Jessie's Cancer Updates - she's lost her fight!

[speedyjaney]

Helloo

Jessie has recently been diagnosed with arthritis in one of her front legs (in the elbow)  Jessie is 6 in August!!

She has had a week of Rimadyl and has had one of four cartrofen injections following this weeks worth of painkillers - the second injection is on Tuesday morning. Now since she had the x-ray a couple of weeks ago she appears to be worse...her limp is definately worse and she can hardly cope with a little potter round the block on lead.....its as if her leg has seized up....its pitiful to see...

The vet has told us to give her 2 short walks a day but she has been so bad this week she has only had one a day...she is sleeping lots and lots not pestering for biccies or wee's etc and seems generally quiet!

She is having one Rimadyl a day split into 2 halves - morning and night! If it was me I would double dose myself....but obviously I can;t do this to Jess as I dont know what the consequences would be.

I am asking for help as I want to ease her pain...she must be in pain to limp along like she is.....what else can I do to help her? We will obviously discuss further with vet on Tuesday bit wondered if we can anything between now and then to help? Should we restart the Synflex?...

All advice is welcome.....Thanks

Janey and a limpy Jessie x

[*Jay*]

If she is as bad as that, I would ring the vets and see if her dose can be adjusted until they see her again.  It is possible to double dose Rimadyl for short term use but that would have to be done under the guidance of the vet. Not sure if it would be poss in her case if she is getting cartrophen too    It might be the rimadyl just isnt going to suit her - it didnt help Brook at all but Metacam did the trick.

Hope you find something that helps and she is more comfortable soon 

[Mudmagnets]

My old Border Collie Suzie had bad arthritis. She was about 9 when it began to affect her and altho rymadil helped for a while, she was much better on the Metacam.

Don't forget, whatever the vet prescibes it is always worth looking on the net for the best possible prices. You can now get Metacam (with prescription from vet) in 180ml bottle which works out a lot cheaper (especially if you go for the multi-buy option), from the net even with prescription charges. Don't know prices of rymadil.

Obviously you need to discuss it with your vet re the possible side effects of both medications and which one would suit her best.

Hope you are able to find relief for her soon, it will be worse some days than others, just as it is for hooman sufferers.

[smalt]

Janey

Has Jessie got a constant limp or is it a bit "occasional".  I'm asking because my Molly (6 in July) has recently started limping occasionally and when checking her paw (front right) there's never anything in it. For the past month we have restricted her walks - lead only, and only walk her for 20mins at a time.   On Sunday we went on a 2 mile walk at Kedleston as she has seemed a lot better, after 1 mile she stopped, looked at us (pitifully as they do  ).  Nothing in her paw.  Third time it happened, I massaged her leg and shoulder and after a few minutes she was fine.  No problems since.  Someone at work has mentioned arthritis but I thought she was too young, or thought she might be feeling her age, but again thought she's not quite six yet.  May be she just wanted some TLC and wanted us to buy a doggy backpack carrier thingy !! 

How did the vet diagnose it, dont really know much about arthritis - is it inflamation of the joint.  Hope you dont think Ive hi-jacked your thread, and sorry I can't offer any help, but plenty of hugs and sympathy to limpy Jessie   xx

Lynne   

[speedyjaney]

Hi Smalt

Jessie limp is always there but varies in its severity! Currently she is very bad...but we have had days where she seems fine then she will begin to limp badly again!

The vet took x-rays and diagnosed it from there.....she's just had a very bad weekend and has now been referred to an orthopedic vet and her appt is on Monday. I will update again after! Im hoping the find something else that is treatable and curable tbh.....then I will have my lively cocker back...if not we are faced with managing a difficult illness which will alter the quality of her life more and more as she ages further!

Janey

[speedyjaney]

Jessie has been seen by the orthpedic vet today. She had further xrays and an MRI scan.

The news is bad - she has bone cancer! 4 tumors have been seen in her leg and spine but she could have other in areas not scanned.

The prognosis is very bad - surgery isnt an option and chemo may not be feasible....

We have to see the vet again tomorrw - she is in hospital tonight......

Janey

[*Jay*]

Oh my goodness, I am so sorry    If she was a large breed dog showing those symptoms, osteosarcoma would have been one of the first things you would think of but not in a young cocker    Its just so tragic it's spread beyond her leg and amputation isn't an option now but at least you know with her being under the care of a specialist, all other options will be explored.

Sending lots of love to you all - will be keeping Jessie in my thoughts 

[Sian P]

Oh my, what an awful shock! Poor Jessie 

Thinking of you and hoping for a miracle. 

[Colin]

So sorry to hear this Janey, what a worry. 

[spanielcrazy]

Oh my, what an awful shock! Poor Jessie 

Thinking of you and hoping for a miracle. 

Same thoughts here for you and Jessie  

[bibathediva]

   I really am so sorry...you must be devastated    My thoughts are with you and like others will be praying for a miracle for you and Jessie 

[Victoria]

Oh my goodness.  I am so sorry.  I am thinking of you and Jessie. 

[Silver Surfer (indiesnan)]

So sorry to hear this Janey  Thinking of you 

[Helen]

oh doG Janey - so sorry to read this 

Thinking of you and sending as many of these as we possess.

praying for a miracle 

[speedyjaney]

Jessie's cancer is multiple myeloma.....so surgery definately not an option especially as hers is in her vertebra.....

Vet is doing further tests today to see if chemo is viable - that depends if its spread or not i think.

Jane