Gladys went to the vet today for preoperative testing, including x-rays and bloodwork. The results are not what we’d hoped for. It turns out that the low hanging masses are not mammary tissue as originally suspected – those masses are her intestines. Either the result of trauma, or repeated strain from giving birth so many times, Gladys has developed extreme hernias that have been there for quite some time, and her intestines have dropped down and collected in those pockets you see in the photos. On top of that, she’s still not tumor free. There a few suspect masses inside of the pouch that holds her intestines, and a good number of smaller masses along mammary chain. Additionally, Gladys has a significant heart murmur on left side of heart and extremely low red cell count. The labs done in house this evening were inconclusive for Canine Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA). So we’ll be sending further lab work going out for diagnostics. Those additional labs will also test for Babesia. There’s more. She’s been eating and drinking voraciously and we need to figure out why that is happening, too. The goof ball was too interested in socializing and wouldn’t urinate at the vet today, so we’ll be bringing a urine sample back for a urinalysis to help get to the bottom of those symptoms. Due to her age she’s arthritic, but that’s not a surprise. Less normal, though, is the metal mass lodged in her side. **** To donate to Gladys medical care, click here: https://youcaring/QueenG **** Surgery tomorrow is not advisable due to possible complications. Most predominantly, those include the significant heart murmur, and the fact that if we were to surgically put the intestines back into the abdomen and secure them with stitches, or a mesh material, there is a chance that the hernias could re-tear, and that would be extremely painful (horrible, really) for this sweet girl. At a minimum we have to get her bloodwork to a stable place before deciding next steps for everything else. With her lab work in hand in the next few days we’ll be more able to carve out a long term plan for her. Whether that entails surgery for some, or all of the issues outlined above remains to be seen. No matter what, managing her comfort and quality of life will remain a priority. For now, is it imperative that we feed her in slow increments several times a day with easily digestible food. Everything she eats has to make its way down into that pouch and back up to be passed. Gladys’ medical costs are yet to be determined, but they will be high. If you’re able to help us to help this sweet girl live out her life in as much comfort as possible, please donate. https://youcaring/QueenG The bottom line is that this dog has been to hell and back, and somehow her spirit remains unbroken. What she’s been through is astonishing–simply just evil, and her temperament is just so beautiful. It’s amazing. We are humbled and grateful for the opportunity to provide her with as much love and comfort as is humanly possible for as long as she has.
Posted on: Wed, 21 Jan 2015 00:20:53 +0000