Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Gray Skies Are Gonna Clear Up!

Despite the searing heat and humidity (it is July after all) its been a pretty good week so far.  It began with the first vet visit of the day on Monday for CarrieAnne to recheck the lump on her right shoulder. It's good news for her, in that the lump is less than half the size it was originally.  I am happy, relieved, and extremely grateful for all of you who have sent good vibes that I've no doubt helped make it possible.  There is still a little ways to go, the lump is a bit smaller than a tangerine, but we're optimistic. The vet and I agree that it's probably a tumor that has gotten infected. So CarrieAnne will remain on medications (and Chinese herbs) for a couple of more weeks when we'll recheck the lump again and decide the next step.
I got CarrieAnne home, relaxed for a little while, and then packed up Gus and took him to see my other favorite vet, Dr. C. The pressure sore is beginning to heal and looking healthier. We're trying a "honey-bandage" on the wound to help it to heal. I don't know about you, but I've never heard of using honey for anything other than for eating.  But when Dr. C was telling me about putting honey directly onto wounds, I felt that it was something we needed to try.  Raw-honey helps draw fluid away from the wound and suppresses the growth of microorganisms that can be resistant to antibiotics. When I changed Gus's bandage this evening, even though it has a way to go, it looked to me at least, that the wound was starting to heal.
The other dogs are doing well too.  Yesterday when my dog-walker came, Gus, Sheba and Cricket had somehow gotten locked in our bedroom.  The door has a keyed lock that we never received the key for and despite her best of efforts, she was unable to get it to open.  I wasn't worried, and knew they would be okay until Carl got home. But I just had to grin when she told me that slid treats under the door for them--Is she a gem or what?
~Sheba~

29 comments:

  1. poor babies locked away! she is a sweet dog-walker!

    good news on your two vet visits!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm so happy about Carrie-Anne and Gus! My vet has all sorts of secrets like the honey. One her favorites is black tea on paw pads or any paw injuries. I'm so glad you have such great vets!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Put on a happy, face brush off the clouds and cheer up..... I sounds like Golden Pines is a happy place and has the sweetest dog walker ever.

    Aroo to you,
    Sully

    ReplyDelete
  4. SO happy that both Carrie Ann and Gus are doing better. Yes your dog walker is definitely a keeper. How sweet of her. I need a dog sitter for Roscoe. We never go on vacation unless my dad takes care of him. But my dad is getting old and likes to be at his own apartment and have his own things. Any suggestions where I could look online or a website you may know? Thank you. Ana

    ReplyDelete
  5. OK, how do I lock myself in? Treats? Yesssss!
    Honey has been known since at least ancient Egypt as an anti-bacterial medicine. The bees make honey to last-any other sugar-type substance. It doesn't get moldy, spoiled or rotten. Some found in ancient Egyptian tombs is still good.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I remember about the Egyptian's now that you mention it -- but I had no idea about using it for wounds. I guess you can teach an "old dog" a new trick! :-)

      Delete
  6. Such good news! so happy that Carrie Anne is responding so well. And Gus, wonderful news for him as well that he is healing. I will file away in my brain about the honey bandage.I had no idea. Several years ago, my golden exhibited signs of senior vestibular syndrome. It is so scary, but you had written about it only a few months earlier and I recognized the signs.I was so grateful to you, to be able to understand what she was going through. My vet confirmed the diagnosis and she eventually got better. So, thank you for your wonderful posts!
    Gus' Mom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gus' Mom, I always so appreciate your kind, thoughtful and supportive comments, and I'm glad that the vestibular posts helped -- The first time I saw it, I have to admit to being scared by it, and rushed the dog (named Tucker) to the animal emergency clinic because I had no idea what had happened and I thought I was going to lose him. Now down the road about 10 years, I'm finding that like other things, it comes with just having senior dogs. But I learn something with each dog, and for Gus I'm learning about pressure-sores, and honey bandages! :-)

      Delete
  7. Down here, raw manuka honey works a treat on leg ulcers,(on people) !! So I'm so happy Dr C suggested or agreed its use. May they both continue to get better each day. Cheers.Jean

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. In my reading I read that manuka honey is what's being recommended to use. But unfortunately here in the US it costs about 5 times more for half the amount, so I passed on purchasing it for Gus and hope that good ole US raw honey will work.

      Delete
  8. Yay for CarrieAnne! I'm so happy the lump is going down!
    I had heard about that raw honey thing, can you show pictures of progress? I am glad it is doing its thing!
    Poor babies, locked up, nice walker to think of giving them a treat! It might be time to change that door know...

    ReplyDelete
  9. Sliding treats under the door....that's just beautiful!

    XXXOOO Bella Roxy & Dui

    Paws crossed about the lump AND honey cure.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Mickey has also locked himself into our spareroom few times, but it might take long to find him because he doesn't do any sounds ;D

    ReplyDelete
  11. You have found a gem of a sitter! The "honey treatment" is very interesting. I was going through some major medical issues last summer and under the care of several dermatologists. After we had tried just about every single antibiotic and bandage and treatment that we could think of...they tried a hydrocolloid dressing,

    http://www.bettymills.com/shop/product/view/ConvaTec/MON79712101.html?bm_source=bettymills+Medical+MON79712101+companion

    They were expensive, but they worked SO well!! I wonder if something like honey would have worked for me...I will keep it in mind! Thanks and enjoy your holiday weekend!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I am so happy to hear Gus and Carrie Anne are doing well! The use of honey on a sore is new to me, I will remember that! Wishing everyone there a happy 4th of July!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Good news all around! Makes me smile to hear that your new dog walker is a good one. Hugs to all of the critters at Golden Pines ... you and Carl, too.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Good news all round and a dog sitter who understands priorities ! How did she know that Cricket wouldn't eat all of them ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Of this unusual trio, it would have been Sheba who no doubt got to the treats first and ate them all -- Gus would have been competition if he were a few years younger and quicker on his feet.

      Delete
  15. So funny - I hadn't heard of using honey, but when my little one had a growth removed from her back paw and it was slow to heal, my vet told me to keep packing the wound with table sugar and binding it. Worked liked a charm! Really helped it dry out and heal cleanly. Of course, you gotta manage to keep them form licking it!

    ReplyDelete
  16. A little more on the use of honey and sugar for healing: http://www.nytimes.com/1990/04/05/us/health-healing-treatment-4000-years-old-is-revived.html

    ReplyDelete
  17. We are in full force of summer here in Southwest Saskatchewan - hot hot hot! Happy July to you and all the pups!
    xo Catherine

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi Kim, great dog walker, so nice to know the dogs are ok in her care, Blessings Francine.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Have a happy 4th of July!

    Monty and Harlow

    ReplyDelete
  20. honey is a wonderful healer. it has antiseptic qualities. especially for burns or open wounds. isn't it amazing how nature is full of gifts.
    and how wonderful you have docs that are willing and even eager to use things like honey and herbs. such wonderful good news at golden pines today.
    love.
    xo♥

    ReplyDelete
  21. happy to hear things are going ok and I have heard wonderful things about honey healing wounds so I hope it works! The dog walker story is adorable - something mine would do too. :) Happy holiday weekend!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Last week it was hot and humid here then today it was only 71 with low humidity!, how refreshing it felt! Yes, I'm a push-over. That's for sure. LOL

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hope you, Carl and the dogs had a nice 4th. Our weather turned much cooler which is wonderful! I have not heard of using honey for sores. I know coconut oil is supposed to be good for skin issues. I like the idea of natural things. Very good news about CarrieAnne!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Wonderful news all the way around! Sending love to you all!!!

    Little Reufus and the Mom

    ReplyDelete
  25. We have heard that about honey too Kim!
    love
    tweedles

    ReplyDelete

Speak--I really enjoy your comments! Thanks for stopping by today!!