Vetcetera Sophie Sue’s canine cancer PetCam needs a lift (Can you help?)
Here’s my idea, one via which I turn my own personal lemons into everyone’s lemonade:
It’s the SophieCam, a video spot on Dolittler where anyone can watch my Sophie Sue sleep, eat, get petted, and be generally adored while she’s with us at our hospital. This cancer survivor, like so many out there, deserves the attention. And so does the cancer that afflicts so many of our pets.
Here’s some background:
Sophie Sue is my eleven year-old Frenchie. I adopted her as an adult after a whelping-gone-wrong landed her in my lap. For nine years she was the picture of health, save the manageable allergic skin disease common to so many of her breed. Then along came last year.
At the outset of 2008 she suffered two ruptured discs in her neck. Though she never lost her ability to walk normally (many are not so lucky), she experienced extreme pain as a result of these diseased discs. A “ventral slot” surgery cured her. Sophie was back on track just days after surgery.
But only 3 months later she began acting sluggish. Occasionally, she would lose her balance entirely and fall to the ground––though she never lost consciousness. Her low-ish blood sugar during these events (and the possibility of an insulin-secreting tumor on her pancreas (insulinoma) led us to explore her abdomen. To no avail. Clean.
That’s when we CT’ed her head and spine (which, in retrospect, we should have done first) and located the offender: a tumor in her brainstem. Next step? Radiation.
After 18 doses of radiation (under anesthesia every time), Sophie’s cancer was in remission...but for how long? Half of all dogs with this kind of tumor live more than a year after their diagnosis. And Sophie’s almost there now.
The good news: Since late September of last year, Sophie has been enjoying the time of her life. She’s been, happy, playful, trim and––above all––eminently comfortable. In short, it’s been a success story all around.
Then fast forward to last week: Again, sluggish, quiet, unwilling to jump, no standard Sophie Sue playfulness. Is it the tumor? Or are there more discs to blame?
That’s when I had a radiation oncologist and a surgeon evaluate her. They concluded that neck pain was the likeliest source of her unhappy behavior. But is it another disc or two? Or the result of a meningitis not uncommon to dogs post-radiation (even eight months out)? The treatment? Steroids will handle either condition. That’s why Soph is back on the prednisone she’d had to take before the radiation.
And she’s feeling so much better, thank you very much. But the recent jolt of reality courtesy of my beloved canine time-bomb serves to underscore (yet again) that I’m living every moment with a dog who should be well-loved 24/7 in advance of her last day in my company....
...which is why the SophieCam needs to happen sooner rather than later. The inspiring story of pets who survive and live well with cancer means more pets will be treated to radiation, bone marrow transplants, chemotherapy and other modalities of cancer treatment increasingly available to our pets. Proving pets like Sophie can live well after cancer diagnosis and treatment is what it's all about.
So wouldn’t it be nice if the Panasonic PetCam people (whose product I’ve talked up so much on Dolittler) sent me an example of their wonderful wireless device? I think so. So many mommy bloggers get all kinds of freebies for talking up products they could care less about. So why shouldn’t Dolittler qualify for a product I believe in?
So why not give a Dolittler a hand and send the nice folks at Panasonic’s SeeMyPetCam website a message: “We want to see Sophie on Dolittler!” you’ll say. And I’ll give you the credit (along with Panasonic, of course) once my PetCam arrives. Deal?
PS: Here's the address to write to: webmaster@seemypetcam.com
May 19th, 2009
| < | May 2009 | > | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
| 1 | 2 | |||||
| 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
| 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 |
| 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
| 31 | ||||||
Daily Vet
Recommended
- Dogster.com
- Petfinder.com
- Bark-n-Blog
- Dr. K's MySpace Page
- PetConnection
- Border Wars
- Nathan Winograd
- Underdogged
- K-9 Down
- K9 Diabetes
- Tripawds
- FelineDiabetes.com
- PetMD
Careerists
Did you always want to be a vet or vet technician? Thinking about it? Working on it? Need some Help?
- VetInfo.com
- AVMA
- Miami Vet Specialist
- Penn Vet School
- DVM.com
- VIN
- Vet News Network
- Vet Practice News
- Vetstoria
- Vet Manager Central
- Veterinary Team Jobs
- Veterinary Recruiting
"The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated."
- Mohandas Gandhi
Add Comment31 Comments
I sent out an email. I hope you get your cam. :)
Anlina Sheng - abnormalloveofcats.com May 19th, 2009 01:22:25 PM
I'll send one, too. I'm a big supporter of canine cancer support resources. We'll link to this blog posting in our next newsletter which is all about pet cancer. Good luck!
Laurel Lagoni May 19th, 2009 03:42:13 PM
Just sent off an e-mail to them. Fingers crossed. In the meantime, hugs and kisses to Sophie Sue. She's sooo cute!
Ingrid King May 19th, 2009 03:55:32 PM
Email sent (and recruited a couple of friends to do so too).
PJBoosinger May 19th, 2009 04:18:33 PM
Done Dr. Patty! Thank you, I love your blog and would love to give virtual lovins to Sophie.
Courtney May 19th, 2009 04:26:25 PM
We immediately shot off an email to the PetCam Community folks after reading this post. And we'll spread the word for tripawd discussion forum members to do so too!
As you know, canine cancer is dear to the hearts of everyone at tripawds. This the least we can do after you wrote about our own plea for help here.
tripawds.com May 19th, 2009 07:34:38 PM
many good thoughts for Sophie S.! That picture in the tube is precious and she looks darn good! Look at how clear & bright her eyes are...very worthy of Petcam fun!
Barbara A. Albright/NH May 19th, 2009 09:54:44 PM
We sent out our e-mail tonite!
Eleanor Maloney May 19th, 2009 10:14:51 PM
How amazing that pets can be treated successfully with radiation and chemotherapy like humans. I know that they use a lot of the same protocols and medications on pets as people. Any dog undergoing chemotherapy deserves a great place to lay their paws. Check out a great selection of dog beds at www.petdirectexpress.com
Julie May 19th, 2009 10:23:02 PM
I sent an email to them. I'll look forward to seeing Sophie on Dolittler. She's a cutie.
silkenpaw May 20th, 2009 12:46:51 AM
Yes I did too!
GP May 20th, 2009 01:09:05 AM
I hope you get your cam, but there's much less gimmicky ways to do it. :P There's opensource cam software, or services like Ustream (former home of the Shiba Puppies). I spent $4 for a cheap USB Microsoft Lifecam with 640x480 resolution at a thrift store (You don't NEED really high resolution for webcam setup unless you really WANT to pay for tons of bandwidth use) - and it was SUPER simple to set up.
Cait May 20th, 2009 07:20:21 AM
erp, should clarify - the gimmicky ness is THEM, not you, Dr Khuly! Just putting a label on a cam to label it as being for pets doesn' tmean it's anything new under the sticker!
Cait May 20th, 2009 07:20:59 AM
Cait: I'll look into it. Thanks!
Dr. Patty Khuly May 20th, 2009 08:30:25 AM
sent the email and have my sister spreading the word with her tweeters.
Good luck Sophie- we're rooting for you.
angel wrigley May 20th, 2009 04:09:55 PM
Per SFShiba (owner of the Ustream Shiba puppies): "Q. What webcam do you use? A. We are using a Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 attached to a 16' USB repeater cable that is connected to our PC. Also note that when we record footage ourselves (not on Ustream) the quality is MUCH better." As one of the SFShiba Six addicts, I can assure you that camera was more than adequate until the pups were old enough to run like the wind and the pixelating then was more a ustream bandwidth issue than the camera. Decide what service you want to use (Ustream and many others are free) and then don't buy more camera than is needed for the bandwidth.
This one would probably work. http://cgi.ebay.com/USB-5M-WEBCAM-Camera-Mic-6-Infrared-LED-PC-Mac-UVC_W0QQitemZ200255300608QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCA_Video_Conferencing_Webcams?hash=item2ea0256400&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50
The camera is nearly identical to one of my security cameras and I can hear what my neighbors are saying inside their condo if I don't turn down the mic volume.
PJBoosinger May 21st, 2009 01:01:40 AM
I sent an email, fingers crossed!
E Mortenson May 26th, 2009 06:32:03 PM
. Links of London Silver Sweetie Bracelet Medium Links of London Gold jewellery will be included in the Links of London Anthology Collection, which has just been launched. The jeweller has included pendants, earrings with 18-c flanks and a necklace with an 18-c white gold chain among the items partly or wholly made from the precious metal, Elite Traveller has stated. Links of London Silver Links of London jewellery Links of London Links of London Bracelets Links of London Charms Links of London Earrings Links of London Necklaces Links of London LinksofLondon
londons May 29th, 2009 09:55:53 AM
And trinkets that could better highlight the skin of the ladies who are tall and obese, comparing with the ones in small dimension. While [url=http://www.londonoflinks.co.uk/]Links of London[/url]in large volume could reduce and shrink the bitter outlook of the cheek. To you're common wearisome. When you can clasp The top belief is a pity that the common of many fair ladies caressed people all through the world for people with some brightly painted family of london. These over-shining jewels are fewer proper for such a lie.
linksoflondon June 28th, 2009 09:39:15 PM
we're rooting for you.
bachelor degree Engineering | associate degree Engineering | doctorate computer science
Ginnifer Goodwin July 24th, 2009 02:44:57 AM
We'll link to this blog posting in our next newsletter which is all about pet cancer.
MS Information Technology degree | Network diploma
Ginnifer Goodwin July 24th, 2009 02:46:06 AM
We supply the Newest of abercrombie fitch, Ed hardy Clothing, Ed Hardy Jeans from abercrombie and fitch.
DIDI August 5th, 2009 08:35:48 PM
<a href=http://www.linksolondon.co.uk/>links of london jewellery</a> can buy them at an unbeatable price will enable you to show your best unaided from Linkslife at exceptional esteem. You will help more and preferred designs, for a longer time If you can effusive show beauty and charm of female, and be our buyer. We accord you action upfront. <a href=http://www.linksolondon.co.uk/links-of-london-rings/>Links of london Rings</a> will appreciate with us, and know their reserved, so jewelries are evermore the good contacts of female, and then lonely with the time goes by. Only the relations of London charms love bracelet will impress every woman, so We guess Links of relations of london charms Euro luxury Dome Charm Charms Euro luxury Small Sweetie Bracelet <a href=http://www.linksolondon.co.uk/links-of-london-sweetie-bracelet/>links of london sweetie bracelet</a> - Euro luxury Famous and for all kinds of exqusite relatives <a href=http://www.linksolondon.co.uk/links-of-london-charms/>Links of london Charms</a> for your home. We resolute ourselves to own these funds at simple expend online. Buy linksoflondon gem from Coolinks to collecting top-position aspect <a href=http://www.linksolondon.co.uk/>links of london</a> ornaments for people who appreciate the following time. Now you are able to your special weakness. The best. London silvers offers all beautiful ladies. If the family of <a href=http://www.linksolondon.co.uk/links-of-london-earrings/>Links of london Earrings</a> thy wits may move, then the relations of london sugar armlet jewelries are definitely the best relations of female. So You will find it is a companion certainly who helps you posture out of the others and show you lone glamour.
<a href=http://www.linksoflondons.uk.com/links-of-london-bracelets/>links of london bracelets</a>. Welcome your great fascinations to everybody in The clothes may assemble, and the food may deteriorate.
links of london August 13th, 2009 03:08:25 AM
احساس
حركات
احساس August 19th, 2009 04:25:21 PM
Recently, according to a survey concerning the most glamorous women conducted by the professionals, Michelle Obama is in the first place. <a href="http://www.linkscraft.co.uk/">links of london</a> There is no need to wonder why Angelina Jolie and Gisele Bundchen, the sweetest creatures, are left far behind. <a href="http://www.linkscraft.co.uk/">links of london</a> So simple! Just imagine that if such women are in the office, what is the consequence? <a href="http://www.linkslife.co.uk/">links of london</a> Maybe Michelle Obama has no advantages in figure and appearance, but her taste on miraculous and ability on costume and gem deserve the admiration of all people. <a href="http://www.linkscraft.co.uk/">links of london</a> With a view to her age, figure, status, and taste, it goes without saying that she is an ideal model for women in the middle class throughout the world. <a href="http://www.linkslife.co.uk/">links of london</a> As for these professional women with high positions, they also finally get a jewelry model who deserves to be imitated. <a href="http://www.linkscraft.co.uk/">links of london</a> Apart from the special affection toward pearls, Michelle Obama also tries to laminate her jewellery, for example, she wears Cartier upon links of london, being envied by most women. <a href="http://www.linkscraft.co.uk/">links of london</a> This kind of lamination keeps the focus of eyes and increases the sense of jewels' gradation whose luxury and brightness makes her too charming to be ignored. <a href="http://www.linkslife.co.uk/">links of london</a> However, these <a href="http://www.linkslife.co.uk/">links of london</a> jewel are mainly for women with certain abilities, capacity, qualities, and experience. <a href="http://www.linkslife.co.uk/">links of london</a> In order to be confident among women in the same class, these women do need some distinctive diamond jewelry. <a href="http://www.linkscraft.co.uk/">links of london</a> As for these young ladies, diamond lamination may be too expensive. So the silver jewelries, such as <a href="http://www.linkslife.co.uk/">links of london</a> and Channel rings are right alternatives. <a href="http://www.linkscraft.co.uk/">links of london</a> Paying close attention to the first lady is to follow the fashion and enjoy happy life as office ladies. <a href="http://www.linkslife.co.uk/">links of london</a>
links of london September 1st, 2009 05:25:17 AM
The only ones ghd hair iron among you who will be really happy ghd mk4 iron are those who will have sought and foundhow to serve. When the fight begins ghd iv dark styler within ghd iv kiss styler himself, a man's worth something ghd hair iron .
GHD Hair Iron September 12th, 2009 04:26:30 AM
Thanks for your sharing.This is a good access to Amercrombie and Fitch
Abercrombie and Fitch September 16th, 2009 04:03:08 AM
cartier jewelry
cartier jewellery
Nice October 13th, 2009 09:37:41 PM
[url= http://www.linksoflondonstore.com/links-of-london-charms]links of london charms[/url][url= http://www.linksoflondonstore.com/links-of-london-bracelets]links of london bracelet[/url]
afdht November 1st, 2009 04:14:30 AM
<a href="links'>http://www.linksoflondonstore.com/links-of-london-bracelets">links of london bracelet</a>
<a href="links'>http://www.linksoflondonstore.com/friendship-bracelets">links of london friendship bracelet</a>
SDG November 1st, 2009 04:15:40 AM
[url= http://www.linksoflondonstore.com/sweetie-bracelets]links of london sweetie[/url][url= http://www.linksoflondonstore.com/sweetie-bracelets]links of london sweetie bracelets[/url]
ASDF November 1st, 2009 04:16:34 AM
Add Commment