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.
Oh, I am so happy to see this. When I read your first post on Ray it really hit home — I can’t begin to explain my feeling of deja vu.
My Harley is also a golden (rescue which sounds like Ray might be). Summer of 2010 he had numerous tests done on what appeared to just be a swollen limb. It was then decided it was probably an infiltrative lipoma which are benign. He had a CT Scan which looked good (just regular lipoma not even infiltrative)and a successful surgery. Spring 2011 it was back. Summer an MRI which showed infiltrative no clean margins, surgery again to debulk and buy time (I planned to have amputation done a little later when I was not working). This was based on all pathology showing tumor benign and would not metastasize. So now the surgery was finally scheduled for Tuesday after Memorial Day and the “routine” chest xray showed two masses and surgery was cancelled. Pathologist says it could have originally been a liposarcoma (it’s very hard to distinguish the cell structure). So even though the probability is low, the possibility always exists. I found myself saying something similar, “I wish Harley could have had his leg amputated.”
You are so right on how your perspective changes. Ray is special to me so I wish and pray for the very best for him.
He does look a little ragged! Good luck with the vet visit tomorrow. It is funny how you find yourself ‘hoping’ for amputation. This journey teaches you all kinds of things and does change your perspective on things.
It is about 103 where I am today too- SF Bay Area.
I’ll be looking for a Ray update tomorrow. Did I already mention that you should check out the forums?
Karen and the pugapalooza
That is wonderful news. Hopefully a different anesthesia plan will do the trick.
It’s less than 60 here in Sydney today so Ray is lucky he’s not here!
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Glad to hear Ray has a clean bill of health in the heart department. Good luck with your vet appointment. We’ll keep sending positive thoughts Ray’s way!