Update and help with my question list for vets.. :)

[Regina and Hurley]

I am going to go to one more vet. This vet has been mentioned to me as very good in this area. I am going to set up an appt bring in Hurley and all his records. I need another opinion. This vet is a primary vet too. Tomorrow at 3 pm I will see Hurleys Dermotogist and the surgeon will come in to see Hurley. He will look at him and then write up a quote. Hurley is getting his stitches removed too.

Then at 5 pm we have an appt with Hurleys primary vet. To go over what the Dermotogist told us. So there is going to be a lot of talking..

I so feel like I keep asking you all for help, but I am lost when it comes to all this information. If you have time, only if you do, can you write down questions that you would ask and post?I have saved a couple of the replies that some of you have told me to ask. Tonight I will put all of your questions down and bring them with me. I feel that you all are bringing things up that I have not thought of, maybe because I have been trying to keep my house together, kids on track, husband happy and Hurley taken care of, along with spending time on websites and making phone calls, and spending time at vet offices! I feel a little overwhelmed..

Thank you a million times over for all of the heartfelt replies. You have gotten me through some tough nights..but I am doing better..! I didn't realize that coming on this site and giving Hurleys story would make me stronger and feel like its going to be ok..either way this goes..

Doodle kisses.......

[Regina and Hurley]

Actually the ones I have seen have never seen this, or to the degree that these cysts are. This is not common so the vets can't get any percentages if the surgery happens, if they will come back. There is not enough of these cases for them to even guess. This is what's so hard about the whole thing.

[Diana Erhart]

I would ask then if they can give you the name of someone who has treated this in the past.  That way you could contact them and ask for more information about what is happening with Hurley.  I think the more accurate information you can gather will help you with this decision.  

[Elizabeth & Cosmo]

Regina, I am more than 1,000 miles away from you and obviously have no first-had knowledge of your vets or Hurley's condition. That being said, if this were happening with Cosmo, I would be concerned that these practitioners think the condition is so rare.

What is rare about it? Is it the number of cysts, or the location, or Hurley's age? If you Google "multiple infundibular follicular cysts dogs," you will find a lot of info that makes me think this type of cyst is pretty common in dogs.

Ideally, you would be able to find someone for whom it is not rare, who has treated the condition before.

Also, I want to share with you a link to this page:

http://userpages.bright.net/~kparks/cysts.txt

It is an old, crappy-looking web page, and it may be the worst kind of Internet "hokum," to use F Parker's amazingly accurate term--but it contains a few clues that might be worth asking about.

The page was written apparently by someone who has Norwegian Elkhounds. Within the page, there are a couple of suggestions made about the cysts--that they could be symptoms of other diseases/conditions. One is Gardner's syndrome, which seems to have a genetic component--at least in humans and mice. The other is "Intracutaneous Cornifying Epithilioma, formerly called Keratoacanthoma."

One encouraging thing about the info here is that the person whose dog has this latter condition says they are able to manage it with a medicated shampoo.

Elsewhere on the page, Vick's VapoRub and Stridex medicated pads (for human acne) are mentioned as possible treatments.

I have no idea if this information is in any way helpful, but I wanted to pass it along--just for the sake of leaving no stone unturned!

[Regina and Hurley]

They are saying its rare that cysts that are as big as Hurleys come through their door. It says in the report there could be some topical options, however they would be in relatively untested waters and they can not give percentage of success numbers to us..

[F, Calla & Luca]

IMHO there is not a chance in a million that VapoRub or Stridex could treat these lesions. I do doubt it could treat any of these cysts. The genetic connections extrapolated from humans may not be relevant.

[Regina and Hurley]

Thank you :)

[F, Calla & Luca]

I think it would be good to ask the vets what they would do, if they have dogs, if Hurley were their pet. This may tell you more about the odds and the amount of suffering they think Hurley might endure.

[Regina and Hurley]

Yes..I will ask that. I might different it they put theirself in my shoes..

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Regina, my heart felt prayers continue to be with you. I think asking the Vet that question will be significant in making your decision.

Your son seems wise beyond his years. I feel so badly for the children but I think you are handling yourself very well regarding their feelings.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I don't have anything to add here except to wish you luck tomorrow.  I will be hoping for the best outcome possible for Hurley and some peace for you and your family.  Here's hoping you get answers to all your questions leading to a cure for your lovable boy.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Good Luck today Regina.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Good luck today ... thinking of you and Hurley and hoping for some piece of good news!