Hi jetred,
From your post a year ago… this is exactly the type of information I'm searching for, "I know this might not be survivable for her but I can't find any advice on how to get a dog through cancer, what to look out for, when is she truly in pain, what spindle cell does over time and when is enough for her and time to set her free."
So I am wondering, what was your plan with Luna? How did you make decisions? What information did you learn that you think is important to know about the spindle cell cancer disease process?
I have a 15 yr old girl (aussie shepard mix) who is in good spirits, enjoys slow short walks, putting her nose in the wind, eating, etc all normally. We've had two surgeries already to debulk the tumor on her rear leg. One in 2013, and the second recently in June from which she recovered well for her age. Though it returned quickly (3 mos) and larger this time. It's now an open lesion. I am both astounded and perplexed at how she acts pretty normal given this! My vet (who is a new vet to us as I just moved) initially discussed end of life decisions and then also offered amputation as an option to consider. I would so appreciate any thoughts you have and/or hear more about your story.
Thank you.
Basenji's and heat
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Well we are now almost into Aug. and I tell you my B is not a summer dude. He gets very tired during our walks and just collapses on the grass or concrete after about 30min. He also sleeps a whole lot more and perfers the shade over the sun. And well last night he feel asleep right next to me with half of his body on my head and I could hear him breath. he sounded like he was taking really deep breaths and it was kind of congested sounding. I never really listened to his breathing before so I'm not sure if this is the norm. Also when he breaths I see he kind of breaths really fast. His chest goes up like 3 times real fast and then the same when he exhales. Is this normal?
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Well we are now almost into Aug. and I tell you my B is not a summer dude. He gets very tired during our walks and just collapses on the grass or concrete after about 30min. He also sleeps a whole lot more and perfers the shade over the sun. And well last night he feel asleep right next to me with half of his body on my head and I could hear him breath. he sounded like he was taking really deep breaths and it was kind of congested sounding. I never really listened to his breathing before so I'm not sure if this is the norm. Also when he breaths I see he kind of breaths really fast. His chest goes up like 3 times real fast and then the same when he exhales. Is this normal?
What time of day do you take him for walks? Remember that the pavement is very, very hot to their feet…. and humidity will "zap" dogs just like people...
As with people there are different levels of sleep... so unless you have watched him sleep all the time.. I would think he is just in a different level of sleep... some of my do the same... and snore on top of it...
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Hollie was reacting similar, wanting to lie down and rest before we got through walking. I credit her behavior to two things: 1-the heat and 2-she only knows ONE speed and that's full tilt boogie lets go go go!!! We walk early in the mornings now and I am attempting some leash walking training.
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The times vary when I take him for walks. But for example we went on a 1hr walk this morning and he was fine…before the sun really came up. I never thought about the pavement being hot. I can imagine his poor lil paws. Any way around that..doggie shoes, etc. that might just make him hotter..or not? any suggestions?
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The times vary when I take him for walks. But for example we went on a 1hr walk this morning and he was fine…before the sun really came up. I never thought about the pavement being hot. I can imagine his poor lil paws. Any way around that..doggie shoes, etc. that might just make him hotter..or not? any suggestions?
Yes, many people forget how hot the pavement/street can get… unless you are also walking in bare feet... suggestions are to stay off of it when hot... at least for the most part. The fact that he was his normal self before sunrise tells you that it is the heat that is the problem. I would never bother with things like "doggie" shoes... remember they "sweat" through their pads.
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It's always good to remember that most animals do NOT go running about in the hottest parts of the day. Early morning and evening activity and mid-day napping is WAY more common.
On those hot summer days, try to do your walking in the morning and evening and keep the day time outings short – and in the shade/off the pavement as much as possible. -
thanks and Champ thanks so too
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Be careful with the heat. I know a basenji overheated in his own yard last summer, and died from complications of over heating. He lived in an area that wasn't used to a lot of heat and humidity. His owner put him out in the yard as usual, and he over did his activity. Everyone was devastated. It can happen really quickly.
And just as horribly, I saw a bulldog die in the parking lot of a show a few weeks ago, because she just got too hot..not even in a car. Not something I EVER want to experience again.
Please everybody be extra careful …
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OMG that's horrible. What signs are there to look out for. I wanted to take Champ for a walk when I got home around 6:30pm but it's still pretty hot. Is there any sign of heat exhaustion in dogs to look out for?
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OMG that's horrible. What signs are there to look out for. I wanted to take Champ for a walk when I got home around 6:30pm but it's still pretty hot. Is there any sign of heat exhaustion in dogs to look out for?
Lethargy, excessive panting that doesn't recede after several minutes in cool temps. The best way to cool an overheated dog is to splash cool water on his ears, armpits, groin. You don't want to cool them down too fast, or too cold (like ice).
I am sure you can google more information about it…but those are the basics.
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thanks alot. Well Yesturdays walks went well. A little panting but he did not just throw himself on the floor in the middle of the walk. He was actually very excited. I think it has alot to do with the sun.
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My female, Savannah, gets tired very quickly when we walk and its hot. Talker will walk longer before he starts panting. The other day we took a short walk and as we were coming home, both of them were whimpering.
With the hot days I try to take them in the early morning or late in the evening.
They also have those "shammy" things/coat that you wet and put it on them. Its suppose to keep them cool. Talker doesn't mind his but Savannah will run outside when I try to put it on her.
Laura
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If you can try misting them with a cool squirt bottle. This definitely helps at dog shows.
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Yeah I can see the difference now that I've been walking Champ in the early morning before the sun is fully out. He actually enjoys the walks again which makes me enjoy them too. He does stop and stare at me and might even jump once or twice on me but I have no idea if this is because he's happy or wants to go home. Man I wish I could read his mind!
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We use a cool coat on our dogs from time to time, mostly at shows.
