I think everyone connected to SHAK has been amazed by the amount of support and interest in the sad tale that has been unravelling with Penny. I'm delighted to say that there does seem to be light at the end of the tunnel after weeks of medical uncertainty and her appearing to of never been in a house.
Penny was very stressed in the house. Panting, pacing, scratching and digging at the floors, walls and doors. It was obvious she wanted to get out and didn't want to be indoors. After such major surgery, Sheena was very worried that she would cause herself harm or injure herself, she was so frantic. It was also discovered that Penny could open doors. One day she let herself into the garage, pulled out an old sheet and made her bed. There she stayed, happy and content. Until......
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| Penny's makeshift bed. |
Last week she was due her 5 day check up at the vets. I offered to take her, and after the check up (which went well) we had a walk with Haden and my Mams dog Lacey. Penny had a great time, and when she nipped in for a drink, she fell asleep at my feet. This was a bit bizarre as Penny hadn't settled in a house before. She has taken a real shine to me, maybe I remind her of her previous owner? and for the first time since she arrived she seemed content.
The fun began once I dropped her back off at Sheena and Roger's house. The pacing, the panting all started again and even being shown her bed in the garage wouldn't help Penny settle. After another restless night, I am now officially banned from visiting Penny or taking her out, by Sheena herself!!
She did eventually settle down by the morning, and since then she has made some dramatic progress. She has started to venture into the kitchen and the sitting room, and will even lie on a blanket in the kitchen whilst people are around. Something so simple as this is massive progress and who knows maybe the first step on her adaption to finding a home indoors. Right now we are not looking for a Forever Foster home for her, as I think she really needs to recover from her surgery and find her feet in the world she now lives in, but she has made so much movement in the right way.
Yesterday Penny was back at the vets to get the metal staples taken from her huge wound underneath. Sheena took her to avoid a repeat of last week (though I missed my time with her) Here is what Sheena reported back:
"Penny was outstanding! She let him tip her over backwards on the floor (at first I thought it was an odd way) and was totally relaxed whilst he checked the stitches. She lay there flat on her back without much encouragement whilst he removed all the staples - she didn't flinch once even when one or two were reluctant to be removed. So many staples - it must be a relief to get them out. He was amazed she hadn't tried to lick or worry her huge wound.
He is very pleased with outcome. She has small amount of swelling on her tummy near area where the large neoplasm was removed which may or may not disappear. The scar is extensive as you know but it has healed perfectly.
The results of the neoplasms within the removed mammary glands - yes cancer was evident certainly in one but he couldn't tell me which one (ie may not have been the huge one) but there is no reason to expect the cancer to come back but if it does then it can be dealt with.
Her ovaries had no evidence of any cancer.
The CT scan was clear.
The liver had active cancer cells on the edge but this has now been removed with good margins. Obviously doesn't mean that a tiny cell hasn't escaped but the prognosis is very good.
Her sight isn't that good really but difficult to tell just by examining - she does walk into things. Her ears we should continue with the drops and he agrees she doesn't seem to have much hearing.
She is one very very lucky dog thanks to you Steve.
She is as good as gold in the car.
I've bought a training lead - I want to see what she does down the beach/golf course as I wouldn't trust her off lead especially if she cant see/hear.
Today she has ventured into the living room and sat down on the floor next to me and Flossie. She is quite happy to lie on a blanket in the kitchen now but does like to go into the garage at bedtime."
So the plot thickens with this complicated little dog, and we all learn as she takes us along this route. I'm so pleased though that it appears to be the right one.
Well, just a couple of weeks and over 4kgs later, here she is.....
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