My sweet Max

wvulaw98 · 02-15-2009, 10:29 AM

My name is Terri and my baby boy is Max, a 13 year old longhaired dachshund. We took Max to our regular (fabulous) vet for pre-op bloodwork to get his teeth cleaned, and while there, our vet did a full health screen. Max's pancreatic levels were off-the-charts high, and within a week, we were sent to Virginia Tech for an ultrasound to see if the presumed pancreatic tumor was operable.

Well, turns out he did not have a pancreatic tumor, but they found an tumor in his anal gland on Monday, Feb. 2. They scheduled surgery for the next day, and as soon as he went under the anesthesia, his blood pressure dropped and his heart race increased. When he woke up, he could only paddle his feet and whine. We spent two days waiting to see if he would recover, and on Thursday, they did an MRI, followed by a CF tap to determine if it was encephalitis or metastatic brain cancer. They called Thursday evening to say the encephalitis was ruled out and we spent the rest of the night preparing ourselves to put him to sleep the next day.

When we met with the neurologist on Friday morning, he told us that the entire neurology department had reviewed Max's tests and that he had a massive stroke under the anesthesia and would likely make a good recovery. He stayed another week, and has made great improvement. He is walking, eating and sleeping, but is blind in his right eye and cannot really feel the right side of his face, so he bang into things. We have to wait another 2 weeks to set up the surgery again to remove the tumor, but it doesn't look like it has spread according to the ultrasound and chest x-rays.

We've been so preoccupied with his stroke recovery, we haven't even really started the cancer treatment protocol. I am doing some research and looking for a holistic vet (even though Virginia Tech does not believe in such an approach). He is my first baby, and I want to do whatever I can to help him. They tell me he has a good chance to survive and live the rest of his natural lifespan (which should be at least 2 -4 years). I just don't think I will ever be ready to let him go. They tell me the stroke will not impede his ability to recover from or fight the cancer. I hope they are right.

My thoughts and prayers go out to all of the rest of you who are fighting hard for your loved ones.

Benpaws · 02-16-2009, 08:25 AM

Dear Terri,
Sorry to hear of Max's difficulties, but try and hold on to HOPE even though it is difficult. I check in here every day and try to acknowledge each one's individual struggles with the "cancer " they are facing in their pets.
My prayers will be with you.
Take one step at a time and keep on loving Max with all your heart.

In Friendship,
Joanne (Benpaws) & Benny

wvulaw98 · 02-17-2009, 02:02 PM

Thank you so much. He is scheduled to go back to Va Tech next week for a neuro follow-up and to schedule the surgery. Our regular vet thinks he may have a full recovery if they can remove the tumor, but we are on pins and needles. We are just so glad to have him home and snuggled up with us on the couch or in the bed. This experience has made us treasure every moment we have with him, and the thought of losing him is terrifying, although I know the day is going to come. I hope we are able to make the rest of his life as joyful has he has made ours, and stretch it as long as possible with good quality. My prayers are with you, too, and your lovable Benny.

02-15-2009, 10:29 AM	#1 (permalink)
wvulaw98 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: West Virginia Posts: 2	My sweet Max My name is Terri and my baby boy is Max, a 13 year old longhaired dachshund. We took Max to our regular (fabulous) vet for pre-op bloodwork to get his teeth cleaned, and while there, our vet did a full health screen. Max's pancreatic levels were off-the-charts high, and within a week, we were sent to Virginia Tech for an ultrasound to see if the presumed pancreatic tumor was operable. Well, turns out he did not have a pancreatic tumor, but they found an tumor in his anal gland on Monday, Feb. 2. They scheduled surgery for the next day, and as soon as he went under the anesthesia, his blood pressure dropped and his heart race increased. When he woke up, he could only paddle his feet and whine. We spent two days waiting to see if he would recover, and on Thursday, they did an MRI, followed by a CF tap to determine if it was encephalitis or metastatic brain cancer. They called Thursday evening to say the encephalitis was ruled out and we spent the rest of the night preparing ourselves to put him to sleep the next day. When we met with the neurologist on Friday morning, he told us that the entire neurology department had reviewed Max's tests and that he had a massive stroke under the anesthesia and would likely make a good recovery. He stayed another week, and has made great improvement. He is walking, eating and sleeping, but is blind in his right eye and cannot really feel the right side of his face, so he bang into things. We have to wait another 2 weeks to set up the surgery again to remove the tumor, but it doesn't look like it has spread according to the ultrasound and chest x-rays. We've been so preoccupied with his stroke recovery, we haven't even really started the cancer treatment protocol. I am doing some research and looking for a holistic vet (even though Virginia Tech does not believe in such an approach). He is my first baby, and I want to do whatever I can to help him. They tell me he has a good chance to survive and live the rest of his natural lifespan (which should be at least 2 -4 years). I just don't think I will ever be ready to let him go. They tell me the stroke will not impede his ability to recover from or fight the cancer. I hope they are right. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of the rest of you who are fighting hard for your loved ones.

02-16-2009, 08:25 AM	#2 (permalink)
Benpaws Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Oakville, ON., CANADA Posts: 1,696	Re: Max Dear Terri, Sorry to hear of Max's difficulties, but try and hold on to HOPE even though it is difficult. I check in here every day and try to acknowledge each one's individual struggles with the "cancer " they are facing in their pets. My prayers will be with you. Take one step at a time and keep on loving Max with all your heart. In Friendship, Joanne (Benpaws) & Benny

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02-17-2009, 02:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
wvulaw98 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: West Virginia Posts: 2	Thank you so much. He is scheduled to go back to Va Tech next week for a neuro follow-up and to schedule the surgery. Our regular vet thinks he may have a full recovery if they can remove the tumor, but we are on pins and needles. We are just so glad to have him home and snuggled up with us on the couch or in the bed. This experience has made us treasure every moment we have with him, and the thought of losing him is terrifying, although I know the day is going to come. I hope we are able to make the rest of his life as joyful has he has made ours, and stretch it as long as possible with good quality. My prayers are with you, too, and your lovable Benny.