When I posted a photo of Drake the other day on Instagram, I had some questions about how he's doing. It just warms my heart to know people are thinking about him!
After the initial incident in early January where we noticed he was licking his arm -- to the point of removing (with his sandpapery tongue) a deep chunk of the skin and tissue -- the healing process began. For Drake this meant antibiotics, steroids, and a cone. We are done with the pills now, but he still is a conehead. At night, when we can keep a very close watch on him, we like to give him some time outside the cone, but a few times he has gone for his arm and then the cone has to go right back on.
This photo is from last night -- he was occupied enough with a rawhide and then a big bone that we were able to leave him cone-free for quite some time while he was in the room with us.
Now comes the "insult to injury" part. For a long while we have been monitoring with our vet a growth on his chest that has progressively enlarged. The vet has aspirated it before (removed some of the fluid with a needle), but it keeps growing. We check it constantly and touch it gently to see if he ever has a pained reaction -- so far, nothing. But this week I noticed that he had a boo-boo on the growth where either he rubbed it against something and it was scratched, or -- I don't even know if this is possible -- maybe even the stretched skin grew so thin that it opened a bit? We had him in the vet the next morning.
The vet has spoken to us before about surgically removing it, but with Drake being 14, we were more concerned about him going under anesthesia than we were with a non-painful bump. The vet supported our decision. This time around, the topic of surgery came up once again. He thinks it may be a sarcoma, which he said can potentially grow to volleyball size. VOLLEYBALL size.
We have a tentative surgery date scheduled mid-month for the Drakester and I'm really nervous. I know he is growing older, but I just want him to meet our daughter so badly. Furthermore, selfishly, I have a lot of anxiety about thinking of Drake not being around and how the extreme sadness that we would feel could affect my pregnancy. I have tried really hard during this time to only let Baby Girl experience the best of life in utero -- happiness, love, belly rubs, peanut butter cups, Beyonce.
If you have any words of wisdom, please do send them my way. And we would appreciate all of the good thoughts and prayers for our Drake that you could send!
Poor buddy! Thoughts and prayers are with all FOUR of you! Cannot imagine.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear that Drake is having surgery! It's so scary when your fur babies are not well. My dog had to have an emergency cystotomy two weeks ago and I was a wreck the entire time he was in surgery (and if I'm totally honest, for about a week afterwards while he was home recovering). I'll keep sweet Drake in my prayers!
ReplyDeleteSending good thoughts your way--as a fellow dog owner, I know how tough those decisions are. Give a big pat to that sweet boy!
ReplyDeleteHe's such a pretty boy! My older golden retriever, Miss Dixie, who was 13 when she died last year had to have surgery on her mouth at the age of 12 and she came through fine. I was quite worried though but a good vet will let you know if they think it's the right decision or not.
ReplyDeletePoor Drake - he's gone through a lot. Hope he does well with the (tentative) anesthesia and has a fast recovery!
ReplyDeleteI totally understand your worries. I swear if Paris even kinda limps I panic! I think you should go with what you both think is best. If the vet thinks he will be ok, maybe you should go ahead with it. My moms dog is older, blind and diabetic. He had a growth on his face that kept getting bigger and required surgery and he made it through just fine. Praying for your sweet fur baby!
ReplyDeleteAh,,,I'm so sorry. I know how hard it is. Growing up I watched a few dogs get older and pass. Thinking of you all and hope Drake holds on...but remember he's lived an amazing life and no dog wants to be in and out of surgery, back and forth to the vets and on expensive meds. He loves you, hubby and baby...xo
ReplyDeletePrayers going up for Drake. Wishing you the peace you need to get through the surgery.
ReplyDeleteGood luck Drake with your surgery! We love our dog so much, I consider her our first child! lol When I was pregnant we discovered she had a degenerative heart disease (Shelby is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel & It is common in her breed)...I was beyond crushed. We took her to the vet & Cardiologist and have her on meds and I have been making her food and giving supportive vitamins (Fish Oil, COQ10) and she has been holding steady. I will pray for you and Drake that this too is just a minor bump in the road and he can heal safely. Have you looked into changing his food? I too recommend holding of on yearly shots etc, especially if he is mainly a inside dog. Its better for their immune system. This book is AMAZING, has helped me so much when our dog had health issues : The Nature of Animal Healing, Martin Goldstein, DVM
ReplyDeleteBest wishes on the rest of your pregnancy and thanks for sharing! xo
My family is going through this same thing right now...except our dog has an infection in her teeth. She is 14 years old and we are scared to have any surgery due to her age. It sounds like you are a great mother already caring for him :) Just enjoy every moment with him and give him some extra snuggles. I feel like that's all they really want at the end of the day! I'll be praying for y'all throughout the surgery!
ReplyDeleteMy family is going through this same thing right now...except our dog has an infection in her teeth. She is 14 years old and we are scared to have any surgery due to her age. It sounds like you are a great mother already caring for him :) Just enjoy every moment with him and give him some extra snuggles. I feel like that's all they really want at the end of the day! I'll be praying for y'all throughout the surgery!
ReplyDeleteSending lots of prayers and hugs your way!
ReplyDeletePoor pup! Sending prayers for your whole family
ReplyDeleteI will be praying for him. We found out the first of this year that our 3 year old mastiff has bone cancer. He was given 3-6 months. It deeply saddens me that he won't be able to meet our children one day because he is an amazing dog. But we decided to embrace the time we do have left and enjoy him for all it's worth. I will definitely be praying for Drake and your family.
ReplyDeleteAwww sweet Drake. Sending love your way!
ReplyDeleteOH my goodness, there is nothing that gets me more than puppies, especially the poor sick ones! I'm glad he seems to be feeling ok, and is getting such good care taken of him! I hope he feels better, and everything goes well for all of you!
ReplyDeleteKeeping you, Ian, baby girl and sweet Drake in my thoughts this week!
ReplyDeleteaww honey, im sorry to hear about your sweet boy. being a mommy is tough! with pups, with babies in utero, and once babies are born! you will get through it. :)
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear that there are still issues with your sweet pup. I cannot imagine having to make that choice and hope that y'all find comfort in the choice you did make. Obviously you only want what's best for him. Will definitely be keeping him and y'all in my thoughts and prayers when his day of surgery comes.
ReplyDeletePoor Drake! I totally hear you on the 14 years old and surgery worry thing. Our family dog will be 14 in May and she had to go under to have her teeth cleaned and remove a part of cancer on her mouth. She did great in the surgery (and she's only about 16 lbs) and is back to her normal, happy self. Prayers that Drake gets through the same!
ReplyDeleteOh, April! I hate that poor Drake has to go through this. I can't even imagine how pitiful he must be, especially in his cone full-time! I'll definitely be thinking about him during his upcoming surgery. So sorry, April. Love that lil pup. :(
ReplyDeletePoor baby. I guess my "words of wisdon" would be to try and just stay in this day. Don't look too far ahead, because it could be scary and it's totally out of your control.
ReplyDeleteI'm sending hugs and kisses to your sweet pup!
so sorry to hear about the potential surgery. hope all goes well with the pooch:)
ReplyDeleteI just posted yesterday about our 13 yr old girl & finding out Monday she has bone cancer... so I can relate with your fear & worry over your dog, your family, your baby...
ReplyDeleteI'm sure they will treat him with the best attention in surgery. Glad to see they're willing to help him & remove it. I find a lot of vets just sort of 'give up' when they get up there in years.
Sending well wishes!
Sending love and prayers your way and Drake's way! We don't have children yet, so our dog is our child--so I know how much love there is between humans and their dog. Praying that Drake will do well with surgery, and that the surgery will take care of his bump!
ReplyDeleteOh No!!! :(
ReplyDeleteUgh..I don't even know what to say except second what Molly said. He's had a great life being 14. I didn't realize he was that old.
I'm praying he holds on until baby girl is here. I'm confident he will!
Oh i'm so sorry, we actually just went through this with our family dog. She had a sarcoma on her chest, got the boo-boo too. It didn't seem to bother her, though it was nasty to look at it. Sadly, last week she took a turn and we decided to put her to sleep. It sucks but so would seeing her in pain and with a low quality of life.
ReplyDeleteOh i'm so sorry, we actually just went through this with our family dog. She had a sarcoma on her chest, got the boo-boo too. It didn't seem to bother her, though it was nasty to look at it. Sadly, last week she took a turn and we decided to put her to sleep. It sucks but so would seeing her in pain and with a low quality of life.
ReplyDeleteI think that you should just take it day by day with Drake. I completely understand how you want him to be there when your newest family member arrives. However I know just as much you don't want him in any sort of pain. The right options will present itself to you. I sure hope it turns out to just be nothing though!
ReplyDeleteOh this breaks my heart. Our pups aren't "dogs" in my family, they are a big part of our home life so I can totally relate to you. I will have sweet Drake in my thoughts and prayers...I'm sure the vet knows what to do, but you are his dog mommy and that's important too in knowing what is best for him :). A pain free life is obviously ideal, so hopefully sweet Drake will pull through this to meet baby girl. Xx.
ReplyDeleteBLESS!!!!! I'm sending all of the healthy puppy vibes I can find your way! Having a sickly fur baby - your first BABY - is so tough, especially as they age. Take care of yourself and the wee little one inside. Please keep us posted and I'll be praying for Drake - and you guys!
ReplyDeletePrayers for Drake! And none of that is selfish--I would feel the same way!
ReplyDeleteSending lots of thoughts and prayers to your sweet family and Drake. Hoping his surgery goes well!
ReplyDeleteFrom one dog momma to another, I will definitely say a special prayer for Drake. And also for you and your nerves and anxiety. It's hard to not stress about these pups when you love them so much.
ReplyDeleteOh no!! Dogs are such an integral part of my life and I love that Ellie has been able to play with them. I so understand where you are. The MOST important thing is for Drake to be comfortable.
ReplyDeleteAw no! Poor Drake. I hope everything turns out okay. I know a dog is just as much a part of the family as anyone else. It would be so special for Drake to get to meet your little one. I'll keep ya'll in my prayers!
ReplyDeleteKatelyn
http://realhousewifeofgreenville.blogspot.com/
I feel for you! My 11 year old lab mix had a large follicular cyst that she would not stop licking on her hip. She wore a cone, diapers, thunder shirts, took loads of antibiotics. I was afraid to do the surgery because of her age. We did the surgery the beginning of January and she is a new dog!! She's acting like a much younger dog and I feel so much better for it! The only downside was the mass that was removed was cancerous, but the doctors think they got most of it and we started using oral chemotherapy. But I'm still glad I went with surgery, even if all it means is the rest of her life will be more comfortable. Good Luck! Thinking of you and your family!
ReplyDeleteAwe puppy prayers being sent to Drake and you! We have a 2.5-year-old golden/lab mix and I am worried for that day. Many pup prayers being sent to you!
ReplyDeleteI am praying for you guys. To some people that may be silly, but it's not. He is a part of your family and this is a big deal....I really will pray. (I hope this makes you laugh...we had a dog that was plagued with health problems...that were her own fault...like eating a pinapple pit and needing surgery...or when she was a puppy...getting into her food (german shep, too smart for her own good) and eat too much so she needed her stomach pumped...twice...or that time they thought she had a tumor and...it was an ingrown hair...I hope this makes you laugh and is not insensitive) I am praying!
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Oh poor guy!! Praying for y'all
ReplyDeleteTons of prayers for y'all April!
ReplyDeleteI lost my SIberian Husky to cancer this time last year. I just love them so much. Drake is so cute...and at 14, at least you know he lived about as happy and as long of a life a dog could ever hope to live. My husky mix back home with my mom is almost 15 and she is definitely in her last months...she has cancer too. I hope your pup gets to meet your baby, but know that God has His timing and His reason. xx
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I've only been reading your blog more recently so I didn't know a lot of the back story about Drake, but I can definitely relate. I'm also pregnant, quite a few weeks behind you but I know how you feel. We also have a dog who I just can't even wait for him to meet his baby sister. He and I actually had a little incident around week 12 where he got into a fight with another dog and I took the brunt of the injury. The thought crossed our minds a lot about the possibility of him not being around and I can't tell you how much it stressed me out, which in turn I know was horrible for the little peanut at the time growing inside me. Hang in there, if it is the right time it will be the right time for Drakester to say goodbye and just know that he loves his humans more than anything. Thinking about you guys! Good luck Drake...
ReplyDeleteOh no April! I love my doggie to death, so I know how important they are, and how they become a part of our family. I will be praying for you and your family, and for sweet Drake!
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