Sophie - bad news_updated

[Rich]

Antibiotics were unable to stop the blood from appearing in Sophie's urine so we sent a sample off for a tumor test. It was positive. So now our little girl has kidney disease and bladder cancer. Today I would have taken her to the vet for her diuresis treatment for the kidneys but of course living in Iowa as we do that was impossible because of the latest blizzard. (have I mentioned how much I hate living in the midwest?) But we will still take her in and get this going soon - the vet says sometimes these bladder tumors respond to piroxicam - the same drug that gave us an additional year with Stormy. So I am guardedly hopeful. But the bottom line is she has two terminal illnesses and the name of the game is now quality of life. The next time the arctic roads are clear we'll get her to the vet and talk about palliative care and the grim future. We're in shock here - we haven't had this little one nearly long enough.

[Spanish Teckels]

We are so very sorry to hear this heartbreaking news Rick.  Hopefully the piroxicam can give your little girl relief and a better life quality for a good while yet.  We are rooting for you all and send our love and best comforting rays to you all.  Please give her a gentle hug from us all.  The whole thing is so unfair but Sophie is lucky to have you.

[Roberta]

Rich...............................take heart Amy has been on that drug 2mg for 15 months for transitional bladder tumour. We felt the same as you at the time, we know it wil;\l be end ball at somepoint, but the drug has worked with her, I also everyso often give her a 1/4 of pednisalone tablet for a few days that helps. the other thing she is on is Prozac to stop her continually going to what she thinks is toilet. That does help, other than that she is quitr normal.
Jane our vet has been great she gave her 2-5 years, but any extra time is a bonus. If you decide to try the tablets the 1mg dose they started \Amy off on was not enough and we decided to up it as it was not a time to tkae stock. As it involves the liver the tablets we have her on a fat free diet, and make sure she drinks lots of water. I also think to run a lot of antibiotics everso often helps incase of urinary infection.
roberta
Feel free to email or I;ll send you an email with my ph  and ring if you want.

[Rich]

Thanks so much Roberta for the information about Amy. We had good results with Stormy's tumor so I as I said I am guardedly optimistic.  I think we have a very very good vet clinic that we go to and we are only 30 minutes from Iowa State where they have a fantastic vet school and clinic. As long as we can keep Sophie comfortable and enjoying life we're going to do everything we can.

[Roberta]

Thats great Rich, finding a good vet is hard, and one you can trust.
keep us posted

[papbouv]

Sending Rays & Hugs for Sophie & her family.

[Barb]

Tonz of rayz on the way for sweet Sophie.... and for you !  We are keeping good thoughts for her..... we know you will be spoiling her rotten.... and she deserves it !!!  Soft kissies to Sophie....please keep us updated....
Be safe driving !

[Rich]

We were finally able to get Sophie to the vet Thursday morning. She was on IV fluids for 24 hours and now her blood values are back in the normal range. According to the vet this indicates that we caught this in a very early stage. We now have her on meds and a renal diet. Evidently dogs can last a long time with this and an occasional flushing.

Our main concern now is the bladder tumor. She is started on piroxicam. If this were to work anywhere nearly as well as it did with Stormy we might have quite a bit of time left with her.

Thanks to everyone that is thinking of her and sending rays.

[Spanish Teckels]

We are so pleased things are sounding more positive and trust the piroxicam will help with the rest.  Continued rays heading your way for tons more comfortable and healthy time together yet.  Thanks so much for updating.

[Roberta]

That's good to hear, our vet said we too had picked it up quick, probably due to all our lot being with us all the time so we know whats normal.
AS i said Amy is 15 months since starting the drug, and as you say you will have hiccups every so often. We also  put water in her dinner bowl after she has finished eating, she thinks its extras but we know she has drunk a set amount of water. We tried carbs as a energy source at the vets suggestion to cut down the protein load, but her teeth built up to much gunk even with brushing and Jane said she cannot go under for a clean, so we decided to go back to her non fat dried kibble with the wet version, plus  she gets nonfat mince or kangaroo. hence we had to make sure she drank.

They are amazing little people......Sophie  you good to go for a long while to come :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:

Da gang and mum

[Mike]

Yay!! rays continuing toward Des Moines for Sophie.  Keep your engines burning Ms. Rocket.

[BonniesMom]

Glad things are looking up for sweet Sophie!  Rays and sunshine coming to our girlie! 

Bonnie wants to know, does Sophie have to wear a dumb lampshade too?  And she sends sloppy kisses. too.

[Rich]

Bonnie wants to know, does Sophie have to wear a dumb lampshade too? And she sends sloppy kisses. too.

No, Sophie did not have to wear the cone of shame. She had a bandage on her arm when she came home but we were allowed to take it off right away. But I have the feeling that while she was at the vet's she might have had to wear it. She's not admitting to it though.

[Barb]

Very encouraging report Rich !  GO Sophie !!!

[Brekkesmom]

We are sending lots of rays and good thoughts for Miss Sophie.  Mine never confess to embarrassing things either, like peeing right by the potty pad when it's raining too hard to go out...