Joined
·
13,097 Posts
We are new here and wanted to give a bit of background on my Missy . She is a little trooper!!
Missy has had several health issues.. going back several years to having had surgeries on both knees... came thru the operations fine and with little 'complaint' on her part.
When she turned 7 years old.. she was dx with diabetes. We had allowed her to get overweight ( indulging her with anything she wanted..."killing" her with kindness") She was immediately started on a special diet for diabetes, and gets insulin injections 2 x day. She is such a good little girl about this giving me no problems , and in fact will often run to the "procedure-area" ( my office) before I even get there. (Of course the 'reward-treat" has MUCH to do with thtis , I have no doubt! LOL) So, she has been doing well with regulation for about 2 and 1/2 years now.
Then in October of 2003 we discovered she had bladder cancer. A very formidable type cancer and prognosis is normally not too good.( 90-120 days a common prognosis from dx) It's location did allow for a portion of her bladder to be removed to take the tumor and surrounding "safety" area. Again she recovered very quickly, her little bladder started retaining normal amount in no time.. and she was her happy "demanding" little self. No chemo follow-up as with the diabetes was not an option. Just a NSAID called Piroxicam which has been found to slow this type tumor growth. She is so small we have to have it specially compounded for her.
We did a check-up sonogram in 5 months and found there was no sign of recurrence. her vet suggested I buy the multi-test urine 'dip-sticks" to watch fro blood, infection etc.from the time of her initial dx.
In June of this year.. blood was discovered..another sonogram.. and sadly, the cancer returned. This time surgery was not an option.. it was not in her best interest for "quality" living.
In July she went racing off the back steps ( low rise, and only three and the only ones we allowed her to do on her own.). She was walking strangely but didn't seem in pain, but a trip to the vet and x-rays.. showed disc injury.. and she ended up with partial paralysis in her right hind leg.... thus the "bike" as we call it that you see her on i her photo.
Thankfully the bike was great therapy and she now can get around the house very well albeit a bit of a swagger sometimes, but does very very well!! we continue to use the bike for long walks and 'therapy' to keep her from further damaging her back.
Last week.. we found there was again blood in the urine.. there was no sign of infection though caught very early thanks to the test strips..it is not clear if this is due to a 'garden-variety UTI, or if tumor related. it has been on again /of-again which tends to lean toward the tumor 'acting-up". However as of the moment we have gone 36 hours with no blood showing up.. so hoping things have settled down.
Meanwhile my little brave girl acts perfectly happy and "normal" whatever is going on apparently is causing her no distress... and her appetite is wonderful !
She has amazed everyone with her tenacity and zest for life thru all her trials.
As you can see.. I am very, very proud of her!!!
So, that's my little Missy's 'story" of her health problems...
Would appreciate a prayer that she will continue feeling good and we can have some more quality time ahead!
Thanks!
Missysmom
Missy has had several health issues.. going back several years to having had surgeries on both knees... came thru the operations fine and with little 'complaint' on her part.
When she turned 7 years old.. she was dx with diabetes. We had allowed her to get overweight ( indulging her with anything she wanted..."killing" her with kindness") She was immediately started on a special diet for diabetes, and gets insulin injections 2 x day. She is such a good little girl about this giving me no problems , and in fact will often run to the "procedure-area" ( my office) before I even get there. (Of course the 'reward-treat" has MUCH to do with thtis , I have no doubt! LOL) So, she has been doing well with regulation for about 2 and 1/2 years now.
Then in October of 2003 we discovered she had bladder cancer. A very formidable type cancer and prognosis is normally not too good.( 90-120 days a common prognosis from dx) It's location did allow for a portion of her bladder to be removed to take the tumor and surrounding "safety" area. Again she recovered very quickly, her little bladder started retaining normal amount in no time.. and she was her happy "demanding" little self. No chemo follow-up as with the diabetes was not an option. Just a NSAID called Piroxicam which has been found to slow this type tumor growth. She is so small we have to have it specially compounded for her.
We did a check-up sonogram in 5 months and found there was no sign of recurrence. her vet suggested I buy the multi-test urine 'dip-sticks" to watch fro blood, infection etc.from the time of her initial dx.
In June of this year.. blood was discovered..another sonogram.. and sadly, the cancer returned. This time surgery was not an option.. it was not in her best interest for "quality" living.
In July she went racing off the back steps ( low rise, and only three and the only ones we allowed her to do on her own.). She was walking strangely but didn't seem in pain, but a trip to the vet and x-rays.. showed disc injury.. and she ended up with partial paralysis in her right hind leg.... thus the "bike" as we call it that you see her on i her photo.
Thankfully the bike was great therapy and she now can get around the house very well albeit a bit of a swagger sometimes, but does very very well!! we continue to use the bike for long walks and 'therapy' to keep her from further damaging her back.
Last week.. we found there was again blood in the urine.. there was no sign of infection though caught very early thanks to the test strips..it is not clear if this is due to a 'garden-variety UTI, or if tumor related. it has been on again /of-again which tends to lean toward the tumor 'acting-up". However as of the moment we have gone 36 hours with no blood showing up.. so hoping things have settled down.
Meanwhile my little brave girl acts perfectly happy and "normal" whatever is going on apparently is causing her no distress... and her appetite is wonderful !
She has amazed everyone with her tenacity and zest for life thru all her trials.
As you can see.. I am very, very proud of her!!!
So, that's my little Missy's 'story" of her health problems...
Would appreciate a prayer that she will continue feeling good and we can have some more quality time ahead!
Thanks!
Missysmom