It’s funny how your perspective can change with the circumstances. Earlier this week, we were dreading the prospect of the amputation of Ray’s front right leg due to a nerve sheath tumor. Now we’re asking, “Ok, how soon can we get that leg removed?”
The news from the cardiologist today was excellent: no evidence of any kind of heart disease or anything else that would cause Ray’s heart rate to jump so dramatically just before surgery. After ruling out any cardio issues, we elected to go the next step and have them also perform an abdominal ultrasound to eliminate the prospect of renal (liver, kidneys, etc.) tumors, which the surgeon cited as a possible cause too. All clear there as well. (I was particularly relieved to be given his clean bill of internal health in general, knowing what we know about Goldens leading all other dog breeds in various cancers and diseases.)
So, now our baby resembles “a moth-eaten blanket,” as the vet technician said today with a laugh; Ray is shaved over about half his body, and not symmetrically, so he looks awful. (Probably a bit of a relief when it’s 103° outside, however.) But he is happy and managing the pain better now that we’ve switched to Tramadol, and although we still don’t know what caused his racing pulse, at least we know what didn’t.
Because the nerve sheath tumors are somewhat slow to grow, we have a bit of breathing room to decide what’s next. And that’s the question really: what do we do now? The general recommendation is that we try the amputation surgery again, with an alternative anesthesia plan. Tomorrow we’ll be conferring with our vet and the surgeon, but after today’s news, there doesn’t seem to be any reason not to give it another go.
Thank you everyone for your thoughts, prayers and support. Today was a good Ray day.