WELCOME TO AMARNIRED-SHARPEI
~Wrinkles, Fun and Trouble~
MAST CELL TUMORS
Please read this story of which my buddy Karen and her beloved Joshua are going through at this very moment.Rainbow Bridge
It is with great sadness, that i have been told by Karen that her lovely boy JOSHUA on the 7th August 2006 has now been allowed to go to Rainbow Bridge to be with Mish, Whispa and Kim.
I hope you have lots of fun Joshua and keep smiling as your mum always told me you did.
Hugs from Jane xxxxxx
THIS IS THEIR STORY
"Meristo Chocolate Escort" D.O.B 31st October 1998
Josh's latest health issue reared its ugly head at the begining of April 06
His entire head, down to where his collar would lie started to become firey red in colour this also appeared on his hind legs and along his under belly. he had also had what was being treated as a 'Hot spot' on his head for about 3 weeks. normally hotspots on Josh respond very well to Flowers of sulphur etc, but not this time. I resorted to using Futiderm ointment from the vets practice., This started to show an healing effect, so didn't think much more to it. until i took Josh to see Paul (Sharpei Friendly Vet) re glowing red issue and what looked like another possible 'FSF' episode (without the temperature)
Our vet seemed to think Josh was having a allergic reaction to somthing, so was given Piriton (antihistamine tabs, a small shot of steroid and antibiotics) and just keep an eye over him. Paul mentioned if the 'hotspot' that now looked like a 'Lick Granuloma' hadnt healed in the next 3-4 days he would want to take the mass out.
4 days later Josh under general anesthetic, and having the mass removed, which looked and felt like the size of a ladies little finger nail in size (under the skin) the mass was sent out to the Laboratory for analysis. Josh has an incision cut approximately 12 cms in length across his forhead, which suggested the vets had taken a broad margin of 'good skin' around the mass.
5 days later (24th April 06) Josh was back in for his 'checkup' and Lab results/report. The report suggested that the mass was an Eosinophilic Granuloma, very rare in canines, but quite common in felines.
This didnt suprise me in the least knowing what poor Josh over the years has had to endure re health issues. Apparently the prognosis is good, and Josh was given a weeks course of antibiotics to help heal the ulceration lesions, and steroids for a two week period, then a further update with the vet.
Unfortunately within 10 days two smaller masses could be seen appearing in front of Josh's right ear opening, two further ones around his right side of his muzzle are now appearing, and the ones that were ulcerating under his right leg (arm pit area) are showing not to be responing to treatment. (28th may 06)
I have been exceptionally lucky to have DR Jeff Vidt look into Josh's case and he has suggested i have further biopsy's taken from the masses forming and have pathology testing again, as he mentions that some Esinophilic Granulomas have read out as actually being Mast Cell Cancer, This is what i feared from the start, in my own heart of hearts i have always thought this maybe the case :( with poor Josh.
With it being Bank Holiday Monday i will be making arrangements for Josh to see Paul ASAP Tuesday 30th May 06.
31st May 2006 Paul (vet) took several punch type biopsies and they were sent to the labs for testing, these biopsies again came back showing nothing but Eosinphilic Granulomas. And Josh was given antibiotics and Benadrly. I also had Josh's hips X-rayed as he seemed to be showing a little pain. I saw X-ray plates and since his first X-ray at 4 months of age, he has grown nearly two inches of arthritis on each femoral head, so pain meds are nw given in high dosage daily.
Since the 31st May Josh has had several more large lumps appear, one has formed into a large mass, from which three lumps have grown together to form this one mass, this is down Josh's right hand side of his cheek. Again all Josh's lumps/masses have always been on his right hand side only. Over the weekend 17/18th June 06 a large mass formed under Josh's lower jaw, again on the right, i took Josh up to see the vet 19th June, and saw Sarah, as Paul is on vacation for two weeks, she was very concerned and i explained again if she thought it to be Mast cell, then i would not be treating it, Josh doesnt need further upset and heartache not with all his ongoing health issuse, of which she agreed, and said lets just do a couple of Needle biopsies of which she did there and then, so no GA was thankfully needed. Sarah said the results should take 5-7 days, but said she'd push them through, and she wanted to see Josh Friday 23rd June 06 just to see how he was going.
Today 22nd June 06 I recieved a phone call from Sarah, whom has seen the results of the needle biopsies and it does indeed show Josh has aggressive Mast Cell, from a) the results and b) how quickly the tumours/masses are appearing. Josh was started on Pred at 10mg for tonight and we are off to see her on our oringinal appointment for further consultation on how to manage Josh's condition and to make his fast running out time he has left with me as comforatable and as happy and pain free as indeed i can make possible.
It is with great heart felt grief and pain i can only see Josh being with me a matter of weeks if i am lucky, due to the aggressiveness of the tumour growths.
Josh will have every precious moment spent on him, as tomorrow or the next day etc, I have to make the dreaded decision to send my precious boy to Rainbow Bridge to meet his much loved Mishka and Whispa.
Joshua i love you so much, its killing me to write this, thinking what short period of time we have left, to spend together, and for the bastard so called breeders that think breeding dogs proven hereditary conditions and like wise isn't their problem and brush it under the carpet. At least i can say with my head and my heart you wanted for nothing. I thank you for my precious 7 years we have had to date together, I just wish it could/will be more.
Until the time arrives my beloved josh, i will make everyday so terribly special for you.
LOVE YOU ALWAYS JOSH
Karen
xx
If you would like to read more or contact Karen about Josh's story., Please Visit Karen's web site
Ps I send all my love and hugs to Karen and Joshua at this sad time.
Jane xx
