Post by sugar on Nov 21, 2014 9:18:40 GMT -5
Earlier this week we found out that Chubby's hemagiosarcoma has spread to his liver. For the last four and a half years it was on the skin only, but the vet believes its metastasized and spread to his liver.
Chubby's been having some liver issues for a few weeks, numbers being a little higher than normal (about 100 points higher or so). He had surgery to remove another couple of topical tumors last month (early October) and the vet recommended he try Denamarin to help bring down his numbers (more than the milk thistle had). This past weekend Chubby's legs gave out while going down some stairs and he took a small tumble (a few steps). We took him to the vet on Monday and the vet noted Chubby has some weakness in his back legs (but vet's estimate is Chubby may be 8 or 9 years old so its not uncommon in older dogs). But he noticed Chubby had bruising in odd places (inside of his mouth, areas he didn't hit in his tumble). Vet took blood samples to check a few things out, along with his liver functions to see if the Denamarin was helping.
Results came in on Wednesday, his blood platelets are very very low (which caused the bruising and the petechiae). His liver enzymes were also over 1500 now. There is no further options except keep him comfy and happy as long as we can. Chubby and I have moved into my parents house because they only have 1 set of stairs and it has carpeting and it is also 10 minute walk from the vet's office. Vet has some paperwork I need to pick up in case we have to make a decision while his office is closed and have to drive over to the emergency vet.
I am trying not to be outwardly heartbroken about this because as of right now Chubby is acting normal (walking a little stiff and sleeping a little more), but he still wants to go for walks, still has a strong appetite and doesn't seem to be in any pain. But its really hard for me to think his clock probably started before I even knew. I know once the cancer goes visceral that they don't have much time. Maybe a couple of weeks if we are lucky. I'm just trying to take it one day at a time, but its sometimes really hard.
Chubby's been having some liver issues for a few weeks, numbers being a little higher than normal (about 100 points higher or so). He had surgery to remove another couple of topical tumors last month (early October) and the vet recommended he try Denamarin to help bring down his numbers (more than the milk thistle had). This past weekend Chubby's legs gave out while going down some stairs and he took a small tumble (a few steps). We took him to the vet on Monday and the vet noted Chubby has some weakness in his back legs (but vet's estimate is Chubby may be 8 or 9 years old so its not uncommon in older dogs). But he noticed Chubby had bruising in odd places (inside of his mouth, areas he didn't hit in his tumble). Vet took blood samples to check a few things out, along with his liver functions to see if the Denamarin was helping.
Results came in on Wednesday, his blood platelets are very very low (which caused the bruising and the petechiae). His liver enzymes were also over 1500 now. There is no further options except keep him comfy and happy as long as we can. Chubby and I have moved into my parents house because they only have 1 set of stairs and it has carpeting and it is also 10 minute walk from the vet's office. Vet has some paperwork I need to pick up in case we have to make a decision while his office is closed and have to drive over to the emergency vet.
I am trying not to be outwardly heartbroken about this because as of right now Chubby is acting normal (walking a little stiff and sleeping a little more), but he still wants to go for walks, still has a strong appetite and doesn't seem to be in any pain. But its really hard for me to think his clock probably started before I even knew. I know once the cancer goes visceral that they don't have much time. Maybe a couple of weeks if we are lucky. I'm just trying to take it one day at a time, but its sometimes really hard.