Staffyluv

Thanks for keeping him your thoughts - I have a soft spot for all the sick babies too. How is Callie going? As well as can be expected - actually better (the oncologist did not think he would be here at this stage). A couple of his MCT's were up a bit the other day and he has been off for a couple of days - not too bad because he still wants to go for a walk every morning and he eats his breaky but not that interested in dinner of a night (he will eat it if I put it out in the afternoon but not after about 6pm). I am going to make an appointment with the vet soon, I just want a full checkup because it has been a while since he had a full check. And I think his thyroid meds might need adjusting again too, so that is another thing to get checked. Cheers Jodie

Isn't she amazing CnR - Ollie is the same, he takes all his pills and powders without fuss too. Our oncologist was OK with the holistic stuff but we only had contact with him via phone and email because he is located in Brisbane and we are in Canberra - our wonderful vet used to send all the test results to the oncologist and the holistic vet (I don't think he ever once charged us for all those faxes). Sophie is such a special girl and her determination to hang on is a credit to you. I agree with stopping the chemo (Ol's was cut short by a few weeks) when you can't see a difference. The holistic treatment will hold her in good stead - it is amazing what it can do. Give her a big hug from me (and one for you too). Always in our thoughts Jodie and Ollie

Oh Feef, I just saw this. I am so sorry for your loss. Rest in peace Tamsyn.

Is it a human drug that could be purchased via a chemist? We have a prescription for 2 drugs that are human drugs and it is much cheaper to get them from the chemist - so the vet gave us an ongoing script and we get it there for about two thirds of the price we used to pay at the vet.

Not anymore but I used to get mine from All Natural Vet Care (they have a website) in Sydney. I am not sure if they order them in or they make them up there. Ollie only used the herbs while he was on chemo to help his immune system cope with what was going on - absolutely amazing. I think he only got sick three times in six months using those herbs. I will try to track down the website for you.

Yep the lazy old bugger loves laying around in the sun (inside on the comfort of the lounge of course). No the new lump has not been diagnosed - we don't test anymore because we know there is no point. His MCT was already systemic when his first tumour was removed, so it will be the case that he gets more, eventually. I seem to be able to tell an MCT now from a lipoma - they really are very different. With the MCT (more often than not) feeling like a hard pea just under the skin and the lipomas feeling like an encased lump of fat (much spongier - for want of a better word). We just treat holistically with vitamins and supplements and he has a couple of meds to help his tummy which he has had problems with since the chemo but on the whole the boy is doing really very well (fingers crossed).

I am pretty confident it is a lipoma Anne - it does not feel at all like an MCT. They are more like a hard pea just under the surface of the skin and this is a big round soft lump, just like the lipoma that was removed at the same time as his MCT. He is still as well, actually better than expected because they did not think he would still be here at this stage. Thanks for the good thoughts, they are always welcome. The good fight continues Jodie and Ollie

I am so sorry for your loss BMP... RIP Sunny...

He is still going as well. He is selectively deaf now and only sees the toys you throw occasionally. His walks are only for 15 - 20 minutes of a morning and he tends to sleep most of the day away unless he has a visitor (he still refuses to acknowledge that they might be here to see us, not him). He has a huge lump in his tummy that you can actually see now but I don't think it is MCT - I am more inclined to believe it is a large lipoma but nothing we can do about it because I refuse to put him through more surgery. He has had more than his fair share of surgeries. All the support and good wishes do wonders - the power of positive thinking even from afar is what has kept us both going. Thanks

That is great news Anne. It is amazing how well they can do with the holistic medicine. As you know, I am a big believer in using it - it has stood us in good stead. Hugs to you both Jodie and Ollie dog

:D Warls The boofhead had mushroom omelete for dinner with me last night... He loves them.

Always thinking or you and Sophie Anne... I hope all goes well this afternoon. Luckily our wonderful vet learned ages ago that I often do know what is best for Ollie and even if he does not necessarily agree, he still supports me. He was never a big supporter of the holistic path but came to accept it and now I believe has even suggested it to a few others because he has seen what it has done for Ollie. I believe it holds them in good stead for the nasty medicine that they do have to take from conventional vets. But I don't think it was either or with Ollie, I believe it was the combination that has kept him going for so long (and still going strong, bless him). Good luck and I look forward to your update.

Vets have so little faith in our ability to keep our dogs healthy whilst dealing with cancer... Our vet is the same, he is amazed every time he see's Ollie looking so well (so is everyone else)... To look at him you would never know that he has cancer... I think we too, underestimate our dogs will to stay with us... I am so glad that she is doing well, under the circumstances. Remember, we are all in this together... We will all be here for each other through good and bad times. Big hugs to you and the adorable Sophie...

Apart from removing the said lump and sending that off to pathology to find out what it is, the only way to get an indication is for a fine needle aspirate IMO. I believe you did the right thing by your dog. Sending good thoughts for a fatty lipoma - the only time they will remove these is if they interfere with the dog... Will be thinking of you and Indie today... Don't worry until you have to.

It could be a lipoma... These are just fat lumps that don't have to be removed unless they interfere with the dog (eg under the elbow and make walking uncomfortable). To be honest the ONLY way to know what a lump is, is to take the dog to the vet and get a fine needle aspirate (not expensive). They will look at the cells extracted and determine if further investigation is necessary... Please take the dog to the vet and get an aspirate done. Don't be lulled into a false sense of security when a vet says it is probably only a lipoma and nothing to worry about - get the aspirate done... Insist on it.

It could be a bladder/kidney infection or on a more serious note it could be bladder/kidney stones. A tumour in the bladder would also make him lose control because of the pressure on the bladder... hoping it is not this option! I am betting it is something simple like a bladder infection that can be treated with anti biotics... He really needs to see a vet, because bladder infections can be quite painful, not to mention how painful stones are (my old stafford had bladder stones when he was around 6 years old)...

It could be something or nothing at all... He needs a vet - tell your sister to get a urine sample (when pooch goes out to go, stick a container under him just as he cocks his leg) this is much more comfortable than the vet having to get a sample by inserting a tube... Even if it is just because he has lost control over his bladder, they can still treat him. Poor old guy, I hope he see's the vet and gets better soon...

I hope all the pups get well soon - it sounds horrible. Touch wood, Ollie has never had it (he has never been boarded either, we get a pet sitter in if we all have to go somewhere)...

It is very hard to live with a terminal patient of any kind - there are good and bad days and then there is the occasional really bad day, where you do believe that you will be calling the vet for that last visit. I take heaps of rescue remedy on those days and wait. If he was to have a couple of really bad days in a row, then I would be making that call. Lucky for us, he usually only has one at a time but it scares the hell out of me and then rebounds the next day. I seriously don't know how many times in the beginning that I thought this is it, only for our wonderful vet and holistic vets tell us that this is to be expected and they often bounce back after a day or two. I think with pain management and while they are happy, we just continue to do what we can to make their time with us as wonderful as it can be. It is a long road with two steps forward and one step back... Chin up and some more cyber hugs for the both of you. J

I hope Sophie is doing well. Only you can know when the time is right for you and Sophie - I hope you get more time with her. Ollie still amazes me with his tenacity to continue to do well, against all the odds - I wish the same for you and Sophie. Give her a hug for me (you can have one too )...

So sorry for your loss Alix.. Rest in Peace Charlie

All dogs are different and the proportion that suits one dog, may not be good for another. It depends on the type of breed, the exercise it gets, the health and condition of the dog. Sorry I know that is not what you wanted to hear :rolleyes: Cereals/grains etc (carbs) are not necessary for dogs - they are just used as fillers in commercial food. My old stafford eats about 3/4 cup of meat (fresh and usually organic beef, chicken, roo, turkey etc) and 1/3 cup of mixed veges (at the moment he is liking sweet potato and zucchini - but we chop and change) every night. He has a couple of chew things of a morning and some of my breakfast (usually porridge, toast - but just a bit). He also gets fish oil. glucosamine, milk thistle, ester C power, and numerous other meds (he has cancer) and he is still with us way longer than anticipated. He gets yoghurt with a little manuka honey, and some commercial dog chews as well as commercial dog choc treats (makes it easier to get the tablets down if he thinks he is getting something good). Is there a reason you wanted to cook the food? As opposed to serving a raw diet? Both are popular here and as you discovered there are numerous threads about it. Good luck Jodie

Thats my boy.... I am glad he is not a female - he would have a shocking reputation

Thanks for asking, the old man is just fine. He toddles off on his morning walk, comes home and has breakfast (a bit of my porridge this morning) with his mountain of meds, which are mostly vitamins etc, and then goes out to my office and falls asleep until lunch time. Lunch is some carafate and milk thistle with a dentastick to keep his teeth good (he can't seem to chew up anything harder than this now). Then he sleeps again until dinner time... More meds, meat and veg then he has a play with the boys. Then more meds with some yoghurt at 9pm then off to bed... His life is like groundhog day - same thing over and over but he is happy enough and still well with no pain.. That is the main thing.

Being winter and being such a young pup, I would be inclined to find a place inside to keep him. Lots of people keep them in the laundry or bathroom - personally I think those areas are too cold (just my opinion). Or you could keep him in a room, block off the doors and put down some vinyl to protect the flooring. He will need a water bowl he can't tip over, toys and perhaps a treat ball or kong to give him something to do while he is awake when you are not there - he will sleep a lot being a puppy. If you do end up going with outside, the pup will need protective shelter to get out of wind, rain and heat. Somewhere warm and soft to sleep. He will need the same things outside that he needs inside as well as the good shelter... Still looking forward to those pics when you get him...