Hope in a panic

[admin]

Hope – sorry – just read your latest post – this does sound like staph to me & don’t forget that in the mouth, spot heads sometimes don’t form like they do on skin as it is a constantly moist / wet area.  I very surprised that they haven’t taken a swab at the vets as this would have been a good idea in my opinion. Yes- it could be sore from handling, but please keep a very close eye in case it gets worse. Antibiotics can be given but it is true that your vet must be careful choosing which one to use, so that they don’t interact with the drugs or worsen Steve’s symptoms.

Sheena

[Hope]

Hi all!!

thank you so much for your good vibes and thoughts — last night was terrible. I don’t know if I was being overly worried but I panicked. He’s done so well the last few days — looks and acts noticeably better and i thought I had lapsed in watching him some. And I know a side effect of prolonged MMF is some cancers so I freaked. Though he’s only been on it for 3 weeks, and a smaller dose than I think is usually given (375mg per day for a 50lb dog).

Linda – I saw pill pockets a few weeks ago and was so excited about getting them. Unfortunately that brand is in the “stay away bladder stones” list. They have meat protein and brewers dried yeast, both of which are heavy in purines that Steve can’t have. I’m going to make a jaunt to the pet store later and see if I can find something similar.

Sheena – I was just telling husband I want him to call tomorrow – I think the vet responds better to him for some reason (lol I think I may come across as overbearing… WHAT?! :)) and tell him we either need to bring him in to see it or we want an antibiotic. When this all started he told me there were antibiotics he could prescribe if Steve got a UTI. This is kind of a closed lump, haven’t seen any oozing yet but I feel like they should have swabbed it too. Of course I think it looks bigger today; husband says it looks smaller. Either way, I now have a new part of poor Steve’s body to poke at and stare at with a flashlight while he tries to sleep.

The vet kind of shook me off when I mentioned it but isn’t it reasonable that Steve could have gotten a bacterial infection from licking in Jeffrey’s ear (who we KNOW has an infection)? Originally they were like little blisters but now one is completely sealed up and the other looks to be starting to do the same.

Thanks all for your patience wth me, I swear! I would be absolutely gone pecan by now if it weren’t for y’all all.

Hope and the clan

[Vally]

Jeffrey’s ears must be really yummy. Bingo’s asking whether they taste as good as cat poo?

Maybe get hubbie, as you said, to see about a swab.  That will at least determine whether it is an ulcer or an infection.

Love Vally & Bingo.

[Hope]

I don’t know what it is but these brothers are always up in each other’s ears. It’s gross. I had just put medicine in Jeffrey’s ears, went to wash my hands and come back to Steve going to town on them. It’s insane.

Hubby has been given his orders — internist is to be called ASAP in the morning. I actually don’t have school tomorrow (have work tho) so I told him to tell the vet I could swing him by for a swab. I shall keep y’all posted!

Hope

[Tamara]

Hey Hope, thinking of you all and sending love and hugs and good vibes.  I have other friends whose dogs clean each other’s ears too, weird huh?  I hope you were able to get a nap yesterday and some good rest last night, I know all too well that panicked, frightened feeling.

Give those boys some scritchies from me!

love and hugs, tamara and ashki xoxoxox

[Hope]

Hello all!

I brought Steve in to the vet today after work and the lump/bumps are almost gone! I felt kind of silly bc the vet was like “oooo this is it?” But I showed them pics from Saturday and last night and how big they had both been originally. She said if they were Still that big she definitely would prescribe an antibiotic but since they’ve both gone down markedly, we should just watch them. They have little holes, I guess like they “popped” for lack of a better word. Do y’all think it’s okay to hold off on meds for now?

Breathing easier for a sec!

Hope

[Vally]

Ha ha ha.  I love it when it happens to someone else – “he can hardly walk” Vally says, as Bingo bolts out of the vet’s room.  “Well he couldn’t walk”.

Hope, if it were me and they definitely look better, I’d probably hold off.

Love Vally & Bingo.

[Hope]

Evening Vally (and Bingo)!

yes, looking like an absolute crazy person is a role I have embraced well in the last month — the vet was like “you made it seem like they were actual lumps. These aren’t that bad.” Insert foot into mouth while retrieving cellphone with pictures to try to show her I’m not totally crazy!

Thanks for the advice — if y’all say it’s okay to hold off, I feel much better!

hope and (deflated lump) Steve