Hi Friends! Look! My left eye is finally all healed up (thank you Dr. Mar and Analea). Doesn’t it look great?! Next….time for my routine Senior Vet Checkup!
Senior Vet Checkup (and Bath)!
If you follow me on My Instagram you saw that I went in for my vaccination titers and a routine Senior Vet Checkup with Dr. Buehler at VCA Arroyo a little over a week ago. Overall, Dr. Buehler said I look fantastic and full of spunk as usual 😊 I just love her so much! She also gives awesome hugs! My titers showed I didn’t need my vaccinations yet. I’m super happy about that! I even had a bath and got my nails trimmed to make me even more handsome (according to Mom)! My coat is sooooo shiny now!
During my Senior Vet Checkup, Mom showed Dr. B a couple of lumps (I’m full of lypomas which are fatty spots) that are new in my throat. Dr. B did cytology on 3 of them and the results came back 3 days later positive for Lymphoma which, in opposite world, is not so Pawsitive it seems. Hmmmm. Mom and Dr. B are surprised because I’m so happy, energetic and strong plus, I’m completely asymptomatic. We caught this completely by accident which means early detection – and that’s a good thing at least. So, the moral of this story is…. get your checkups, friends, and as you get older, go more often!
Next Stop, the Specialist
It’s been a whirlwind week. Mom was able to get me an urgent appointment back at SCVSH (where Dr. Mar, Analea and Dr. Berry are) to meet my newest Specialist, Dr. Courtney Zwahlen who is now my Oncologist. She is AWESOME! She confirmed the early results of Lymphoma and wasted no time doing my labs to determine my overall health.
The Medical Plan
The great news is that my bloodwork, liver, etc. came back really good. So, to quote Dr. Z, she just “loves a healthy cancer patient”. Mom and Dr. Z reviewed all the treatment options and since I’m healthy enough, I’m having the preferred treatment for Lymphoma which is weekly Chemo for 25 weeks with a few off weeks here and there. The protocol is smaller doses, more often to keep me in high quality of life, i.e., active and happy. According to Dr. Z, 85% of pets go into remission with this protocol.
I had my first chemo injection during my first visit with Dr. Z! Mom was sent home with a bag of meds just in case I got side effects such as a fever, nausea, diarrhea, etc. So far I haven’t needed any of the meds! I’m also on a short cycle of prednisone to supplement the chemo (which makes me super hot in the middle of the night) so, Mom switched it to the morning and voila! – problem solved! Now we are BOTH getting some zzzzz’s again! MOM is super happy about that!
The Fun Plan
Dr. Z told Mom that she doesn’t expect me to feel any different and to keep doing what we are doing – outings, adventures and super Pawsome Doggy Vacations! Yay! We have 2 more vacations scheduled and I can’t wait to tell you about them in my upcoming posts! Mom and I are calling our future adventures Scooby Days and I can’t wait to share them with you!
I hope I meet you out there enjoying your Scooby Days this year! Mom is taking good care of me and making sure I have the best medical care available so I can stay happy and active and full of adventures! I welcome Pawsitive Vibes so send them my way! I’ll check in periodically between adventures and let you know how I’m doing.
As always,
XOXO,
Scoobs
Oh Scooby!!! I don’t like that you have to go through those treatments; however, I know mom will take good care of you. I enjoy watching all of your adventure photographs. Please know that I will be sending pawsitive vibes and lots of prayers your way. Carry on!!! P.S. I’m sending you lots of love too.
💕cousin patti!
Sending you loving hugs Scooby! #VegastheWeim sends loving licks too!
Thank you! Woof!