Pirate will be heading back to the vet tomorrow. The lump she's been scratching at is a tumor, probably some form of skin cancer, and it's infected. It is not going to heal on it's own and likely only going to get worse. Jessica is going to remove it tomorrow. She's going to try just a sedative and local anasethic first. I'd rather not put Pirate under if it can be avoided. She'll have pre-surgery bloodwork done just in case anyway and will get fluids throughout the day. Her last round of blood work was very good, but she's frail!

She getting new pain meds too. After the surgery, she will be put on tramadol. We'll use that alone for five days to wean her off the metacam. Then we'll add prednisone to her pharmacy. Metacam and pred can't be mixed. Tramadol is safe to mix with all her other medications, plus pred. Jessica isn't sure that it will help her straighten out when she walks, but it should make her more comfy. Pred is apparently our best shot at getting her body in a straight line again!

Her heart sounds good and her lungs are clear. She was not happy at the clinic, but is quite happy hanging out in the van while I pretend to work for an hour!

As a little bonus for the day, there is a "for sale" sign up at her former owner's house! I know the real estate agent. I'm gonna call her and tell her to sell it to nice people who won't complain about my dogs!