I’ve talked to many of you in the chatroom, but for those that haven’t been in and seen me for a while, I just wanted to let everyone know that Brendol’s fight is coming to an end.
Last week I took her back to her vet and we found that the cancer had metastasized to her lungs. Additionally, it must be elsewhere in the bones causing her pain. I was on my way out of town, so they gave us Rimadyl, Tramadol, and Gab to keep her comfortable. She stayed with her pet sitters and when I left her she was wagging her tail and happy to see all her friends. They kept me updated every morning and evening. She ate really well. Tonight I got back and went to pick her up and her sisters. When I got there, she tried to stand up and couldn’t. The pet sitter said she was having some issues, but eventually able to get the legs working and that they had just given her her medicine so she might just be groggy.
I’ve gotten her home. Carried her upstairs and laid her in bed. She didn’t even fight me being carried and she has always hated to be carried. I have called in to work so that I may spend a last day with her cuddled up. I will call the vet in the morning to arrange an afternoon appointment. I am fairly calm, but my heart is breaking. She is my baby girl and I don’t want to lose her. But I can’t let her suffer any and if she can’t stand up, she’s not living a good life. I will miss her so very much. Please keep us in your thoughts.
Ooh, I’m a bad momma. Yesterday was Brendol’s 3 month ampuversary (and it blew right past me). Can you believe it? Three Months! Geez, it has flown by. And, some of you will yell at me for thinking this way, but I hate that the clock is ticking down. It’s not today. I know that. And we don’t live like it is today. But I am cognizant that our time is limited. Osteosarcoma or not, my B is 12 and a half years old. Anyway… 😀 Happy Thoughts. She is here today, she is feeling good, and I get to love on her a ton. She is my cuddle bug and I love her dearly.
Brendol had her second round of chemo today. All went well. Platelets were back up to normal. Her white blood cell count actually went down from last week which we weren’t expecting but the vet wasn’t alarmed by that. Brendol had a full fun day – I know – a fun day getting chemo. But she loves going. Check out her video from this morning when she found out we were going.
So the vet tech commented on how Brendol doesn’t appear to have been slowed down one bit by her amputation. And, while I see a little bit of a change, I have to agree that she is getting around really well. It’s not quite been 5 weeks, and you can see how good she’s moving.
We came on home (in the yucky rain), and I think this look is one of “I don’t want my picture taken, mom!”
Now that we are home, she is pooped. The below pic is her getting ready to crash on the couch with her buddy Mathilde. Okay, so they aren’t usually really buddy buddy, but for tonight we are all cuddles. I’ll take it!
Miss Brendol is a 12 year old Pitt Mix that lives just North of Atlanta. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in her front right leg on January 30th, 2013. The news was devestating to me and a non-issue to her. All she knew was that her front leg was hurting. A week later we got in to see a specialist to weigh all our options and the osteosarcoma diagnosis was supported. Amputation was recommended and we proceeded with that the very next day, February 6th.
It has been one week since her amputation, and she is doing AWESOME! She’s going up and down full flights of stairs and she’s back to getting into trouble. She likes to get into things and drag them around the house when I’m not home. (Like pulling pillows off the bed and dragging them into the bathroom) Six days after her operation, I had her in a t-shirt and an e-collar when I went to work so she wouldn’t scratch her stitches… the booger managed to get out of her t-shirt with the knot still tied in it and with the e-collar still on, not once… but twice. So, no more t-shirt. That’s pointless. Then yesterday she managed to lock herself in the spare bathroom and play in the bathtub. Only problem, she got in but couldn’t figure out how to get out. Mom to the rescue.
With her doing SO well, it is hard to remember that I still have some big decisions to make regarding her treatment. Chemo has been recommended by the surgeon, and we have an appointment with an internist regarding our options there. But with her age, I am inclined not to pursue it. We will see what options are presented to us. I have also found a veterinarian in the area that practices not just traditional medicine, but also holistic medicine. We are contacting them as well.
A little bit about my Miss Brendol. She was originally owned by a not very nice man that thought she was a Brindle Pittbull/Rottweiler mix (she’s fawn colored by the way). He wanted a mean dog for whatever reason. And I was stupid enough at the time to be dating him. When I met Brendol, she was about 3 1/2 months old and cute as a button. He was complaining about her acting out and doing things that puppies do. I saw a sweet loving baby that had no interest in being mean nor any interest in being with this guy. At our first meeting, she was running around and playing with me as puppies do.. and he was complaining about her never sitting still. Within a little time, I had her laying in my lap and I was gently rubbing her forehead until she dosed off. I was in love immediately. So I suggested she come to my place which had a nice back yard to play in… and I just never gave her back. I eventually got rid of the guy and kept her. An awesome trade! And she has been my cuddle bug every since.
She had a sister that passed away at a very young age (Sadie – a black chow/lab mix) and a feline sister that tolerated her presence for many years until about 4 years ago (Allegra – a himalayan). After Sadie passed when Brendol was just a year old, we welcomed Aissa into our home, a little black Chow/Border Collie mix. And about a year after Allegra passed, we welcomed two new feline sisters to the family, Mathilde and Morrigan. Pictures of Miss Brendol and her family are below.
3 Days post surgery, we got our drain out.
Little Miss Mathilde laying on my lap.The princess, Morrigan.Brendol and Aissa waiting for a treat!My Cuddle Bug – Brendol
