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The tests were wrong. I can't even say it.

79K views 1K replies 97 participants last post by  goldy1 
#1 ·
I have been crying for eight hours. Just when I think I am cried out, it starts again. I couldn't even come here and write about it until now.

I found out today that the large mass under Tee's leg was not benign. Even as I write it, I just can't believe it. The needle aspiration was wrong. I can't understand it or believe it. The histology, the test of pieces of the actual mass itself, is completely different. And because the prelim test was wrong, the mass was not removed with full margins, so Tesia needs to have more surgery.

Has this ever happened to anyone? The needle aspiration conclusion was a benign cystic follicular tumour. The histology says the differentials are malignant lymphoma or amelanomic melanoma. None of it makes sense. She has no swelling in her lymph nodes whatsoever. No symptoms of illness at all. She has blood tests every six months which have been normal save for a slightly elevated urea level. The last one was just three months ago. And she had full blood work the morning of the surgery. And melanoma? The tumour was not a skin tumour - it was growing outside her abdomen. I just don't get it. The histology suggests the tumour was full of cancer cells. But my vet took lots of cells from all different parts of the mass for the needle aspiration because it was so big. None of the cells suggested there was cancer. The day before the surgery, she was running hard and fast playing ball. She is the picture of health. And she is eating just fine now - the vet told me Tramadol is very bitter. As soon as I took it out of her food - she gobbled it all up. I got all her antibiotics into her (she's on two now) in pieces of hotdog bun - which she also hoovered.

So how can this be?

We go back to my vet tomorrow. She was going to try to speak to both pathologists who did the tests and try to make sense of it. She is as baffled and stunned as I am. I can't stop thinking, hoping, that the samples were mixed up. That these test results are not really Tesia's. My vet has already ordered up the tests which will determine if it is T-cell or B-cell lymphoma or melanoma. Those results will take 7 to 14 business days. I need to make an appointment to see an oncologist - my vet said I should do that sooner than later. I think that's when I started to sob again.

I am just devastated. This dog is my heart. This photo is days before the surgery. It just makes no sense.
 
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#423 ·
Sending hugs and prayers for sweet Tesia.
 
#424 ·
My thoughts and prayers are with you and Tesia

I am so sorry to hear of your struggles with Tesia. I know from my own experience that I sometimes felt I was in the Twilight Zone. My life was "one day at a time" and trying to deal with my dog Dawson's illness was surreal at time. I, like you, did not want to leave the house as I could not bear the thought of him being by himself. I spent hours just lying next to him and petting him and holding him.

Dawson went off his food due to nausea and I wanted to let you know that Reglan, which is a anti-nausea pill that is used for human chemo patients, worked for him as it enabled him to eat something. I had to give it to him 30 minutes before he ate, twice a day. If your dog is not on it already then you may want to ask the vet about it. It does come in generic form which cut the cost dramatically. If I could get Dawson's nausea under control then his quality of life increased dramatically as this was a dog that lived to eat.

Take care of yourself...you and your sweet girl are in my thoughts and prayers.
 
#425 ·
Thinking of you and Tesia and sorry she was sick this morning. The intense nausea was also what put Daisy off her food. Like canajo with Dawson she also went on the anti-nausea pill but it didn't really help Daisy.

We read online about chicken broth being good to get them eating again. We tried this with Daisy, it worked very slightly but she was so poorly she couldn't face eating anything. I think if we'd have found out about this earlier it might have done the trick and I've read about it working wonders for getting poorly dogs eating again.

We tried absolutely everything and anything food-wise but nothing worked for us unfortunately. If you're not already, definitely enquire about the anti-nausea pill because it may help Tesia. Stay strong, she knows how much she's loved!

I'm glad that Tesia managed to eat her breakfast though this morning
 
#426 ·
So sorry to hear Sweet Tesia had a tough morning. Hoping she's feeling better today and that her walk goes well! Lots of hugs from Ranger and I.
 
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#431 ·
Hoping this morning throw up was a fluke and that Tesia felt good enough later on to go and enjoy her off-leash walk.

I am so sorry about the latest news you got from the oncologist. Keeping both of you in my thoughts.
 
#433 ·
How about Honest Kitchen? I used it when my then 4 year old golden needed some encouragement to eat. It is dehydrated flakes, that you add warm water too and let it sit. You might want to ask the oncologist if it is OK, as it is advertised as dehydrated raw, but the meat in it is cooked. I have a number of sample pkgs if you are interested.
All Natural Dog Food | Dehydrated Raw Dog Food | Like Homemade Pet Food

Please look into talking to Sharon Kopinak, it is hard to explain her on the forum, but she knows more about holistic medicine and alternative and complementary therapies than anyone. I have never heard anyone say anything bad about her, except she is never on time. But when it is your turn she gives you as much time as you need.

The funny coloured poops may also be from the chemotherapy drugs being excreted. Don't know from a dogs perspective but do know from a human one.

Prayers for you and Tesia, hoping tomorrow is better.
 
#435 ·
Sorry Tesia is still not feeling good. Please don't say "your own little sad world" just because you want to be with your girl all the time. If it is a sad world, a lot of us have been there!! I don't find anything wrong with spending every minute with Tesia. Sorry you can't get into the Christmas spirit, but there will be other Christmas' to come, but there is only one Tesia...so you enjoy every minute with her!!! Thoughts and prayers continue for both of you!!
 
#439 ·
We've had orange poo off an on as well.

One thing we tried with Andy when he had to go all rice and chicken was topping it with some Progresso vegetable beef soup. Not a ton, just enough to give it flavor. And the veggies are good for them too.

Cerenia was the best anti-nausea drug recommended. Metronidazole for diarrhea. Canned pumpkin helped too with the runs too.

Give that sweetie a belly scratch from us :)
 
#440 ·
Yes, we did try changing Daisy's kibble. For a very short while before she got really sick we tried her with the kibble that she had as a youngster and she started to enjoy eating it. So yeah...maybe try a different kibble - something different might just get her appetite going and distract her from feeling sick so that she can eat a little.

With Daisy it was literally a case of trial and error with home cooked food, kibble and canned food. It was just what she felt like eating at the time and we tried absolutely everything.

Hang in there, we all know exactly what you're going through when you say you feel like you're in your own little sad world, it's so difficult. When we had Daisy back home from the hospital we did not leave her alone for a moment. We took it in turns to sleep downstairs with her and just comfort her. These moments with Tesia are precious and she knows how much you love her. Stay strong, and rest whenever you can - we know how emotionally draining it is watching your best friend poorly :( hugs to her and we're all here for you.
 
#441 ·
You all have such great suggestions. It's so nice to come home and see that so many people care - both about Tee and about me. :eek: I had hit the multiple quote button on just about every response, and then realized my post would be ridiculously long.

Christmas will be different for sure - very quiet - but I have a feeling that just being with Tee is going to be all the celebration I need. I guess it's not my sad little world as long as Tee is here. It is more that the sad world is in my head. Definitely no Christmas spirit this year. :( I know I will cheer up once she is in better spirits and eating regularly again. Soon, I hope.

I decided to stop and buy some new food on the way home. She had no interest in her old kibble at all this morning. So I switched from a chicken based kibble to a nice, smelly Fromm Salmon a la Veg. I had planned to buy the Duck and Sweet Potato (mostly because of GoldenCamper's sweet potato suggestion!). But I realized chicken...duck... too similar. Plus - I know she loves fishy taste and smell from the Sashas Blend powder (which is most definitely fishy!!). I hope it entices - the guy at the dog food store said it smells strong. Sadly, poor girl doesn't seem to be hungry yet. It seems that going for an off leash romp, with a bit of gentle ball playing is really tiring. Both yesterday and today, she slept for hours and hours after playing. I'll wake her up around 8 if she hasn't come out - I'll give her an anti-nausea pill and try the new food. I was also worried that the chicken and rice was not nutritionally complete - I was trying to mix in some kibble for at least one meal a day, but it is starting to keep her from eating at all. I'm using the yogurt as an enticer again now that the antibiotic is finished. But I am a little too excited about trying this new food. I am hoping so much that she likes it and gets excited about eating again. Golden Retrievers not being hungry is a very sad thing. If this doesn't work - maybe wet food is the next option.

Danny, thanks for indulging my poo question. I am relieved to hear the neon might be due to the chemo.

And Millie's Mom, I am going to goodle Sharon tonight. I really do want to read her nutrition advice. The HK might be banned right now because of the raw factor - I'll ask later this week when we're back for a check.

Mostly, thank you to you all. I know that, sadly, so many of you have been where I am right now - some of you are here right now. I feel like you all understand so much. What a sad club we're all part of. It's just a little easier going through this with the advice and support from everyone here.
 
#449 ·
Tesia



When my Smooch didn't want to eat, I mixed Pedigree Canned Dog Food in with a little kibble, or just gave her the canned food and I hand fed her and got her to eat a little. If she vomits after, I wouldn't give her any though.
 
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#442 ·
Praying that the Fromm Salmon is just the ticket to perk up Tesia's appetite! I understand how hard it is when they don't feel like eating. I remember buying several types of food for Max at Mudd Bay and stocking many varieties. I can't remember if you'd tried the green tripett or if there was a reason that it wouldn't work for Tesia.
 
#450 ·
Praying that the Fromm Salmon is just the ticket to perk up Tesia's appetite! I understand how hard it is when they don't feel like eating. I remember buying several types of food for Max at Mudd Bay and stocking many varieties. I can't remember if you'd tried the green tripett or if there was a reason that it wouldn't work for Tesia.
Well, it was two steps forward... one step back.

She LOVED the food. I was so happy. She happily ate a cup of food with water on it, and then came looking for more. About a half hour later, I gave her another half cup. It was so good to see her eat.

BUT... she had liquid poo this morning. :( I know it is my fault. I couldn't transition the Fromm with her old kibble, because she just won't eat the old stuff, and I didn't want her to associate the new food with the old. I also know Fromm is a richer food. But she needs it - I was looking at her outside this morning, and I think she is down a pound or two again. So I just suddenly gave her the Fromm last night - and clearly, it was a bit rich. But we're going to see what happens. I gave her just one cup this morning. I do have an antibiotic for the diarrhea, but I'm not sure this is an infection, as opposed to a sudden dog food change. I hate to give an antibiotic if she does not need it. I'll make some rice tonight and give her 50-50 rice and Fromm.

I haven't tried the tripette with her yet. If she goes off the Fromm, it might be the next step. But I'm hoping this food is the solution.

As she is off the antibiotics now, I really would recommend adding some raw bone to her diet. It is THE best firming solution you can use. You want edible bone though, so we are talking maybe half a chicken frame. Small bones, from chickens, rabbits, ducks, some pork and lamb etc. Chicken frames are super cheap, and dogs usually love them. Chicken feet would be a good option too, and are a great small snack to give during the day. They don't have much meat on them though obviously... just nice crunchy boney yumminess. Really, the bone won't upset her tummy, bones don't do that. They will give her lots of good nutrients and more important, slow down her gut so she can really digest the other stuff she is eating.

The other great vitamin/mineral food I would get her on is some liver/kidney. Even the dried liver treats would be better than nothing if she'd eat them. Raw would be better, but cooked too would be good. They are PACKED with good things! And they are smelly. Try green tripe too, the ultimate smelly eating food.

I really hope the new kibble helps tempt her to keep up her food intake. Another secret for tempting dogs to eat is rubbing garlic on the food, or garlic powder. Not too much though because in large doses it can be toxic (not as much as onion though, just use enough garlic to get it smelling). Also, parmesan works wonders. Both are so smelly and dogs sure love the smelly foods!

I often think about your Tesia and send positive vibes to her all the way from Australia. Don't worry about not being in the mood for Christmas, your girl is far more important!
Thank you for your suggestions. Unfortunately, because she is now on chemotherapy, she can have nothing raw. But the parmesan is something I bet she would love. She loves yogurt... and she does seem to like stuff that smells strong!
 
#445 ·
Fingers crossed that your girl likes her new fishy food. Choosing to be with Tee is not a sad little world, it's simply a dedicated and loving owner/friend. It's hard to "find your festive" when you're worried all the time. Your gift this year is time shared with Tesia, as it should be.
 
#448 ·
As she is off the antibiotics now, I really would recommend adding some raw bone to her diet. It is THE best firming solution you can use. You want edible bone though, so we are talking maybe half a chicken frame. Small bones, from chickens, rabbits, ducks, some pork and lamb etc. Chicken frames are super cheap, and dogs usually love them. Chicken feet would be a good option too, and are a great small snack to give during the day. They don't have much meat on them though obviously... just nice crunchy boney yumminess. Really, the bone won't upset her tummy, bones don't do that. They will give her lots of good nutrients and more important, slow down her gut so she can really digest the other stuff she is eating.

The other great vitamin/mineral food I would get her on is some liver/kidney. Even the dried liver treats would be better than nothing if she'd eat them. Raw would be better, but cooked too would be good. They are PACKED with good things! And they are smelly. Try green tripe too, the ultimate smelly eating food.

I really hope the new kibble helps tempt her to keep up her food intake. Another secret for tempting dogs to eat is rubbing garlic on the food, or garlic powder. Not too much though because in large doses it can be toxic (not as much as onion though, just use enough garlic to get it smelling). Also, parmesan works wonders. Both are so smelly and dogs sure love the smelly foods!

I often think about your Tesia and send positive vibes to her all the way from Australia. Don't worry about not being in the mood for Christmas, your girl is far more important!
 
#456 ·
Glad she likes the fromm. Sorry about the diarrhea but not surprised with a sudden change. I would stick with the chicken and sweet potatoes and build up the amount of fromm slowly with that. Really, try boiling up some sweet potatoes!
Sweet potatoes are definitely on my shopping list. She turned away from the Fromm last night - I was so dismayed - maybe because I mixed in some rice? She didn't want it this morning either - so I offered her rice and yogurt instead, and she ate some of that. I have left about half the Fromm down, though, and she went and sniffed at it. I'm hoping she might get hungry at some point in the day. (Right after I posted this, Tee came out and started eating the food I left down. But she didn't eat much of it, in the end)

In our experience it takes a few days for everything to normalize in the GI tract when Andy starts having diarrhea. It was suggested we give his bowels a break for a day then feed little bets at a time rather than two big meals. Metronidazole (anti-diarrhea med), rice with boiled chicken, and spoonfuls of pumpkin got Andy's diarrhea and/or loose stools under control ... finally. Every time he gets diarrhea it's the same story. Takes several days to get it under control.

With Tee having runny poo, she may have a bit of IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). It's gonna take time for her bowels to calm down. Hard to see when it's going on, but it will get better. :)
I called my vet yesterday to get advice about whether to start her on the Metronidazole - even if it was simply the food change. She said yes - even though it is an antibiotic, it has anti-inflammatory agents, which Tesia could also benefit from. There is clearly some inflammation, as there has been a bit of blood (tiny bit). And she said she knows that the drug is sometimes used simply to help a food change. So Tee got her first dose last night and gets her second one in about a half hour. As with your experience, Danny, the vet said it will probably take 2-3 days to start seeing a difference. Poor girl woke me up at 2am to go out (at least she wakes me up!) and had more liquid. But at 8 this morning, it was a *tiny* bit better. :crossfing

Thinking of you both, you are doing such an amazing job, i can't imagine how hard it is for you right now as Barnaby is our first golden retriever, but with him being the same age as Tesia I know just how much love you feel. We have lit some, T Light candles for you which will be known as Tesia Candles from now on. Sending you both our very best wishes, we are praying that things will get better. Take care x
That is just so sweet. I'm really touched. Thank you. Tesia is so lucky to have so many people pulling for her.
 
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