Update on Sirius: Bad news.

[DemoTex]

More x-rays and an abdominal ultra-sound were done yesterday, Monday, by the Upstate Veterinary Specialists Oncology Service in Greenville. The results were not good. The imaging revealed multiple masses in his lungs, consistent with the spread of a metastatic process, and a large mass in his left caudal lung lobe. Also, a mass was noted in his caudal abdomen above the bladder, perhaps associated with the prostate gland.

Sirius has been diagnosed with (most likely) metastatic disease to his lungs. Today, a fine-needle aspiration of the abdominal mass will be done for biopsy of that mass.

Once lung lesions in a dog are visible on an x-ray, chemotherapy is - historically - of little benefit. However, Sirius’s heart is strong (he does not have either congestive heart failure or pneumonia, as previously thought). He is bright, alert, and seems to feel well. We have decided to try the chemo to the extent that Sirius can tolerate it without serious deleterious effects. Without the chemo, the veterinary oncologist gives Sirius 4 to 8 weeks. It is a tough decision, but we must give chemo a try.

Today, blood work will be done to see if Sirius is otherwise a candidate for chemotherapy. If the blood chemistry is OK, the chemotherapy will probably start Friday morning in Greenville. The chemo will be administered by I-V drip at the clinic in Greenville once every three weeks for three times total. Due to the anticipated side effects of the chemo and the prednisone (which he starts today), we spend our time between sessions at the mountain house.

Mac


Sirius

[Bronco69]

1. Good thoughts and wishes coming to you and Sirius.

Give him some extra hugs and kisses from Annie, Duke and me.:hug:

[demnan]

2. I'm so sorry to hear this

it's always so painful when your beloved friend is sick. I know how you feel. And sadly their lives are so short compared to ours.

I would do anything to make sure the animal is comfortable and that he knows you love him and can live the rest of his life in peace. He knows that he is blessed to have someone who loves him as much as you do.

[Redstone]

3. Poor doggie. What breed is he/she?

We had a dog who looked just like yours...she was a truly great pooch, and lived to be 13, but we could never figure out exactly what she was.

Redstone

[arwalden]

4. I'm Very Sorry To Hear This, Mac.

Let me know...

-- Allen

[sugarmags]

5. I'm so sorry to hear about Sirius.

I went though a similar situation with my Casey dog. She was having trouble urinating, generally straining, and she had been mis-diagnosed in the past with a bladder infection. Once finding a new vet, he suggested that we "get to the bottom" of her infections and see what was causing them. One ultrasound later and she had a huge tumor in her bladder. Our oncologist couldn't even give her chemo or surgery. It was just comfort care for my baby.

I wish Sirius the best through chemo. From what I read with Casey, chemo doesn't affect dogs like it does humans. Still rough, I wish you the best. Our sweetie's don't deserve this!

Casey's Blog: http://caseydog.blogspot.com

[greatauntoftriplets]

6. My best thoughts and wishes to you and Sirius, Mac.

He looks like such a great dog, and to have to watch him go through this must be extremely difficult for you.

Good luck to all of you that the chemo helps him.

[Wcross]

7. I will be pulling for Sirius.

You are an awesome friend to him, I wish all dog owners were like you.

[Dervill Crow]

8. So sorry to hear this.

Hugs to Sirius, and you too.

[Trillo]

9. That's an expensive option!

Hope it works out for the best.

[China_cat]

10. Take heart

in the fact that dogs, for the most part, do NOT react to chemo in the same ways that humans do. You aren't likely to see hair loss or vomiting. You may see some lethargy and loss of appetite (which the prednisone should overcome) but little else. Maybe some anemia.

Doesn't hold for every dog, of course, but for the majority of them this is the case. Sirius's condition otherwise says that he'll probably be one of that majority.

[shesemsmom]

11. I am so sorry

to hear this. Like you I would do everthing I could. God bless you both, I will keep you both in my prayers.

[livetohike]

12. Hang in there DemoTex

Sending good thoughts and prayers for Sirius and you all. :hug:

[NoSunWithoutShadow]

13. So Sorry to hear about Sirius's diagnosis

Sounds like you have an excellent vet. Sirius will be OK no matter what as long as you are by his side.

Will they let you sit with him during the administration of the chemo?

Sending good thoughts to you and Sirius.

Karen

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

14. So sorry... enjoy these moments with Sirius

and make sure he has a happy life. Dogs (and other pets) are such good pals that, if there were any justice, they should never ever get sick.

I hope that you and Sirius will get to spend wonderful times together and that his chemo will be as easy on him as possible.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

15. I'm sorry, Mac. Poor puppy!

you're doing everything you can to make his life comfortable and happy. Take care! :hug:

[lavenderdiva]

16. I am so sorry to hear the news about Sirius' condition...

Libby, Emma, and I will be sending lots of love and hugs Sirius' way. You and your family will be in our prayers--


:grouphug:

[NoSheep]

17. Sending positive energy your way. n/t

[Maestro]

18. Good luck

Although I am sure your vet is very good, you may try contacting the Texas A&M veterinary services branch. You might be able to do so through TAMU nearby since you are in Greenville. I am assuming that by your name you are in Greenville, TX. I had a belgian shepard at one time that had a spinal embolism and was treated in Bryan Station. Expensive, yes, but she was saved and regained partial use of one limb that had gone completely limp.

[DemoTex]

19. Actually, Greenville, SC. I left Dallas,Texas last year.

Also a correction on the chemo schedule: It will be 5 sessions three weeks apart. I am not worried about the expense, but I am worried about, and sensitive to, any reduction in what quality time he might have left. This will be like walking a tight-rope.

[Maestro]

20. Keep us up-to-date

and too bad you left Texas. We need more dems.

[ProfessorGAC]

21. Oh, Man!

That's a drag, Cap'n. All i can do is to continue to send good vibes and we'll all hope for the best.

You take care.
The Professor

[tishaLA]

22. My heart goes out to you and Sirius

I hope he responds well to therapies.

[BrklynLiberal]

23. White light and positive energy to you and Sirius from me and my pack.

Stay strong. I hope that Sirius has a a gentle journey, where ever it leads.

[AgadorSparticus]

24. i hope the chemo works for sirius. my heart goes out to you.

[GOPisEvil]

25. Best wishes to Sirius!

He's a good looking fella!

[DemoTex]

26. I jump-started Sirius's appetite tonight!

I broiled and extra 1/2 chicken breast and cooked extra rice. Sirius was lethargic and without appetite from his sedation today for the biopsy. About an hour ago, I mixed about 1/4 breast of chicken (chopped) with warm rice and a spot of gravy. I put in a couple of handfuls of his dry dog food. He woofed it down in record time! Then he finished off his bowl of dry dog food. Strength is life.
We have ordered some special high-fat canned dog food for dogs fighting tumors. I will cook him tenderloin every night, if that is what it takes to keep him eating.

Please share any stories of nutritional success for dogs suffering cancers (or links to support sites). Thanks.

Mac


Old, sweet Sirius


Young hellion Nick-Nick

[salin]

28. Wish I had info resources to share...

or even annecdotal stories.

Have done the 'tasting up' the meal thing, when our aging pup has started doing the skip meals plan. Tends to foil her efforts. Good solution -and even if in the end it doesn't make a big difference... it will let Sirius enjoy each of those meals and appreciate you that much more for playing special chef duty.

Best wishes for you all.

[DemoTex]

31. Either way, I am with him.

He will either live in my arms, or die in my arms. I will try, now, to stick to him like he has stuck to me for 11 years. As much as I love him, I think he loves me more. His is an unconditional, unmatchable love. That is why dog is a more perfect animal than man.


"Mysterious" Sirius

[salin]

41. Sirius, no doubt, knows

how much you love him, and is appreciative of your expressions of reciprocity of love in this time. He probably feels lousy (physically), but feels pretty much at peace (emotionally) due to your presence and attention in this time.

[CornField]

30. What a wonderful idea

Rice is very easy on their stomach too. Here's hoping that Sirius keeps his strength up and is better before we know it.

[Redstone]

32. We did the chicken-and rice thing for our dog

when she was real sick; it worked for a while but she ended up preferring ham.

When your pooch won't eat whatever you're giving him, just keep trying other stuff.

And in the end, if you don't mind me offering this advice, just let him go easy. A good dog deserves that.

Redstone

[DemoTex]

35. Thanks Redstone ..

We are steeled-up. We are ready for that. When he goes, though, I want my arms around him and my head against his. I shall sing his favorite song to him as he dies. It is a nonsense-song that I have been singing to him for almost 11 years. It always calms him down.

[Blue Diadem]

36. Mac, have you checked out this site?

http://www.katberard.com/hea_cancer.htm

Lots of links, lots of info there.

I think you're on the right track. Our vet suggested to us that we cook chicken for our lab. I cooked 10lbs of chicken legs and thighs each week. He had serious health problems from Jan. 01-Nov. 03. He made it to 14 yrs old and they hadn't given him more than a 6-9 months after his cancer surgery in Sept. 01.

Give Sirius a big old hug and smooch from me please. Prayers and good thoughts for both of you.

[DemoTex]

44. Thanks .. bookmarked and short-cutted for tomorrow.

Thanks OurVotesCount-Ohio.
Mac

[Not_Giving_Up]

27. Best wishes to Sirius

and to you as well. Hang in there! :hug:

[latebloomer]

29. This is so hard!

I know-- we recently lost our beautiful and darling 13-year-old Brownie. I know you'll do everything in your power and pocketbook to keep him with you. As long as he has some quality of life, it's worth it.

How old is Sirius?

[DU GrovelBot]

33. ## PLEASE DONATE TO DEMOCRATIC UNDERGROUND! ##

==================
GROVELBOT.EXE v3.0
==================



This week is our first quarter 2005 fund drive. Democratic
Underground is a completely independent website. We depend almost entirely
on donations from our members to cover our costs. Thank you so much for
your support.

[DemoTex]

37. Great thread to show up in, GrovelBot.

Even Nick-Nick is quiet around pending tragedy. Go auto-bark up another thread. I gave at the office.
DemoTex

[yellowdogintexas]

34. heartfelt thoughts to you and Sirius

as well as NIck-nick, who will grieve too.

We lost our two oldest kitties within 3 weeks of each other about a yr and 1/2 ago; my thoughts are with you

[CatBoreal]

38. Hey Mac... sorry to hear about your puppy....

...hope he gets better soon. He looks like a true sweetheart.

*HUGS*

[Scout1071]

39. DemTx, I went thru very similar experience just last month

Unfortunately, because I'm a "single parent" and financially unable to take that option, I lost my best friend of 11 yrs and it was one of the hardest things that has ever happened to me. I certainly hope that your Sirius will recover nicely and you'll have more years together. I'll check back and keep you in my thoughts. Keep positive.

[roguevalley]

40. bless both of you, honey. I will keep both of you in my heart.

[librechik]

42. good luck and all the best

enjoy loving Sirius as long as he is with us.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

43. Awwww Mac...I'm sorry for you and sorry Sirius is going through this

I wish you both the best throughout this :hug:

[Shopaholic]

46. The chicken and rice works well--we did it for my fur baby

in his final days. I'm with you though-whatever they will eat, whatever they want--that's what I'd go with. It sounds like you've got a good vet team and all the positive thoughts of the DU'ers. Hang in their Sirius!

[philosophie_en_rose]

45. What a sweet little guy.

You're lucky to have each other.

*hugs*

[EC]

47. Keeping up the strength during cemo is a great help

baby him while you can...lots of love and all his favorite things...I've always felt better knowing I gave my departed pets the best life they could have with lots of love...

[driver8]

48. DemoTex -- you are both in my thoughts...

Sirius is lucky to have a friend like you...
He sure is a handsome dog.