We are thankful for Mollie

Today was Mollie's first Thanksgiving. She spent the day hanging out in the kitchen with us. I think she really enjoyed the fact that we were all together. As we went around the table before eating our delicious meal, we discussed things for which we are thankful. Each of us included Mollie. She is such a sweet, smart dog. All you have to do is mention the word "ball" and she is off to find it. She loves playing fetch with it. We also put a treat inside the ball. Within minutes, she figures out how to get to the treat. Usually, she bites down hard several times to break it up and then she simply shakes it out.

She has brought a lot of joy into our lives. Even when she misbehaves we have to smile. For example, one day we were cleaning up and discovered that Mollie created a cave for herself under the sofa. We found a bathing suit of Yael's, a pair of Jessica's socks and a variety of shredded papers (mostly receipts that we for which we have been searching).

In a couple of days we are going to visit my sister. My niece will be there with her two kids. They had met Mollie back in July but I am looking forward to reacquainting them after these four months.

Loving Mollie definitely has strings attached

While I was at a BAJC Board meeting last night, I got a panicked phone call from Jessica, "Mollie threw up and there's a string coming out of her butt!" I raced home to find Yael on the phone with an emergency call Vet. The decision was to bring her to the animal hospital in Deerfield, MA or take a "wait and see" approach.

We all tapped our fingers on the keyboard searching the Internet for an answer.

Meanwhile, Mollie was bothered but wagging her tail.

Our collective decision was to wait until morning. But, as recommended by a number of sites, we gave her some whole wheat bread.

In the morning, the string was visible. Mollie ate some more bread and, for added fiber, pumpkin mix. I took her for a walk and she pooped although she was clearly not comfortable.

I called our Vet and scheduled an appointment.

Mollie cheerfully entered the office. The string was getting longer. It took two assistants and the Vet to examine Mollie. The verdict was she had a string up her butt. Because she is not a "pull toy", the Vet cut off the visible rope and told me to give Mollie her regular food but add some pumpkin and whole wheat bread.

The Vet was confident that this too shall pass. The damage for the visit was only $37.

When we got home, Mollie wolfed down her food. I think she really enjoys the pumpkin.

With Thanksgiving only a few days away, we have another thing for which to give thanks.

Harnessing the Power of Mollie

I would guess that Mollie and I have walked over 400 miles since she came into my life. She's been a good companion. However, she just never learned how to walk with a leash. I've had to shorten the leash and constantly stop to get her to "heel." This lasts for as long as something doesn't come along to distract her.

So, yesterday we went to One Stop Country Pet Supply to get some kind of a device to train her. The helpful clerk steered us to "The Sporn Halter" (www.sporn.com/cgi-bin/commerce.exe?preadd=action&key=SPUS100) which she said would help us stop Mollie from pulling.

Today, I tried it out. At first Mollie didn't like it but within seconds she adjusted. We took our normal 4-mile walk to the post office and back. It was probably the most enjoyable walk we had. Sure, she occasionally tried to pull, but a quick tug and she was back in step.

Can't wait to show Yael tomorrow.

Mollie Gets Ticked Off

Last night, as we were playing with Mollie, Jessica noticed a small tick. We sprang into action. Jessica ran to get the alcohol and wipes. Yael got our new plastic "tick remover." And, I held Mollie. Within minutes the tick was removed. So, how did Mollie get this tick? Given the rainy day, we didn't go out for a walk. And, the day before, our walk didn't go anywhere near any woods. Adding to the mystery is that Mollie just received her month dose of Advantix.

Good News for Mollie

The biopsy results are in. Mollie did not have a sebaceous cyst. It appears to be a nodular inflammation, which is a complication to a tick bite. Last week we found a tick. In the course of removing it with a tweezer, the body of the tick may have been squeezed that could have caused bacteria to be injected into the site. In turn, this is what caused the "lump." The Vet reported that there is no evidence of any other bacteria. In addition to her monthly dose of Advantix, Mollie received a vaccine for lyme disease. We have also purchased a tick removal tool that should minimize the chance of this happening again. Mollie's stitches are healing nicely and only has to wait three more days before she can return to her previous playful state.

Mollie Update #1

Mollie spent a restful day and night following her surgery. She definitely wanted to get out of her pen but, despite her whining, that's where she stayed. We carried her outside to do her business and took turns holding her on our laps. She slept peacefully.

This morning, she was back being the active puppy that we love. She completed ripped apart the "indestructible" lamb and was jumping on top of her crate. Only six more days before she can "resume her normal activity."

I forgot to mention that at her weigh-in yesterday, she tipped the scales at 19 pounds.

FYI.... Sebaceous Cysts in Dogs

Sebaceous Cysts in Dogs

By: Dr. Erika DePapp

Overview

A sebaceous cyst is a small sac containing an accumulation of secretions produced by the sebaceous glands. Sebaceous cysts are also known as epidermoid cysts, epidermal inclusion cysts, epidermal cysts, and wens.

The sebaceous glands produce an oily substance called sebum, which lubricates the skin. The ducts of the sebaceous glands empty into hair follicles. The development of sebaceous cysts is thought to arise from an obstruction of the follicles, leading to abnormal accumulations of sebum.

Sebaceous cysts are common in dogs. There are no breed, age or sex predilections with respect to formation of the cysts. There is no significant impact on your pet, as these are benign, non-painful growths.

What to Watch For

Smooth, round firm to fluctuant growths, roughly 5mm to 5cm in diameter. They may have a slightly blue color to them.

Release of a grayish white or brown discharge with a cheesy consistency.

Development of cysts on the head, neck, body and upper legs.

Diagnostic tests

Fine needle aspiration. A diagnosis can often be made by placing a small needle within the cyst and suctioning some cells out of it with a syringe. Microscopic evaluation of the cells will often be suggestive of a sebaceous cyst.

Biopsy. A definitive diagnosis may require a sample of tissue that has been surgically removed.

Treatment

In most cases no treatment is necessary. If the decision is made to biopsy the cyst, complete surgical removal is usually performed. This is curative.

Home Care

At home, monitor the cyst for changes in size or evidence of irritation. Although these are benign growths, fine needle aspiration does not always provide a conclusive diagnosis. For this reason, rapidly enlarging masses should be surgically removed and biopsied to ensure there is no evidence of malignancy (cancer).

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http://www.petplace.com/dogs/sebaceous-cysts-in-dogs/page1.aspx

Mollie Has a Cyst Excised

A couple days ago we discovered a small lump on Mollie's tummy. I took her to the Vet's office yesterday and the technician felt that the Vet should look at today. Mollie happily walked into the office. Initially, the Vet thought that Mollie had been shot by a BB gun because the lump was small and hard. I assured her that Mollie does not go outside without one of us and that no one heard a shot. The next course of action was to make a small incision to look at the lump. This revealed a small hard mass. The Vet felt that Mollie should have some minor surgery to excise the cyst. She also suggested that we send the cyst off to a pathologist for a biopsy, which we did.

We picked Mollie up three and one half hours later. Her tail was wagging but she was a bit unsteady on her feet. Once we got home she immediately went to sleep. She is not allowed to play for 7 days. That's right.... no fetching or running around. It will be interesting to see how she/we manage that direction. We should be hearing back about the biopsy results in 7-10 days.

Oy.