Tank's Journey

PC170159

Tank had his 1 week post-op visit yesterday. The Oncologist has said he would see us then to go over our options, but he had an emergency and was not there, so on the cancer front, we don’t know anything yet. The vet checked Tank over and everything looked good. We had not taken Tank’s t-shirt off all week, I would just pull it up to check his incision area. I just prefer not to look at it all the time, so the t-shirt helps but that part of the surgery at the back of my mind!

Tank has had these random outbreaks of this horrible crying/whining/howling. We all rush to him, reposition him, give him lots of love and they pass. I had posted on the forums about it, which comments went about half and half between pain meds or phantom pain. The surgeon told us that in an amputation like Tank’s, where they take the entire leg, they end up with these muscles that used to control the leg. They try to save as much as they can, so they basically stitch muscles together that aren’t used to working together. He said they randomly fire against each other in the early stages causing pain until they are signaled by the brain to not fire. He said this will be gone after the muscles get used to their new location and new purposes. Tank’s a big dog, 125 pounds before surgery, and he’s having a hard time learning how to reposition himself once laid down. He’ll get good and asleep and lay all the way on his good side. Normally he would use the leg that is gone to get momentum or to pull himself upright. That was when he was getting the pain, so once we positioned him upright, the pain would subside. I think that in part because of that pain, plus just improving his moving skills, we didn’t have one incident with the pain at all yesterday.

We did have another incident though. I was in my office working and all the dogs were in the living room with my daughter. Tank had somehow got himself in a position where he could scratch his incision with his back leg! My daughter called me in there when the blood started seeping thru his t-shirt. He had popped a staple out, I got the bleeding stopped pretty easily. I tried to put wound closures on it, but there was too much fur. I’ve had a few major surgeries myself, so I have plenty of wound care items, so I found a surgical bandage that had strong enough adhesive on each side to stay in place. I cut it down, covered it, and that was the end of that, crisis absolved!

Tank has an appointment on the 27th with the Oncologist, at that time they will also pull the staples. The surgeon was able to tell us that he felt we will be able to tell us that we should feel positive that we will be able to keep Tank comfortable with treatment and we were on the right track. So I will take that positively!

We did make the decision as a family to stay home on Christmas, we normally go to my parent’s for the day. None of us feel comfortable leaving Tank for any length of time. My children are adults and we are all of the opinion that all we want for Christmas is Tank, so we’re good with that. We will all stay with him and that will be perfect!

I had this slice of me feeling maybe, just maybe Tank’s biopsy would come back negative. The Oncologist called today to tell us the biopsy was positive for bone cancer. I think my heart hit the floor at the moment he said that. He just said that it was treatable, but not curable. We take Tank in for his one week post-op tomorrow, so the doctor said he will come in and talk to us then about our options. While loved by a family, Tank is our son’s dog, he was given to Richard, and Richard has the final say in what he is willing to do or not do about treating Tank. Richard is an adult and I respect his decision, so we will see where we go from here once we get all the cards on the table.

I know many of you have stood in my shoes, and from all of you I will find comfort. I know, we love each one the same!

Lisa

Tank is now 4 days post op, he’s hitting some rough spots. He’s having a hard time getting comfortable so he’s not getting much sleep. He used to sleep with his head on his right leg, but now that it’s gone, things don’t feel right. Plus a fellow can’t get on his back and sleep tan side up like he’s used to! It’s been a challenge keeping him off the couches and my bed, those were regular sleeping locations that the doctor forbid. Last night at 3:00 am he woke me trying to get up on one of the couches, even tho I had the cushions tilted up. I took 2 of the cushions off and managed to get him onto those, he and I both happily slept in until 8:30!

He’s been crying quite a bit when he tries to get up, it sounds awful! I’m taking it as he’s still tired. He has managed to go outside and potty a couple times today, going poop is quite a challenge and takes a few passes before he can position his front leg in between his back ones to get things going, he keeps trying and eventually gets it. He’s not eating as much today, so I’ve been doing whatever it takes to get some food in, even if it’s by hand. He’s been drinking a lot since I bring the bowl to him regularly.

His incision area looks good, I check it a few times a day since he’s been wearing a t-shirt all the time. He sees the surgeon on Saturday for his one week check up. We were told his regular vet can take the staples out, so that’s good since the difference in drive time is about an hour closer for our vet.

I’ve taken a few pictures to add today. Tank always has the company of Encore, his little pal. I took a picture of our other Papillon, Tippy. She is my little Prima Donna and she doesn’t associate much with the boys, she’s a Mamma’s girl!

Encore "helping" Tank with his breakfast out on the front porch!

Even after I left to go get Tank's water bowl, Encore was still "helping" with the breakfast!

Tippy waiting inside for me to come back in!

Hi to all…

Thanks to everyone for their kind thoughts and best wishes!

Tank came home yesterday, it was quite a day, as all of you know! The hospital called us in the morning and I spoke with the doctor who told me Tank was telling them he was ready to go home! Once we finally got him home, my son carefully lifted Tank from the truck, and before we knew it he had run off to see Rachel! I was amazed! He did so well yesterday, but he’s having a tired day today! He was just so impressive yesterday, he hopped around like a pro, going potty in the grass, then to the water, then back in. He didn’t want to go to the kitchen for water during the day, so I gladly helped him with that. He ate a normal dinner with his medication. I sleep downstairs where the dogs are, and I spent more time worrying about Tank than he did! He moved from pad to pad during the night, but never asked to go out. He went out with the Pappys this morning. He lagged behind, I tried to help, but he did it all on his own in his own time. Once he was done going potty he laid in the grass for a bit of a rest before drinking some water and going back in. He only ate about half his breakfast and has been a bit whinny. We may live in Southern California, but it’s cold for us today, but Tank is sitting by the open door of my office enjoying some fresh air.

I need to get busy and join some of the forum discussions, I’m just finding myself way behind on everything, it’s been all about Tank! This is hard, I am going thru all the normal emotions, concern, regret, awe, it’s very overwhelming. I do know this was the right thing to do, of that I am certain. The only way to keep Tank in one place, resting, is for me to be there too. Yesterday I was just sitting with him, watching movies so he would rest. I watched the movie, “The Color Purple”, and it dawned on me, our pets are like the color purple, maybe we don’t take the time to sit down and appreciate them for what they are and what they mean to us most of the time. Having something like this happen really shakes your world and you realize you just have to take some time and appreciate what you have and don’t take it for granted.

Tank's owie area.

Tank getting his first visit from his little dog, Encore

Tank sporty a more fashionable look!

Hanging out by the open door.

The surgeon just called. Tank had a quiet night. He has been napping all day under heavy sedation. Doctor said there is very little bruising. Tomorrow they plan to get him up on his feet. So far so good! I just miss him like crazy! We have 2 Papillons and 4 cats at home, but it’s still so quiet without our big dog!

Tank was admitted to the VCA Pet Hospital in Fountain Valley, CA. on Saturday, December 10, 2011. He had his right, front leg amputated yesterday. His veterinarian, Doctor B. called and told us Tank had gone through surgery well and he had waken up and was in recovery. The hospital we chose keeps the dogs until they can walk and go potty on their own, so we don’t have a discharge date for Tank as yet. We were given an estimate of $3500.00-$6,000.00 for the surgery and related expenses. I want to share the cost of things for us in case anyone else may be curious.

We have spent about $2,000.00 already with previous tests, x-rays and procedures done by our veterinarian. There was suspicion that Tank may have contracted Valley Fever, so he had been tested for that, but the tests came back negative. Our vet also took a sample of the bone where a lump had developed on Tank’s right, front leg. The bone biopsy actually came back negative for cancer, but our vet was unable to get a good sample, so he warned us cancer is still highly likely.

The surgeon told us the removed leg would be sent out for biopsy, and we had a 90% chance that it would come back as cancer, although he did point out that some dogs have to fall into that 10% group, so there was still hope. The vet assured us that there was also a 100% chance that Tank’s quality of life would improve with the removal of the infected leg! The surgeon has such a good attitude, it carries over to us and we have complete faith in him.

I have ordered a harness and pain removal pack from the Tripawds store. I love all the videos and selection of related items. I look forward to finding all the information and support we all need during this adjustment period!