Another Year in the Life of Buffy.

It's been an exceptionally busy year in the family, with new ventures and schools to wrap into the routine. And Buffy? Well let me tell you about her eventful year;

Last Christmas (2019) I discovered that she had a mammary tumour that was growing very quickly. Our Vet told us the success of removing the entire tumour was small as tendrils often weave into stomach and lung tissue and it would be a difficult operation for a 13 yr old dog. The tendrils would be difficult if not impossible to remove.

The forecast was that this operation would probably give Buffy another 8 to 10 months of life (with medication and Veterinary support). After some debate, we thought that this was worth it to give her the chance for more life and time with us. So it was an easy decision in the end, albeit an expensive one.

It was a very anxious few hours while we waited to see if she would survive the surgery. The house was quiet and pensive, everyone went to their own spaces and waited. I was concerned that she may not survive the long operation, but kept my fears to myself. 

When we eventually got the call that she was not only alive but thriving there were tears of happiness and we couldn't wait to get her home. The Polish Specialist Surgeon who was called in to do the operation did an amazing job removing all the cancerous tumour and most of the tendrils. Thank you, is never enough in situations like this, nor is a big box of chocolates but everyone in that Vets Surgery knows Buffy and knows how grateful we are for the work they do.

Buffy quickly settled back into the family routine, but only a couple of months later the cancer was back. Not as vigorous, but now spread through-out her system. We were warned that this may get into her brain and spine.

We thought that at one of her monthly appointments in July of 2019 that the Vet we saw was going to insist that we let her go (our normal Vet was on Holiday). He finally understood having read her record that Buffy was no ordinary dog and still had lots of life and spirit in her. He adjusted her medication and said gravely she would probably pass away naturally by September 2019.

Fast forward to Feb 2020 Buffy is still here and sleeping by my feet as I write this. She is still eating like she always has. Any Border Terrier owner will tell you the first sign their dog is unwell is when they don't want to eat or drink. Buffy will soon let you know if you're late putting her food down! She eats heartily and her routines are normal. She has decided she will not go out for walks anymore although she is happy ranging around our garden, sniffing out and checking the hedgerows.. 

Buffy sleeps (and occasionally snores) 20 out of every 24 hours, waking only to eat, check out the garden and have her medication. She is coming up to her 14th Birthday on 3rd March 2020 and although she is frailer than she was, she still wants to be part of our family and we love her.

With the help of our Vet (who loves her as much as we do) she is enjoying her twilight time sleeping in the sunshine (she has always loved lying in the sunshine).

Her sight is failing as is her hearing, but her spirit is still strong.

Thank you for following my stories of life with our Border Terrier(s). If you think this article is useful you can make a small donation to me here  Thank you for your support.

Buffy waiting for "Mum" to come in from
the car, one sunny day in Sept 2019.

Buster's Post Op News & Aftercare

I'm pleased to say that Buster's operation to remove a damaged tooth and also remove a couple of connected and infected teeth went very well.

He was released late Friday afternoon and all went went very well during the operation with no complications; he came home quiet and subdued but ate a small meal in the evening. By Saturday morning he was brighter but still not himself but by early Saturday evening he was pretty much himself again and perky.

On Monday he was his old self again and much happier now that the damaged and obviously painful tooth had been removed. He's on an anti-inflammatory drug along with some antibiotics and he doesn't like them at all, shaking his head and walking backwards.

Yesterday he had his post op review with our Vet and he passed with flying colours. During this examination our Vet recommended a different brand of dog food (Hills Prescription Diet Canine T/D Mini) to help give Buster and our other dogs good dental health from here on in; especially important in dogs whose teeth go much further back in the jaw than their mouth opens (making effective cleaning difficult). 

It is more expensive compared to "mainstream" dog food brands (but like anything you only get what you pay for) and our vet suggested buying a bag and just putting a handful of Hills T/D Dental in each bowl. That is enough to keep their teeth clean.

All our dogs now have a handful mixed up with their cereal and gluten free food and I am pleased to recommend it. The picture (so you know what to look for) above has a link to Hills Prescription T/D Dental small dog food on Amazon, but it will probably be cheaper at your Vet. Hills also do versions for medium and large dogs as well.

I know I said it before in my previous post, but looking after your dogs teeth is very important as bad teeth can really damage your dogs overall health. If in doubt ask your Vet what you can do to keep your dogs teeth in good order.

I use a phrase with my children that is also pertinent to this topic and that is; "you don't have to clean all your teeth, you only have to clean the ones you want to keep."

Hope you have a great day. If you think this article is useful you can make a small donation to me here  Thank you for your support.

Cheers


Mike

Summer Time and Buster's operation.

It's been a busy summer for the family and our dogs spent travelling around both the UK and parts of Spain. 

We've also had some great adventures in the Somerset Countryside and recently spent long lazy days down little deserted lanes collecting Blackberries while the dogs investigate hedges and later inevitably baking crumbles, pies and making jam (and picking twigs and grit out of the dogs coats).

At the regular Vet check up during the summer break Buster was found to have some problems with a cracked back tooth that had become infected. He had some topical treatment some antibiotics and a change of diet to see if the tooth and those affected could be saved.

Unfortunately that has not been the case and on Friday 4th September Buster goes into the Vet's for an operation to remove the damaged tooth and the others that have now become infected. This means a general anaesthetic and he will be hooked up to a drip while he is unconscious to make sure his blood pressure remains stable. Because of his age he will also have several blood tests taken to make sure that the correct anaesthetic and amount is used. 

He is a fit and happy dog in every other respect so we are all hopeful of a positive outcome.

During conversations with my Vet about Buster she said that one of the biggest causes of poor health (and even death) in dogs was unhealthy teeth and gums. If left unchecked infected gums and teeth will gradually release fluid (pus which is really the dogs white blood cells fighting the infection mixed up with the infected material). This fluid is swallowed and over time damages the dogs internal organs; mainly the kidneys and liver which can lead to eventual failure of these internal organs and of course death.

We have always fed our dogs on quality dry food that keeps their teeth clean and once or twice a week given them teeth cleaning chews and the odd bone and leather chews. When I clip their nails every other week I always check their teeth but I missed Busters cracked back tooth until the Vet showed me how and where to look. It was probably a bone treat that cracked the tooth but we don't really know how it happened. 

With Border Terriers their teeth go much further back than the mouth opens and I had been missing the very back teeth deep in the mouth. So if you're not checking these already I recommend you begin now.

Hold your dog with your left hand over the top of your dogs snout and place your thumb between both the top row and bottom row of teeth, then gently with the forefinger and middle finger of your right hand fold out and over the fleshy gum flaps along the upper row of teeth. Do this gently but firmly. Then do the same with the bottom row of teeth. Look carefully. I do it outside in the morning as the light is more even.

If you see a lot of Tartar and plaque (hard yellow coating) around the back teeth book in with your Vet for a dental clean up. Next make sure that you touch each tooth and see if there's any movement; if there is, it's a sure sign of infection and needs to be seen by your Vet.

Also if the gums look red or are a dark pink or there is evidence of blood around the teeth please take your dog to the Vet as this is a sign of gum infection. It's more dangerous than I thought so please make sure it's treated as soon as you can.

I now do this rigorous mouth check every other week and have taken to brushing their teeth (which did not go down well to start with). Another indicator of poor gum and teeth health is a runny eye or an eye that has a discharge. 

I'll let you know how Busters operation goes next week.

Have a great day and enjoy life with your dogs.