Staffyluv

We just went for Ollie's checkup and he got all round... The only things that were not the same as last year are: A few more small MCTs His hearing is going and his night vision would not be as good - this is the reason he wants the light on out the back before he goes out of a night time His teeth need a bit of attention because he can't have raw meat - he gets no bones to chew on and they have a bit of plaque on them. The vet suggested a childs soft toothbrush with some childrens toothpaste (a tiny bit) and a once a week tooth brushing session - to easy... The MCTs are many now - to many to bother counting or testing. We are still amazed that this boy is still here but very, very thankful that he chooses to stay ;)

Di I don't have any real advice, just wanted to wish you all the best with him... Sadly most of the things I googled for dogs and Atherosclerosis were scientists testing on dogs for human benefit - not the nicest of reading material. I do believe that the hardening of the heart wall is from cholesterol and the dog not processing it properly (please correct me if I am wrong, that is just what I read from my research this morning)... A change in diet my give some relief and better quality of life for the time he has left with you. Have you contacted an holistic vet for consultation - I know I harp on the holistic side of things but Ollie is now 4 years post dxd and they said he would only be here for 12-18 months. I know not everyone will have the grand success that we have had but I do believe that the change in diet and supplements have made all the difference to his quality of life.

He just had bbq chicken for dinner and ate all of it except the real white meat which is sitting next to his bowl on the floor - I will pick it up and put it back in the bowl to see if he eats it later. Thanks again for being a great sounding board everyone

Thanks, he has one but chooses to lay in front of the air con or on the tiles in the dining room of bathroom these days... He is still very slow but still wanting to go for a small walk in the mornings. Only about 10 minutes into the walk he is panting (only lightly) but I will get him checked out and let everyone know what the vet says... I have everything crossed for the little lad - he is still off the meals but is happy to be hand fed small morsels throughout the day (me thinks he had me well trained)

OMG LM, how horrible for you and poor Molly... Glad to hear she pulled through OK

Yes Helen, Ollie takes vit C but I might still call the all natural vet care crew and ask about a tonic or something, just while he is off food. I do think he is not eating because it is hot - I offered him some of my orange juice ice block (I made them from OJ I squeezed and they are so good) and he really liked it, so I do believe it is just too hot for him to eat.

Oh Mel, everything you just said is exactly what we do and are doing. I am going to ask the vet on Friday about the deafness, as with Ollie it seems to have come on very quickly - like over a few weeks and he cannot hear anything (then again he has always been selective in what he chooses to hear).. I am having salmon for dinner tonight (was having spinach pie but changed my mind to entice him to eat) and I always share my salmon with him, he loves it - wish me luck getting him to eat later. They do keep us on eggshells - I used to look at every new lump and want them tested, now I just notice them and put it to the back of my mind. Poor baby looks like a chokito chocolate, he has so many lumps and bumps now... Hang in there, I am more than happy to chat with you about what you are going through and offer suggestions based on what I have learned over the last 4 years. Hugs

Thanks Helen. We went for a very slow walk today but he seems so relaxed and happy at the park I feel compelled to make sure he gets to go everyday that he wants to and he still wants to (he waits at the door while I brush my teeth and get dressed every morning). He is not eating breaky this morning but someone suggested it could be heat related as it has been really hot here. I will make his vet appointment for Friday and see what our wonderful vet suggests for him - might give the ladies at ANVC a call and see if they can suggest a tonic for him too.

Ollie has a cool mat - just a cotton mat with those water crystal things sewn into it. You wet it and it stays cool for ages and he lays on it to stay cool. He also has a clam shell pool with a bit of water in it and it stays in the shade so if he wants to he can lay in it. He loves ice cubes too, so I always put a few in his water. He also has an air conditioner in the lounge (and has claimed the lounge seat right in front of it) and one in our bedroom where his bed is right below it - we have one cool pup.

There is a reason I cherish every day with my boy - it is because of days like today. We went away for a week and in that week he has gone downhill so fast, I almost can't believe it - I am praying he picks up but he will be having a doctors visit on Friday for a check up to be sure. His hearing has almost completely gone (he jumps when you pat him and he is not expecting it, he does not seem to notice when you walk up to him until you are right in his face and I opened the door and dragged all the shopping inside and he did not move - was sound asleep on the lounge the whole time I was crashing and clanging about). He is still loving but seems to be a lot slower on his walks and will really only eat breaky, not interested in dinner at all. I hate the flat days - it always brings home the reality that he is only on loan to me for such a short time in my life (but it has been a much better life with him in it).. Sorry been a couple of shitty days watching him be so slow - I fear that most difficult decision is looming closer every day (and now that I have said it, he will bounce back with a vengance like he always does)...

Just wanted to add that vets are having great success with the new drug Palladia for MCT

Wow that has gone quick Moops - two years already. Ollie had a bad night last night and did not go to sleep until around 5am this morning but he got up at 8am wagging his tail like nothing had happened - go figure??? It is the first bad night he has had in a very long time and I hope the last for quite a while - I hate to see him unwell.

So very sad when babies leave us - RIP Ace....

There is a test called a buffy coat test that will indicate malignancy - it is a blood test. At least with that you would have something to go on. It is nearly impossible to treat without a diagnosis. There are a few drugs available to help reduce the size and growth rates of tumours but once again, you need to know what you are dealing with. With your fathers attitude towards your pet and his reluctance to provide medical attention to an already ill animal, being on centrelink payments or not, I would be chatting to the vet to work out some sort of payment plan so your pet can be treated - from the sounds of things it is only going to get worse and will in the very least need pain medication. I am sorry but I get emotional about people who have pets but won't treat them because they don't want to spend their money on them when the animal is clearly unwell. I wish you all the best and hope you can find some way to have your dog helped

I would be wanting a more accurate diagnosis than this is what might happen - maybe get a second opinion and actually find out what is wrong with the dog would be the first thing to do, then you can work out what you can do for your dog. From 4 years worth of experience with a terminally ill dog I will tell you what I would do: Once malignancy has been dxd, find out if surgery is an option, find out if chemo is an option too (it is expensive but CAN add lots of time to your pets life and it does not make dogs sick like it does humans). If it is malignant and you can't operate or chemo is not an option there are plenty of things both holistically and using conventional medicine to keep your dog as well as possible for as long as possible. Find a good holistic vet - ask in the general section of this board and you will get lots of responses. We use All Natural Vet Care in Sydney (we are in Canberra and liaise via our vet, phone and email). They might offer things like supplements (like our vitamins) or even chinese herbs, accupuncture and other treatments. But you really need to know what is wrong first - it is your pet, go to another vet and get a second or even a third opinion. Conventional vets can supply pain meds to ease any discomfort that your dog may be in.. Wishing you all the best, it is very hard when our pets are not well.

I agree, changing his food is important - the smell might be bad for us but can you imagine how his poor tummy feels? How about consulting an holistic vet to bring him back to a very plain diet and then add stuff as you go - that way you can remove what ever is making him gassy as it will show up from week to week when you add more things in. Sas is right the probiotics would mostly likely help out

Ollie used Arnica (and arsenica drops) when he was first dxd with MCT...

Bless his little heart... I hope this is it for him and he does not have to endure any more stress.. Get well soon little guy

So sorry for your loss... RIP Beau

rest in peace beautiful...

My stafford had partial tears and we chose not to do surgery (he also has MCT and more surgery was not what I wanted for him). Instead we chose to limit his movement - not crated but also not allowed to jump up and only very short quiet walks (only about 10 mintues at a time). He was also on Ester C powder added to his water every day. It took about 8 weeks but he is fine now and no surgery. You might ask about the no surgery route but if your specialist says it is warranted then I guess you need to do that. Have you consulted an holistic vet about this at all? You may want to before you do surgery. Good luck

Thanks Schnauzer, it is good to know that there are others out there that have done so well. MCT does not have to be the end - there is so much that can be done now.

Ester C Ollie had cruciate problems and instead of surgery we opted for Ester C and rest, rest, rest (not so easy but it is important to crate them or keep them still). A chiro is a great idea too

Thanks everyone for the well wishes - I really appreciate it... CnR I had not heard of Palladia but since you posted decided to do a bit of research and take it to the vet. Not sure if we can get it here or if our vet would use it as Ollie already has a few of the adverse reactions without the drug, so introducing it could cause more problems - but I am going to give him the info and see what he says. Ollie is due for a checkup next month anyway, so will take up the info and make an appointment. Thanks for that Here is a link to the Palladia information that is available on line at the moment (plus you can google it and get a bit too) Palladia

Well I can hardly believe that it was in October 2005 that I found his first Mast Cell Tumour... He was dxd in the November (from memory, although that is rusty these days)... So next month it will be 4 years since he was diagnosed and we were told to expect to have him for maybe another 12-18 months. All we have been through over those 4 years - I look at him now and just can't believe how very lucky we are to still have him and his tenacity to want to stay with us. He still loves his morning walk in the local park, his food and his family. He still loves to play with his toys and is still cheeky enough to steal my slippers and the tea towel it if is left in reach of him. He still gives Dan a woo woo when he is asked to leave the kitchen while we are cooking - like you can't tell me what to do and then he runs around behind me and looks at Dan from behind my legs (fearless I tell ya)... He is a little hard of hearing these days but he is 12 years old now (although I am still inclined to believe that is a bit selective) and a lot slower (we used to walk double the distance in half the time on our walks) but he is happy and well. I still count my blessings every day that he is still here with me and believe I must have done somethhing right, somewhere along the way to be so fortunate to have met and been able to care for this wonderful animal that has bought so much happiness (and some sadness) into my life. I would like to thank everyone on DOL for all their support over the last 4 years