We got very bad news about Vincenzo

by **Jenn** » September 2nd, 2009, 9:58 am

YAY!!

by **amazincc** » September 2nd, 2009, 10:24 am

I have a BIG silly grin on my face because of this fabulous update!!!

by **TinaMartin** » September 2nd, 2009, 10:34 am

This is awesome news!

by **blabsforbullies** » September 2nd, 2009, 8:43 pm

So glad to hear of the outstanding update!!!

by **HappyChick** » September 8th, 2009, 8:21 pm

Chemo #6 today

Blood work is still looking good! Calcium is down. Yay! We changed Vinny diet a little so his calcium intake was lower this last week and we kept the pred the same. It's really great to see our efforts make the difference we hoped for. His red blood cells are up so the anemia is better. Liver numbers are still in the normal range. Kidneys are better!!!! Creatinine still in the normal range and BUN is just a hair away from normal. White cells are in the low range, but not enough to stop chemo. Dr. B says they are where we should expect them to be at this time.

Vincenzo is now at 68 pounds!!! This is very close to his normal size for this time of year!! He looks and feels great! You can just tell by everything he does that this boy is feeling terrific! OMD, I feel so very, very, blessed for Vinny and us to be where we are right now in the whole scheme of things!

I talked to Dr. B about a couple of things that concern me:

Number one is Vinny's weight. Where do we stop with the weight gain? Dr. B feels that based on all the data on Vin from healthy to sick, we should go ahead and let him gain a couple more pounds then maintain that weight. That is what I've been thinking too. We agree that we don't want a fluffy Vinny

as that could cause additional problems. Also, if he should get sick at 70# we still have the time and means to put weight back on if need be.

Number two is flea poop I found on him today. What fleas meds do I use on a cancer dog? I asked about garlic and Dr. B's answer was that it doesn't work and if given in too large an amount is toxic and garlic causes anemia. Well, we are already fighting anemia so that is definitely out. She says Frontline and Advantage are not systemic so would be fine for Vinny in his condition. That makes sense to me, but if anyone has any other remedies I should check into, please let me know.

Always and forever, we thank each of you who are following Vinny's battle and we appreciate any and all input, support, and positivity you have for us!!!!!

Thank you!

by **madremissy** » September 8th, 2009, 8:58 pm

Great Update!!!

Way to go Vinny and Angie. Still good thoughts coming!!!

by **Marinepits** » September 8th, 2009, 9:03 pm

by **amazincc** » September 8th, 2009, 10:09 pm

YAY, VINNY!!!

Check out this link for ideas on natural flea repellents... http://www.easy-homemade-recipes.com/fl ... llent.html

I give my dogs Brewer's Yeast & Garlic as a supplement (especially Faust), and if you follow the recommended dosage (goes by weight) it is NOT toxic or dangerous... Mick did very well on it while he received chemo therapy.

by **kera09** » September 8th, 2009, 10:40 pm

yay for good news!!! keep it up vinny! you can do it!

by **pitbullmamaliz** » September 9th, 2009, 6:01 am

What a fantastic update!!!

by **hugapitbull** » September 9th, 2009, 6:43 am

Great update! Great job, Angie & Vinny!
Kick cancer butt one day at a time :dance:

by **CinderDee** » September 10th, 2009, 4:22 am

Fantastic update!!! :confetti:

I didn't use any flea products on Kato. I was lucky because he didn't get any fleas or ticks. I hope you find something more natural than Frontline & the others.

Hugs to you both! :hug3:

by **CinderDee** » September 10th, 2009, 4:27 am

How about something like this? It looks safe enough, but you may want to run the ingredients by your vet.

http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/products/Only-Natural-Pet-All-in-One-Flea-Remedy/999012.aspx

by **CinderDee** » September 10th, 2009, 4:31 am

I've also heard Neem Oil works well.
http://www.discoverneem.com/making-neem-oil-flea-repellent.html

by **HappyChick** » September 10th, 2009, 7:38 pm

Many thanks to all our cheerleaders!

Christine and Dee ~ I'll check out the links, thank you. Vinny is getting Brewer's Yeast in his supplements currently, but not garlic. The Neem Oil looks promising. I'll see if it is listed in my Aromatherapy book. I hadn't even though of looking there! :doh:

As far as the Frontline and Advantage go, I'm not liking the idea of either one right now. Vin is getting plenty of chemicals from his treatments and I just can't see putting more chemicals into the mix even if they are topical. I even clean my floors with VINegar :mrgreen:

now instead of the cleaners I was using. At least no one has fleas bad yet. I noticed Guido's scratching first and figured it might be fleas(which is why I was looking for flea poop on Vinny), but Guido's hair is so thick I couldn't see them or comb any out. Reno and Vinny are not scratching yet. I only found one flea on Vinny when I combed him so I think we've caught the problem early.

Thanks again!

by **CinderDee** » September 10th, 2009, 8:00 pm

I use vinegar on my floors too. I don't want Kato to have to deal with any more chemicals than are necessary.

Good luck with the flea issue!

by **HappyChick** » September 15th, 2009, 7:55 pm

Just a quicky update...

Vinny has reached 71 lbs.! Now time to taper the meals to simply maintain. Blood work is continuing to look good. KIDNEY numbers are both in the NORMAL range now! Woot! It's about time! Liver is doing great. White cells in the low range, but not too low. Red cells still continuing upward, almost normal. Everything else is GREAT except the darn calcium. Calcium is up a bit. We are going to lower Vinny's Pred to 1/2 a tablet per day and hope it does not adversly effect the calcium. I'm going back over the calcium content of all his foods to see if I need to cut something else out or down for the time being. Overall, Vinny is doing great!

I researched the Neem Oil and could not find any reason not to try it, so it's ordered from Mountain Rose Herbs (thanks again Dee for the link).

Thank you to all Vinny's faithful supporters. We love you all!

I'm truly starting to realize that this journey is a blessing in disguise for both Vinny and me because of how richer our lives are for the experience, the love, and the friendships given to us along the way. :groupHug:

AND finally, I hope for many more blessings for everyone who is going or has gone on this journey too. :hug3:

by **plebayo** » September 15th, 2009, 9:28 pm

Vinny has reached 71 lbs.! Now time to taper the meals to simply maintain. Blood work is continuing to look good. KIDNEY numbers are both in the NORMAL range now! Woot! It's about time! Liver is doing great.

YAY!!!!!!!!!!! I am so glad he's doing well, now you need to have a stern conversation with his calcium levels and tell them to get back to normal! I'm so glad he's been doing so well

by **pitbullmamaliz** » September 15th, 2009, 9:29 pm

I love reading his updates!

We got very bad news about Vincenzo

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