Monday, April 22, 2013

Bella's health problems

I have not blogged for a long time, we have been busy and I have been lazy.   But I have some bad news to give our readers and friends.


We have had regular visits from our two cousins, Molly and Piper.   Their family travels on business and they get to stay with us when their family is out of town.   Last week, Rusty and Johnny came to stay for a week and a half.    Rusty is a former foster of ours that we helped place, he had a very bad elbow that they thought was going to have to be operated on, but he has been getting good therapy and lots of good glucosamine, he now walks and runs without any limp.   Johnny is a 18 year old greyhound/aussie mix who is deaf as can be, but still going strong.   He is always fun to have visit, he is well behaved and he is very friendly.   

Bella was limping a week ago, but we did not think much of it, with all the visitors she had been running hard and playing in the back orchard where there are lots of broken limbs to poke a leg or cut a paw.  Last Friday it was not getting better, so we took her to the vet.   Her limping was caused by a large tumor on her front leg, up into the shoulder.   The vet took a biopsy and we got back the news.   Bella has osteosaracoma and it is already pretty well advanced in her left front leg and shoulder.  

Bella is now on pain medications and something called Piroxicam while we try and find out how to best treat the tumor.  Whatever treatment program we follow, we have to hurry.   It starts in the leg bone, and grows out, so it was pretty well advanced before she started limping.   Bella does not like the vet's office anyway, and spending time in the vets office is not something she looks forward to.   Most of the treatements mean overnight stays in a strange place, sleeping on a hard floor, and not on her big soft bed.   She is not in favor of not having her own comfy bed and family at night.  

In the photos, Bella is wearing a T shirt, she is embarrased by the big bare spot they shaved on her left leg and shoulder.  She says that the shirt makes a good pair of "jammys for her now that she is sleeping more and running less.

The paw challenged ones are very upset.   They were worried about me, I am the one that was given 18 months to 36 months to live about 4 years ago.   They worry about me and they thought Bella was going to be the healthy one of our family.   Now we have to worry about Bella as well.

Cross your paws for Bella, we all want her to stay well for a long time. 

Mogley G. Retriever

23 comments:

  1. Oh Mogley. We are glad to hear from you - Mom was just wondering how you all are.

    We are so sorry to hear about Bella. We will say prayers and send lots of healing vibes.

    Sam

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  2. Oh lovely Bella, we will pray for your return to perfect health and look forward to the day all is well with you.

    All the best,
    Stella

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  3. So sorry to hear this! Praying for a complete recovery for Bella.

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  4. Our paws are crossed for Bella. Sending lots of love and woofs to you all.

    Riley and Enzo

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  5. I'm a newcomer to this blog, but I sure hope Bella feels better soon.

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  6. Hi Mogley,
    We have missed you blog and think of you often.
    So sorry to hear about Bella, she will be in our prayers as you always are. Please let us know how things are going with Bella. Tell Bella we all love her and are pulling for her.
    Sheail, Bob
    Hamish & Emma

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  7. Best wishes for Bella. My own JJ (GRRR angel) is awaiting tests on the speen/mass that was removed yesterday. We, like you, just take care of them and love them with all we have. Glad Mogley is still doing well.

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  8. I am so sorry to hear about Bella. Sending my thoughts and prayers to you during this difficult time for a successful treatment.

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  9. We hope Bella feels better. If its worth any thing our 1st dog had Osteosarcoma too. CSU medical facility had a special clinical program for dogs which Bella hopefully might fit into.

    We had amputated our dog's leg before we found out about this which disqualified her. I hope some of this information will be of help.

    http://www.csuanimalcancercenter.org/nv-01_pain_palliation_osteosarcoma

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  10. That word, "osteosarcoma", is evil. I wish you the very best, Bella, and I know that your family will do whatever is best for you. As you might remember, we have experience with this disease. If we can be of any help, please don't hesitate to ask (kynabear5 at gmail dot com). We live in the same general area as you do...

    We are sending you our very best wishes.

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  11. Oh poop. We know how that 'C' thing can be - we're quite late in seeing this, so hopefully Bella is still with you and doing well. Sending our 'doodle thoughts your way!

    *kissey face*
    -Fiona and Abby the Hippobottomus

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  12. So Sorry to Hear This! Get well soon Bella

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  13. Hi Mogley, so sorry to hear about Bella. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

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  14. Paws crossed for your sweet darling.

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  15. Aww! Bella is absolutely beautiful! Hope she's doing ok. We are thinking about you!

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  16. I'm really sorry to hear about Bella. I just found your blog this morning and I'm sad to read this news. I hope that Bella is already doing much better.

    Shirley

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  17. I was looking through my blog-list tonight and just thought I'd drop by to let you know you're being thought of--I hope that all is well, and precious Bella is too!!

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  18. Dear Mogley, We are so sad for Bella and your family. We know how precious all the fur kids are in your lives and pray that your sweet girl is keeping her spirits up. Lots of Love, Newton (Farley's little Brother)

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  19. hello
    Really great blog. I love Dogs and their breeds. They are very little animal who share our sorrows with us

    Regards
    Sree

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  20. Saw your bloggie listed on another site and thought I would stop by and drop off some woofs & huggies. Sending lots of prayers your way! <3

    ~Bailey (Yep, I'm a girl!)

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  21. Hi Y'all,

    So glad Bella had y'all by her side.

    Hawk aka BrownDog

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