My Caleb Moose
#357156
05/08/22 02:04 AM
05/08/22 02:04 AM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 6,027 Alexandria, NH
Woodreb
OP
Carpal Tunnel
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OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 6,027
Alexandria, NH
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Caleb has had a few problems going on the past year or so. He developed perianal fistulas within the past 2 years and has been on meds to control it. And he's been dragging one rear leg for the past year. But he's been a trooper and not let any of that stop him from doing what he wanted to do. Since late fall and winter, he's been slowing down a lot and loosing more control of his rear legs. We took him in for a check-up 2 weeks ago because he'd been drinking a lot more water than normal and I couldn't see any reason why that should be. Long story short - the vet confirmed that the problem in the rear legs is certainly DM - he's got all the classic symptoms. We did blood work as well to see if she could find anything that might explain how thirsty he seems. Nothing definitive showed up at the time, although he did have an elevated white blood cell count. We put him on an antibiotic just in case. About a week into the course of the antibiotic, it seemed that his fistula problem was acting up and I put him back on an every day of his meds (he had been on once every other week). It seemed to help - but I noticed a hard bump on his butt that I'm sure was not there a week earlier. We were back for a follow-up yesterday and I pointed the bump out to the vet. When she checked it out, It turns out that he has a huge tumor back there. She said that explains the blood work results. But the prognosis isn't great. While we talked briefly about chemo or radiation, she wasn't optimistic and neither DH or I want to put him through any of that given the condition of his hips and back.  - I had some suspicion that it might turn out to be a cancer over the past week, so I wasn't totally shocked. I don't know how much time we have left, but he's going to be one very spoiled dog for whatever time is left.
Johanna
Ciara(aka Ciara Belle, Black Devil), Roisin (doesn't have a nickname yet)
RIP Caleb, Aodhán, Rica, Max, Kelly - gone but never forgotten - forever in my heart
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Re: My Caleb Moose
[Re: middleofnowhere]
#357163
05/08/22 03:53 PM
05/08/22 03:53 PM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,931
Shilohsmom
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,931
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Oh Johanna, I'm so very, very sorry. My heart is just breaking for you  Know that you're not alone. We are here for you every step of the way. Caleb has been spoiled his entire life, you're going to have a problem making him feel even more special but I know you will. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Rosa
Proud Mom to Kody and Sasha and never to be forgotten, Shiloh, Shoshi and Eli Every dog deserves to have a human that thinks its the greatest dog that ever lived!
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Re: My Caleb Moose
[Re: Woodreb]
#357170
05/09/22 11:41 PM
05/09/22 11:41 PM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 6,027 Alexandria, NH
Woodreb
OP
Carpal Tunnel
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OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 6,027
Alexandria, NH
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MJ, I agree with middle - the choice for Mars was right for you at the time. If Caleb didn't have DM as well as this tumor, I think I would want to try something for him. But we were already facing the fact that his legs are getting worse. He has his good days, then some bad days. He walks like a drunken sailor. Ciara tried to invite him to play this morning and knocked him down in the front yard. I had to be sure she got some chuckit time later in the day to burn off some energy. And he kept looking at me while I was throwing her ball, like play with me, too. (For the record, I gave him a ball, but he wasn't interested in picking it up.) He's happy to spend time outside with the weather being really nice the past couple of days. If he's having trouble getting up out there, he makes enough noise to let us know he needs help. And he can still get up on his own most of the time. And he got up to follow me around the yard in the afternoon, when I took a break to spend a little time with him outside. We inspected the various garden patches DH has been putting in. I'm grateful for all of that. He still enjoys his apple tree. ![[Linked Image]](https://germanshepherdhome.net/forum/file/usergals/2022/05/full-160-18924-img_3645.jpg) And he seems to like the Rhododendron, too ![[Linked Image]](https://germanshepherdhome.net/forum/file/usergals/2022/05/full-160-18925-img_3648.jpg)
Johanna
Ciara(aka Ciara Belle, Black Devil), Roisin (doesn't have a nickname yet)
RIP Caleb, Aodhán, Rica, Max, Kelly - gone but never forgotten - forever in my heart
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Re: My Caleb Moose
[Re: Woodreb]
#357173
05/10/22 02:32 AM
05/10/22 02:32 AM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,931
Shilohsmom
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,931
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I remember when Eli could still walk enough to go in the backyard. The pups always love being out in the fresh air.  If not for them I wouldn't have taken up gardening. I needed something to do while they played. MJ, I join the others when I say you gave your best when it came to Mars. Please don't doubt yourself as he was one loved pup.
Rosa
Proud Mom to Kody and Sasha and never to be forgotten, Shiloh, Shoshi and Eli Every dog deserves to have a human that thinks its the greatest dog that ever lived!
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Re: My Caleb Moose
[Re: Woodreb]
#357177
05/10/22 01:42 PM
05/10/22 01:42 PM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,008
SeanRescueMom
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,008
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Johanna, my heart goes out to you. I know this is not easy for DH and you but I'm sure Caleb will love being spoiled by both of you. We remember them as vibrant playful pups and want to preserve their dignity. Glad to hear Caleb can still get up on his own most of the time. He looks so noble enjoying his time under the apple tree.
Last edited by SeanRescueMom; 05/10/22 01:43 PM.
Sean - 1998/2014 If there ever comes a day when we can't be together, keep me in your heart I'll stay there forever. Carleton DOB unknown Neely - 2003/2015 Gizmo -2008/2011 Neeko -1991/2005
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Re: My Caleb Moose
[Re: SeanRescueMom]
#357179
05/10/22 05:17 PM
05/10/22 05:17 PM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,053
Mary Jane
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,053
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......... He looks so noble enjoying his time under the apple tree. Caleb knows what he's doing. Thanks for the photos-they are truly heart-warming. MJ
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Foundling
by middleofnowhere. 05/29/23 10:48 PM
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