Yesterday was a one-two punch of bad news for Darla.
I took a full van load of dogs to Peak Veterinary Referral Center in Burlington, among them our beautiful Lab/Beagle girl. I had earlier scheduled an appointment with our ophthalmologist, Dr. Sarah Hoy, because I was concerned about changes I was seeing in Darla's eyes. I took the photo above of Sarah examining Darla yesterday afternoon while vet tech Patty held her.
And last week, while loving up Darla one morning while she snoozed on her bed in her room upstairs, my hand brushed across a small bump on her right rear leg. Since she had just come through surgery several weeks ago for a mast cell tumor, we had been alert to any more growths. When I felt this new one, my heart sank. I parted the hair with my fingers and stared at it. It was hard, round, small and more of a bump than the "flatish" dime-sized one our surgeon had just removed. It seemed different from the mast cell tumors we've encountered before, but given Darla's history, it was suspicious.
I emailed a photo of the growth to our internal medicine specialist, Dr. Dani Rondeau, who had diagnosed Darla's first mast cell tumor. She put us on her schedule for yesterday.
I didn't get photos of Dani aspirating the growth yesterday because I was holding Darla still for her, but here's a shot of Dani doing her overall physical examination:
The news came quickly. A few minutes after taking the aspirate samples away to review under a microscope, Dani came back to the room with our surgeon, Dr. Kurt Schulz, with her. That, I knew, was not a good sign. My heart sank again. While we're still waiting for the official pathology report to confirm the results, Dani found mast cells in the sample, and Kurt wanted to see the location of the growth to determine surgery options. The growth is on her right knee, which means we may have some mobility issues in the immediate post-op phase, but otherwise he thought it would be a routine surgery. We scheduled it for two weeks from now.
Sarah's diagnosis came just as fast: Darla has developed glaucoma in her left eye. I couldn't believe it. Ever since her cataract surgery, we've continued twice daily eye meds, including an eye drop to control eye pressure. (Ironically, the other changes I had noticed in her eyes were not a concern.) So, starting yesterday, Sarah added another glaucoma med back into the mix, as well as a general anti-inflammatory medication. I'll be checking her pressures weekly.
The long-term prognosis with glaucoma, of course, is not good, and Darla now has a 50/50 chance of developing glaucoma in her right eye, too. I spent some time this morning on the phone with Sarah discussing other, more aggressive treatment options for Darla, including laser surgery to reduce the production of the fluid that ultimately causes the glaucoma. It just seems like such a cruel twist of fate that less than a year after giving Darla her sight back, she's now at risk for going blind again.
I'm not sure which option we're going to pursue at this point, but in the meantime, please keep your fingers crossed for her.
---
2014 Shelter Challenge Underway
The first round of the Shelter Challenge for 2014 is underway and runs until March 30th. You can vote every day here. To search for us, type in our name, Rolling Dog Farm, and Lancaster, NH 03584. We've won thousands of dollars in the previous contests, so your daily votes do bring in serious money for our disabled animals!
Please note that I cannot help with technical or voting problems. I also do not have an "inside track" to anyone at the Shelter Challenge, and I don't know any more about the contest than anyone else does. So if you find yourself having issues, please consult their FAQ page here and their Rules page, which is a pop-up you can find linked on this page.
Thanks for your votes!
Praying for Darla for healing; and for all of her caretakers, for guidance. Hang in there, sweetie!
Posted by: patty c | February 06, 2014 at 09:11 PM
Although Darla has a rough time ahead of her, she is in the hands of people who love her and provide the best possible care for her. If anyone can find a way to help Darla through this, you two can. I will keep her and all of you in my Prayes as always!
Posted by: Brenda | January 27, 2014 at 01:30 PM
Saying extra prayers for Darla after hearing this most unfortunate news. She could not be in a better place to get all the care and love she needs to get through this. Keeping all of you at RDF in our thoughts and prayers. Sending hugs and kisses to our very sweet girl, Darla.
Posted by: Pamela Payne | January 24, 2014 at 02:20 PM
I really hate to hear that about Darla. My thoughts are with all of you.
Posted by: Ashley | January 24, 2014 at 01:18 PM
Prayers and positive thoughts for sweet Darla.
Posted by: Vicki | January 24, 2014 at 12:12 AM
A twist of fate indeed and I'm so sorry to read about this. All we supports can do is keep supporting....we send you trust, trust in knowing that you and Darla's vet team will make the best decisions for her. Much love to Darla, you and Alayne.
Posted by: boundforglory | January 23, 2014 at 08:38 PM
As I read your sad note, I had a big lump in my throat. My heart was sinking with you. Poor Darla! Poor you and Alyane!
Maybe a miracle can happen and things can turn around for Darla in both of her health problems. In the meantime, think of all the good things you have provided for her in the months you have had her!!!
A note re cataracts and glaucoma. Back in the early 1970s my 16-yr old loveable mutt was developing cataracts. The word at the time was that cataract surgery was not very successful. So, I did nothing for the dog except love him and do our usual activities--like go walking off-leash for 1, 2, 3, or more miles every day, a warm bed, healthful food, fresh water, and car rides.
Champ lived to be 18+.
Fast forward to me, a people, with worrysome eye pressure of 20. First we tried drops. They did bring the pressure down but they are a terrible nusiance and expensive. So I asked to go for the laser surgery. Pressure in that eye at the end of the surgery was down to 12. One year later it has risen only to 15. (The laser surgery in people can be done again, if needed.) I realize I am not a dog but given the cataract surgery of the early 1970s, I wonder if such laser surgery would, indeed, work for Darla. With the anesthetic drops used for surgery, I had no pain or even discomfort. I have used no drops for glaucoma since the laser surgery. I did have to keep my eye still but for me that was easy. Darla?
My bottom line: Go for it. I will send you a check to help whomever of your "brood" needs it.
Phyllis
Posted by: Phyllis Snow | January 23, 2014 at 03:47 PM
So saddened by all the news, but know she's in the best hands. Prayers for everyone.
Posted by: Linda | January 23, 2014 at 12:50 PM
Oh my heart sank too! Darla is such a sweetie. She is in the best hands EVER at RDF with you and Alayne. Will think only positive thoughts for Darla!!
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | January 23, 2014 at 11:57 AM
All fingers and toes crossed for this sweetheart!
Posted by: Dawn | January 23, 2014 at 11:08 AM
My very best wishes going out to you & Darla. I lost my beloved Trickster dog to complications from mast cell tumors on Christmas 2012. I know what a horrible disease it can be. That, plus the vision issues...But she couldn't be in better hands. Thank you for taking care of her & loving her!
Posted by: Martie Crone | January 23, 2014 at 10:14 AM
Extra prayers are coming Darla's way. She's such a sweet and wonderful girl and deserves better. She's so very lucky to have people taking of her who care so very much. Thank you for that.
Posted by: Barb Ribinski | January 23, 2014 at 08:21 AM
Aw, Darla, she's been dealing with a lot. I know you will do everything possible for her and hopefully getting her to the vet this quickly will help to get her fixed up and back on her way to good health soon. You always make the right decisions and I know this time will be no exception. Sending prayers and love for Darla :)
Posted by: Ann | January 23, 2014 at 01:53 AM
My heart is so very sad for Darla and for you. We all know life isn't fair, but this just seems so unfair. I hope everyone reading the blog will say a prayer for Darla. News like this always makes me give our dog a big hug.
Posted by: Betsy | January 22, 2014 at 11:28 PM
This news is so heart breaking and unfair! She is such a darling and we always wish so much good for her after the crummy start she got in life. I wish I could hug you all tightly. Let's hope we got the new cancer early and surgery for her knee and eyes will go well. My thoughts are with you all. Smooches, Darla!!
Posted by: Kathleen Rivard | January 22, 2014 at 07:53 PM
Prayers for Darla and both of you for healing and wisdom. Darling girl!
Posted by: Leila K. | January 22, 2014 at 07:27 PM
Sending you healing light sweet girl.
Posted by: Chloe | January 22, 2014 at 05:20 PM
Oh, poor Darla! The good news is that you caught both of these things early, and that there are several options for treating the glaucoma. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed.
Posted by: Tonya Allen | January 22, 2014 at 05:18 PM
Extra hugs to Darla's people. Not good news at all. And more than one or two extra hugs and kisses for Darla.
Posted by: Mary H. | January 22, 2014 at 04:21 PM