Visit to Vet

I took Strider in to our local vet today and his blood counts are normal with no signs of anemia or infection, so I guess we are good to go for the next round of chemo on Monday.

However... he had gained back all the weight he had lost and was back to just over 100.  That's good news for how he is feeling, but I guess I am going to have to back off the cheeseburgers and the amount of food I am giving him.  I would like to see him stay right where he is in weight.  It gives him some buffer if the chemo causes him to lose his appetite, but I don't want him getting too fat.  Dr. R said he is looking about like he would expect at this stage of his treatment.  I'm anxious about the chemo, but at least we have a week or so after the treatment before he might feel badly, so that gives him about another 10 or 11 days from now before I expect any problems.

Chemo Delayed Again

Last week, I emailed the attending vet at Auburn some photos of Strider's nose and he decided to postpone chemo by another week to allow his nose to heal more.  Below is a picture of what he looks like today.  He is continuing to lose hair on his nose, but I don't know if that is from chemo or the radiation burn.

He is eating canned dog food very enthusiastically now and is enjoying a daily triple cheeseburger from Wendy's.  I'm sure the vets would not approve, but I haven't asked their opinion.  It makes Strider very happy, and that's what counts for now.  I know a lot of people believe in going to an organic, natural diet when their dog is diagnosed, but I'm working from a more emotional place right now, and the cheeseburger makes him happy.

He is still very low energy, so I think I am going to take him to our local vet tomorrow and ask about another blood test to test his iron level.  They were going to recheck at Auburn this week, but since we delayed that trip, it didn't happen.  I was talking to a physician friend today who is a dog person, and when I said Strider didn't have much energy, she immediately speculated that he was anemic from the chemo.  I'd like to have that checked before we go down for chemo next Monday.

It is still hard dealing with the fact that he felt fine prior to treatment, and has not felt well due to the treatment for several weeks now.  He is also behaving in some very different ways since he hasn't felt well.  He sleeps in our basement by himself instead of in my son's bed, and he seems to want to get away from people, whereas before, he would follow me from room to room.  I always had a footrest, no matter where I sat, and I miss his constant presence.  I find myself seeking him out during the day, just to spend a little time with him.