A Jude Update.

[DawnCt1]

On Friday I was very concerned about Jude. His appetite had improved but I took him out in the morning, and instead of making "yellow snow", he made lots of bright red snow. Usually we don't see bright red until after noon. All day long it went from bright to dark, that there was hard to believe there was anything in there except blood. I called the vet since we were heading into the weekend hoping that they would be able to prescribe something that would slow the bleeding, or if he were anemic, that they could increase his RBCs, etc. Jude was happy to go. He loves the vet clinic we go to and they love them. This is a large facility that sees a lot of patients, generally has at least two vets on duty and lots of staff. The office staff and the hospital staff was so happy to see Jude, they came into the waiting area for "kisses". I didn't know it, but a lot of them have his picture in their cell phones. While we were waiting, he became very figgitty. I thought he wanted to visit the kitties but he wanted to go out to pee. We didn't make it in time and he pee'd on the floor and passed a huge clot. The bladder is extremely vascular but what I remember from working with TURP post ops, is that clots need to be passed to slow the bleeding. Since then, his output has improved somewhat. Sometimes it is really yellow. He saw a different vet this time and I was thrilled to see that he has maintained his weight. That is good news because I don't always think he eats enough. He listened to his heart and he had a noticible arrythemia. Of course, in his condition, he isn't a candidate for a cardiac workup. I did hear it while there, but since he has been home it has been less frequent. Maybe he was excited. The vet drew a small amount of blood for a CBC and then left to see another patient while we waited for the results. He walked back into the room and said, "Jude must be a really popular guy because I have been besieged with "Is Jude okay"? questions. He said, "I am pleased to report that he is not anemic so we don't have to do anything with his blood at this point. He is obviously very happy and no one would guess what he lives with." He offered him Tramidol for pain, "when he needs it" but we both agreed that he doesn't appear to be in any discomfort except for bladder spasms. I asked about a drug like pyridium which would anesthitized the bladder and reduce spasms, but he wasn't familiar with it and didn't know if it would be compatible for canines. I asked his previous owner, and she hasn't gotten back to me either. In the meantime, he is spoiled, as he should be. Right now, we are having a "stand off" over food. He knows I have cookies somewhere and won't eat his breakfast which is turning into lunch. Yesterday I had to show him the empty bag of cookies (Zukes) and then he ate. He doesn't need his Deramaxx until around 4 pm, so if he hasn't eaten by then, I guess I will give in.

 

[luvwinnie]

Glad your sweet boy doesn't seem to be in any discomfort.

 

[Keli]

I hope Jude starts eating better and that the bleeding lessens. Of course Jude is popular with the vet staff, he sounds like such a sweetheart.

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

Thank you for the update.


Pixie Dust for many many good days!

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

I'm glad he is comfortable and happy! What a sweetie, I know how hard this must be for you.

 

[MickeyMouseGal]

Did you ask your vet about Piroxicam?

 

[JessicaR]

Thanks for the update Dawn. I wondering of they got back to you about the pyridium. Please let us know when you hear. I hope after passing the clot Jude is doing better! It sounds like he is. I bet they all love seeing him at the Vet after all he is a very handsome guy. Obviously smart too since he remembered waiting on cookies.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Hey Jude.

 

[Dancemom03]

LOL, at least once a week I have to show our collie that there aren't any cookies left before she'll eat her food. I've gotten so that I hide treats in different places now so she doesn't know they're there. She got really spoiled during that three weeks with the vet when we almost lost her last summer and DD20's job at the pet store has only tripled the supply of tempting new cookies & toys.

Thanks for the update. Jude sounds like a real sweetie.
Here's hoping things continue to improve and his appetite picks up real soon!

 

[quasar4legs]

Jude is one clever furbaby to wait it out for the cookies. I am so pleased that things are stable for the moment and am sending his mummy a big hug
I can't imagine the day when my doggy is old and sick, they are such an important part of our families.

Thinking of you all and I love a positive Jude update.

 

[DawnCt1]

Did you ask your vet about Piroxicam?

He was on Piroxicam originally. I would give him famotidine before it, feed him and then the Piroxicam. He is on famotidine bid. He could not tolerate it. After 4 days he wasn't eating. He was hungry, he would chew the food (lean turkey, chicken) and then let it drop out of his mouth. He had diarrhea soon after. We put him on sucralfate 1 Gram bid, which I dissolve in warm water and squirt in his mouth. Finally, after consulting with the oncologist, his previous owner who is a vet and our vet, who originally felt that he would have trouble with the Piroxicam, we switched him to Deramaxx. He has TCC which has resulted in a large bladder tumor, hydronephrosis of one ureter, a well involved prostate and a sub lumbar node. Any suggestions you can throw my way are so welcomed. I am glad you posted to this thread. On the Deramaxx, he has become a "fussy eater" but he will eat, as opposed to being on the piroxicam, which I desperately wanted him to be able to take. He looks happy. Yesterday DH listened to his heart and it sounded to him like a lot of atrial fibrillation. He does tire more quickly. He is 11.

 

[DawnCt1]

Thanks for the update Dawn. I wondering of they got back to you about the pyridium. Please let us know when you hear. I hope after passing the clot Jude is doing better! It sounds like he is. I bet they all love seeing him at the Vet after all he is a very handsome guy. Obviously smart too since he remembered waiting on cookies.

I have done more cooking for this big guy and he has become a picky eater. He used to love boiled chicken and low salt turkey, no more. A couple of years ago, ************* posted a recipe that had diced stewed tomatoes, balsamic vinegar and olive oil, topped with cheese. I made that for the family the night before last. HE LOVES IT. The left overs are for him. I scrape off the cheese and the tomato stuff, but it obviously gave it enough flavor. I also heat it up when we sit down for dinner so he thinks it is ours. If he thinks it is ours, it is good enough for him. He has trained us well. He used to be happy with Canadae Lamb and Rice kibble. No more.

 

[jackemail]

Thanks for the update--what a smart and well-loved pup he seems to be!

 

[Tuffcookie]

Yesterday I had to show him the empty bag of cookies (Zukes) and then he ate.

Bless his heart!

TC

 

[MickeyMouseGal]

Well, shoot. It's a shame he can't tolerate the Piroxicam because it can actually shrink bladder tumors. I wonder if the oncologist can recommend a lower dose (the reference I have says 0.3mg/kg PO per day) and combine that with another NSAID or prednisone.
I don't know about the pyridium either... a DVM internal med. specialist might be able to tell you though.

 

[DawnCt1]

]Well, shoot. It's a shame he can't tolerate the Piroxicam because it can actually shrink bladder tumors[/B]. I wonder if the oncologist can recommend a lower dose (the reference I have says 0.3mg/kg PO per day) and combine that with another NSAID or prednisone.
I don't know about the pyridium either... a DVM internal med. specialist might be able to tell you though.

I know. It was a disappointment. The oncologist felt that the Deramaxx was a good second choice for those dogs that cannot tolerate the piroxicam. I even wondered about using it on an alternating schedule, except today, he doesn't seem to feel good. I took him for a long car ride; had some errands to do, and we stopped at the bank. He loves the bank and he likes their cookies. He didn't even sit up in the back seat. Very unusual. Maybe later he will perk up. No interest in food right now either.

 

[MickeyMouseGal]

How much does he weigh and what dose was he on?

 

[DawnCt1]

How much does he weigh and what dose was he on?

He weighs 56.4 lbs and was taking 10 mg. I still have it.

 

[MickeyMouseGal]

He weighs 56.4 lbs and was taking 10 mg. I still have it.

I think that dose would be fine for a dog who could tolerate it, but considering his sensitivity... According to the dose I have, he would take 7.7mg once daily. You might want to ask your vet if you could have a compounding pharmacy break it down into a more accurate size for him (or try 3/4 of a tablet) and see how he does. How is his renal function (BUN and Creatinine)?

 

[DawnCt1]

I think that dose would be fine for a dog who could tolerate it, but considering his sensitivity... According to the dose I have, he would take 7.7mg once daily. You might want to ask your vet if you could have a compounding pharmacy break it down into a more accurate size for him (or try 3/4 of a tablet) and see how he does. How is his renal function (BUN and Creatinine)?

3 weeks ago his BUN was around 25 or 26. I thought I had the lab results in my email but I must have accidentally deleted it. His creatinine was 1.5, so both were edging up. Do you think I could dump out a quarter of the capsule and give it 3/4s full. I had to do with with DSs when they were on a particular dose of medication years ago. I am concerned that he isn't feeling well today. He was licking his lips earlier, doesn't want to eat right now.