Staffyluv

So sorry for you loss Ci. RIP Zeke

I am so sorry Kaffy. RIP little man.

She is truely amazing and secretly, I think they like all the extra attention they get when they go to the vets. My boofhead thinks he owns the place - just walks straight behind the reception desk to say hi to the girls and then sits, oh so nicely, just in case there is a treat coming (and there always is). It is so heartwarming to hear how much Sophie is loving her outings. I am glad you two are having a good time. Cheers Jodie

So sorry GB. RIP Little Drummer

Bless her, it sounds like she is having a ball. Isn't it amazing, when they are happy, they look so well - we always get comments about Ollie and how well he looks. Seeing them so happy makes it all worth it. Thanks for asking - his knee is much better than it was but I fear it is only a short while and it will have to be fixed (bugger it). We will cross that bridge when we come to it. For the moment, he is only going for a walk every second day and it is only for about 15 minutes (not nearly enough for him, as he does not want to get back in the car) but it will have to do for now. He is pretty bright though and still makes a game out of climbing up on the lounge to steal OHs beanie (it is bloody cold in Canberra now) - then it is a game to get it back.

We're still using Maxolon but I give it more frequently. Will have a chat with the onco on Wednesday to see if we should keep going or change to a different medication. Ollie takes it twice a day (morning and night). He also has a gingernut or two when he is really off his tucker - the sugar is good and the ginger helps with nausea. Glad to hear she is still doing well, give her a big hug from Ollie and I. Still thinking of you too. Jodie

So sorry you had to say goodbye to her Abz RIP Ruby

Totally agree with this. Ollie could not have the chinese herbs that he took while he was having chemo.

Oh C, I cannot believe it is four years. He was such a beautiful boy.

Each dog and cancer is different but the basic idea is to give good quality protein, no or very little carbohydrate (cereals and grains) and to supplement with things like Vitamin C, Fish Oil (omega 3 & 6) and other supplements as required. If you check out the unwell rotties thread in the palliative care section and Ollies thread there is heaps in both relating to diet (better than checking the whole health forum). If you have any questions, please ask. ETA - I think it was either blue poppy or grumpette that had the specific 'cancer diet'.

Well whatever was wrong with his tummy seems to have fixed itself. He has only been off antibiotics for two days and he is starting to limp on his front legs again - surely the infection would have cleared up by now. He has been on antibiotics for 4 weeks and had stopped limping about a week ago. I will just watch him and take him back if the limping gets any worse. He has slept all day today - lazy bugger.

She is probably going to protest loudly but she needs to be crated - take if from someone who knows. Ollie ended up with more than 50 stitches when he had his tumours removed and he had to be crated. Also make sure that you put her on lead to take her to the toilet, that way she can't take off and try to run around when she goes outside. She really should be having NO exercise or play time until she is healed. Best of luck with the pathology results.

I was woken early by a little black nose that was very dry and scratchy. When I got up, I was confronted with a hallway covered in vomit - not good after the few wines I had after dinner last night. I know he did it but there was so much of it. He has had a bit of gastrolyte and some more maxalon and is sleeping comfortably on the lounge with the sun coming in the window. I am pretty sure it was just an incident, he does seem brighter now than he did this morning, so I am not going to worry about the vet at this stage. Poor boy, a day off the tucker won't hurt him..

So happy to hear that Ollie's doing well. Brilliant that he didn't need the ligament surgery. Sophie's had a couple of very quiet days and this morning I took her out for a ride in the car. On the way home we stopped at a small park where I've not seen any dogs. It's basically a little walk through park into a court. She had a great time rolling and piddling. She needed to get out of the house for a change of scenery. She's on a strong dose of antibiotics daily so I think we have any bacterial infection covered. I hope she didn't pick up a virus. She was sooo happy to be out. Her tumour is still growing and looks awful but she's her usual happy self. She's always up for a short game of fetch but she tires very quickly. Hugs to you and Ollie and thanks for thinking of Sophie. So glad to hear she enjoyed her play at the park - being outside really brightens them up (Ollie is at his best when we are at the park and he can sniff and pee on everything). I think, under the circumstances that she is doing amazingly well. Cheers J

Good news...

How is the Sophie the wonderdog going? The stafford who catches everything is doing really well

So sorry for your loss. RIP Lucy

Please get a needle aspiration done on these.

That is what I am hoping for Moops. I really did not want to make him go through another operation. Although the vet seems to think it is inevitable, I guess only time will tell. Thanks

Just popped in to see how Sophie was doing, I am glad that she is well. Cancer does seem to make them more tired than usual. Ollie sleeps most of the day away these days. I am always thinking of her (even the OH and number 2 son ask how the sick Rotty is these days). I have cancelled Ollie's surgery for tomorrow - He has pulled up over the weekend like there is nothing wrong. No limp and I have taken him for a couple of small (just a couple of hundred metres) walks and he is even standing on the sore leg to pee. I think the rest and recuperation have worked wonders. I spoke to the vet and he has a checkup due in two weeks, so we are going to give him another couple of weeks and see how he is then. If it needs to be done, it will be but I don't want to put him through it if we can get away with it. Big hugs to the girl CnR. Jodie

Just wanted to update. Ollie has had a great weekend. He went to the park on Saturday and had a sniff around and did not pull up lame at all. So Sunday, I decided to take him for a walk - just a couple of hundred metre and he did great (even standing on the injured leg while he peed on every vertical object he could see). This morning we went for a walk again and he did not even look like he has an injury - so I have postponed his surgery. I am going to give him a couple more weeks and see if resting and small walks can help him, instead of the surgery. Like I said before, he is 11 in June and with everything else he has been through, I am not happy to do such a serious surgery unless it is really needed. His improvement over the weekend has been outstanding - my lad never ceases to amaze me (I just love him so much)... I called the vet this morning and spoke with the one of the other vets and he agrees, that giving him another couple of weeks (that would be 6 weeks all up) to heal and see if we could do without it is a good idea. He has a checkup due in two weeks anyway (full bloods etc) so they are going to reassess the situation then and we will decide if he really needs the operation. I am so happy (and not feeling guilty anymore)

I am sure he is doing something - maybe that is it... I actually asked the vet, is there anything else that he is likely to get? The answer was, I don't think there is anything else he can get... I certainly hope not - he has had his fair share of illness. I am just glad that he picked me all those years ago - I am not sure how many people would actually keep forking out the dough that this lad has cost.

Kaffy I am so sorry for the loss of Kaden. Rest in peace young man.

She could also have a bladder or kidney stone/infection. (my boy had bladder/kidney stones and needed emergency surgery) She should see a vet as soon as possible. Dogs don't tend to show pain like we do, so she could very well be in pain (or not). It is hard to know.

Thanks for the well wishes everyone... Ollie is scheduled for surgery on Tuesday to have his ligament repaired. CnR glad to hear that Sophie had better test results this time. She sure is a fighter, bless her.