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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 49. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dinah on October 22, 2011, at 13:44:03
For my joy, my sheepdog. The one they thought would die a year and a half ago. Her kidneys levels are way up, and she's in the hospital getting her blood cleared out of poisons. If it works, we might be able to adjust her treatment and keep her going.
I'd forgotten, somehow, that she was going to die. I had prepared myself at one point, but then I get complacent and it seems like a chronic condition. It hurts again when I'm reminded. I'm not ready to lose her, as odd as that sounds well over a year after I'd come to terms with it.
Posted by Dinah on October 22, 2011, at 13:50:08
In reply to Prayers needed, posted by Dinah on October 22, 2011, at 13:44:03
I think she deserves a lot of credit for bringing joy back into my life. She's one of those special dogs who come along a few times in a lifetime, if we're lucky. Her love of life has been infectious, and her sheepdog devotion makes me feel loved.
It's partly because she's such a joy filled dog that she gets so sick before we notice. She's always much sicker than she appears. Her carriage is still merry and her eyes bright, even being as sick as she is right now. I only got concerned because she took food with enthusiasm, then rolled it in her mouth and ptuied it (usually onto the back of the Maltese waiting below her).
Posted by annierose on October 22, 2011, at 14:02:19
In reply to Re: Prayers needed, posted by Dinah on October 22, 2011, at 13:50:08
Wish granted. I hope you bring joy to her during these difficult days - she needs you to love and comfort her. Dogs are truly loving and mend our souls like nothing else.
Thinking of you.
Posted by Dinah on October 22, 2011, at 18:54:08
In reply to Re: Prayers needed, posted by annierose on October 22, 2011, at 14:02:19
I'm going to see if I can visit her tomorrow. They've got to unhook her sometimes. And I told them that if she doesn't eat, I'll come and try to feed her.
I miss her. Her little "brother" misses her too. He's a bit over a year old and he really looks up to her. She's taught him well, but there is still much for her to teach him.
She deserves better than this.
Posted by Daisym on October 22, 2011, at 19:51:06
In reply to Re: Prayers needed » annierose, posted by Dinah on October 22, 2011, at 18:54:08
Sending you lots of white light and energy. I hope she pulls through. No matter how prepared you are, it isn't easy.
How wonderful that she brought such joy to you. That is rare and wonderful.
Hugs,
Daisy
Posted by floatingbridge on October 22, 2011, at 19:54:02
In reply to Prayers needed, posted by Dinah on October 22, 2011, at 13:44:03
I'm hoping, Dinah. Sending good thoughts, and my fingers are crossed.
Posted by TherapyGirl on October 22, 2011, at 21:06:38
In reply to Re: Prayers needed, posted by Dinah on October 22, 2011, at 13:50:08
I'm so sorry, Dinah, and I hope they will be able to treat this and she comes back home to you. You are both in my thoughts and prayers.
((((((((((((((((Dinah)))))))))))))))
Posted by Dinah on October 23, 2011, at 16:34:06
In reply to Re: Prayers needed » Dinah, posted by TherapyGirl on October 22, 2011, at 21:06:38
Thank you, guys.
She is in good spirits (of course) and eating moderately well (which is the best she's done at home). They'll run some more tests tomorrow. We're hoping that either tomorrow or the next day she can come home on a new regimen. They said she might have to come in once a month or so for treatment. That's doable.
The house is so quiet. Even the young one is being so quiet I hardly recognize him.
Posted by floatingbridge on October 23, 2011, at 17:48:57
In reply to Re: Prayers needed, posted by Dinah on October 23, 2011, at 16:34:06
That she is eating is very good news. I wish you a long good while together.
Posted by TherapyGirl on October 23, 2011, at 19:55:26
In reply to Re: Prayers needed, posted by Dinah on October 23, 2011, at 16:34:06
That sounds good. I hope you can bring her home soon.
I have a new foster -- part Corgi, part Dachshund. 8 years old. Sweetest, sweetest dog in the world and the best-behaved foster I've had. I'm so torn between not feeling like I can financially take on a 3rd dog and wanting him here with me forever. He follows me EVERYWHERE and has since 2 hours after he got here. His previous owner died in August. I've had him since mid-July.
Posted by Dinah on October 24, 2011, at 10:04:23
In reply to Re: Prayers needed » Dinah, posted by TherapyGirl on October 23, 2011, at 19:55:26
She's gotten worse, with bloody diarrhea and not eating, and she needs a blood transfusion for anemia.
I don't know what to do. She doesn't like being at the hospital, and I know she doesn't try her hardest there. I can visit her, of course, but last time she was in visiting her didn't seem to help much. She wanted to go home, and it wasn't until she got home and was tempted by croutons and tiny bits of pizza that she started eating anything at all. They thought she was going to die, but she did better at home.
But I can't give her the treatment she needs here.
Posted by Dinah on October 24, 2011, at 12:56:16
In reply to I don't know what to do, posted by Dinah on October 24, 2011, at 10:04:23
The vet was fine with me bringing her home, then dropping her off during the day for treatment. I think any downside in treatment will be more than offset by her increased desire to live and eat.
Whew.
Posted by floatingbridge on October 24, 2011, at 13:09:28
In reply to Re: I don't know what to do, posted by Dinah on October 24, 2011, at 12:56:16
Is she home now?
Dinah, I am so sorry.
Home is best. I think the vet's is harder on dogs than hospitals are on people.
Posted by 10derheart on October 24, 2011, at 13:59:44
In reply to Re: I don't know what to do, posted by Dinah on October 24, 2011, at 12:56:16
That's exactly what I was going to suggest! I like compromise solutions. That sounds like the best choice for now in a bad situation where nothing is 'just right.'
All your dogs are so, so lucky to have you. And you to have them, too, of course...as I know you'll say they probably give you more than you give them.
I said a doggie prayer. I think Gods hears those kind with a special heart for our companion animals.... ((Dinah and friend))
Posted by sleepygirl2 on October 24, 2011, at 17:26:36
In reply to Re: I don't know what to do, posted by Dinah on October 24, 2011, at 12:56:16
That sounds like a good decision. I'm sorry she's not well.
My thoughts are with you.
Posted by Dinah on October 24, 2011, at 18:12:24
In reply to Re: I don't know what to do » Dinah, posted by sleepygirl2 on October 24, 2011, at 17:26:36
We weren't able to bring her home. She seizured right before we came to get her, and needs medical attention. She looks terrible. She didn't want to have anything to do with me, she was drooling and vomiting, and leaking bloody diarrhea all over.
My son reminds me that she had just had a seizure, but it really looked like she's dying.
How does it happen that I bring a dog who looks and acts perfectly normal (even if she's really sick) and two days later, she looks like death. I should have never ever brought her in. I thought I was doing the right thing, but I wasn't. I let her down.
Posted by TherapyGirl on October 24, 2011, at 18:53:32
In reply to Re: I don't know what to do, posted by Dinah on October 24, 2011, at 12:56:16
That sounds like a perfect solution to me!
Posted by TherapyGirl on October 24, 2011, at 19:00:41
In reply to Re: I don't know what to do, posted by Dinah on October 24, 2011, at 18:12:24
((((((((((((Dinah)))))))))))))))
I don't believe you let her down. Of course, you took her to the vet. I'm hoping things will turn around quickly and she will be able to come home to you, at least at night.
Posted by sleepygirl2 on October 24, 2011, at 19:04:28
In reply to Re: I don't know what to do, posted by Dinah on October 24, 2011, at 18:12:24
You brought her in because she's sick, that's not your fault.
((((Dinah))))
Posted by floatingbridge on October 24, 2011, at 19:04:48
In reply to Re: I don't know what to do, posted by Dinah on October 24, 2011, at 18:12:24
Dinah, you are a loving and good dog mom, and you are doing your best. Your dog is ill. Maybe she holds on for you and your family as much as you all hold on and try to do the best for her.
Hugs to you.
Posted by jane d on October 24, 2011, at 19:05:39
In reply to Re: I don't know what to do, posted by Dinah on October 24, 2011, at 18:12:24
They do look awful after seizures. My dog years ago had them for the last few years of her life. And they are disoriented and don't know you for awhile - so that part mays not mean that much.
You made the best decision you could at the time. You can't tell the future. Still, I always find it impossible not to feel like I should have.
I'm holding my breathe for you both - hoping that this will still work out and that she'll come home to you again.
Posted by 10derheart on October 24, 2011, at 23:35:42
In reply to Re: I don't know what to do » Dinah, posted by jane d on October 24, 2011, at 19:05:39
I echo everything jane d said. I don't know what else to say.
It just all stinks. I'm sorry it's like this, Dinah.
Posted by Dinah on October 26, 2011, at 10:13:21
In reply to Re: I don't know what to do, posted by 10derheart on October 24, 2011, at 23:35:42
She came home last night, and I knew almost at once that there was no hope of recovery. She refused to eat, refused to drink. She didn't really want to be very close to me, but went to a quiet corner to lie so quietly I thought she might stop breathing in the night. I laid by her for a while, and felt her breath steady and deepen and she seemed to sleep almost normally for an hour or so.
She also had diarrhea that was almost pure blood despite her medications, was throwing up, and didn't pee. Not peeing was pretty definitive that the kidneys had failed.
I told my vet that she was telling me plainly it was time for her to die, and could he tell me something different? He told me that she was right, and there was really no choice. I held her in my arms while he gave the injection. She was already a bit groggy, and it was very peaceful.
I still think she may have done better if I had kept her at home, and just brought her in for treatments during the day. And I think maybe something in the treatments wasn't good for her.
I told my vet that I would do anything to have a few more months with her. He put his hand on my shoulder and answered simply "You did."
That somehow helped more than anything.
I'm going to miss her so. She was my friend and I loved her.
Posted by 10derheart on October 26, 2011, at 10:23:45
In reply to She's gone, posted by Dinah on October 26, 2011, at 10:13:21
There's nothing I can say because I can't think of a damn thing and because I can't see the keyboard/screen.
(((((((((((((((Dinah))))))))))))
Posted by floatingbridge on October 26, 2011, at 11:10:32
In reply to She's gone, posted by Dinah on October 26, 2011, at 10:13:21
Dinah, I'm very sorry. I agree with the vet. I don't know what else to say.
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