growth will mean mega blood work and surgery at the end though. *Sniff* *cough* and *gulp*. Least he will have a start up on the infection.



He has a appointment for June 10 th, time will tell. C&G Design

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10 comments:

Kathleen said...

Oh Dawn, my heart goes out to you. I am a huge animal lover. To know what to do, how far to go, this treatment or that treatment is so difficult. That's a very handsome, faithful boy you have there. He's lucky to have such a wonderful family and "Mom". You will be on my mind, keep me posted on his progress, please. Hugs, Kathleen

Protector of Vintage said...

So sorry to hear about your pet!! My thoughts will be with him and your family.

Jean Merriman said...

Ofcourse I hope the best for "Tar-Tar" and the rest of you. He is indeed a good dog. Like Bj he can be a pest with a ball but I guess that is part of having a healthy, happy young dog.

lola said...

I'm so sorry about you beloved pet. I hope the best for all of you. I know how horrible it is to loose one.

Skeeter said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Skeeter said...

A sad post for me to read today. As an animal lover and Pet Mom, I know the feelings you are enduring.

My heart goes out to you during this trying time. Prayers are being sent your way from Georgia...

My Bad on the deleted comment above...

Debbie said...

Dawn....my God, we are both dealing with sick dogs!! My heart goes out to you my friend. I love the way you wrote about your dog. I can tell that he is VERY loved by you and your family. I'm soooo sorry you have to go through this. They are such precious little beings aren't they? I will say prayers for good results with this wonderful friend of yours. You are a kind and loving mom to Madame and to your beloved Tar-tar too.:) God bless you.

Anonymous said...

Oh, I'm so sorry....it's so painful when our beloved pets suffer. I'm so attached to my cats, and it's heartbreaking to think of them in pain. I'll send you and Tar-tar all my warmest thoughts...

Anonymous said...

He s gorgeous!
I send positive vibes your way. Let's hope for the best.
Bestest wishes :-)

big hug to Tartarus.

Tumbleweed Trails said...

How sad it is to hear about your beloved dog. I can only imagine how you must feel. My dogs are my faithful friends and companions. I cherish them both. I hope that the treatment, or treatment surgery combination, helps your dog so he can be with you for more years to come.

Hugs,
Jody