Packy's Unknown Tumor

[Hillscreek]

Hard news to hear. Not what we hoped for. Take it one day at a time like Packy does. Live every moment like he does. 

 

[Sam I Am]

Very hard news to hear ..I can so relate. It sounds like he doesn't know he is in trouble so in his world all is well. 

Thinking about Packy and your family...big hugs.

[tlwtheq]

Olie's was a sarcoma, with tentacles reaching into the muscle, and it grew very fast.  I'm so sorry.  I hear about

pups getting cancer more often than I care to.  Scritches to Packy (and Kirby, of course).  We're with you all the way.

Tara

[remltr]

Packy hang in there buddy. We are praying for you.

 

[Islander]

Wishing the best for Packy and family.

This is the hardest part of belonging to this wonderful forum - worrying about our virtual Cairn buddies.

[_whits_]

Oh Packy. I'm so sorry to hear these results. It sounds like he's in good veterinary hands and we of course know he's in your loving hands. Addie and I will be sending all our warmest thoughts and wishes your way. 

[Dempsy's Mom]

Love you Packy.  Looking forward to a fishing story.  Special little fisher guy.

[pkcrossley]

i know from experience this is the kind of news that is extremely hard to take. you need some time to digest it. i can also say from experience that there have been very significant advances in treating dogs (too bad the same cannot be said for cats). if they mention chemo or radiation, please remember that for dogs these are not particularly unpleasant --they are not trying to cure the dog, only provide more time and more comfort. dogs do not suffer from these treatments. they can also use radiation to raise the chances of successful surgery. the main problem with radiation is that, unlike chemo, it is hard to find a center that can administer it. be sure to ask the doctors anything you want to ask, and take a breath, listen to what they are saying and not to what you fear or hope they are saying. packy has got what it takes to deal with this. 

[_whits_]

How is Packy doing?

[kjwarnold]

He's doing really well.  His incision is healing nicely and we get the staples out today.  We have an appointment with a oncologist this Thursday.  I don't expect to do chemo; from what I've read with this cancer, it doesn't prolong life much.  I know with all my heart that Packy would rather spend his time swimming and fishing at the lake or hiking and hanging out with family at the farm, instead of running back and forth to the vet for chemo and treatment.  The oncologist visit will tell us how far this has advanced and teach a bit more about Hemangiosarcoma.

Right now, Packy's biggest complaint is that he can't get in the water.  We hang out on the dock and lure the big carp in with food so we can watch them, but it's not the same as jumping in, swimming and catching bluegills.  He was incredibly jealous that Kirby got to go for a JetSki ride with DH this weekend.

I do think he's slowed down some.  We know there is another tumor but not sure what kind it is.  It's small and hasn't grown as fast.  I'm hoping it's just a lipoma.  I've got some alternative meds on the way that seem to have good results for dogs with HSA.  Yunnan Baiyao helps with coagulation so if a tumor ruptures, it won't kill them.  I'm-Yunity (turkey tail mushroom) works against tumor growth and had good results in a Penn State study.  I'm also going to switch both Packy and Kirby over to a raw diet or home-cooked.  I'm still researching that.  With as much as we travel, I have to figure out which will work best.

This is a bad cancer but we're going to make sure he enjoys the time he has left.  Thanks for asking about him.

[Sam I Am]

You are amazing and loving Cairn parents!  Dr Steve Marsden, a holistic vet here in Edmonton, and who lectures all over the world has done some really good treatments for animals and cancer.https://pathwithpaws.com/blog/2012/07/31/the-hardest-cancer-how-to-treat-hemangiosarcoma-in-dogs-holistically-with-herbs-and-supplements/

Edited May 31, 2016 by Terrier lover

[hheldorfer]

Packy is always in my thoughts.  When will he be able to get back in the water?  I'm sure that would raise his spirits.

Has Kirby been behaving differently since Packy's surgery?  Buffy and Ziggy always seem to know when something isn't "right" with the other one and they seem to watch over each other.

Edited May 31, 2016 by hheldorfer

[Dempsy's Mom]

Yes, so much in our thoughts.  I just wait patiently to hear any news.  It will be so hard to let go of our babies that sometimes words help and sometimes just knowing that we are all there - loving all Packy has giving us.  I still have the Christmas card of Packy & Kirby tucked in bed with little fish skeletons over their heads.  Still the most adorable card.  Yes, I bet Packy was so jealous of Kirby .... soon our little Packy you can make a SPLASH. 

[pkcrossley]

you've got your battle plan. given the brevity of any dog's life span, every extra good month, week, day and hour is worth the struggle. hope you and packy keep on keeping on for a good long while. make it all wonderful. 

[Hillscreek]

Packy, fishing buddy. Hope you will get back in the water and swim and fish as long as you possible can. You are lucky to have such a caring loving family........Angus

[Islander]

We're also rooting for Packy to have a great fishing and jet skiing summer.

 

[_whits_]

How was the visit with the oncologist?

Packy and his pack are in my thoughts daily. I'm hoping his incision heals swiftly so he can have a wonderful summer out on the water. 

[kjwarnold]

It was a long day last week at Missouri Veterinary Health Center.  We had a 4th year student, an intern and a Sr. Oncologist working with us.  The good news is that they did not detect any spreading of the cancer to Packy's internal organs.  The bad news is that the original tumor has already started growing back.  

The day after our visit, Packy had a bleed from where they aspirated the tumor that's growing back.  His poor belly had about a 5" wide red/bruised appearance, he didn't want to walk and obviously didn't feel good.  It cleared up later in the day and he felt good enough to wade and fish on shore.  Here's what he did the next day:

(Rats!  It's a video but I can't get it to upload.  I'll keep trying)

Over the weekend, he had another bleed behind his front leg.  While just as big, it didn't seem to bother him at all.  We went back to Mizzou for some additional tests to find out if the bleeds/bruising were due to some other problem or just from the cancer.  Everything else checked out, so they are attributing it to the cancer.  We can give him pain meds when it seems to bother him.  For today though, we're headed into the lake!  It's 94* out today.  I'm going to try to get in with him with a floating mat since the water temp has gone up.  He LOVES to float with people on mats or water noodles!  Every once in a while, he gets off and swims around to check for fish.

Oh, Kirby has been mostly nice to Packy lately.  He did get snarly with him the other day and Packy kicked his butt.  That rarely happens; Packy is a peace-loving guy.  I guess he decided, what the heck, I'm not taking this!  Packy sends licks to everyone for all your kind words of support and encouragement.  He's trying to decide if he should set up a "Fishin' with Packy Memorial Fishing Tournament" for next summer.  The prize package could include dried liver treats, cheese sticks, stuffed animals with squeakers to de-gut and de-squeak, etc.

 

[hheldorfer]

Buffy applauds Packy's determination and moxie.  God bless the little guy.  Have a wonderful time floatin' in the lake today!

P.S.  Count Buffy in for the fishing tournament.

Edited June 10, 2016 by hheldorfer

[kjwarnold]

Here's his first catch of the day.  Not sure I'm getting in; there are about 3 dozen gar hanging around.  While I don't usually mind swimming with a few gar, this is a lot!  Packy doesn't mind, he just tries to catch them.

[remltr]

It is great to see Packy fishing again. Sassy says to come out to the west coast and she will take him deep sea fishing.

[kjwarnold]

Well, I did venture in.  DH watched and threw rocks in the water if any far got too close.  I had to tie a rope on Packy so he wouldn't jump off the mat and start swimming off after the far when they surfaced.  The little guy pulled me about 10 feet before I got him turned around to swim back to me!  Glad I had him tied!

[Sam I Am]

How big are the Gar...yikes.  You are an amazing wee dog Packy! Surgery and already you are catching fish. 

Edited June 11, 2016 by Terrier lover

[_whits_]

Way to go Packy!!! So thrilled to see you out on the water. Live it up you amazing boy. 

[Hillscreek]

Gotta to smile when I seethe guys together on the water and Packy catching fish again