How Sheridan has faired since his surgery...

[Greylyn58]

It has been thirteen days since my beloved Sheridan had his mouth surgery to remove a cancerous tumor. My poor boy had to have the front part of his mouth (lower canines, little front teeth and a piece of his lower jaw) removed because of it. His new look isn’t as bad as I feared. I told a friend of mine that when I look at him, he reminds me of a little old man missing his lower partials.

I’ve run the gamut of emotions since learning Sheridan has cancer. I knew it was a possibility since he is a Golden Retriever and unfortunately, his breed is prone to that sort of thing. I also knew that at 12 years of age, there was an even stronger chance of it popping up. If there is an upside to all he has been through, it is that the kind of cancer he had does not spread once the tumor is removed. The vet did some tests, checking for cancer signs in his lungs, abdomen, and elsewhere and it all came back negative. Thank God! I haven’t given any updates since his surgery, as it has been full time job caring for him. It’s like having a baby in the house as I have to help him eat, drink, and prevent him from running into everything and hurting his mouth.

During this time, he has had to wear an e-collar. I’m sure anyone who has ever owned a pet knows what these are, but for those that don’t I will describe it. It is a big, plastic tube that is worn around the animal’s head to keep them from chewing or otherwise hurting themselves. So for the last 13 days, my poor boy (and I) have suffered through the presence of the cone. He has had a hard time adjusting to it. For the first few days he looked at me like I was punishing him for something. I felt so bad, but thankfully, he will be seeing his normal Vet on Thursday to have the stitches in his mouth removed and hopefully have the cone removed.

Since I have to hand feed Sheridan, sometimes the food falls out of him mouth and into the cone. I constantly have to clean his face and fur. Yep...he needs a good bath, but I still love my boy and am so happy to have him healthy again. All the Vets who had seen him said that he looked really good for a 12 year old dog, so I hope that continues to be the case.

He are some pictures I took of Sheridan a couple of days after his surgery. He was on some pain medication at the time and was sleeping a lot.

[saracat]

1. Bless you, and your beautiful boy is "still beautiful" ! I am so glad to

know he is doing well.He will be sooo happy when the E collar is off. I am sure he will be acting like a 2 year old! He knows mommy was "helping" him I am sure.

[smokey nj]

2. I'm so glad Sheridan is doing well after his surgery. Please give that gorgeous

boy big :hug:s for me.

[ClericJohnPreston]

3. Greetings to you Greylyn58

and your beautiful dog. My Pomeranian "Shputzi" and I wish you all the best, and Sheridan a speedy recovery! :)

[cornermouse]

4. Poor baby.

Did he stand there with head and tail drooping when they first put the lampshade on him?

He looks good for several more years to me.

[Catchawave]

5. {{{hugs}}} to you and Sheridan

Thank goodness for e-collars and saving sutures ! Be sure to give him lots of ear scratches, you know he wants to :D

[waiting for hope]

6. Greylyn58 - all good thoughts and blessings

your way. I am personally a kitty person, but I love my two as if their were my children. Sheridan looks all the sweeter because he is so loved by you. All the best and I pray for a speedy recovery!

[iris5426]

7. So glad it went well

I am sure he'll be glad to have the collar off, it sounds like you are taking great care of him and he's doing well...

:hug:

[MissDeeds]

8. Poor baby

That last picture made my heart melt. It's so good to know that his prognosis is good and that there is no other signs of cancer in his body. You have both been through so much, but the worst of it is over.

Hugs and good wishes to you both. :hug:

[cornermouse]

9. Just wanted to share pictures of my two.

My girl when she was a little younger and felt better.



The problem child

[Greylyn58]

10. Your baby's pictures didn't show

try posting them again. I want to see them.

[cornermouse]

12. She was doing better for a while.

Not as good now. She's literally the best, most loving dog I have ever had.

As you can see, we've had personal experience with the lampshade. The problem child has had to wear it twice. :eyes:

[Greylyn58]

15. What breed of dog is your girl?

She looks like a Great Pyrenees. I'm sorry she isn't doing as well. Give her a big hug from both me and Sheridan.

Your problem child is cute as they come...even with the cone.

[cornermouse]

17. She's pyrenees mix.

Problem child is pyrenees mixed with anatolian shepherd with a side of Walt Disney's Pluto and Goofy thrown in.

[TexasBushwhacker]

11. It's so sad. Goldens are such sweet dogs ....

but I know that they get more cancer than other breeds. You know, as long as he's not in pain though, I'm sure he's a pretty happy dog, because that's just the way Goldens are. Hopefully he doesn't have cancer anywhere else and your biggest challenge will be finding a way to feed him that works. I'm sure he's not missing any hugs these days, but give him one for me anyway :hug:

[spooky3]

13. Best wishes to you and your lovey boy.

There is nothing more pure in the world than a pet's love.

[Two Americas]

14. best wishes Greylyn58

Best wishes for you and Sheridan. Sounds like the worst of it is behind you guys now. Dogs can be patient sufferers, can't they though? Hope he is up and bouncing around and happy soon.

[balantz]

16. Good healing to you all! n/t

[Greylyn58]

18. Further update on Sheridan

I received a call today from Sheridan's cancer vet. Dr McFadden called to see how he was doing and also to give me the results of the histopathy that was taken after his surgery.

It seems the tumor had some ragged margins and there is the possibility that all of the cancer cells were not removed. She did say that it might or might not return. So I have to keep a good eye on his mouth and let them know of any changes. She said I should take him to the vet every few months for a check-up. If the tumor does return, I will need to take him back to Carolina Vet Specials for possibly more surgery and/or radiation treatments.

Damn....when it rains it pours. I'm trying to remain positive, keep good thoughts that they did indeed get all of the cancer, leaving nothing behind. Well, he gets his stitches removed tomorrow and the dreaded cone removed(Thank God) and we will go forward from there.

I still have my boy and he is happy and for right now, that is all that matters to me.

I want to thank everyone for all their good wishes for my boy. If Sheridan could type he would say "Thank you" too. :grouphug:

[cornermouse]

19. I think we're going to choose to hope that even though

the margins might not be quite as large as the doctor would like that the margins are there, they got it all, and that the doctor is wrong this time.

[Greylyn58]

20. Thanks for saying that

cause that is the approach I'm taking for now. Hopeful, but also watchful.

[cornermouse]

21. That's what mama does.

She watches over the people (both two and four-legged) she loves.

[midnight]

22. O he is so precious. Give him a little squeeze for me.

[Andrea]

23. Oooo, he's so gorgeous

I just wish I could hug him. He's just a big boy full of love. Emily Beaglehound and I are sending all kinds of healing thoughts your way. I think the vet is just being cautious, but that they got it all and Sheridan will be fine.

[benny05]

24. Thanks for sharing the stories about your sweet pea

and the pictures help craft the stories.

Continued best wishes to you and your buddy, Sheridan.