So far so good, Montana

[MontananDakota]

So I've decided to have him stay on the Rimadyl for the moment & he seems to be doing pretty good. He does however lose a bit of interest in his dry kibble a bit so I add a bit of warm water to soften it & bring out its smell for him, then he goes to town as usual, and happily taking any & all other treats offered. The only thing bothering me now is the breathing. When he lays down to relax he has a bit of a harder time breathing, this is due to the tumor in there I guess its causing a bit of an obstruction but only in certain positions. I underlined that because I want it to be clear that I am in no way making him struggle to breathe...and I guess as I sit with him watching him move around a bit to get into that easy to breathe position, I feel as though I'm doing the wrong the thing here....but then I could get up, call him into the kitchen for a treat & he'll come quickly, totally interested & I know then that he's ok...he really is for now. If there was not a way for him to get air easily then Id be here asking you all for help in the next decision. When he's up walking around the house,playing, out at the park...doing anything at all you'd never know there was anything wrong (if you couldn't see the lump) its only when he's laying down before he settles into sleep. He does have some noisy breathing but he's getting air good then...
so at this moment he is done with the strong antibiotics the vet gave him, there's been no more blood or throwing up...all is well for now. Thank God I got these last 2 weeks with him. I love this dog.

[Blackboy98]

Good update. Let him find the position that is the most comfortable for him at that moment.

With Cracker, he had the tumor of his right upper rear leg, but at times he would lay on that side and I just cringed when he did it, but maybe the pressure felt like when someone hugs you.

Good that he is done with the antibiotics, they had to have something to do with the upset tummy. Now you give him some probiotics to replenish the good bacteria in his gut so he gets the most nutrition out of the food that he is eating.

Still sending MOJO, prayers and hugs for more good days.

[POPTOP]

Sounds like the best update possible. It's all about quality of life now and Montana is how you he's doing just fine.

Gentle hugs being sent.

[Jax's Mom]

Prayers!!

[MikeLynn]

Great update! These are always nice to read. Sending more good thoughts for Montana. M&M

[Annette47]

Sounds like the best update possible. It's all about quality of life now and Montana is showing you he's doing just fine.

Gentle hugs being sent.

My thoughts exactly. Continued good thoughts going your way.

[Maxx&Emma]

As long as you know he is comfortable and you still see that sparkle only a Lab can have, you are doing the right thing. It is about quality and that is all I hear in your post. Continued good thoughts and prayers.

[Tilly]

great update - enjoy every day you can with him, sending good thoughts

[Calley's Family]

This is a great update. Every extra moment is precious.

[MontananDakota]

Thanks everyone.
Great weekend with the dogs, lots of walking in the park. Yesterday it was kind of hot so we found a shady spot under a tree & sat there fro a while. I saw true happiness on his face the whole day ( Dakotas too ) but once we got home it did take him a lot longer to cool down. His panting went on for a long time but he seemed ok. Maybe its spread to his lungs, the vet mentioned an x ray at one time to find out...I declined. There's nothing different I can do anyway, and no matter the outcome of further testing it's his comfort that matters. If he's ok, then Im ok, if he's hurting & it cant be stopped that's a different story...for another day.. I hope.
It is time to find something else healthy to add to his kibble. It just doesn't seem to be sparking his "I've got to inhale this..." mentality he's always had. If I put eggs on top its a go though LOL since we got those chickens Montana has reaped the benefits of fresh eggs daily And I've never had to tell him to leave the chickens alone Anyway yes he needs something to perk up the smell or lack of in his dry food. He will turn his head away from stuff that's got no smell or little smell. The look on his face is priceless, like "come on Mom what are you doing? jeez..." If I say ok I'm going to make you some eggs, but the time I've got the words "make you some..." out-- he's at the stove!
Thanks for being here on this journey with me, it's my 1st time going down this road.

Every day I just bury my face in his fur, inhaling his smell & telling him how very much I love him.