Health

kiwani · Post by **kiwani** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 6:00 am

Re: "This jives with the website that kiwani sent (by the way, I never did get to thank you - the website is excellenT)."

That site is an excellent resource.
The way you first described the situation, my initial impression of the first doctor was that he was mainly rushing you for the fee. I'm so relieved that Gerbie is in safer hands now, and wish him a full recovery.

Victory · Post by **Victory** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 7:07 am

Good for you sensing that your first vet was being quite lax in his care. To even think of telling a patient to find their own blood is rediculous. I'm glad you found a vet and a clinic that has joined the 21st century.

Sounds like Gerbie is in much better hands and will have a much better chance. Good luck and very best wishes for your boy.

Roxana · Post by **Roxana** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 9:39 am

Good luck to Gerbie, I hope everything turns out fine and you get to have some more time with him, be it weeks, months, years.

As for the need for blood; I think this is a good opportunity to bring us the discussion about puppy blood-donar clinics. You hear about it all the time for humans, but rarely for animals. A while ago one of the local news stations did a story on this; on how there's always the need for blood and if you wanted to donate, where to go etc. I thought about taking Dakota, but if I recall correctly, I think the dog has to be a least 50lbs before they are allowed to donate blood, and there may be an age restriction as well..

I can't remember but maybe someone else out there knows. Anyway, I think it's a fantastic idea.

Mandy · Post by **Mandy** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 12:48 pm

You know Roxana... I've never thought of that. I donate platlettes whenever I can but never thought of it for my pups. They are both so pleasant at the vet I can't imagine it being a problem for them.

Hmmmm...
something to look into when I move.

Yvonne · Post by **Yvonne** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 3:12 pm

Just got home from work - had to check on Gerbie.

I think you did the right thing by finding another vet.
I would have been uncomfortable, that's for sure.

Best of luck, hopefully the routine surgery will go fine.

Give Gerbie a hug for us!

Yvonne and Brandon

gerbie · Post by **gerbie** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 4:30 am

Thank you all for your prayers and positive Chi. Gerbie had his 2 hour surgery this afternoon. The gigantic tumor (looked like an oversized grapefruit) around 5 lbs. It was 10 times bigger than the spleen (which was also removed)!!!

If all goes well tonight, he may be able to go home tomorrow which the vet is keen. Reason is Gerbie does not seem to be eating: he never take food from strangers, which I think he is afraid of being poisoned.

We will have to start chemo soon though. Pretty scary, but I remembered how well Peks is doing, it helps. Thanks again all.

Judy Fox · Post by **Judy Fox** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 5:38 am

Blimey!! That is an enormous tumour. We are just hoping now that once he gets home, he will start eating a little and gradually gain strength.

Post by **chris** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 6:24 am

Yeah, Thors mass was the size of a Softball...

Hope all is well, and keep us posted. Thinking of you guys.

Yvonne · Post by **Yvonne** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 10:04 am

Continued best wishes for you and Gerbie. Glad he made it through the surgery fine.

Someone with medical knowledge help me out here, do you have to stay on medication for the rest of your life when a spleen is removed? I thought the spleen was necessary for some bodily function.

Not to ask dumb questions, but I don't know.

Post by **Auddymay** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 10:40 am

Making it through the surgery is great news! Hard to believe the size a tumor can get. It is the mark of the Chow, not eating food from strange people in strange places.

Post by **jerryo** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 11:39 am

True! Benny won't even take treats from the vet, so Lady gets a double helping.

Post by **chris** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 1:42 pm

Steel doesn't take treats from the vet either.. come to think of it... wont take them from the people at the bank or McDonalds. He wants a cheeseburger.. what are they thinking over there at McDonalds.... "hummmph"...

Yvonne · Post by **Yvonne** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 1:52 pm

Brandon loves McDonald's cheeseburgers. He climbs up and stands on my lap to greet them at the drive thru window.

buddysmom · Post by **buddysmom** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 4:26 pm

Gerbie is very lucky to have you, that's a long life. Good luck and our thoughts are with you.

Buddy & Dana

Jeff&Peks · Post by **Jeff&Peks** » Sun Sep 03, 2006 2:17 am

I noticed in one of your post you said Gerbie was from Palmdale if that's Ca where is this vet (the 2nd vet) I could use a good vet that is use to Chows, The doctor/Hospital Pekoe goes to doesn't do routine vet care so I'm still in search of a Vet that doesn't mind a few bites.
I think I'm like 50 miles from Palmdale. I use to travel further for Pekoes vet in San Francisco.

kiwani · Post by **kiwani** » Sun Sep 03, 2006 7:14 am

Re: "Reason is Gerbie does not seem to be eating..."

It's normal too, not to have any appetite after such a large surgery. I hope Gerbie is feeling more comfortable being back home by now, and that you're seeing much improvement. All best wishes!

kiwani · Post by **kiwani** » Sun Sep 03, 2006 7:37 am

Re: "I thought the spleen was necessary for some bodily function..."

There's a lot of information concerning spleen anatomy and its role in immune function (cleaning and filtering the blood of debris, tumor cells, infections, blood cell parasites, etc.) on that "splenic masses" link posted earlier in this thread. There's also an animated illustration showing the location of the spleen, plus information on chemotherapy after spleen removal. Losing a spleen makes one more vulnerable to certain infections such as tick-born disease, etc. The chemotherapy also leaves the immune system more vulnerable, so greater vigilance is needed, and strengthening the remaining immune system is also important.

threedogjeep · Post by **threedogjeep** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 10:52 am

Hurray for Gerbie!! I send out best wishes from Leela and the gang!!

gerbie · Post by **gerbie** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 4:46 am

Hey Jeff, we picked Gerbie up in Palmdale, but moved to Hong Kong about 7 years ago. Sorry.

I have not visited this site for the past few days as Gerbie has not been eating. The vet has now introduced us to A/D from Hills.

The vet is telling me that if all goes well, after the chemo, the life expectancy is another 165days. In other words, Gerbie would be 17. Vet doubts he will make it to 19.

These few days have been tough - trying to get Gerbie to stand as he has not been on his feet for a week now.

Post by **chris** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 5:39 am

Poor thing, We are praying for him and you. He will start feeling better, Im sure.

kiwani · Post by **kiwani** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 9:48 am

Re: "These few days have been tough - trying to get Gerbie to stand as he has not been on his feet for a week now."

There are some older posts on cachexia, catabolic wasting, plus the role of L-glutamine in rebuilding muscle strength, and its protective role in oncology therapy.

When the body undergoes a great stress and when tumor growth is involved, the body loses glutamine reserves in muscles. The body also relies on glutamine for muscles in the digestive tract. Best wishes and hugs for Gerbie.

Post by **Zhuyos mom** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 11:39 am

I send good thoughts and positive Chi your way for Gerbie's full recovery.

I also placed a prayer tree in the prayer section of this site for Gerbie for all who are interested.

Jeff&Peks · Post by **Jeff&Peks** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 2:14 pm

Phew, Geez Lou I saw your post in the prayer section and thought what the hell happen to gerbie, what i was thinking turned out to be good news but on the other hand i guess its not to good of news, I've been keeping track of Gerbiie, I don't know how I missed all this. Hope he pulls out of this.

Post by **Zhuyos mom** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 2:38 pm

Jeff, it's good news. Gerbie did well during his tumor removal. Now he needs to start eatting so he is strong when he starts Chemo. You know the drill, as I, a moment in each day is all you ask for.

I thought I'd put up the prayer tree for Gerbie and his mom because when a member posted the candle vigil for Scooby, Scooby's mom gained strength in our numbers. Since we have the section now, why not?! It's a non-denominational prayer tree so spread the word (that's what a prayer tree is about) and let's send healing white light to the senior chow of this site and post away!

Yvonne · Post by **Yvonne** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 4:03 pm

I saw the prayer tree post and wondered what had happened, also. Thank goodness it's good news!