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PawPrint Boxers -> Boxer Central Plaza -> Health Questions -> Bizarre probably unrelated health issues - I'm so frustrated/upset - long post!
Post Info TOPIC: Bizarre probably unrelated health issues - I'm so frustrated/upset - long post!
lennap


All Grown Up

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Bizarre probably unrelated health issues - I'm so frustrated/upset - long post!
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I'll try to share this chronologically - as it seems best. 

Generally I keep Voodoo on a very consistent schedule, long walk from 6-7 am - quick in and out at lunch time - long walk at 5 pm and then quick in and out at bedtime.  This has worked well for us, however 3 days in a row this week she used my dining room rug as a piddle pad.  So  I brought a urine specimen to the vet yesterday.

Today we went on our walk - and she seemed fine, but soon appeared to be favoring her right hind leg, and the area directly in front of that hip appeared swollen and was radiating heat.  When I laid my hand on the spot, it clearly hurt her.  It appeared to be getting progressively worse - and I could hear her wimpering (my dog who never utters a sound)  in pain as she tried to get on her favorite chair downstairs.

Got to the vet (had to carry her down the stairs - quite a comical sight I am sure) - and in trying to get her on the table, she hurt so badly she bit me.  You need to trust me that Voodoo is the most docile sweetest dog - and there is NO WAY she meant to bite me.  It took 2 vet techs to hold her down - at that point she was muzzled.

The vet was concerned because the swollen heated area was where the mast cell tumor was removed last year - however he did 2 aspirations and got nothing but fatty cells.  Meanwhile her urine analysis came back dilute even through it was the first pee of the day - so we are running extensive blood tests. 

Until the blood tests come back we've got her on a morphine like opiate (something with a T - it's downstairs and I can't remember) for the pain - until we know that her kidneys are ok at which point we'll give her anti inflammatories.

So it is highly unlike that all this is related - although that would be much easier for me to take!  My vet feels that it's either some typeo fo soft tissue injury or G-d forbid a Peripheral Nerve Sheath tumor - at which point I'll likely want to be shot, I just don't know how I'll deal with yet another case of cancer!

Meanwhile we are home and rather than getting sleepy with the morphine, Voodoo is pacing like there is no tomorrow.  Plus she only wants to be outside - I have NEVER left her outside alone and I have to be on the third floor working.  So she is pacing on the first floor (I've got a gate up to prevent her from going up the stairs - trying to get her to rest).

OMG I am beyond frustrated and scared and near tears with how badly I feel for her.

Any insights would be greatly apprecaited.  I'm at my wits end!



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lennap


All Grown Up

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Forgot to mention - I doubt this is a soft tissue injury from this am - I've been letting her sleep in my bed lately - and for 2 nights in a row she's not even tried to get onto the bed, she's just put herself into her crate.



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BoxersnMinis


Congratulations!

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I am by no means an expert and can't even hazzard a guess as to what is causing this type of extreme pain and distress in sweet Voodoo. I will be keeping her in my thoughts and healing prayers. Please let us know how she is doing......................

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 Beverly
Red Rocks Zam I Am (Zammi) CD, RE, CGC
Dusty Road's Walk'in on Air (Pilot) RN, CGC
U-CH/CH Naughty DeNevi at Red Rocks RN, CGC
 (Denee)
Forever in my heart"
Red Rocks RIMPAC Warrior (Tanner) CD, RE, CGC
Tanner, Zammi, Pilot & Denee
Red Rocks Boxers
Cinnamon Boxers


I Can't Stop Typing

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We also send our prayers for a good diagnosis and a speedy recovery! Hugs to Voodoo!

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Phylis Snyder
Cinnamonboxers.net
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Posey & Justin
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lennap


All Grown Up

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Thanks everyone - the swollen/heated area continued to grow today - but there is nothing they can do.  First priority is to understand if the kidneys are ok.  Good news is apparently her heart sounded great, no increased blood pressure - and when they drew and spun her blood, all looked normal.

My challenge right now is getting her to rest!  She is pacing and pacing and pacing.  She will not lay down at all.   I just keep hoping she finally tires herself out and gets some rest - perhaps that will allow whatever booboo she's got ot heal too.

I've now half way convinced myself that really bad stuff doesn't visibly grow in a matter of hours - so this MUST just be localized swelling.

I'll let you know when I know. UGH waiting is the worst part!

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lennap


All Grown Up

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Voodoo's blood work came back and basically everything is normal - a few very slightly elevated values, which all indicate an inflammation (which duh we knew) so she is starting Rimadyl now.

I am 90% convinced that she somehow twisted and hurt herself during play (she's not as young as she once was you know) - and figure we should see results by tuesday or so, if not we'll figure out next steps.

Thanks for listening

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BoxersnMinis


Congratulations!

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I think that whenever one of our Boxers is hurt or in distress, we all have empathetic feelings. Here's hoping that you will see the wanted results by Tuesday. Keeping you in our thoughts.

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 Beverly
Red Rocks Zam I Am (Zammi) CD, RE, CGC
Dusty Road's Walk'in on Air (Pilot) RN, CGC
U-CH/CH Naughty DeNevi at Red Rocks RN, CGC
 (Denee)
Forever in my heart"
Red Rocks RIMPAC Warrior (Tanner) CD, RE, CGC
Tanner, Zammi, Pilot & Denee
Red Rocks Boxers
lennap


All Grown Up

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Just wanted to update everyone - Rimadyl is officially G-d's gift to my girl! I can actually see regular improvement every 12 hours or so! She seems quite comfortable now - although the swelling has not gone down.

It will be interesting to see what happens once we've run the full 7 day course of treatment - but I am feeling more and more confident that this is simply a soft tissue thing.

Thank goodness! I was a wreck and boy was she in pain! Thank you everyone for all of your well wishes, thoughts and prayers.

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BoxersnMinis


Congratulations!

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We are all hoping that this Rx will continue to help Voodoo through this injury.
Has the swelling gone down??

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 Beverly
Red Rocks Zam I Am (Zammi) CD, RE, CGC
Dusty Road's Walk'in on Air (Pilot) RN, CGC
U-CH/CH Naughty DeNevi at Red Rocks RN, CGC
 (Denee)
Forever in my heart"
Red Rocks RIMPAC Warrior (Tanner) CD, RE, CGC
Tanner, Zammi, Pilot & Denee
Red Rocks Boxers
lennap


All Grown Up

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She was doing great while on the Rimadyl, the full course of treatment ended Saturday morning.  She even ran around the yard for the first time in a week!


By Sunday morning she was lame again, and the swelling had returned.  Thankfully I asked for more pills, in case that happened, so I gave her more - although she's not back to how she was Saturday afternoon.

Back to the vet today - will let you know.

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PawPrint


Smitten by Boxers

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Remember this: Masking the pain does not heal the injury. Even though she felt better, it might have helped to keep her dog and not running around. I know, trust me. I had the same elation over pain meds seeming to "cure" a dog's injury. But all they are supposed to do is relieve the discomfort. Personal experience with Crystal over a back injury taught me that lesson.

I might have missed it, but have you done xrays on the affected area? She could have a broken or fractured bone that is causing the pain. I found out the hard way that a swollen painful area on one part of the dog meant a serious injury on another part of the dog.

Have you done an echo? That would at least clear if there are any masses inside that would not be picked up on an xray.

Those are my thoughts and I hope you can figure out what is ailing poor Voodoo. It can be so frustrating trying to find out what is wrong :(

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  Christina Ghimenti
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lennap


All Grown Up

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Went back to the vet yesterday who went for another aspiration (last time only got fatty cells from 2 separate sites in the lump) - came back with a ton of blood. Drained a bunch of the blood -and today I am off to the Vetrinary hospital for an MRI and consultation with an Oncologist, in case.

No X-Rays have been taken as my vet felt they would not be helpful - and that I really needed to go straight to an MRI.

Pray for my girl! I'm totally terrified of what I've been reading - worst case it is hemangiosarcoma - best case they see in the MRI it is a discrete mass in which case they will take her straight to surgery and remove it.

I'll post back when I know.



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PawPrint


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My thoughts and prayers are with you. I disagree with your vet not wanting an xray though. A good vet will rule out everything until turning it over to a specialist. I still believe an xray would have been warranted in the beginning.

However a specialist will know exactly what to look for and what it likely means. In that I believe VooDoo will be in good hands :)

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  Christina Ghimenti
PawPrint Boxers

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lennap


All Grown Up

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She's on her way to heaven now.  Voodoo had a massive hemangiosarcoma, it encompassed her entire abdominal cavity - and was bleeding out, which is what casued the obvious lump.

She was a wonderful WONDERFUL sweet girl.

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PawPrint


Smitten by Boxers

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Oh I am so sorry :( Poor sweet baby. I hope her trip to the bridge was peaceful. She is now romping with so many others whom are waiting for her with nubs wagging away.


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  Christina Ghimenti
PawPrint Boxers

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BoxersnMinis


Congratulations!

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Oh No.......................I am so very sorry. I know your heart is aching and I can only pray that one day your loving memories of Voodoo with help to heal your heart.
GodSpeed Sweet Voodoo......................


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 Beverly
Red Rocks Zam I Am (Zammi) CD, RE, CGC
Dusty Road's Walk'in on Air (Pilot) RN, CGC
U-CH/CH Naughty DeNevi at Red Rocks RN, CGC
 (Denee)
Forever in my heart"
Red Rocks RIMPAC Warrior (Tanner) CD, RE, CGC
Tanner, Zammi, Pilot & Denee
Red Rocks Boxers
baccismom


Champion

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I am so sorry! Voodoo is running free of all problems and watching over you! My thoughts and prayers are with you at this terrible time. I just loved her name.
Marian and Daisy

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Marian DeNio
Cinnamon Boxers


I Can't Stop Typing

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My heart goes out to you! God speed, Voodoo!

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Phylis Snyder
Cinnamonboxers.net
Home of
Posey & Justin
~~~~~~~~~~~
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