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rambos_ride

Rambo's just turned 8 and I've been so lucky to never have taken him in to the vet for anything other than normal checkups ~ but My buddy has to go under the knife this Wednesday (Wednesday night is going to suck - I haven't spent a night away from the mutt for over 7 years

)

I just noticed a small lump on his drivers side ear (left ear) a couple of weeks ago and now it's the size of a pencil eraser and getting bigger so regardless it's got to go.

He'll have a divot in his ear, but I told the doc not to cut his ear down just to make it look good cosmetically - just do the best you can and leave as much intact as possible.

There's another small lump he's had on his passenger side (right side) for the last couple of years that hasn't changed size, but since he'll be going under GA I asked them to take that one out too...then they'll send both samples in to make sure neither are cancerous.

I know this is routine stuff but I've never had to deal with having an animal recover from surgery, he'll have to wear one of those "halos" for a couple of weeks.

I was wondering if any of you have had to have similar procedures done with their animals and what I can expect in terms of recovery?

Birdman

Had to have a tumor removed from the chest of my Great Dane a few years ago. He managed to lick it till the stitches came loose. Had the wound stapled and SWMBO put one of my tee shirts on him so he couldnt lick it. Healed nicely and kept him from having to wear the dreaded "halo". Vet got a chuckle seeing the tee shirt but agreed it was a good idea.

LanceB

One time my dog had a spider bite that the vet thought was a Black Widow by the way she was acting. She licked and bit the area so bad we had to do the "halo". She looked like a flashlight.

But sadly we had to put her down at 8 years old due to cancer and a tumor that was forming in her sinus cavity attaching itself to her brain. I wish Rambo a speedy recovery, I fully understand what a friend he is.

46HudsonPU

Good results and a speedy recovery for Rambo.

My daughter lost 2 of the three dogs she had in the last 6-8 months:
- Daisy (our black Lab, 13-14 years), from old age;
- Lucy (our Cairn Terrier, 8 years) from cancer;

Maggie is all alone now (Irish Wolfhound), and it is taking a while for her to adjust. They are very quiet and timid dogs, given their enormous size.

Jon B

Best wishes to Rambo for quick recovery and no problems "down the road". A good and faithful dog is a thing of joy.

royallancer

I'm sure Rambo will be fine. Jeb, half Husky half New Foundland, had to wear one. We thought it was funny when he would try to walk through doors and catch it on the doorway, guess it was hard to see through. He'll probably sleep for the first day or two, so no worries if he doesn't act like normal at first. We will pray for him and you too.

tattooman

Hay Dan: Aaron in Seattle here... It's nice that everybody has words of encouragement for your "boy" Rambo. Labs are strong dogs, I'm sure he will do fine. There are lots of things his lumps could be and we'll hope they are just "fatty tissue" growths. My lab Buckwheat got cancer at nine years of age, but got the correct treatment (radiation and chemo), was cured, and lived a long and healthy life for many years after that. So stay positive, it won't help him seeing his "dad' all stressed out. Depending on the type of surgery and anesthetic used, his recovery could be short (like he never even had a procedure) or if they have to completely knock him out for a couple of hours, could last a day or so. If he does get a "Victorian Collar" on, it'll make him crazy at first, but he should get used to it pretty quickly. The only time I had my dog wear it was when he was un-supervised and I couldn't keep my eye on him. If it bugs him and makes him a nerotic mess, check with his doctor and see if it's okay to leave it off while you're home watching him. I'm sure it'll be okay. "Rocky" (Chihuahua), "Bullwinkle" (Black Lab) and I will all be rooting for him.... Keep us posted. Sincerely, Aaron

MikeWA

If Rambo is a typical Lab, he will forget about the whole thing within about 15 minutes. Labs are more into "gallumphing" than being drama queens, and not much phases them. Rambo! Sit! Good boy.

rambos_ride

Thanks to everyone for your kind thoughts, prayers and relating your experiences with your dogs.

I've gotten some really good ideas on "halo alternatives" so will be thinking about that as he navigates around after the surgery.

I've been spoiling Rambo rotten for the last couple of days. I bought him some new toys and rawhide...yeasterday I took him for a good swim and today and tomorrow I have my coffee girls coming by during the day to take him out for a long walk (he likes the pretty girls ~ or is that me?

)

Thanks again everyone, I'll be sure to post how things come out.

Harry Hill

Dan, he'll be fine. You on the other hand will be wreck until he gets better. Dogs don't take this stuff as seriously as we do. Keep the halo on him as long as you can so he doesn't scratch the wound.

Harry

MikeWA

In the true spirit of esoteric topics on the "Discussions" forum, I'm in favor of a new thread on the "coffee girls", especially in light of your talent for posting pictures. . .

hudsoncustom

Hope your dog is doing well...I'm sure he'll make a speedy recovery. My lab Mike sends his best.

Harry Hill

Yeah, that term coffee girls caught my attention too. We should probably see the coffee girls to make sure Rambo isn't cavorting with the wrong types.

Harry

rambos_ride

Harry Hill wrote:

Yeah, that term coffee girls caught my attention too. We should probably see the coffee girls to make sure Rambo isn't cavorting with the wrong types.

Harry

Ill see what I can do!

Since Rambo was a wee lil' puppy he's gone with me to get my Grande Mocha espresso drink from the local coffee stand every morning.

At my old coffee place in Kirkland, all the girls loved Rambo and the coffee stand is a "happy spot" for both of us ~ they still keep a picture of Rambo on the wall even though it's been over a year since we moved!

He puts on the "thick sugar" act with the wagging tail (wag the dog) and uplifted ears. Rambo has 2 tricks he performs for cookies in the truck - hi-five and waving good-bye (both the same thing!)

When I moved to Port Orchard I found a coffee stand near my house, that not only serves great coffee, all the girls that work there very cute and treat us both with respect and kindness.

2 of them want to start a dog-walking business and I've been working so much the last 6 months that I felt Rambo wasn't getting the exercise he should so I started having them come over a few times a week.

He sits by the window on the days they come over, and acts just like a 1-year old pup when they take him for a walk - it's worth every penny!

Then another girl who works there wanted to make some extra cash and asked if I needed some housekeeping done - so I've been having her come over a few days a weeks to clean - it's really taken some of the pressure off of trying to manage everything!

(Having pretty young girls come around ain't so bad either!)

So that's the story about our "coffee girls"

Harry Hill

Being a dog lover has all kinds of advantages. I think Rambo is a real good friend to share the coffee girls with you.

Harry

hudsoncustom

How's Rambo doing?

rambos_ride

I just picked the ol' boy up this morning. Mostly, other than the surgery - it's probably been harder on me than the dog

So far he's doing really well - I had the halo on him for a while but I think it was worse because the edge of his ear kept rubbing on it - so I took it off and I'll just have to watch him for the next few days.

The lump on the ear came out easily and once the hair grows back I think it will be hard to notice.

The lump on the side kinda concerned the doctor because of the way it looked when he was in there - but, we're sending both samples in to get tested for cancer and should know in the next day or so..

All in all - so far I'm happy with where he's at - now here's to hoping the tests come back negative

Thanks again to everyone for the kind words, prayers and encouragement.

LanceB

Good to hear he's home

Dave53-7C

Here's something for Dan and Rambo

>

SamJ

Hey Rambo...feel better, dawg...

All the best, Coco...

Dave53-7C

Now that's quite a "Mighty Dog." Nice Rin Tin Tin pose too.

BJ__TN

Dan, Glad to hear that Rambo is doing well. Hoping for a good report on the biopsy.
Bob
SHOTGUN, QUEENIE, SPECKLES

66patrick66

GiGi, my little Papi-Chi sends her best!

[IMG]

Bill Cox - TN

All the best from Tennessee.

Bill and Beulah Mae (Chowbrador)

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