My dog is having surgery tomorrow - UPDATE PART TWO - The medical Mystery Dog

[nadine_mn]

Last edited Wed Sep 30, 2015, 12:11 PM - Edit history (3)

Hopefully final update! No cancer! No other random diseases. His spleen is almost back to normal and his red blood cell count is normal again. No idea what was wrong. Ran a bunch of tests, sent biopsy and stuff to specialists, everything negative. Basically his body stopped producing red blood cells, and then started making them again. Scared the crap out of us. But your support and love helped us through. Thank you all!!




UPDATE

First thank you all for your warm thoughts and healing vibes - it really helped us get through this.
His exploratory surgery revealed what my vet thinks is lymphoma - his spleen is 4x the size it should be but she did not remove it. She gave him some red blood cells to get his count back up and we will have him home for a few days. She did a biopsy and is sending it out to the oncologist to get a better idea of what is going on.





He has been lethargic and not eating so I took him to the vet today. His red blood cell count is low, and the vet thinks there is a mass on the spleen (wasn't clear in the x-rays, and no ultrasound professional available).

So tomorrow he has exploratory surgery to see what it is, if it is just the spleen and if it can be taken out. If it is inoperable or it has spread to other organs.... well we will have to let him cross over that rainbow bridge.

This is so hard. It just came out of nowhere - he was always our high energy goofball.

[LiberalElite]

1. Sending good thoughts to you and

your good dog.

[nadine_mn]

8. thank you - can never have too many hugs or good thoughts nt

[LiberalElite]

36. I've been through similar situation but

with cats. When they're sick, I feel sick too. As do many of us I assume.

[2theleft]

2. I'm so sorry, Nadine.

I know you are very worried. I'm sending good vibes your way for you and the fur baby. Let us know how it goes.

[nadine_mn]

7. Thank you

He is truly the one that brings the most laughter in our home (our cat is the cuddler and our other dog is the snuggler)

[shenmue]

3. Woofs and hugs

[nadine_mn]

6. thank you - very much appreciated nt

[Curmudgeoness]

4. Don't worry about the "what ifs".

Go into it expecting the best and deal with anything else that comes up only if it does. Wishing you and your dog good luck.

[nadine_mn]

5. Thank you - it is hard not to worry

But trying to put on my brave face

[niyad]

9. sending good thoughts and healing vibes for best outcome. may the lady of the beasts hold

your precious one gently.

[nadine_mn]

30. thank you so much nt

[Skittles]

10. oh dear

wishing him (and you) well; do keep us posted - someone is always here for you

[nadine_mn]

22. thank you! nt

[beac]

11. Sending healing vibes to you and your little fellow.

[nadine_mn]

23. thank you - healing vibes and hugs help a lot!nt

[roguevalley]

12. we are with you. have faith.

[nadine_mn]

31. thank you - it is so good to come here for support nt

[rusty quoin]

13. It's so sad. I went through this with cats.

i hope the best for you with the high energy goofball. I love goofballs.

[nadine_mn]

32. I am so sorry you had to go through this too

Hate the feeling of helplessness. He is a great dog with so much love to give and he isn't done yet!

[fizzgig]

14. what a handsome guy!

keeping you guys in my thoughts

[nadine_mn]

33. thank you! And he knows he is handsome - he thinks he is a ladies man (even though he's fixed)nt

[williesgirl]

15. My heart aches for you. Good vibes coming to you. Let us know when you can.

[nadine_mn]

34. thank you for the good vibes - they help a lot! nt

[eridani]

16. The worst thing is not being able to explain it to them

Hoping for a big success for this lovely critter.

[nadine_mn]

29. And not being able to explain to the other pets

I know they can tell something is wrong but I wish we could somehow let them know it will be okay.

Thank you for the warm thoughts!

[Duppers]

17. Please let us know how he is.

Sending hugs and best wishes to you both.

What's this high-energy, handsome guy's name, btw?

[nadine_mn]

28. Aww the big lug is named Durango! He is a rescue

Which means he is the best kind of dog there is!

Thank you for the hugs and good thoughts!

[Gman]

18. I lost 2 dogs earlier this year.

It's like outliving 2 of your children. My advice is if it's not treatable or they can't get it all, make him as comfortable as you can for as long as you can afford to do it.

[nadine_mn]

27. I am so sorry for your loss. I know how hard it is

We lost our eldest two in '09 and '10 and it was like losing big pieces of our hearts each time.


We have a cat who is 16, a Lab/Chessie mix who is 14 and our shepherd (Durango) is 10 so we knew the time to lose one is coming...but you really can't ever prepare.

Our cat Scout is fricking ageless - acts like he is 10 - zooms around the house, jumps up on stuff like a kitten. Our Lab mix Jazz has been slowing down due to arthritis but otherwise is just as lovable and stubborn as ever (it is the Chesapeake Bay retriever in her that makes her that way). So it was out of nowhere that Durango got sick so fast.

But we are going to keep him as long as we can as long as he is not in any pain - every minute with our furbabies is so precious.

[Number9Dream]

19. Best wishes for your dog and you

What is his name? He's a handsome fella.

[nadine_mn]

25. His name is Durango and he is a rescue

We are his 4th home...and we are damn lucky to have such a wonderful dog. He is so amazing!

[brer cat]

20. It is so hard when our furbabies

are unwell. I am sending good vibes for successful treatment for your handsome boy.

[nadine_mn]

26. Thank you - appreciate all the good vibes you can send! nt

[Phentex]

21. Good vibes to you!

Hope all goes well.

[nadine_mn]

24. thank you so much! nt

[niyad]

35. durango, all of your friends here are pulling for you. lots of love and healing

energies coming your way, and for your persons, as well.

[nadine_mn]

37. So Durango is on the mend but no idea what was wrong

His body just stopped making red blood cells and then started making them again. The vet ran all kinds of tests. I am not really a religious person - but I do believe in a higher being/force/something bigger than all of us. It just feels like a miracle - because there is no reason why he got sick or why he got better. It just happened.

No denying that his spleen was huge, that his blood cell count was dangerously low. But then on its own it has reversed it.

Thank you all for your love and support

[shenmue]

38. Hugs!