Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Magic Update

Well the report came back from the pathology. They are calling Magic's issue as Histiocytosis, probably at this point the reactive type. The vet suggested the. UC Davis Website for information. 

From reading this site and others, it does seem like at this point reactive histiocytosis fits his symptoms, as the most recent huge lump is now receding.  I do have more questions for my vet, but I am in the process of creating a list at this point.  I think though that we are going to start keeping track of things to see if we can poinpoint what is causing the reactions. it seems like the last one started right after he got his monthly heartworm meds. Coincidence? Probably, but its going to bug me so I will need to really track this.

I will try to post a new picture of Magics much smaller lump tonight.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Grace, Fall Harvest

OH my gosh was she a poop last night.  We missed agility class the last 2 weeks due to work issues.  You would have thought she had never been to a class before. Her weaves were gone. GONE! She would take the dogwalk going one way, but not the other. She had zoomies and tried to play you can't catch me.  What a stinker!! On the other hand, I think now our instructor understands when I say I cant trust her. She does make life interesting.  LOL!

I love fall. I love the fall harvest and have been busy saving the season. Now I am working on apples. Since I only have an hour or so each evening, I have been canning just a couple of things a night.  Last night was 2 quarts of wedges for pies, the night before 3 pints of slices. Before that applesauce and our family favorite grapplesauce (grape applesauce).  Tonight I have to give 2 dogs baths, so I may not have time, but if I do I would like to get a couple of trays of slices on the dehydrator. Which should use up the apples I have, then tomorrow we can send Darryl out to get more, while Dave and I are at the dog show.  And maybe more grapes if he can get them.  And maybe more canning jars too.  Have a great weekend!

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Nosework class

I really enjoyed taking Siren to her class last night.  She is a very determined little worker, and in general is pretty good about working her areas.  Last night she only had trouble with one find, and I am not so sure she didnt know where it was, but just felt like continuing to work. She is quite funny, Rin has a very gay tail that curls up over her back. The whole time she is scenting, that tail is going, but when she finds the  scent the tail stops and goes right up over her and its almost like she is pointing out the scent.  Its really quite cute.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Yahoo David has to work tonight!

Ok why is that Yahoo worthy?  Because it means that I get to work Siren in her nosework class.  Dave has been doing a really good job with Rinnie, but I am tired of watching!  So tonight I get to play.  I know, silly right?

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Good News, Bad News

First the good, Magics vet called and the initial report is back from the pathology.  The tumors are not malignant.  The lab is doing further testing to see if they can tell if these are immune mediated. There is a strong possibility that these could be related to some auto immune issues.  So maybe more info to follow, but for now the definate decision is to leave the tumor(s) alone unless they cause him issue.  So far so good.

The bad, Jade my little parrotlet with the large tumor in her abdomen took a turn for the worse. Tuesday night I noticed she was a little slow and breathing even harder.  Last night she was not able to perch and sleep. She could still climb around and was active, but we knew she was near the end. Then today she was not looking cheery anymore so it was time.  I was able to hold her as she passed at the vet and I hope she felt the love at the end.  We buried her and planted a flower over her tonight.

Now I am really hoping that the bad is over for a while.

Opinions Please

So Magic has this sadly warped nose. Can we still go out and do performance stuff or do I "retire" him? Thoughts?

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Champion Music! and Magic update

Just got home from Magics vet visit to a great message.  Music finished his championship down in Des Moines today.  I am so happy for Joyce! 

Magic had 3 punch biopsies done on his nose today.  He is a little bit groggy stil.  He has 3 little pink cross stitches in pink on his nose. Quite stylish.   Now we wait for the pathology.  Both the vet and I agree if this one is not cancerous like the others we will leave it alone, as it is so large she is concerned about having enough remaining skin after removal. Plus, as they grew back so quickly, but have now seemed to stop growing, there is no guarantee that another wouldnt re-appear. So now we wait.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Magic's Nose - Update

It is really hard to get a photo of how large this tumor really is.  This one grew really fast and is so large I am worried that they wont be able to remove it.  The last one were firmly attached to the skin.  I dont think there is enough extra skin on his face this time. He is on his way to the vet today, so think good thoughts.

The vet is not happy. They took x-rays today and it appears the tumor is either growing through the bone or tightly wrapped around it.  He is going back for another biopsy on Saturday. Then depending on results, we will determine next steps. If anyone has any thoughts or experiences, please share them.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Preserving a Weekend


Final tally for the weekend:
Grape Jelly - 2 pints, 3 half pints                    Tomatoes -1 quart, 2 pints

Watermelon Jelly - 6 pints, 6 half pints           Tomato Sauce - 3 pints

Corn Cob  Jelly - 3 pints, 3 half pints             Watermelon Pickles - 3 pints, 1 half pint

Peach Vanilla Sauce - 2 pints, 5 half pints
I also froze herbs, sweet corn, green and purple beans. We have tomatos, zuchinni and some herbs on the dehydrator. In the next couple of weeks it will be apple time, but for today I am done.

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Watermelon for all

Magic gulped his in 3 bites. Siren and Peace took maybe 8 bites. Grace nibbled and licked all the pink off hers first, slowly. And then crunched the rind.  I would say watermelon was a success here.

Now, while the dogs were enjoying theirs, David and I were making watermelon jelly, and watermelon pickles.  We did a bite more preserving today too. Nice cool weather, perfect for canning.