Our World

Category: Pets

Can’t have a section that doesn’t contain pets

  • Facebook Post: 2020-01-24

    We have a confirmed diagnosis on Rambo. The biopsy came back as multicentric lymphoma. The other thing we know is that he is now at Stage IV, as the lymphoma involves his spleen, and his lymph nodes at his neck.

    Our vet has had the conversation with me about talking to an oncologist and possibly doing chemo, while I understand the chemo for dogs is not nearly as traumatic as chemo for humans, the chemo for this is not a cure. It is designed to extend the lifespan of the dog and provide comfort for a longer period of time. Doing this would be for us, not Rambo, and as upsetting as it is, the right thing in Jesse’s and my minds is to not go this route.

    We are going to continue with the steroids until he tells us it’s time to cross the bridge. Believe me, we are not ones that will continue this until he wastes away to nothing, but right now he is happy, ran in the yard again today, is eating, and is without pain. He does have the runs, but that is in the afternoon mainly, and we do not think his stomach is causing issues right now.

  • Facebook Post: Rambo second opinion

    Just to catch everyone up on Rambo. I took him in for a second opinion today with a vet that had seen him in the past (we did not know where she had moved to, but I found her). She did a needle biopsy of the lymph nodes in his neck and sent it out for pathology. She sent out some more bloodwork as well. She will call me as soon as everything comes back.

    He lost another 2.some pounds since the last visit. Of course there may be a difference in the scales as well.

  • Facebook Post: Connie Visits Rambo

    Christopher Molnar updated his status.

    Updated to add: Little did we know this would be the last visit.

     

  • Facebook Post: Missing Ranger

    Today in 2012 was Ranger’s gotcha day. I miss my big goofball. The gentle giant and protector of the pack.

  • Facebook Post: Rambo is Complaining

    Daddy….. two thing:

    Thanks for the beef with dinner

    Second, beef comma would be much better with a fire.

    (Note: there was a photo with Rambo Laying in front of the Fire, I can’t find it).

  • Facebook Post: 2020-01-20T14:05:25

    Folks, I could not post this until I talked to a few people from his life, as well being a little bit more sure in the diagnosis.

    Please keep Rambo (RCK Rambo) in your thoughts over the next few months. Rambo has been diagnosed with Lymphoma and we are not sure how aggressive it is going to be. About 6 weeks ago he started having stomach issues, the runs, etc. At the same time he started heavy panting. We took to vet and they gave us some antibiotics, probiotics, etc. About 3 weeks ago he started throwing up (not blood) and panting really really bad. Then he started walking way from food, and that never happens. Even treats were not interesting to him at all. He started taking Rangers approach that if it made him sick he was not going to touch it again. I took him to the ER vet and they did a number of tests, images, and sent the results out for consultation. They found a swollen lymph node on the spleen. There was still a bit of a toss-up between lymphoma and IBD (irritable bowel disease). The treatment for an 11 year old dog is pretty similar, steroids. So, onto steroids he went. Starting with 30mg of Predisone twice a day for 7 days and then down to 30mg once a day. He also got some other antibiotic and stomach pills to help alleviate the throwing up. In the process of this Rambo lost a little over 10 pounds.

    The good news is that the eating issues have stopped. He is eating properly (wants to eat everything in sight). The panting continues on and off and rare, but is sort of under control now. we also have runny poop, like watery runny, on and off during the day. We can most likely say that he is not in pain right now.

    The bad news is that last night I felt hard lumps of lymph nodes in his neck. That was the first time I had felt them that hard and it is not a good sign of things to come, it sort of confirms the diagnosis.

    Our next vet appointment is on Thursday at 11:45am so we will see how things are progressing at that time. We are also getting a second opinion on the Dx. He is comfortable now, he is eating, he is going outside. He knows something is wrong, and as all dogs do, they live in the minute. He is not ready to leave us at this time, and home for him is where the pack is.

    Please do not suggest things like chemo, etc. He is 11 years old and doing anything other than supporting care / steroids at this time would be doing it more for us than him.

    Edited to add: We know what the outcome of this is going to be and we are not imagining that a sudden cure will come along. We do not know if it is going to be weeks or months. There is just too much variation on how this disease progresses. There is no cure for this, there is only time.

  • Facebook Post: 2020-01-18T19:05:29

    No photo description available.

    Two wet (well damp) dogs and one brindle boy in jail. Yes, the jury convicted him.

  • Facebook Post: 2020-01-18T17:20:26

    Damn it Rambo!! Stop trying to hump the twins! They don’t have the parts anymore, neither do you. I thought we were done with this a number of years ago. Lady is not happy with you, and they are both about to get a bath just in case they got into something you like.

  • Facebook Post: 2020-01-16T08:23:39

    Dear Dogs:
    When I say to move, it means go someplace else, not switch positions with each other so there are still two dogs in the way.
    The dishes with the paw print are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note, placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.
    The stairway was not designed by Nascar and is not a racetrack. Beating me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn’t help, because I fall faster than you can run.
    I cannot buy anything bigger than a king size bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue to sleep on the couch to ensure your comfort. Look at videos of dogs sleeping, they can actually curl up in a ball. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space used is nothing but doggy sarcasm.
    My compact discs are not miniature Frisbees.
    For the last time, there is not a secret exit from the bathroom. If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, try to turn the knob, or get your paw under the edge and try to pull the door open. I must exit through the same door I entered. In addition, I have been using bathrooms for years, canine attendance is not mandatory.
    The proper order is kiss me, then go smell the other dogs butt. I cannot stress this enough. It would be such a simple change for you.
    To which I (“comment from Janet Tate Crum”) would add: all 3 of you will not fit through the dog door simultaneously. Attempting that maneuver does not result in you fending off the ferocious raccoon/squirrel/renegade leaf any faster. It just results in blood and yelping.
    (Author Unknown)

  • Facebook Post: 2020-01-13T18:32:05

    The boy is crazy!! He has tried to mount Lady twice today, and he just tried his crap with Peanut. That will NOT go over well.