5/14/08

Buster's doing very well lately -- she's been relatively healthy for the last several months and she's been doing well at daycare!

Here are some pictures! The pictures from the beach are actually from last summer, but it's supposed to be hot this weekend so we'll probably take Buster back there this week. She seems to really love the beach -- she's happier there than anywhere else! - Allyson

7/26/07

Buster had surgery today -- because we had the spay certificate, we were working under the assumption that most likely she had been spayed at the LA shelter but that there was an ovarian remnant that was causing her to go into heat. I hadn't been able to get in touch with anyone at the LA animal shelter to confirm whether or not they had any records to indicate one way or the other what they had done. When the vet performed the surgery today, she found that Buster was actually fully intact. Coincidentally, someone from the LA shelter finally got back to me today and said that the vet there had examined Buster and thought that she probably had already been spayed, but didn't actually perform the procedure. He said that the spay certificate should never have been issued. Because there was a significant error on their part, we're going to try to see if they will reimburse us for some of the cost of the surgery. The person I talked to didn't have the authority to do this himself, but it sounded like it might be possible. Just wanted to update you on how things were going -- Buster's a bit groggy right now, but otherwise doing o.k. following surgery.

Take care, Allyson

6/01/07

I just thought I'd give you another update on Buster!

Buster recovered very well from her first surgery (to remove several lumps).  Unfortunately, at about that same time, she started to develop some issues with her tail.  When we first adopted her, she had a couple of small scabs on her tail.  But after awhile, whenever she would wag it, she would whack it on things, causing the scabs to open up.  Following our vet's advice, we tried for weeks to get it to heal (mostly we kept it bandaged with self-adhesive material), but eventually it got so bad that the vet decided it would be best to amputate it.  She is doing much better now -- it's a huge relief for
her to be able to wag her little nub without being in any pain!

A couple of weeks ago, we noticed another lump on her right side.  We waited a few days to see if it was just some swelling that would go away, but after it persisted, we took her back in to the vet.  They did some a cytology that showed some "spindle cells," but it wasn't conclusive for cancer.  They recommended removing it anyway, so I scheduled yet another surgery for earlier this week.  Amazingly, by the time the day of the surgery came around, the lump had gone down to
the point where they couldn't find it anymore!  They determined it was probably just some scar tissue from a bite or sting, so they called off the procedure!  We were so relieved that she wouldn't have to go through another surgery.

Part of the reason I am writing is that I wanted to let you know that because of her health issues, we have not been able to enroll Buster in a training class yet and will probably not be able to send you a certificate of completion within 4 months of our contract date (which was March 14, 2007).  However, now that we feel she is fully recovered, we are planning on enrolling her in the next possible class.  I hope this isn't too big of a problem given the circumstances.

Anyway, mostly I wanted to update you on Buster's progress now that she's doing so well -- she's up to 50 pounds, 8 ounces, and she is just the perfect addition to our family!  We are so excited and happy to have adopted her, and despite her medical problems, we consider ourselves extremely lucky to have her in our lives.

3/26/07

Buster is doing pretty well given the circumstances.  The biopsy on the largest tumor came back as being a
"sarcoma," so the vet recommended removing it, and while she was at it, she would remove the other 3 lumps as well.  Buster underwent the surgery last Thursday and is recovering from it fairly well!  She's still having some issues with vomiting that the vet is not sure of, but we just put her on some anti-nausea medication and Pepcid AC yesterday, so we'll see if that helps.

3/13/07 -

Brown Sugar has found her forever home!

Hooray for Brown Sugar - She'll finally get to lead the "sweet" life!

Brown Sugar