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[Lolasmom]

Hey everyone,  Lola has developed a limp in her right front leg.  She was outside playing with her pups yesterday and I am not sure if it is from that or the Blasto.  Do you think a limp would develope this far into treatment? I don't feel any swelling but it feels  hot and it looks like the hair on her leg is rubbed off in one spot.

[Lolasmom]

I took Lola to the vet today.  He feels the limping is probably due to her straining herself although it could be the Blasto.  She has put on 4 lbs in the past 2 wks and he said he was amazed at how good she is coming along.  He said her breathing is at about 80-85% and he would bet if we treated for another 45 days she would have a clean xray and antigen test.  I was thrilled.

[benniesmom]

Wonderful news!!!! So great that Lola is doing so well now! I was looking at the Westminster Show videos on line. Hounds were yesterday, so you could look at the Basset judging. always fun. my breed of heart is Borzoi, although I haven't owned one for a decade... just have the one Greyhound now. Heathergrace, the beauty.
anway, Hooray for Lola!

[Lolasmom]

Thank you so much for all your support.  You are such a sweet lady.

The Basset are so silly.  I haven't ever seen the other breed you mentioned.  Although, I LOVE greyhounds.  They are such a sweet, sensative breed.  Were yours rescues.  I just met a Brocko Italiano at my vets.  He was hilarious.  Like a huge bassett hound on tall legs.  I couldn't imagine having to clean up the ears on him or the doggy drool he must leave at dinner time.  But he sure was cute.

[Sadie123]

I am soooo glad Lola is doing so well.  All your hard work has paid off.  It is such wonderful news.  We LOVE hearing good news on this site!!!

[lguyer]

Oh that is good news! I hope we can feel the way your feeling someday! How exciting! I can't wait for Sadie to gain 4 pounds! 

[apope43]

What day of treatment are you on?

Izzy limped through the first part of her treatment, but it was because of a blasto bump on her leg. 

Be careful about cutting back treatment too soon.  The rule of thumb is 90 days, tests, if all clear another 30 days just to be sure...at minimum.
AP

[Lolasmom]

Yeah...I just wish it was more common.

[apope43]

You mentioned her leg feeling hot and the fur has rubbed off....you may be due for a lesion.  Keep an eye on it.  Is she licking it?

[Lolasmom]

I was really worried about the limp but I didn't see any swelling like with her back legs.But the hair on her leg was rubbed off and my vet said it looked like maybe one of her 3yr old pups had her leg and she pulled it.  They were playing like crazy on Sun.  She is actually starting to shake it off now.

We are on day 49 of treatment.  So 45 more days will put us over 90 days. Then we'll do an xray and another antigen test before we decide to if its time to stop.  We still have a long way to go.  I don't think my vet honestly thought she was gonna make it.  I think that's what has him so blown away.  Especially with the heartworms.   My vet is only filling her Rx 3 wks at a time now because she has put on so much weight in two weeks. 

PS:  I hope Sadie celebrates someday too! And I'm sure Lolas weight gain has a lot to do with her LOVE for Twinkies.  She learned to spit out her meds but I solved that by pushing it into the cream center of a Twinkie.  So she gets at least 1/2 twinkie a day plus a bunch of Bologna everyday (fat for meds).  Its no wonder she's putting on so much weight so fast.

[Lolasmom]

My vet actually got the other vet at the clinic to come in and look at Lola.  All he could do is shake his head and say "unbeleivable".  So I'm pretty sure they didn't expect her to make it.  In fact, yesterday was the first time I have left there feeling secure that they thought she was gonna make it too. 

I wish we could just make this disease go away!  I hate that we have lost any dogs to it.

[Lolasmom]

Let me rephrase that....yesterday was the first time I walked out of there feeling like I wasn't trying to convince my vet that she was gonna make it.  It was the first time he gave me validation

[Sadie123]

Hang in there.  Those ups and downs can be so heartbreaking and stressful.  But I am so glad you are feeling better about Lola's prognosis.  Just be on guard for surprises.  From what I've learned, that's how blasto is.  And everyone is told a minimum of 90 days, but in actuality, I think they should change it to a minimum of 6 months.  Prepare yourself for the long haul.  Not trying to be pessimistic here, I just don't want you get any more discouraged.  You and Lola have come so far, yet have so far to go.  Don't give up girls!!

[Lolasmom]

We still have a long ways to get to 90 days.  Were 1/2 way there.  Trust me, I WON'T LET HER STOP the meds for at least a month after she has a negative MiraVista test AND a clear XRAY.  I agree it should be 6 months.  HOPEFULLY by May she can be clear and off the meds so we can treat the Heartworms in late June or July.  I have read somewhere that females (esp) should even stay on maintence doses 2-3 x week for a couple years. ?  We have to have her off the itra for 1 month before and 1 month after the heartworm treatment.  But I won't jump the gun.....I PROMISE!  I don't want to go through this EVER AGAIN.  I think I have aged 5 yrs in the last few months.  I couldn't imagine having to deal with a critically sick child.  I don't know how people do that.

Oh...I guess the limp was a strain because she's over it now.  Thank you so much for all the support.  I love you all.

[Lolasmom]

PS:  KATIE IS SOOO CUTE|