I took two of our blind girls, Evelyn and Penny, into Missoula with me today to see our internal medicine specialist there, Dr. Dave Bostwick at Missoula Veterinary Specialty Clinic. Evelyn has been losing weight, and no amount of adjusting her diet has seemed to make much difference. She has lost 11 pounds, though she seems visibly (to us, at least) to have lost more than that.
In the photo above, Dave is listening to her heart during the physical exam. Dave's vet tech, Alex, thought it would be a better idea if she took the photos instead of me, so I was assisting today. Next came the ultrasound:
The good news is that her internal organs looked fine, which is a real relief. I still am not good at reading the grainy ultrasound images, and every time I see something suspicious (to my untrained eye), I pepper Dave with questions like "What's that?" or "Uh oh, what's that?" Usually it's something harmless like, well, a gas bubble in the colon, for instance, or simply my imagination running amok.
So on both her physical exam and ultrasound, Evelyn looked okay. The blood work results won't be back until tomorrow, and those will tell us whether she's got something like chronic renal failure. Please keep your fingers crossed for Evelyn.
The news on Penny was much more definitive. She had just recently developed a small white growth on a toe on her front right foot ... it looked almost like a wart. It was pretty unremarkable and it didn't keep growing. But then, all of a sudden, her toenail completely broke off, leaving a stubby red patch of flesh. Oh, no.
It turns out that Penny has a nail-bed tumor -- either a melanoma or sarcoma. X-rays this morning revealed that the tumor was eating away at the bone in that toe, but so far it hadn't appeared to spread beyond the first joint. These nail-bed tumors, particularly the melanomas, metastasize or spread very quickly. So Dave scheduled surgery for next Tuesday to amputate that toe up to the first joint. He will take biopsies at that point (she'd need to be sedated for a biopsy anyway) so we can find out which type of cancer it is, but the results won't change the need to remove the tumor surgically.
In the meantime, Dave sent in the pre-operative blood work on Penny, and here we are drawing the blood from her:
Both girls enjoyed driving around Missoula today while I ran errands. They were especially happy after the very last stop when I loaded the groceries from the Good Food Store into the truck and handed them a couple of chewy oatmeal cookies for a treat!
I say this with a smile, but when I see an email from Steve, I set it aside until I have at least a free hour! One thing just leads to another, and I can't bring myself to STOP!
I love your pictures and commentary, and these sweet babies just steal my heart.
Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Barbara Crabtree | March 12, 2009 at 01:39 PM
Just one cookie each? I'd say add another cookie!
Evelyn and Penny are in my prayers; a healthy outcome for both.
Posted by: Boundforglory | February 03, 2009 at 09:25 AM
I've had some problems posting comments so I apologize if this is a duplicate but I wanted to send my best wishes to the girls. I hope both will be good as new soon.
I love the thought of them riding in the truck enjoying life & of course, the great treat they enjoyed!!!
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | February 02, 2009 at 11:19 AM
Both girls are in my thoughts and prayers.....they are both so precious!!! I just adore Penny!!!
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | January 30, 2009 at 11:33 PM
How in the heck do you and Alayne keep track of every animal's health? Finding a toe nail tumor in time must be tough with 80 animals! I wish them both well.
Posted by: Kelly Luchtman | January 30, 2009 at 01:08 PM
Oh dear, I hope both girls have good results. So hard when you have to wait for answers. I am keeping both in my thoughts.
Posted by: Kathy Huffman | January 30, 2009 at 12:49 PM
Paws, fingers, legs, and arms crossed for both girls.
Posted by: Linda | January 30, 2009 at 10:16 AM
Sending good wishes for Evelyn and Penny!
xo
Verdell the dog
Melvin Udall the cat
And their humans Julien and Alix
Posted by: Julien Sharp | January 30, 2009 at 09:42 AM
The girls will be in my prayers. And I hope those oatmeal cookies didn't have any raisins in them or you'll have more trouble on your hands. But you probably already know that raisins are toxic to dogs, don't you.
Posted by: Kathie Taylor | January 30, 2009 at 08:49 AM
All appendages crossed for our girls....as always, you are all in my prayers.
Stay safe and stay warm!
Posted by: Debbie | January 30, 2009 at 07:44 AM
I'll be keeping Evelyn and Penny in my thoughts and prayers and I look forward to reading that everything will be alright with both of them.
Please give them a big hug for me.
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | January 30, 2009 at 04:45 AM
I am so sorry to hear of Evelyn & Pennys health concerns. The picture of Evelyn shocked me as I remember her being so much heavier 2 summers ago. But she sure could move when a tennis ball was thrown!I will keep both dear girls in my prayers for a favourable outcome on those tests!
Posted by: Barbara Arenal | January 30, 2009 at 01:16 AM
They are in my prayers tonight. I hope all goes well with both of them.
Posted by: Jenniew | January 29, 2009 at 09:18 PM
Poor babies! I shall keep my fingers crossed for both of them.
Posted by: Billie | January 29, 2009 at 07:08 PM