Shanti & Sprocket
New Member
MALE-terrier mix. treatment: Tumor, Adrenal mass
Posts: 23
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Post by Shanti & Sprocket on Apr 7, 2021 23:40:17 GMT -7
Hello. Yes it seems to be helping him with the pain and he’s more energetic lately. I am considering taking him to a different US based vet here for pain meds to see what they may be able to provide different from the gabapentin and other alternatives you suggested.
[Moderator's note: please do not edit 20 lbs. 12 y.o. 3/30 can move back legs, but not walk unaided 4/1 has some bladder control 4/4 CT and Diagnosis: bone tumor; adrenal mass. Not a disc episode gabapentin -100mg 2x daily Amoxicillan as of 3/29: 250mg 2x/day; 3/30 urine still dark!]
He has been peeing well on his own and his new walking harness just came in today. We will let him rest a few more weeks before trying to walk with him using it. He hasn’t been able to poop as regularly though and basically struggles in his crate to tell us he’s going to poop and sometimes we notice and are able to take him out in time or other times he poops in his crate and feels very sad and guilty as he’ll hide and keep his ears down. His poop is quite hard. Is there something to help soften it? Or is a harder poop ok right now?
Thank you for checking in.
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Apr 8, 2021 5:42:07 GMT -7
Pumpkin can help to loosen stools. Give one teaspoon of pumpkin for every 10 pounds of body weight per day. To loosen the stool, add equal parts water to each kibble meal along with plain canned pureed pumpkin 1x a day. Note alternatives for constipation: really ripe mashed fresh pear, just take off the peel; microwaved and mashed peeled sweet potato.
I hope that helps.
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Shanti & Sprocket
New Member
MALE-terrier mix. treatment: Tumor, Adrenal mass
Posts: 23
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Post by Shanti & Sprocket on Apr 8, 2021 17:22:08 GMT -7
Thank you! We happen to have some fresh pumpkins harvested from our kind neighbors so will give it a try. Also- we tried the new harness support with him yesterday and he was able to squat to pee 3 times and pooped 3 times when we took him out firms evening release! This is on par for how he usually does on walks (multiple poops and pees), so it was so nice to see him feeling more comfortable with the harness.
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Shanti & Sprocket
New Member
MALE-terrier mix. treatment: Tumor, Adrenal mass
Posts: 23
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Post by Shanti & Sprocket on Apr 13, 2021 3:20:00 GMT -7
Update from the vet about lab results checking on the hormones from his adrenal mass. No hormones associated with Cushings Disease. Another lab will be done to check on the type of tumor it is to see if it can cause high blood pressure. If it is, they’ll prescribe meds to keep it in check as best as possible.
Sprocket also has an appointment next week at an American vet clinic where they’ll review his charts and see how they can manage his pain better.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,544
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 13, 2021 7:31:12 GMT -7
Shanti, will the current vet, not adjust pain med Rx to give full comfort today?
Good to hear no cushings.
How is the constipation now that you are using pumpkin coupled with increased liquids?
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Shanti & Sprocket
New Member
MALE-terrier mix. treatment: Tumor, Adrenal mass
Posts: 23
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Post by Shanti & Sprocket on Apr 25, 2021 16:03:33 GMT -7
Hello. I’m heartbroken to share that Sprocket passed away in our arms early this morning. He got progressively worse unable to use his hind legs completely and going from enjoying walking with his hind support harness or wheelchair to not wanting to walk at all. 3 days ago his pain got worse and we asked for opioids to manage his pain. They were able to give us a few but within a day he had a seizure and we attempted to get him humanely put to sleep. Unfortunately our regular vet was closed and due to Japanese culture around euthanasia, 2 different vet clinics we visited refused to put him to sleep and only treated him with a sedative and gave us more opioids to manage pain. We begged and begged but soon found out no vets would agree to this anywhere on island. We brought him home, made him as comfortable as possible and prayed for no more seizures. He enjoyed a delicious steak dinner, lots of cuddles then his breathing got worse until he had 3 consecutive seizures with the last one too much for him and he passed on.
We are devastated but grateful he is no longer in pain. Thank you for all of your support and advice as we maneuvered through this nightmare.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,544
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 25, 2021 17:21:08 GMT -7
Oh Shanti, I am just heartbroken to hear about Sprocket's passing caused by seizures. My heartfelt thoughts during this most tender time for both of you. The circle of life is tough. The pain of losing a loved one is great and deserves your attention and time to process. Maybe what Carmen, one of our members, has written about the grieving process will help you, too. May all the years of sweet memories soon come to the front for you as you grieve. dodgerslist.com/2020/07/28/tears-heal-grief/Warmest of ((hugs)) and my sincere condolences to you both.
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Post by Jessica on Apr 26, 2021 10:46:37 GMT -7
Shanti, I am so very sorry. My heart goes out to you. Thank you for taking such wonderful care of Sprocket, and for giving him so much love. Sending you and your family all my best wishes.
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Shanti & Sprocket
New Member
MALE-terrier mix. treatment: Tumor, Adrenal mass
Posts: 23
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Post by Shanti & Sprocket on Apr 27, 2021 4:31:27 GMT -7
This was such a helpful article. Thank you for sharing. I want to share a memorial video of Sprocket’s beautiful life as well as a little more about him as I feel you played such a large role in his last month of life:
We are heartbroken to say goodbye to our sweet baby boy Sprocket today. It is difficult to imagine life without him. For the past 12 years he was my constant companion, my shadow, and the sweetest most loyal pup I’ve ever had. Anyone who has met Sprocket knows what a special boy he was. I picked him out of a shelter full of barking dogs in Korea in 2009- it was his last day left there before his cage would be empty. He was the only dog that didn’t bark when I walked in, but he did poke his tiny paw out of the cage and that was the moment I knew he was mine. I still remember the first time we took him to the park and he ran and jumped with joy.
Sprocket has lived in 3 different countries, with more frequent flyer miles than most people. He has friends from all over the world. During his life he helped countless rescue animals that came into our home, showing them the ropes even though he always gave me a look when he saw me bringing in yet another animal to our house. He was the first to greet you at the door and sit next to you staring into your eyes as you talked. It’s like he was always listening and knew exactly what was up.
He loved to eat kimchi. He liked the beach, and begging for food with his perfected puppy dog eyes that no one could resist. He loved cuddling with mama.
We wish he could have had more time with us, but his strong little body had been hiding a tumor that grew so big and spread so much and so fast that the vet was shocked that he’d gone this long with no symptoms- happily going on hour long walks along the beach, running up and down the stairs and begging Gidget to chase him. We wish his last days weren’t so painful, but we are grateful he let go and passed on in his favorite spot- in our bed with us, in our arms.
Thank you everyone for the love and kindness. He is at peace and his soul is free though he fought so hard to stay with us. Sprocket is so loved and will never be forgotten. Our 3 year old daughter says she thinks Sprocket will come back as a dolphin so we can see him when we go to the beach.
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Apr 27, 2021 6:09:11 GMT -7
I am very sorry for your loss of dear Sprocket.
What a lovely video! It is clear that Sprocket had a wonderful life and was dearly loved. It is nice to think he could come back as a dolphin and swim happy and free in the ocean. My condolences to you and your family.
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Post by Stephanie on Apr 27, 2021 6:10:03 GMT -7
What a beautiful memorial. It sounds like Sprocket had a wonderful life full of love.
My thoughts are with you and your family. It's so hard losing a loved pet. The only downside to having a dog is that they don't live nearly long enough.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,544
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 27, 2021 9:31:17 GMT -7
Shanti, thank you for sharing with what a beautiful and full life Sprocket had when he found a forever home with your family. Such a very special guy. Clearly Spocket lives! He lives now in the many hearts and minds of those he touched over the years. He saved the best parts of himself before he left — his love and the wonderful memories life with your family. Close your eyes and find Spocket in your heart...always with you.
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Shanti & Sprocket
New Member
MALE-terrier mix. treatment: Tumor, Adrenal mass
Posts: 23
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Post by Shanti & Sprocket on Apr 28, 2021 2:27:25 GMT -7
Thank you everyone. We are taking things day by day and missing him terribly though we have such wonderful memories with him. Your kindness will not be forgotten.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,544
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 18, 2021 18:47:29 GMT -7
Hope the poops has resolved. If not...
Plain pureed canned pumpkin is a magical fruit - its high fiber can firm up stools and help with diarrhea or loosen the stool to help with constipation. NOTE: alternatives are really ripe mashed fresh pear, just take off the peel off; microwaved and mashed peeled sweet potatoe
--To loosen the stool, add equal parts water to each kibble meal and soak overnight. At mealtime add one teaspoon of plain canned pureed pumpkin 1x a day. -- To firm up the stool add 1 teaspoon plain canned pureed pumpkin 1x a day to kibble.
Give a teaspoon of pumpkin for every 10 pounds of body weight,
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