Monday, July 14, 2008

Chance Update

Thank you all for your sweet emails about Chance. I wanted to update you all on what's going on and how he's doing.

Chance wasn't feeling well over the 4th of July weekend. He had a fever on Monday (the 7th) and so I took him to the vet. He had some x-rays, a blood panel, and an ultrasound. On Tuesday morning we were told that he has a touch of pneumonia. But the major issue is that he has a tumor the size of a bowling ball on his liver and his liver function numbers weren't good.

Our options were to get a biopsy done through a specialist to see how progressive the cancer was (whether it was slow growing or fast) with the understanding that the biopsy could put him in danger. Best case scenario was that the tumor would be treatable and by treatable they meant surgery to remove it plus chemo.

Our other options were to put him down or to bring him home and see how he does.

The first option didn't seem to be very Chance friendly (neither did the 2nd!) Chance is twelve, and surgery is rough. Recovery is no fun and chemo certainly doesn't sound very fun either. We think that is a lot of trauma to put him through. The second option wasn't an option. So, we opted to pick him up on Tuesday afternoon.

He came home with his temperature down from 105.4 to 100.8. (yeah!) He had spent over 24 hours getting fluids and electrolytes and on antibiotics. He was sent home with a weeks worth of antibiotics. And he is doing much better! He is pretty alert and greets us at the door. He's back to watching us eat dinner (and cook dinner). He's back to eating his dog cookies and eating meals (he wasn't eating! of course, he's only eating special dog food with gravy or chicken breast tenders that we cook for him).

Yesterday, he even laid on his tummy with his legs behind him - resting all of his weight on his belly. Hopefully, this is a good sign that his liver/tumor aren't painful to him.

For now, we're enjoying our time with Chance and keeping him on the antibiotics to make sure the pneumonia clears up. We'll keep our fingers crossed that this tumor has been growing for years and years and years and that we still have some good quality time left to spend with him.

13 comments:

Julie said...

Oye Aimee.


Give Chance a hug from me and Bailey

L Sass said...

Poor Chancy! Give him lots of hugs and kisses from me, too.

Anonymous said...

Not fun! It's awful when your pup is sick!

Hope you and Chance get some good cuddles in to feel better!

Carrie said...

Sorry to hear about Chance. I bet you are right and the tumor has always been there. I really think you made the right decision.

*~*Cece*~* said...

I hope he reamins comfortable & without pain. {{{hugs}}}

Anonymous said...

I'm thinking of you all. Hugs to Chancey!

Anonymous said...

Hugs to you and that sweet guy Chance, I hope he is able to remain pain free and you are able to enjoy as much time as possible with him. :)

Anonymous said...

Give Chance hugs and kisses from me. He's such a sweet sweet boy. Sending good, happy dog thoughts your way...

josetteplank.com said...

Oh, I'm so sorry...poor pooch!

Vanessa said...

Oh, what crappy news. I'm so glad you were able to bring him home and can enjoy as much time with him as possible. Even better that he doesn't seem to be in pain and can lay on his belly. Take tons of pictures and we'll all put out some good energy for him to be with you as long as possible. HUGS

Lindsey said...

OH NO! Sorry to be late to respond...I've been kind of away from the blogosphere if you haven't noticed, but I've been thinking about you! I am so sorry Chance hasn't been feeling great, but I hope he gets better and stays pain free! I love my little Chance.

Nicole P. said...

Chance update? Aimee update?

Anonymous said...

Oh, the tumor sounds so scary! I'm extra late, but I'm glad to hear he's doing better. I didn't realize he was 12. He looks so young and jipper! I hope he feels it too :)