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[admin]

Hi Alyssa

I’m sorry to hear of your worries with Sassy’s lymph nodes. I have to admit to not knowing the first thing about canine lymphoma, but I wanted to tell you my lymph node story in the hope it will give you some hope. I’ll cut a long story short, but I had an enlarged lymph node above my collarbone (a bad place, often malignant). It didn’t go down as it should with infection, and at ultrasound and biopsy (aspiration), the radiologist stated it was ‘highly suspicious’. It went on weeks, the aspiration was inconclusive, and I was convinced it was lymphoma. A further ultrasound was done by an amazing radiologist who told me it was completely fine. It’s still there, just about.

So, as you can see, even if it feels like the worst, it just might not be. Shotty lymph nodes are common in response to infection, as I’m sure you know. Lymph nodes are very sensitive and the more you poke and prod them, the more you’ll inflame them (as I learnt, although I know it’s the hardest thing in the world to leave them alone). I do also remember reading that (in humans), enlarged lymph nodes should be small, mobile, smooth, and rubbery. Hard, fixed, irregular shaped nodes may be more of a concern. The last thing I want to do is give you false hope, but given Sheena’s stories and my own, I hope you will be able to feel a bit more optimistic.

I am so happy to hear that Sassy has had a good day. Small things mean the world, and we all totally understand that.

Much love and all my best wishes

Mary x

[admin]

Hi Jill

Just wondering how Snoopy is doing now? Have you been able to get him seen by the vet? I hope he is feeling a bit better.

Mary & Mable x

[admin]

Hi Jill

I’m sorry to hear that this has carried on and that Snoopy hasn’t been so well. I would certainly take Sheena and Vally’s advice and get him checked out. Let’s hope it’s not something to worry about, but important for him to be seen.

All good wishes,

Mary x

[admin]

Hi Vally

I’m sorry to hear you’ve been so worried about Bingo. Has he been any better? What do the vets think is the cause? It’s so worrying. I don’t know why I get so emotional about it. It’s always worse when people are kind! I was ok earlier in the week with the more abrupt vet! This disease just does something to us I think. I’m just not quite sure how we get past it. I am convinced there is a big red flag on Mable’s records with ‘owner is a nutcase’ or similar on it. If there isn’t, there probably should be.

Gum checking is the same – she agreed about the blood being stored in the spleen when sleeping and that her gum colour would change based on her blood pressure.

I looked at Brewer’s yeast and diatomaceous earth before but when I asked the vet (last year, not this one) she’d not heard of either. I’d be reluctant to give it orally but had thought of putting a little on her bedding, or combing a bit into her fur. How do you give it? Reckon I need a trip to the health food store…! (By the way, I’ve started preparing the ground for the pumpkin patch!)
I wish we had a holistic vet I could consult, but when I looked it up I only found one in the entire country. It’s definitely not a thing here, sadly.

Do keep us posted about Bingo boy, and tell him to stop giving his Mum a fright.

Lots of love,

Mary and Mabes x

[admin]

Thank you Sheena

The vet said the exact same thing as you about Total Protein, and that they work it out from that if the figure seems a bit different. I will read your link on that as didn’t know about this. Definitely worth knowing, especially with a PCV of 73%!! Crikey!

You are right of course about catching things early where possible, and thank you for reassuring me that it’s not total and complete paranoia. I’m really not sure if there is a direct inherited cause of this illness, but I was thinking about breed disposition in dogs and so think there must be some sort of genetic tendency. That said, Molly had a different blood group to Mable, and I suspect they may have had different fathers (quite possible apparently, even in the same litter of kittens!) I think I will just always be super alert with Mable, even if its totally unnecessary.

As for how to check a cat’s gums… Molly was easy, because her mouth was completely pink and it was her bottom lip I first noticed was pale. Mable has black markings in her mouth so is much more difficult! The vet explained it was best not to check the sides as opening her mouth puts pressure on them so they look more pale than they really are. So, you have to actually open the whole mouth…one hand over the head, the other opening the lower jaw etc etc. Sounds awful, but it’s relatively easy and gentle. The vet explained that allowed me to see her whole mouth, and not just the sides. We also talked about the natural changes in colour when resting etc. What I have noticed is that they look much pinker in artificial light. In daylight, they look more pale to me.

No A&E trips yet, but I did notice blood on Mable’s carrier at the vet. It was not coming from Mable. It was not coming from the vet. Apparently I’d sliced into my thumb, but have no idea how. Thankfully, a minor slice. I’ll take that over the cat claw through the lip any day!

What we go through for these creatures ‘eh? And we wouldn’t change them for the world.

Sleep well, and love to all,

Mary and Miss PinkGums x

[admin]

Hi Eleonora

How is Camilla doing now? Any more episodes of vomiting? I’m hoping the domperidone has helped.
I’m sorry to read that you have so many difficult tings to cope with at the moment. You are doing amazingly well, and by the way, your English is incredible!
Any little bit of nonsense worries us all – you are not alone, and as you say, a member of our paranoid club! It’s a very elite group :)

I hope Camilla is feeling lots better.

Best wishes,

Mary and Mable x

[admin]

Hi Jill

I am SO pleased to read your lovely news that Snoopy is regenerating and his PCV is going up. Wonderful!
I’m really pleased to hear from Sheena that Snoopy isn’t at high risk of clotting problems. That’s a big relief too. I can quite understand you having a little cry.
I’m sorry you had a scare with the trembling. Hopefully it was just a one off, although the pred can give them some side effects so keep an eye on him. Sheena has already said, don’t think about reducing it yet!

Anyway, lovely news. I’m so pleased for you, Tim and of course, beautiful Snoopy, that things are now going in the right direction.

Much love,

Mary & Mable x

[admin]

Hi Katie and Maize

I’m really sorry to read that Maize has been battling with IMHA and am glad that he is feeling well. I can see what a difficult ride you’ve had from looking at some of the links you sent. Your vets look great, and have given you lots of good information. I’m afraid I’m not nearly as good as Sheena at interpreting the results but can certainly see the high white cell numbers, and the change in reticulocytes. Fingers and toes crossed that things will be back to where they were before this little blip, but I agree with Sheena that if you notice things don’t seem right or if you are concerned, get him checked out.

Best wishes,

Mary and Mable x