Our little derpy is now resting after another car ride and busy morning at the vet. ( she received some ice cream as a treat for being so good and she happily shared it with her brother). the best part is that when she has space to move, she really gets moving with her three little legs! we’ve been keeping her in a fairly small space and i was so glad to see her agile hopping.
At the vet, both doctors ( surgeon and oncologist) thought she looked great and her incision healed well. Stitches came out without a concern and I dont think she even noticed it was happening. Her onco told me that she was also surprised that it was osteo as it looked nothing like it and had none of the typical characteristics. The bone itself did not have any signs of the cancer, it was the mass that was connected to it– this is why we were originally told it would be hemangiosarcoma if it was malignant. She also said that its a way better prognosis that hemang ( 1-2 years versus 6- 8 months mean survival rate) so its quite good that this is the result. The vet listened to her chest and said all her vitals looked good
We are supposed to slowly wean her off all the meds– which is good. Since i have reduced her tramadol, the panting and anxiety has decreased a lot. She seems herself ( and just as lazy).
With respect to the next steps, we put the request for the chemo in to Ohio State University, which has a program for free 4 carboplatin doses for retired racing greyhounds. Usually they get the meds in from them very quickly ( like 2 or 3 days) so we may be able to take her in to start as early as next week.
With respect to other therapy, I am looking into swimming lessons for Marlie– which may not go over so well. as greyhounds typically do not like water. We are also starting her on omega-3 supplements.
Osteosarcoma. This word is every greyhound owners nightmare. And as of 1030 this morning, its now my little Marlie’s reality. Im so confused being that everything had pointed to something else. No signs in any X-ray, the fact that she had a mass on her leg in what we were told was the muscle….nothing seemed to point to osteo. We were originally told it was hemangiosarcoma ( which our oncologist said was actually a worse diagnosis) but that there was also a good chance it would be benign. Like I said, Im a mess right now and am second guessing everything we have been told to date.
Other than the fact that I am a wreck, Marlie is doing well. Still hopping around and eating and doing her business on schedule. Still smiling and acting like nothing is a big deal.
Today was a good day. More rest, getting better with the hopping and better balance. It’s also still snowing and making it tricky to hop onto the grass– which is necessary because that’s where Derpy needs to poo! Seems her poo schedule is back on track along with her eating.
Last night Marlie was cleared for take off and we got to bring her home! The swelling in her leg has gone down and everything else is looking pretty good. She seemed to be a little high to us yesterday, and kind of groggy, but that could be because she hasn’t been getting all her beauty sleep. She is on quite the list of meds right now: gabapentin, tramadol and melocam for pain, amicar to prevent bleeding, and because she had a fever, an anti-inflammatory to prevent infection. Being the type A nerd that I am, I made a chart to make sure I give her the right ones at the right times!
Walking wise, she is a little cautious when she first gets up. Sometimes I wonder if she forgets that she is a tripawd and goes to lean on her missing leg. I am sure this will change with time. She likes to walk next to us ‘just in case’ and we have a sling to give her a boost if she needs it– not much unlike a child learning to ride a bike with training wheels, she likely doesnt know that we arent doing anything and she is hopping along on her own. Being that she is a rear leg amp, I already have put her RuffWear harness on to help her and us with getting up and down. We have a few steps in our house and so far she has taken them like a champ.
Of course, being that we are in Canada, we were all less than delighted to see that it is snowing like crazy right now, so we are extra cautious about her slipping outside.
Bathroom wise, she woke us up at 400am to let us know she wanted to pee. And she let me know again this morning at 10.
Only a few things are concerning me at this time: 1. She seems to tire very quickly when she is hopping. She started to sit down while she was eating and seemed exhausted. 2. The panting. She has been panting every waking moment. I know that tramadol causes some panting, but it wasnt this bad pre-operation. Any thoughts?
Just saw our girl and she actually looked a lot better than i prepared myself for! she was happy to see us (even though she was pretty stoned!) and happily munched down the treats we brought. she then just wanted to rest and get some cuddles while she dozed on and off.
We spoke to her surgeon and she actually suggested that we could take her home tonight as she had improved quite a bit since this morning, although she had a bit of a fever and the bruising was still pretty bad. She has eaten three meals and is peeing outside and hopping along once she gets help up. We decided to leave her there just in case her fever doesnt come down on its own and to have them watch her over night.
as we were leaving, we saw her hopping to go pee outside with her nurse and i was so happy! Hopefully she will be ready to come home to me, hubby and her brother tomorrow.
The big bro is moping around the house without her here….guess he likes her after all!
Yesterday, was the big surgery and it sounds like it went well. Some bruising, pain killers through an epidural, and pretty much a drugged up little greyhound.
Just spoke with her surgeon this morning, she wants to keep here there another day/ night at the hospital.
Her vital signs are good, no bleeding from the suture site and she is eating but there is some bruising on her bum/ other leg that they want to monitor. Dr. Atilla said that some bruising is typical on the other leg, but because shes a greyhound they want to watch her. She is on amicar (for blood clotting)b and we started her on this the day before surgery.
Apparently she also got up on her own and walked assisted with her sling a distance. She didnt make it outside because she was too tired.
We plan to go see her later today and well let you know if there is any other news. I know that its likely the best that she stay another day if she isnt mobile and peeing outside, but its killing me that my baby isnt home yet. 🙁
How long did everyone else’s tripawd need to stay in the hospital?
Well, tomorrow’s the big day… less than 12 hours. I’m a wreck. Marlie, not so much.
We spent the weekend playing “Marlie’s favourite Things!” ( of course, said in an Oprah voice). We went for pictures with Santa, ate tons of treats ( although I did not partake on the raw chicken backs), went shopping for some gear, and of course, had lots of cuddles and kisses.
Her brother, Digit, sends regards and would like everyone to know that he also got treats and some new toys.
Ill check in tomorrow.
So, almost a month since she had begun limping and two weeks after the confirmation that it was cancer, we agreed ( we being me and Hubby) that Marlie would be happiest and in the least amount of pain by going through with the amputation. This is after a lot of talk with our Greyhound “expert” Mark Abrams, Marlie’s vet, Dr. Barton, her Oncologist, Dr. Larson, and some very helpful emails from the Greyhound consultation service at Ohio State University.
As it was Halloween night, Marles was quite happy to see the kids out the window and go to the door when it rang. But unlike her usual sprint at the doorbell, she would slowly get up…limp over and then stand, three-legged waiting for pets.
When candy-time was over, she couldnt climb the stairs to her bed.
I cant lie, im nervous, upset, and sick about it. I hope little derp face will do better with our decision. A scary event that will hopefully have a happy ending.
