As you know, Guinness had surgery this morning. We originally thought he would be coming home today, but as it turned out, Tom wanted him to stay at the very least tonight so that he could be given IV pain medication to get him through the initial discomfort. I just got off the phone with him and this is what we discussed:
First off he said that the surgery was very uneventful (in a good way), meaning that it went exactly as hoped and expected. Right now he's, in Tom's words, gorked on pain meds to keep him quiet and comfortable so he can heal up. He's on IV's, and a nurse is coming in at 11:30 pm to check on him to see if he needs any oral pain medication and how he is doing. There is not a lot of swelling, and his body temperature was good when he left at about 9pm. The hope is that he will come home tomorrow afternoon. If he feels Guinness needs more IV meds to help with any pain, he may stay another night. The goal right now is to keep him calm and comfortable so that he can heal quickly.
As for the surgery itself, we were hoping that by some small chance it was an infection rather than bone cancer, but he said after getting in there an being able to look that, unfortunately it looks very classically like cancer. He sent out for a biopsy, which we'll get back in a week to confirm. As of right now his lungs still look clear, which is good and we will discuss what the next step is based on the biopsy.
The kids set up the bed I got him for recovery, and have decorated it with get well cards and a "Guinness's Corner" sign, and I got him a little stuffed fluffy weenie dog animal to take out any nervousness on. We took a bunch of photos this morning of him with the girls. We're looking forward to him coming back home, and his Puppy Powers are now "Pirate Puppy Powers."
It's been quite a day, as you can imagine. Thanks everyone for all the support, I can't believe how many people have been worried about him with us, it means a lot and has been a huge help.
I'll update more after I talk to someone tomorrow.
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This blog is dedicated to the life and times of an extraordinary dog named Guinness.
All of you who knew Guinness know that I've always told him he has Puppy Powers. Despite losing his right hind leg to bone cancer (osteosarcoma) early this year, Guinness continued to be his same good-natured, food-loving, gentle, yet silly self right to the end. It was during this time his Puppy Powers turned into Pirate Puppy Powers!
From Pup to Pirate Pup
How Guinness came to have Pirate Puppy Powers
In early May Guinness was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, bone cancer, in his right leg. The prognosis was very poor, and in order to aleviate pain, and in attempt to extend an extremely shortened life expectancy, we made the decision to have his leg amputated. This would do two things. First, it would rid him of the pain associated with the cancer, and second, it would keep the cancer from growing within the bone, which would ultimately enter his lungs very rapidly.
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=1035
On May 11, 2009 Guinness underwent surgery at The Animal Clinic of Chardon with Dr. Tom, our good friend and extremely adept surgeon. He was under the care of both Tom and Dr. Wendy, Tom's wife, also an amazing veterinarian, and my very dear friend, as well as the wonderful staff at ACOC. I owe both of them so much for their care and support of Guinness, I can't even begin to express it.
On May 15, Guinness celebrated his 10th birthday, and was already up and about, moving around on three legs. He is now what I like to call, our Pirate Pup, and now has Pirate Puppy Powers!
On May 19, Guinness was accepted into a study of the effects of a combination of chemotherapy drugs at Ohio State University's School of Veterinary Medicine. There he will be administered 4 doses of chemo three weeks apart. http://www.vet.ohio-state.edu/1452.htm
It is my hope, and based on succeses of other patients that have gone through the study, that the chemotherapy will greatly increase his life expectancy and life quality. Guinness is currently recovering from surgery and doing well, and his first scheduled dose will be administered on May 26th.
Osteosarcoma in Canines
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