Gavin's radiation treatment

I was applying the miaderm lotion tonite. I think I may need to increase his pain meds :( He was pulling his foot away any time I touched it. It must really hurt him. He was doing that before, but not as consistently or insistently. I will ask the vet tech tomorrow.

Sigh..my poor baby. I think this bothers me more than him :cry:

Who is running around on 3 legs because he wants more food.
 
Day 15 update:

gavin ran up the steps again..he played ball this morning with the vet tech. I noticed he has some bruising on his arm from an attempt to put in a catheter.

Today he lost 2 of his paw pads. They just fell off apparently. blistering in between the toes too. He gets to wear a sock when going outside to use the bathroom. Otherwise, nothing on the foot. No more lotion.

Meds have been increased a lot. Seriously, I am using a calendar to remember them all. Prednisone once a day in the morning. Tramadol 1 pill 3 a day. Gabapentin 1 pill 3X a day (another pain pill). Clavamox 2x a day (antibiotic cause of the paw pads).

more pics...
<https://clkreder.shutterfly.com/3228>
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he is sleeping now (on all those pain meds I am amazed how happy and alert he was when I picked him up)
 
Cindy, you are doing such a good job being Gavin's nurse-Mom and emotional support...he is incredibly blessed to have you. This is a tough time for both of you, but good times are ahead once the treatments are done and he heals! It is great to hear that his spirits remain good...these little dogs are truly amazing! Gentle hugs to your boy...and hugs to you too. :hugs

Trini
 
Boy can I relate. My kitchen counter looked like a pharmacy with all of Ally's pills. I had to write it all down to keep it straight. Gosh the loss of his paw pads must be so weird.

Sounds like he is really doing quite well considering. Hang in there, Cindy, we're all pulling for your sweet boy. And, take care of yourself, too.
 
Sharon7 said:
Boy can I relate. My kitchen counter looked like a pharmacy with all of Ally's pills. I had to write it all down to keep it straight. Gosh the loss of his paw pads must be so weird.
Click to expand...

I can also relate as I have a pharmacy here for Mr. Chance! Thank God for my smart phone to remind me when he needs each of his meds!

My Laddie cut his paw pad really bad last summer. Seems like it took forever to heal. I felt terrible for him. He was not the best at letting me treat it. Hope Gavin will allow his to be treated. It looks so bad. I just cringe seeing it!

Virtual pats, hugs and prayers! :hugs
 
Hang in there, Cindy. Sending big hugs to both of you. Also a big thank you for detailing all of this. Incredibly generous of you to take the time to do this for others.
The treatments almost done. I hope he heals quickly. He's been such a trooper through all of this.
 
Treatment 17:

The vet tech had both her kids with her this morning. Gavin played A LOT. even with 3 legs, he ran around and bounced the ball back to them with his nose. He lost 2 more paw pads, though. They cut them off while he's under once they notice them dangling, and after he comes out of it he jumps up and barks for food. He has learned he gets fed after treatments..and he loves his food.

Most dogs cry when they first have the pads fall off, but not my dog. He wants to play and be fed! And he really likes pill pockets (like my dog doesn't love anything food related..geez)


I have him now, and he is sleeping. part of it is meds, part is him playing a bunch today. Tomorrow we have a treatment, and then we have a 3 day weekend before his last 2 treatments. He will go back next Friday and they will clean his paw pads again. The next day, Saturday we have a follow up with the radiologist.

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A small sheltie was at the vets today when I went in to pick up Gavin, 9 yrs old and 24lbs. Colonoscopy to see why she bleeds when pooping. Seemed much older, not just shy but older.
 
Actual Treatment 17 (previous was 16)

The last, larger paw pad went.
Still in good spirits.
New after care. A salt bath followed by dusting with corn starch and spritzing with aloe. twice a day. this will coat the raw foot and will flake off during the day (which is all moist and oozie). So while most shoppers are buying alcohol and such at Walmart, I am buying corn starch, cheap shower liners, and a larger salt shaker so I can attempt this protocol at home!

Only 2 treatments left :) and a 3 day vacation from the vet (although Gavin has the radiation tech wrapped around his paw, Shannon comes out to get him and to give him back, he gets to sleep by her desk during the day instead of a cage, and she loves giving him treats. Gavin has a new sheep!)

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Cindy, Gavin is making it through these treatments with amazing spirit...and he has such caring people supporting him helping to make what could have been an awful time into a time with new friends.

I am so glad that he only has 2 more treatments!! Big celebration when finally done...for you and for him.

May 2016 bring Gavin good health and many more happy years to spend with those who love him.

Trini
 
The Domeboro wash thing takes 45 minutes each time. I am sure I will get better at it, but it will still take me at least 30 minutes or more.

his leg has more significant radiation burns
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It is simple but not easy. First I need to get rid of the previous coating. I have him lay down on an exercise step and have his leg extend over the side. Gavin will let me our water over his leg, so I just put a container under his leg and slowly do that for a few minutes (he does pull the leg back every once in a while). The 'soak' would be easier is I had a way to have his leg dangle up/down and submerge it in a bucket but I don't. So I have strips of paper towel I submerge in the solution and then wrap around his leg. I keep adding more to keep it wet for 5-10 minutes. Then I unwrap and let it air dry.

<https://clkreder.shutterfly.com/3237>
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Now for the messy part! Cornstarch...I have it in a large salt shaker. I shake as much as I can on his leg (basically I am doing one side at a time cause I can shake on the underside!). Then I have the spray of aloe that I spray until it gets all gooey. I flip Gavin over so I can do the other side of his leg. He needs to lay there until it dries, 15 minutes or so. I move him to a padded dog bed on my couch so he is more comfy, but his leg still extends over into the air.

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This weekend I have the time for this twice a day, and next Monday and Tuesday I will do it once a day (they will do it the vets once). But after that, doing it twice a day is gonna be challenging time wise. I wish the vets had told me how time consuming this was going to be. Not that it would have changed my decision, but a heads up would have been nice. And I am sure a lot of people would not be up for this kind of care! I am thinking this is gonna be needed for a few weeks for his radiation burns.

His paw pads seem to be slowly scabbing
 
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