Surgery, biopsy results and more

Thursday January 16, 2014

George's local veterinarian successfully removed George's right front leg including the shoulder blade.  We were told he did well, a biopsy was sent out as requested and he would spend the night in the hospital.  Nala his sister, who is very narcissistic, was happy to have Mommy and all the toys to herself. 

Friday, Brian and I went to pick up George at 3:00 pm.  We were told he had been taken outside with some help a couple of times but he hadn't gone poo or pee so we should keep that in mind.  We brought the custom modified harness that Meagan made for George and eventually the technicians brought him out the side door and ramp to meet us outside.  His little nub tail was wagging and he was very happy to see us.  The harness was kind of too much pressure on the shoulder area causing some leakage from the wound area so we switched to a modified canvas grocery bag as a sling.  He was loaded into SUV, gave us many kisses and we headed home.

 George was happy to be home, led to the bed in front of the pellet stove, and begin his at home recovery phase.  He ate a little, drank a little and tried to rest. Meagan came to visit and help.  Brian brought dinner for us all and George got a lot of attention.  Friday night was a little tough.  George was uncomfortable and whined some throughout the night with his Mommy sleeping next to him.  He was taken outside because he hadn't voided but still no luck in that area.

Saturday January 17, 2014
Morning came and George seemed alert and in good spirits.  Mom left him in his bed to visit the ladies room and he was up and hopping before she returned.  By mid-morning a check with the vet clinic communicated that George had not voided yet even though he was drinking.  After another hour or so we decided to bring George back to the vet to have his bladder checked.  The vet came and examined George in the back of our vehicle, his bladder was medium size and there did not appear to be any blockage.  George the bully had no problem barking at the technician and letting us all know he was ok.

Back at home the day progressed with George happily eating and drinking and hopping when necessary.  He wore his modified harness so he could get help up and down the one step to his sunporch and the other step to the outside. He continued to rest.  Finally, after dinner Mom decided to let George off leash and he was happy to go off on his own, slow but steady, to finally pee.  Sunday morning showed more improvement with him hopping up the small hill outside so he could releve his bowels at last.

Monday January 20, 2014

George was brought back to the vet clinic to have his bandages replaced today.  Meagan came to help put him in the car and go to the vet with us.  I called in to the office and they opened the side door to the ramp.  George was removed from the vehicle and proceeded to try and drag me up the ramp.  I guess his surgery did not give him an aversion to the place.  George patiently stood the entire time the vet removed all his dressing and then carefully wrap him back up to protect the incision and those staples.  Surprizingly the vet let us know that the biopsy results were in and it was good and bad.  Apparently, the tumor is not an Osteosarcoma but a Fibrosarcoma.  Fibrosarcoma generally does not metastesize like Osteosarcoma.  According to the biopsy report the it is a high grade (not good) fibrosarcoma with guarded prognosis.  What this exactly means - I don't know.  So...back to researching the new situation  and continuing forward with immune boosting and herbal treatments whatever they may be....also considering acupuncture.

So far George has tried running through the yard and climbing on the couch - all to which he was abruptly stopped (another reason he wears his harness which has an easy grab handle).  His poodle neice Mystic stopped by for dinner.  Today was her 3rd birthday!  Can you see that she got special waterproof socks for her birthday?  She is a high-class faluting kind of a poodle.  Very chic I must say!
 
It is time to order a ramp for that SUV and figure out how we will get George upstairs to the bedrooms once staples are out.  Afterall, he does sleep in a bed.  He's a good boy and I believe he will continue to fight this thing and be an overcomer!