Soaphie the sophisticated is an angel October 29, 2015

[Patty]

Re: Soaphie

Tami,
I'm sure your list of questions is extensive. It's hard to know exactly what you need to ask before actually getting into the tests and specialist's office. Is this with an Internal Med Specialist?

I was remembering Chase's tumor that caused nasal issues in Feb '12. His was a soft palate melanoma. I think you could worry yourself sick with what if's. But getting into a specialist sounds like the wisest move to determine how concerning her condition really is, what courses of treatment exist, and the side effects of whatever they want to do.

Still hoping it's "just" a simple fix. Hugs to your girl,
Patty

[jjefferjo]

Re: Soaphie

Nothing to add just hoping for a good outcome - everything crossed for ya'll

[Rubytuesday]

Re: Soaphie

Hi Tami,

I along with everyone else, I will be waiting anxiously with you and your family for Soaphie's appt. I agree with Holli to ask if she might need to be fasted. Wondering if they do the CT or MRI if they anestetize for that and if you would need to deal with the insulin accordingly. If they do want to do the extra test I assume it would be for another day, but won't hurt to ask.

I just want to offer some hope for you as I imagine you are pretty scared. Ruby is on Zenequin for a UTI that is resistant to other antibiotics. It seems that only now after 4 weeks have her dramatic BG drops stopped happening. Wether that is infection finally starting to clear of if some changes I have made to her protocol are helping, it is always hard to tell with Ruby and I will never know for sure. We did extend her antibiotic treatment because of megaesophagus and the question of when given the pill, away from food and other meds contraindicated with Zenequin, if the pill actually gets to her belly at the appropriate time.

I quess it is possible that only now the pill is starting to make it to her belly consistently enough to affect the infection or could the infection have been that deep seated that it took this long to cure it. :

People often say after reading my posts, they get so confused trying to integrate all the things I am talking about with Ruby. Being in it doesn't make it any clearer and sometimes much worse. ( I have a sheepish confession to post about later, think I figured out what the loose BMs are about. Forgot about the coconut milk I started adding to help wash the Zenequin down. I added it on Tuesday night, and BMs look a bit better today)

Also wondering if this could be the same situation as when you have a UTI, in that the discharge should be cultured to see if the antibiotic is the right one to treat this. If you inquire about this and test I would try to do it through Soaphie's regular doctor, as it will probably be less expensive there rather then at the specialist office.

I suppose it could be a tumor that first presents with an infection, but I am skeptical of the coincidence and would be surprised that this was the first symptom.

I know you have been holding your breath for awhile in regards to their age. Sending your family my hope, strength and prayers.

Tara

[Soaphie & Sydney's Mom]

Re: Soaphie

Hi All,

We had no improvement over the weekend. In fact her eye seemed a bit more 'droopy'...I would describe as somewhat of a palsy.

We had her follow up visit with our regular vet this morning. She wanted to rule out anything in her chest so we did an X-ray - which was clear (just showed that the spondylosis of her spine has spread). She then got on the phone with the internal medicine specialist to discuss. Just based on what our vet was describing - the specialist jumped right to tumor. She was able to get me in right away (the specialists office is just a block away from our regular vet) and her first appt was at 10am so I was able to sneak in.

Went in - gave a thorough history of what is happening. She seemed pretty convinced that it's a tumor - but stated that she has been wrong before and doesn't mind being wrong. Two other possibilities - which see said really didn't present like we are seeing with Soaphie are a) fungal issue and b) foreign object. She stated a fungal infection wouldn't just show up one day - it would take time with other changes to Soaphie. A foreign object would tend to make her sneeze a lot. Doesn't mean it cannot be these things - just means that she would be surprised if it were.

We are going to do a CT scan tomorrow (I guess CT scans are better for nasal/eye/ear stuff and MRI's are better for brain issues). She will do a biopsy as well.

We drop her off at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow. They will do an anti-coagulation test (I guess a biopsy in the nose is quite bloody), then the procedure will start at 12:00 p.m. and will take about 1.5 hours to complete. She said that often they recommend the dog stays overnight because when the dog sneezes, blood tends to go everywhere....I said, we can cross that bridge when we come to it - but as of right now, she will be coming home and I'll sleep on the hardwood floors with her and clean up her mess if needed.

Tami and the girls....Soaph and Syd

[eileen]

Re: Soaphie

oh Tami....sending good thoughts...and hugs

[Patty]

Re: Soaphie

Tami,
Will be praying for your girl tomorrow.

I talked to my sister today and her girls. Ella, my 6-year-old niece and future vet-in-the-making loves-everthing-dog girl, was excited when I told her I had a pup she can pray for. I sent her a pic of Soaphie with her magic white paw and she says, I love her! Healing prayers from little kids are pretty powerful stuff!

Will be anxiously awaiting news,
Patty

[eileen]

Re: Soaphie

Tami,
Will be praying for your girl tomorrow.

I talked to my sister today and her girls. Ella, my 6-year-old niece and future vet-in-the-making loves-everthing-dog girl, was excited when I told her I had a pup she can pray for. I sent her a pic of Soaphie with her magic white paw and she says, I love her! Healing prayers from little kids are pretty powerful stuff!

Will be anxiously awaiting news,
Patty

oh, very sweet, brought me to tears.

[Judi]

Re: Soaphie

prayers for Soaphie and for you. hugs, Judi

[Soaphie & Sydney's Mom]

Re: Soaphie

oh, very sweet, brought me to tears.

Brought me to tears too...AGAIN!

Thanks everyone...

[farrwf]

Re: Soaphie

she will be coming home and I'll sleep on the hardwood floors with her and clean up her mess if needed.

Tami and the girls....Soaph and Syd

You're a great mom!

[Rubytuesday]

Re: Soaphie

We are all such brave souls to continually have our hearts broken and bear up under the fear of devastating sadness. My heart, prayers and hopes are with you.

I also would have her come home, no matter the inconvenience. Inconvenience...really they have no idea the stuff we are made of and our devotion to our precious four footed guides.

Tara

[momofdecker]

Re: Soaphie

Lots of prayers, positive thinking and hugs coming your way! Thinking of Miss Syd too as I'm sure she will be missing her sister while she is away.

[SandyL]

Re: Soaphie

Tami prayers for Sophie that the answere tomorrow will be more positive. I know it's hard but stay strong

Sandy

[pgcor]

Re: Soaphie

Hi Tami - just wanted to say good luck tomorrow. All I can say is we ALL know exactly how you feel. I am sorry though...saying prayers and lots of good thoughts.

Pam

[Linda1]

Re: Soaphie

I will be keeping Soaphie in my prayers. (((hugs)))