Limerick LOVES his DogLeggs... and so do I! His
hygroma has gone down more than 1/2 in less than 2 weeks!,

Jo. J,
Annapolis MD

April 22, 2007

In October of 2006, my 11 year old Norwegian Elkhound , Brottsjo, had a Mast Cell Tumor removed from his inner right elbow. He had licked it and it became infected, and was classified a Grade III … it was a very fast growing aggressive tumor that also ulcerated.  Grade III MCT is 50% likely to reoccur at the same site, and prone to metastasize.  The pathology report came back with clear margins and no mast cells had been seen in the lymph gland. We hoped that we had it beat.

Unfortunately in January of 2007, during routine petting and exam, I found a small cluster of new tumors right at the site of the surgical scar. I agonized over the wisdom of another surgery since by now he had turned 12, and we didn’t know if it metastasized. He seemed so healthy and vigorous, and  the vet and I both believed he deserved a 2nd chance. So we went ahead with the surgery… and he was able again to get all of it according to the pathology report and no lymph gland involvement . Unfortunately to close the wound he needed to do a sliding skin graft.

Regrettably, the graft failed, the skin died, and my dog needed yet another surgery just 10 days after the last one. The skin was debrided and he was ultimately without any layers of skin at all on his elbow. The area was almost 4 ½ inches long and 2 ½ inches wide. The bone was visible at the point of the elbow.  In addition the original incision for the graft broke down at the skin and needed to be resutured.  This awful wound would need to heal by Secondary Intention, which means it needs to granulate and then re-epithilieze..or plainly put, grow skin.
 
The veterinarian mentioned Dog Leggs would be needed to provide a way to bandage his leg as well as give him protection on this delicate area. I immediately called Schon to ask about this product… and we talked about what healing needed to be done before they could be worn. I took the measurements and placed my order.

Weeks 1-5 Brottsjo was wrapped with a total body and leg wrap of Vetwrap to try to keep the leg immobilized. He was on crate rest for a month.   He initially had two incisions that were very slow to heal and Schon didn’t want the Dog Leggs used until they healed.  The skin of the elbow had granulated nicely and was healing.

Week 6 The incisions were healed, but he had edema on his chest. We worried that we wrapped the body too tightly.  We tried wrapping just the elbow with the Vetrap but if it was tight enough to stay on, his leg swelled.  Now was the time for the Dog Leggs. The elbow was still healing and the sore area shrinking.

Weeks 7-11  We had just had it with bandages that wouldn’t stay put. I put on his Dog Leggs with a sanitary napkin inside to cushion the elbow and continued the moist treatment to the elbow. It was still healing. The The elbow was  gaining skin day by day and only had a small area left.  It was so nice just to have this very simple “bandage” change. He absolutely hated all that vetwrap , gauze and tape!  Dog Leggs have been a Godsend, enabling Brottsjo to live as normal a life as possible. He was able to lie out on our deck or take walks with us without worry of injury to the elbow.

Sadly , in spite of our heroic efforts, we found another MCT on his muzzle, at week 9 , indicating that the cancer did indeed metastasize.  Just two weeks later, he has numerous lumps, bumps and swollen  hard areas on his body  indicating a rapid spread of the disease. He stumbles and sometimes has a hard time getting his breath.  He is still fighting but quality of life is our focus now. Dog Leggs have had a big impact on his ability to stay active as long as possible. His spirit and great heart do the rest.  Strangely enough, the elbow is still creating new skin even as the rest of his body is becoming damaged. 

I need to Thank you  Schon , for your great product that has made the last months of my dogs life as close to normal as possible.
Kari Olson and Brottsjo

4/26/07 - 
Brottsjo passed away peacefully in my arms this morning in the back of my car. Andy, my son came along, and we crouched in the rain while the near tearful vet and his techs administered the lethal dose. Less than three weeks after discovering new tumors, it had been apparent that he had days, not months to live. He steadily seemed to lose ground and yesterday Brottsjo had stopped wanting to be with people and eating.  Last night began a new  crisis ,with his mast cell cancer running rampant over his healing body. The elbow was nearly healed but the histamines produced by the mast cells went to his throat this time, and it swelled terribly. He had trouble breathing for a time and I was afraid he would choke to death during the night. I administered extra antihistamines and eventually he was able to sleep calmly with even breathing. The whole right side of his neck, throat, face and lips even were affected. For the first night in months, he was unable to go upstairs, even with my help, so I made my bed on the floor and later the recliner to be with him... This morning, his gait was unsteady and he was unable to get up alone.   The very tip of his tail continued to wave feebly  at my attention.... but his breathing was labored  and he was resigned to accept his fate.
 
It is as if the world has stopped for me. I miss him already so much, especially his smiling face .   We tried our best, and failed. It was a cruel thing to happen to such a wonderful dog who would do anything for me..... .

Kari Olson
Longships Norwegian Elkhounds
UCD, AKC  CH TNT WILLS LONGSHIP BIRCHBARK CD, TD, RE, HIC (7 RAE legs)
and now at the Bridge
Brottsjo, Brenne, Baldur, Kjella and Bjorna