A Jude Update.

[MickeyMouseGal]

I would call your vet first. If he has had his Deramaxx today, then I would wait until tomorrow. He will probably still have to stay on the sucralfate and acid reducers.

 

[Jockaroo]

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.

I've been thinking about Jude. Know he has many folks pulling for him that he will have many more good days. Remember it is about the quality of his days, not the number of days. I know this is so very hard.

The lip licking can be a sign of nausea. I saw this with my dog. We had to add anti-nausea medications and these perked up her appetite for a short while. Hope his appetite perks back up. If he really likes a certain cookie, maybe you could try crumbling several of these over his food and tempt him.

MickeyMouseGal, I know you are suggesting the Piroxicam, and I also understand this can be a great medication. It can also be dangerous. My Scottie with TCC was started on Piroxicam; it destroyed her kidneys and she passed from kidney failure. There is a certain point where a dog's organs and immune system just cannot handle so many harsh medications and you end up trading one major health issue for another major health issue and still end up with a sad outcome.

 

[Patricia721]

I've been thinking of Jude also & checking the board nearly every day for updates. Sending good thoughts & prayers for Jude and you.

 

[MickeyMouseGal]

MickeyMouseGal, I know you are suggesting the Piroxicam, and I also understand this can be a great medication. It can also be dangerous. My Scottie with TCC was started on Piroxicam; it destroyed her kidneys and she passed from kidney failure. There is a certain point where a dog's organs and immune system just cannot handle so many harsh medications and you end up trading one major health issue for another major health issue and still end up with a sad outcome.

That's why I was asking about his renal status. I am not Jude's doctor, but I am a veterinarian. That's why I don't want Dawn to change anything without talking to his doctor.

 

[Jockaroo]

That's why I was asking about his renal status. I am not Jude's doctor, but I am a veterinarian. That's why I don't want Dawn to change anything without talking to his doctor.

I know that Piroxicam can be a miracle drug for some. Understand that my little dog was appearing to get better, then we had the rug yanked out from under us with the renal failure. My dog had some other serious health issues at the same time including diminished liver function which probably tipped the scales. I just know the pain I felt and out of concern for Jude and Dawn want to try to spare anyone else this pain. I've gotten to the point I know that the drug wasn't evil and I don't blame the specialty vet--she went above and beyond to try to save my little girl. I do want anyone using Piroxicam to understand the warning signs of kidney failure and know this is a medication to use with caution--but in reality, all medications--animal or human--should be used with caution.

I'm not a vet and I really appreciate your insights on this since TCC is close to my heart as a Scottie momma.

We are all pulling for Jude.

 

[DawnCt1]

That's why I was asking about his renal status. I am not Jude's doctor, but I am a veterinarian. That's why I don't want Dawn to change anything without talking to his doctor.

I think Jude's renal status is about one paw on a banana peel. His vet originally put him on Deramaxx because he knew that Jude had a sensitive stomach and when he had consulted with theoncologist on another case, the oncologist suggested that Deramaxx was essentially equal. On the way home from the diagnosis, I called his original owner, who is also a vet. She wanted him on Piroxicam because that is where the literature shows the best chance of tumor regression. At that point, I hadn't had an ultrasound. Diagnosis was by the pathology report. She called in the piroxicam, I had the famotidine from his vet and all seemed good for about 2 weeks or more, then he just wouldn't eat. He wanted to eat but would put it in his mouth and drop it. I visited her so she could see Jude for one last time, by then we had the ultrasound and knew the extent of his disease. She had been in touch with the same oncologist who said to put him on Deramaxx at that poin . While at her house, she drew his blood. My vet said at the time of diagnosis, we perhaps could expect 60 days. The oncologist said that with the extent of his disease, his prognosis was much worse and gave him 2 weeks to a month. She had forwarded the ultrasound and she knows the veterinary radiologist who did it. I am happy to say that Jude has outlived the 2 weeks that was predicted. I am hoping that his official name, "Time Eternal" and the name he goes by; Jude means something. He still has diarrhea despite the famotidine and the sucralate. I know if I call his vet, he will say "no" to the piroxicam because he had his doubts with Jude on that in the first place. I am not sure what is causing the arrythmia nor was the vet I saw Friday night. At rest today, I didn't hear it. I am not sure what is causing the diarrhea either.

 

[horseshowmom]

Dawn, your post brings tears to my eyes. I know this is a tough situation. I've dealt with similar issues (although not cancer) with mine through the years. I had a pony with liver failure that we struggled so hard with, and a horse that I sat in the rain all day with holding an umbrella over her head while we waited to see if she was going to make it (she didn't). Along with that, there have been health issues with my dogs and cats.

It is sooo hard watching and trying everything you know to do but still feeling so helpless at the same time. All I can offer you, your family, and Jude is my prayers and best wishes, but you do have those...

 

[DawnCt1]

Dawn, your post brings tears to my eyes. I know this is a tough situation. I've dealt with similar issues (although not cancer) with mine through the years. I had a pony with liver failure that we struggled so hard with, and a horse that I sat in the rain all day with holding an umbrella over her head while we waited to see if she was going to make it (she didn't). Along with that, there have been health issues with my dogs and cats.

It is sooo hard watching and trying everything you know to do but still feeling so helpless at the same time. All I can offer you, your family, and Jude is my prayers and best wishes, but you do have those...

Bless your heart. It is so hard knowing you have to let go sooner, rather than later. When I brought him home, he was 8. DH warned me; "this is an older dog, no matter how healthy he is, you will get attached and have to say goodbye sooner than you are going to be ready to do so". I swore up and down that I wouldn't get that attached because "I know he is older", etc. DH was right. In the meantime, I just took him outside, this boy who wouldn't EAT ALL DAY! This is the first time his urine has been clear in appearance after 12 noon and he came in and ate a half a can of dog food. Just in time too. He gets his meds soon but with a "cookid".

 

[horseshowmom]

Bless your heart. It is so hard knowing you have to let go sooner, rather than later. When I brought him home, he was 8. DH warned me; "this is an older dog, no matter how healthy he is, you will get attached and have to say goodbye sooner than you are going to be ready to do so". I swore up and down that I wouldn't get that attached because "I know he is older", etc. DH was right. In the meantime, I just took him outside, this boy who wouldn't EAT ALL DAY! This is the first time his urine has been clear in appearance after 12 noon and he came in and ate a half a can of dog food. Just in time too. He gets his meds soon but with a "cookid".

Well, hooray for clear urine and half a can of dog food! You take your good news where you can get it!

 

[MickeyMouseGal]

I'm not a vet and I really appreciate your insights on this since TCC is close to my heart as a Scottie momma.

We are all pulling for Jude.

TCC is a bad deal, no doubt. It alone can lead to renal failure, so it becomes a fine balance between shrinking the tumor and facing the inevitable renal damage (from meds as well as the disease). Renal damage doesn't even show up on bloodwork until 75% of function is lost, so it's hard to tell how much damage has been done or how fast it is declining from the tumor before any medication is given.

 

[alliecats]

I wish all animals could be as well-loved and cherished as Jude is. I hope you have many, many more good days with him maintaining his weight and feeling good.

 

[DawnCt1]

I wish all animals could be as well-loved and cherished as Jude is. I hope you have many, many more good days with him maintaining his weight and feeling good.

Thank you, and thanks to everyone for all the kind thoughts and pixie dust.

 

[Silent1CB]

I know what its like to love & care for an aging special needs pet. I wish you all the best & spend all the time you can with each other.

 

[mousey]

Glad to hear Jude is doing well. What a cutie!