Sit ups

Thanks to our AMAZING Pet Sitter, I got to take a 5 day vacation over the holiday.  She kept up Max's workout schedule and a few days ago I got a text that Max was sitting up like a normal dog!!!  When I got home last night, the whole gang came to greet me and Max was hanging out on the couch with Amanda.  I wasn't sure if he was going to recognize me or not, but he started kicking and pushing himself up when I came over and pet him!!!

His eye is looking much better too.  She has him eating 4 meals a day and he was getting plenty of fluids as well.   I think I need to adjust his cart so he's a little higher now. He did develop a blister in his inner thigh from wheeling around and kicking in his cart so much but it looks like he's ready to do some more work on sitting up on his own!!! So the next plan is working on sitting up, staying up and then moving into a standing position... it'll be a while but he's starting to regain more and more control of his body!  His eyes are also starting to track more and more and Amanda said he's enjoying sitting in the window and watching the other dogs play outside..  This morning when I was feeding him and Rex and #2 came in and started making noises he actually turned his head to look at them!

Another CyberKnife Blogger!!! Meet Roxy!

I started Max's Blog to help others who have dogs (or other animals) who have had brain tumors and to help them learn more about options, including alternative medicine, chinese medicine, acupuncture, and cyberknife, which is obviously the path we ended up going down .    I had so many questions when Max started this process and I couldn't find any information out there about what he was going to go through day to day. The closest I could find were accounts told by human patients. I had a little bit of a clue that he was going to be lethargic for a while .. and eventually I'd start to notice a significant change.

In any event, Max had pretty good energy the first couple of weeks after Cyber knife and then he started to get more lethargic for a couple of months while the radiation started to do it's thing, and gradually his energy level started to improve.

Beautiful Roxy!

I recently received a comment about another dog who is going through Cyber Knife too!  Roxy!  The person she owns is also blogging about her experience on her blog, Roxy- Canine Brain Tumor - Cyberknife

I wanted to share this blog with you also so you have another resource!  The more we can all learn from each other, the better equipped we all are to manage expectations, and hopefully figure out what we all can do to give our pups, cats, goats or other animals the best shot at getting back to normal!

Click here to Read Roxy's Blog!

...5 Months Later! Test Results, Fur Shedding, a Fashion Show, and the Black Skin mystery solved

So... it's been 5 months since Max had Cyber Knife!  5 Months since he couldn't even lift his head or eat!  5 AMAZING MONTHS!  Over the last months we've had Max's blood levels checked and he's doing great!

His Chem Test (Idexx Lab):

TEST                  RESULTS              NORMAL REFERENCE GUIDE
BUN                      28 mg/dl                           7-27 mg/dl
CREA                    1.3mg/dl                           0.5-1.8 mg/dl
BUN/CREA                22
ALT                        158 U/L                          10-100 U/L
AST                         50 U/L                            0-50 U/L
ALKP                     408 U/L                           23-212 U/L


In the grand scheme of things here - this is Good!  We've had dogs (and cats) MUCH higher and even off the charts!  Considering Max has been on prednisone for 9 months at some level or another

T4 Test:

Results 2.2     Normal is 1.1- 4


Max's fur shedding seems to be slowing down a bit.  Maybe it was just the extra dry heat in the house from the colder winter weather.  We've increased his exercise a bit too to see if that helps - more walks.

I spoke with the PolyMVA folks - while his energy level was boosted significantly and I saw a lot of possitive changes  I wanted to make sure that his herbs weren't reacting poorly to the PolyMVA - nothing Max was on should have been reacting to it, but they did say that some dogs actually can develop a rash from it. One of the functions of the PolyMVA is that it helps flush toxins from the body (from meds, chemo, radiation, cancer cells, etc.. the body naturally flushes toxins from the body through respiration, the skin (the biggest one at the cellular level which is how PolyMVA functions) and when you go potty.  I had actually put Max on their highest recommended dose.. so perhaps that was too much. While he didn't get a rash - the shedding could be related to that.

Years ago Daisy and Max were selected randomly while walking along the street to be models in a Christian Dior fashion show (I DO NOT DRESS MY DOGS UP.. they're lucky if they are wearing a fancy collar! - usually they run around the house "naked" and their leashes have their collars attached) Anyway - it sounded like a fun event, so we went and they did a great job on the Cat walk, but Max completely broke out from the clothes they put on him. His skin got all red and his fur started to shed (he has a thick coat too so you'd think that would have protected him). It is possible that this was just his way of reacting to it.  He is the first dog out of all of our dogs who have been on it who has had this reaction. (Buttercup's coat has gotten beautiful and very silky and healthy.) 

So the plan is to keep him off it for one more week to let it completely clear his system and then start him back on a lower dose and see what happens.  (There is NO iodine in PolyMVA we found out)

There is also the possibility that it's just from being on the Prednisone for so long. That has been known to make fur coarse and cause shedding, which are also signs of Cushing's Disease, which can be caused by low thyroid #'s although I'm told that if he were to completely go off the prednisone (weaned off - you should never stop any medication, especially prednisone suddenly - and always consult your doctor/vet first) his fur would grow back and be healthy.  Now given the option of being bald, vs. being involved in a perpetual game of dizzy bat, I'd go for being bald.  As Max's neurologist pointed out they do make some very fashionable dog sweaters these days..   Anyway - this is always a possibility. We have not done the Cushings test at this point.

We're still going to try the fish oil and see if that works (ran it by Max's holistic vets and his neurologist and got the thumbs up from all).

Another thing I had learned this morning was that a number of the dogs in a cancer support group we're involved with have also lost their fur while on steroids, but it did manage to grow back. Many said that the fur loss actually got worse after they started tapering the steroids back (prednisone, natural hydrocortisone, etc) Which is what we've been doing with Max - he's at 10mg every 4-5 days now). 

One person in the group posted:

"My dog (not my cancer dog) had fur shedding when she was on prednisone. Actually, it got much worse after I tapered her off and stopped it, so i think it can happen with a low dose. She had a low thyroid but within normal range. Her normally soft luxurious fur also became very coarse. The vet gave her a chinese herb called Rehmannia 6 and within days her fur was soft again and stopped falling out. I don't know if you can give it at the same time as steroids, maybe you want to ask your holistic vets about it."

DON'T GIVE YOUR PETS ANYTHING WITHOUT CHECKING WITH YOUR VET FIRST

So.. I think we're going to talk with our holistic vets about Rehmannia 6 and find out what it is, what it's side effects are, how it reacts with the other herbs, supplements and medications Max is on,  and if that might be a possibility to help as well 

A  few people also said that their dogs skin had turned black - just like Max's did!  One person was even able to say what specific medication turned her dog's skin black! 
She told us her "oncologist explained that one of the "side effects" of doxorubicin could be the "darkening of skin- the color changes ".  

While I didn't put Max on this medication, he was on it when he was in the hospital in NY for Cyber Knife!  And it was within a couple of weeks that I started to see his skin turn black.. not pretty but as far as I can tell no bad effects.  His fur has all grown back where he was shaved and the skin had turned black and I don't think it's black under there any more.


BUTTERCUP UPDATE:
Just a quick update on Buttercup. Her surgery went really well. Her food has recovered very well - nice scar! Looks good and the pathology report came back that we're all clear - it's all out, clean margins, nothing to worry about any more!  She's been running around and going for walks and I only saw her try to lick her stitches once.

And a few photos of Max working hard and monitoring the landscaping going on...

Max catches a fish...

Max looking for stuff floating in the creek

I think we've finally found the right dose of anti-seizure medication! While I'd prefer Max not to be on any at all, I think this works for him. He's now taking 125mg of keppra 2x a day.  He seems to be more himself, sharper, curious, and active.

This morning he got fed up with Rex pushing his way in for attention and decided to let him know about it!  That's the old Max we know! And boy was Rex not expecting it!I was petting Max and Rex shoved his way in between me and Max and Max lunged at him and growled to let him know that wasn't acceptable!  Go Max!

Max examining oysters from the "Save the Bay" project

Video of Max & the oysters

 Video of Max catching Fish... and eating it

Later this morning I took #2 and Max out for a walk in the woods and down to the water. We met a little guy named Tyson who had just been adopted last week and was having a great time with his new people! he's a 10 yr old Tibetan Spaniel, and has wonderful new owners!  So happy to hear someone adopted a senior dog from a shelter! He was going with his new people down to the dock to go fishing!  That was where we were headed!  Max loves to go down to the dock and watch things float by in the water and hasn't been down there in a few months.

Max & #2 heading back from the Creek

 I didn't know how he was going to respond, but he enjoyed hanging out with Tyson and when we got down to the dock he walked the edge looking for floating things.. there wasn't much in there though, so he watched Tyson's dad fish, and then a man came down with a big cooler. He's a teacher and had a school project going under the dock as well as inYorktown where they were helping to replenish the oyster population in the York River and the Chesapeake Bay.  Max turned right back into his normal curious self as soon as he pulled the first basket of oysters up!  There were little shrimp flopping around, a few crabs and some little bait fish.. and some good smells!    Max was very intent on catching these fish! He tried to step on one, then caught it in his mouth, we had to remove it.. and then caught another and ate it!

Max enjoying his walk in the woods

2 Back seat drivers

I think that's the first thing he's ever killed in his whole life..  but down it went after a big crunch..   Hopefully he doesn't catch anything from it.. nasty.. but he seemed to have a really good time!









After our visit at the dock and the creek and adventures catching fish, crab and shrimp (and leaves, and mud) , we headed back up into the woods and went for a little hike!  Max seemed to really enjoy this as well but I could tell he started to get a little tired after a while so we headed back to the car..  he kept up a good pace though and was alert, watching leaves fall from the sky and running over to see what fell. He also chased a frog/toad through the leaves!





When Max & #2 got up to the field house they both remembered that the guys who worked there toss bread out in the mornings for the birds and deer and they went over to look for some.. a little late though! It was all gone!


It always seems like someone is looking over my shoulder!

Max heading back to the car.. but side tracked by a John Deere mobile..   (notice - he's walking in a relatively straight line and should now pass a sobriety test if pulled over while he's driving!)

Medication update

Just got a call from the neurologist's office and we're changing Max's dose of Keppra from 500mg 3x day down to 125mg 2x/day and seeing how that works...

The Resourcefulness of Max The Dog

My little friend Max has been on a mission this morning to steal the cat's food! Poor Tulsa the cat has kidney disease and seems to prefer to eat in bed. Well this morning Max decided that was a great idea and wanted to take part in Tulsa's breakfast! After repeatedly being told to stop trying to jump on the bed, he then decided to pull the blanket off the bed.. along with the cat food.. !

Max trying to get a good hold on the blanket to pull it off the bed

Got it! and this is how I woke up this morning!

Trying another way to get to the cat food

Still trying.. maybe he can PULL the blanket off the bed!

Working it!

Cat food in sight!

Whoops where did he go!

He's back!

And another attempt at pulling the blanket with his paws

And he's gone again - kind of like whack a mole (but I would never whack max)

And there he is again.. at least his ears!

Up again!

Whoops - slipped footing!

Poor Tulsa is irritated that max is trying to steal his food.

"Really... can you please stop him?"

My goodness! Dog on a mission!

Some confusion as the bed is being attacked by Max

"I'm going to get your breakfast!"

"I'm just going to grab this blanket you are on and pull!!! Hold on tight!"

"That bowel is getting closer!"

"HA!  I think I have it!"

"Ha ha ha ha!"

"Get In My Belly!"

"Pardon me, but do you happen to have any Grey Poupon?  ... and a Fork?"

11-5-11 - Max's Day in Colonial Williamsburg

Today Max went for an outting in Colonial Williamsburg. He did pretty well but I think he was tired. He did take his anti-seizure medication today and prednisone which usually makes him sleepy. He's had a hard time hearing today - he can hear really loud noises and other dogs barking (except little doxies who are telling him what to do apparently), and I'm not sure how his sight was. The wind outside may have been drying up his right eye and it could have been hard to see but his nose sure was working!  There are a lot of good smells in Colonial Williamsburg! Max even tried to crash a wedding but was told if he didn't have an invitation he wasn't allowed in. We didn't see any sheep on this visit, just the horses which he normally will chase down, but today he just walked right up to them, wagged his tail and then turned and walked away. Definitely not himself entirely yet... which reminds me we have a ways to go.. or he has a new found appreciation for his friends the horses..

Max outside of the Bruton Parish Church on Duke of Gloucester Street in Colonial Williamsburg

Max and Buster walking along in Colonial Williamsburg

Max trying to crash a wedding at Bruton Parish.. he was denied.

Max and Buster Running around the corner at Bruton Parish to see if they can sneak in through the grave yard..

Max on Governor's Green in Colonial Williamsburg (Governor's Palace at the end of the green)

Max off leash on the Governor's Green in Colonial Williamsburg

Max & the Horses. A few months ago he'd try and ride a horse.. today he just wagged his tail as he went over and then turned around.

Max in the Colonial Gardens

Max wishing Buster would pick up the pace and stop sniffing EVERYTHING

Max waiting for Buster AGAIN..

Information about Cyber Knife

I've received a few emails asking for more information about the CyberKnife Procedure so I wanted to post a few links for people to check out. I found these helpful.

• Cyber Knife Society
• Animal Speciality Center in Yonkers NY
• A Brochure on CyberKnife (this is intended for humans but it's more or less the same for animals)
• The CyberKnife Website
• Dogster Blog from other dogs who have been through Cyberknife or are contemplating it

** There are patient forums out there for humans who have undergone CK, which is interesting because they can put into words what your pet can't. (CK is not just for dogs, there was a cat in there when we were there and I also had heard about a goat who underwent it too!).

The main difference between the animals and the humans is that the animals need to be sedated during their procedures.

We were up in NY for 5 days. Monday was the planning day and they mapped Max's brain using CT and MRI scans and planted gold seeds (inert metal) to help the cyberknife robot triangulate and hit it's target exactly. Then we had Tuesday off, Wed, Thurs, and Fri max had CK treatments and then he was done!

10-7-11 Update

Today mark's one week since Max's Final Cyberknife treatment and all in all he's doing much better than I ever expected, and I"m very happy about that. He had a seizure a few days ago that a little more than a minute, the kind where everything stiffens up and he starts running in place, a little foaming at the mouth, peeing on himself.. and then when he came out of the seizure he threw up. Unlike my other animals when they seize, Max decided that he needed to run a marathon for an hour after. He ran all over the house and our yard, non stop for an hour (and here I was wondering if I had over done it earlier in the day when I took him for a walk!

The neurologist on call prescribed an anti-seizure medication for Max, and this is where we learned that there are absolutely NO 24x7 pharmacies within 30 minutes of our house! Personally I don't think the anti-siezure medication is good for him - at least the one prescribed. He has had heart palpatations since, and has had an upset tummy. I can see him breathing from the lower end of his tummy and it's more labored, he also vomits every 12 hours or so after he is dosed this medication, even on pepcid or zantac. One of the side effects of this medication is to feel drunk and woozy. He's definitely wobbly so I'm guessing that that has something to do with it.

Last night Dr. Bush suggested we try pepcid and boiled chicken and rice for Max to see if that will help him eat.  So this morning that's what I made for him... and it worked.. He at our other dog's breakfast!  (not the chicken and rice). So our next test is to see if it stays down

For anyone who is concerned about cognitive skills and cyber knife. Max is his normal self, a little more tired than normal but that's a normal side effect. In humans I've read that the lethargy can last anywhere from a couple of weeks to a couple of years, and I'm sure it depends on where their tumors are, and the medications they are on.  The prednisone itself makes Max really tired. He usually sleeps very soundly for a good 4-5 hours after taking his prednisone dose and then he's his normal self. With the anti-seizure medication he just sleeps all day and night long.

He knows to come and get me when he needs to go to the bathroom, and actually will search the house for me if he can't find me. He still waits in the front window for me when I go out. When he's not on the anti-seizure medication he's more curious and wants to sniff around outside and check and see what the contractors are working on or who is coming to the door.  He still barks and runs to the door and then comes to get me when the door bell rings. Last night he even engaged in a little body slamming with his rottie sister, Buttercup.  But his energy does come in short bursts and that's ok.  He just needs his rest and I"m anticipating that for at least the next month he'll be doing a lot of resting.

At meal time he still comes to the kitchen and examines what everyone else is eating, even if his tummy is too funky to eat. He'll still also herd the shepherd out of the kitchen as well.  Last night I heard him give off a low growl to our beagle when he was thinking of trying to steal Max's food, and a low growl to the cat who wanted to sleep on the same dog bed.  He's working on gaining his strength and getting back to his normal self.

I am not sure but I think loss of appetite may also be a side effect of radiation though too - or I may be getting that confused with chemo, of course the prednisone should be making him eat cardboard.  I"m sure his appetite will eventually make it's way back after we are able to stabilize his tummy.  This happened when he first went on prednisone as well.

(Above - Max had run to the window to see what the dogs were barking about - still not 100% - he'd be the loud one if he was and that tail would be waiving like a flag.. but he's starting to get back into the swing of things a bit)

(Above - Max around 6pm today. Not barking but you can see he's still a part of the pack and still wants to know what's going on and obviously could hear the alarm!)

10-4-11 Cognitive Skills..

This is a 2 part video.. sorry - Max had to go potty in the middle and he's still a little unstable so I don't let him go down stairs without adult supervision... had to turn the camera off - plus he already dove down a full flight of stairs running outside to chase a deer with his sister, Buttercup.. don't need any more trauma to the head.. you know?!

10-1-11 - Our 8.5 hour trip back home after a week of Cyber Knife Therapy

Max at a rest stop using the facilities... On the way home, we stopped at the Walt Witman Rest stop in NJ and there were a number of dogs there - it was kind of like the NJ Turnpike dog park for a while! As dog park people start doing.. we talk and a woman asked me why Max was a little wobbly and I explained he had just had Cyber Knife and she got all excited, her neighbor's dog had undergone CK therapy in Yonkers over a year ago and was doing fantastic! That was really good to hear! And of all places.. The Walt Witman NJ Turnpike Dog park!

9-30-11 - after 3 days of Cyber Knife treatments

I was originally planning on taking Max back to the hotel with me each night but he was the last one they Ck'd each day and he was so groggy I thought it might be better to leave him there. Plus the person who administered his anesthesia said if it was her dog she would have had him spend the night just to be on the safe side.. not that the hotel was far.. it was literally 2 minutes from the hotel (Hampton Inn & Suites Yonkers is 2 blocks from the Animal Specialty Center).

The 2nd day when I was checking in to see how Max was doing I ran into another woman who's dog was also undergoing Cyber Knife and she said they took their dog home but he was out of it and had some accidents and they left him at the hospital the 2nd night. He didn't really care where he was so she knew he wouldn't be stressed. Max was the same way.

Everyone at Animal Specialty Center was fantastic!



9-30-11 after the 3rd Cyber Knife therapy - happy to be back with mom.. I think.. but still drugged and drunk - and all he wanted was water!

"How do you turn this thing on? I know water comes out somewhere"













"Ok Fine, you're not going to turn that tub on.. I've seen other dogs do this... crud.. I can't get my head in there... it's too High!!!"

(the lid was shut after this photo was taken to prevent and foul water from being ingested!)

9-27-11 Our day off before Cyber Knife treatments start

These photos posted in reverse order again




On our way to the park!



















You mean we're not going to the hospital?!




















Alright! Now we're talking! I love to watch things floating in the water.. and no better place to see things floating in the water than the Long Island Sound!















I wish I had a little more energy - I'd bark or try and jump in! I love this rock climbing thing though!









That place is kind of pretty can we go over there?!
























I wanna get that stick but I don't have the energy.. oh yeah.. and I'm the only dog in the world who doesn't know how to swim..












Insisting on getting as close to the floating stuff in the water as possible.. and yes.. he did decide to sit in that puddle!!! It was FANTASTIC!



















He loves this spot!














I want that duck! (the black spot)





















Can we move here?!