Here we go again.

[Guest]

Dog: seems like stomach. Vet not sure.

Has been doing fantastic lately though.

 

[Guest]

Doing better, sleeping comfortably. Sold a piece yesterday for $350, spent $238 of it at vet today. They always fit us in when we call, I guess that's because we're never out of there for under $200 and that's at least every two weeks.

 

[AN5Sprite]

You're up $112 and you still have your dog...It's a good day.
I am sorry though, I find it hard to read this stuff partly because I feel bad for you/him, but also I'm realizing I'm not over losing my favorite cat. January 10, 2006 at 0930, he just...went.

 

[Guest]

I'm realizing I'm not over losing my favorite cat. January 10, 2006 at 0930, he just...went.

As tragic as that is, it's a blessing believe me. I've been sleeping on the downstairs floor with him for about three months now. My wife still lives upstairs though....I think...

He's doing good this morning.

 

[Guest]

You're up $112 and you still have your dog...It's a good day.
.

It's the emotional currency that's the real problem.

 

[GaryBeu]

We just had to euthanize one of our fairly young Thoroughbred mares two days ago. She had what's called "severe colic" which means gut problems. She was in horrible pain and nothing could be done for her. No idea what caused it. We feel your sorrow Billy...

 

[sail]

Is he happy?. Incredibly difficult decision but in our case we both understood it was time, that day none of my cars ran so Albert and I took a cab. I walked home. I'm crying now.

 

[Boink]

I remember my wife noting that our Westie didn't seem happy... and she said "I think there is something wrong." Me? I said "he's probably got some gas." Still, she made us visit the local animal hospital. After about $500 spent (including an x-ray), the vet calls us in to her office and reports "I think he's got gas." Gee, thanks. :livid:

Putting down our last Cairn Terrier was one of the hardest things I've ever done. He'd developed diabetes and was getting 2 shots per day... and then developed insulin resistance, and that was it. Not sure I can go through that again.

 

[Guest]

Is he happy?.

When he's not feeling like crap, yeah, he's happy. It's the bad times that come outta the blue that he feels bad. I thought we might be out the woods for a while and settled back in to a normal routine. I had something to do today and was all packed read to go for this am. Now I have to stay with him 24/7 till he gets straight again but that seems like a day that never comes anymore. I can't leave or do anything because he may need me. A lot of times I can't move in the house as he'll get up to see what's up and further compound the problem. When he's well, he's great, when he's bad off, he's bad off. Seems like maybe the glycoflex treats may be upsetting his ulcer, but he's been fine with them for a while. This just came out of the blue right after he ate. I did have to carry him in twice as he seemed he was having some trouble but he kept wanting to go out again. I don't know if I hurt him carrying him. I was alone with him in the middle of the yard, too far for him to try to make it back, too far for me to try to get the car. (he will either follow you or wander off). The problem is he starts feeling better, gets brave and winds up putting himself in a bad situation. Maybe I need to fence in an area for him to cruise around in but that's not really practical. I also hate to do that because he wants to patrol his yard. I also hate to do that because his first yard was only the size of a boat, about 6'X18', he now has 4.06 acres and lots of critters to smell.

 

[DrEntropy]

You're up $112 and you still have your dog...It's a good day.
I am sorry though, I find it hard to read this stuff partly because I feel bad for you/him, but also I'm realizing I'm not over losing my favorite cat. January 10, 2006 at 0930, he just...went.

Same issue here. Lost our dear boy Merlyn two years ago next month. He's the one in my avatar. Miss him as much as I miss my parents.

 

[Guest]

Falling over now, having trouble standing. Putting him back on the meds that gave him an ulcer as a last ditch effort. (Dr knows, taking other meds to help with that) Might bounce back, might not. Not looking good because he won't stay still long enough to heal. Meds we're putting him back on wiped out his liver last time too. Took him off to get his blood cells back in line. Either way, this can't go on forever.

 

[Guest]

Doing better/"o.k" again, well....at least until we burn up his liver....

I still can't believe his heart is still going, he's been a 5 outta 6 for murmur for the past two years.

 

[Rhodyspit75]

Hate to sound hard hearted but I have been down this road a few times. Are you doing this for him or you? Sounds like its time to let him have peace.

 

[judow]

I have to ask the same question, are you thinking of me or him? Hard question. The only answer at least that I finally had was too many bad days and I just couldn't put our Golden through it anymore. Vet agreed but hesitated to say anything until I/we asked. She knew how strongly we felt about Toby. The euthanasia was done here at home with the both of us there to be near. It still hurts and it's been almost 3 years. Still can't get up the courage to have another dog. We have 2 cats, one 5 or6 and the other 7 or 8. Not sure on the age as they were both rescues. I am so very sorry for what you are going through but just maybe it's time. Hugs to you and your wife.

 

[Guest]

Hate to sound hard hearted but I have been down this road a few times. Are you doing this for him or you? Sounds like its time to let him have peace.

Him, he's not ready yet. He's the problem, he goes nuts when you feed him or he thinks there might be food and trips over himself. He's doing much better now, the problem lies in the fact the meds that make him better effect his liver and stomach in continuous long term usage. I'm trying to balance his meds with his long term health. He still want to go outside and walk around a bit and has NO loss of appetite. Seems like he has one or two really good weeks and then about 2 or three bad days. Only one of those days are actually bad, the others are rebounding. He's only uncomfortable for a couple of hours, long enough to tell something is wrong. He's usually better later that day after we get back from the vet.


Don't worry, he's not suffering, I couldn't bare that. I'm the one that's suffering, that's the problem. It would be better for me to put him down but I'm not cutting his life short because it's difficult for me.

He's currently laying next to his food bowl watching Kelly make dinner (hoping she'll drop something...)

 

[Rhodyspit75]

Good. I had to ask because often your posts about how he is feeling are done on the bad days. He's lucky he has you caring for him. Good luck. Ernie

 

[Guest]

Well, he was doing great, even tried to get on the sofa. (got his front end up) I put him back down on the floor. A few hours later, coughed a bit and started with the abdominal pain/contractions. Not as bad as last time but still he was in pain. We thought it was his stomach but that seem to not be the case. Vet thinks it's a pinched nerve (spinal) from coughing. Going in tomorrow but I think I may just go ahead and put him down. Same thing happened 8 days ago and that's too soon. I can't have him in pain like this. He's doing "better" but it's probably going to be a long night. He seems to want to lay on his side but can't. There's just too much going on/wrong now: heart, spine, knees, liver, falling, coughing, contractions etc to keep trying to go on. I told myself before if this happened again (pain) I was just gonna fix it once and for all. I thought it might be the glycoflex III treats causing upset stomach/stones but it's probably not. Too many variables. Worst part he always bounces back but I don't want the worse to come at 3am on a Sunday morning holiday weekend...which it will.

Having some other really bad news come up lately as well. December has been a really bad month.

 

[Guest]

I just put the memory foam back down next to his bed so I can sleep there. (Had it up on the sofa for the past few days and him back on his regular dog bed. I haven't slept upstairs a full night in over three months) I went upstairs to talk to Kelly, started griping about him being too active, "Why can't he just be an old dog and sleep all day on the **** floor ?!"

I come back down and guess who I see climbing up on my memory foam bed...careful what you wish for....

 

[Guest]

Long story short, so-so night and really bad morning, had to do it; didn't want to, not much choice. There wasn't anything I could really do anymore without risking hurting him trying to help. I couldn't risk him getting worse, I just couldn't. Kelly and vet agreed it was the right time. Looked like spinal pain, not much you can do. My choices were do it now or keep going and possibly have to do it myself if things got bad at the wrong time. I have a feeling if I didn't today it would have to be next week. I didn't see a point in putting him through it again. I did my best to make him comfortable no matter how uncomfortable it made me. I did my best to do right by him.

 

[judow]

I hope this helps. A dear friend forwarded it to us when we had to say good bye to our Golden, Toby. We did all the right things for the first nine and in spite of how difficult it was for the 10th, we knew we had to do the right thing. (Still hurts)A Dog's Ten Commandments1. My life is likely to last 10 to 15 years. Anyseparation from you will be painful rememberthat before you get me.2. Give me time to understand what you want of me. 3. Place your trust in me- it is crucial to my wellbeing.4. Do not be angry at me for long, and do not lockme up as punishment.5. You have your work, your entertainment, and your friends. I only have you.6. Talk to me sometimes. Even if I don't understands your words,I understand your voice when it is speaking to me.7. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget.8. Remember before you hit me that I have teeth that couldeasily hurt you, but I choose not to bite you because I love you.9. Before you scold me for being uncooperative, obstinate or lazy,ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I might not be getting the right food, or I have been out too long, or my heart is getting too old and weak.10. Take care of me when I get old; you too will grow old. Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say: "I cannot bear to watch" or "Let it happen in my absence." Everythingis easier for me if you are there, even my death. Remember that I love you.