Happy to report that Sam ate his breakfast this morning ! He has already had one short wet walk , he didn't offer to charge around in the undergrowth as he usually does but his tail and ears were up . One day at a time xx
How's our lovely boy doing today Kate? I know on Facebook you said he's been having some ups and downs...
Thanks for asking @Karen Sam has indeed been a little off colour recently, he often refuses his breakfast which is alarming for a Labrador . His hair loss has accelerated , alopecia on his inner legs and tummy, plus some scaling and thickening of his skin . I tried a shampoo which the Vets said might help the thickening, but sadly it didn't do any good at all . He seems a bit down , poor love, but visibly picks up when we take him out, so he is still enjoying his walks . I regularly get asked to try this or that to apply to his skin , one person even suggested germolene ! Unfortunately , nothing topical will help Sam , the irritation and hair loss is typical of this lymphoma and is under the skin , not on it . I watch him closely , for signs of spread to the lungs or liver , the usual organs to become affected , so a cough would alarm us . Its very hard not to become paranoid , but we try hard not to , to enjoy our darling boy , embrace every day as he does xx
I am so sad for you, Kate, when I read this. How lucky that our dogs have such easy needs - an outing is all it takes. Such a good lesson to learn. But obviously doesn't take the pain away for you. You and Sam are in my thoughts.
Thank you @MF for your kind words , you are so very right, they don't ask for much do they ? Sam is out in the garden right now , dozing in the sunshine and soon , I will take him to the river for a swim , his favourite person in the whole world will be with us , my nine year old grandson who has grown up with Sam , they adore one another x
Thanks for the update on Sam, Kate. I hope he's had a lovely afternoon at (in?!) the river with you and your grandson.
Sam has had a lovely afternoon , thank you . He shared my grandsons ice cream , then had a long swim , a rub dry and home to a rabbit dinner , now snoring gently away , bless him x
Ah, beautiful, darling Sam. I ache for you, how you must be feeling. My journey with Willow is teaching me to appreciate all the moments of joy we have, but it's nothing compared to what you're facing. I wish you many, many, many more walks and days lazing in the sunshine xxx
Sadly , Sams lymphoma is progressing , albeit slowly . He had a check up at the Vet recently , they are pleased in that the progress is slow and that the boy himself is happy for the vast majority of the time . However , the lymphoma seems to be on the move , he isn't scratching but has now developed numerous plaques on his limbs , and some thickening of the skin in places, all very typical . Thankfully , his skin is dark and so the plaques don't show too much and the coat on his trunk is still good . The plus factor is that since getting Nell two weeks ago, his spirits have lifted , almost like its given him a purpose in life ! Sam was always wonderful with Millie and has adopted the same role with Nell , so its been a depression buster for our lovely boy . Its tough at times , but he is happy right now , sharing his life once more , and the rest we will deal with when we have to , hopefully not yet please x
