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Post by Darcy Collins on Jun 24, 2020 21:45:16 GMT
I'm sorry. It's a tough journey. Just remember to think about what THEY need. It's tough for us to let go.
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Post by tkdmom on Jun 24, 2020 21:56:08 GMT
I am going through something similar with my 15 year old sheltie. He has bad arthritis, developed colitis and I am fairly sure is in CHF (I can hear a rub with my stethesrope). The vet is keep him comfortable for as long as we can. When he was refusing to eat I gave him good grains chicken wet dogfood. That he is willing to eat. To give pills they are wrapped in american cheese, peanut butter, cream cheese or mini baybel We have to alternate since the fusspot will not take one twice in a row.
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Post by dewryce on Jun 25, 2020 0:08:31 GMT
Thinking of you today
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Post by papersilly on Jun 25, 2020 3:10:33 GMT
No suggestions but I'm sending you and your pupper lots of good thoughts.
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Jun 25, 2020 18:12:00 GMT
We're doing what we can for her. Another vet in the office suggested cutting back all the meds to just two main ones, to see if that helps her stabilize (getting more of the fluid out of her lungs and only one of the heart meds) so that we can get her 'feeling' even a little bit better. She's now taken to violently shaking her head and turning her head away if I try to give her any food or pills, although she still will drink water and pee. She also can't even keep an ice chip in her mouth to chew it- they fall right back out again. The 'cutting down the meds' idea is our Hail Mary play, and we're giving her a couple days to see if that will get her feeling good enough to eat on her own again.
But realistically, we know we will probably be helping her over the Rainbow Bridge this weekend-- if nothing changes, it's the right thing to do for her. I wouldn't want someone force-feeding ME and shoving pills down my throat against my wishes; we don't want to put her thru any more of that indignity, either. So, this Saturday, I will brush and groom her (she's a former show dog; she LOVES being brushed and all that attention), kisses, and skritches... and we will do what we have to.
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Post by dewryce on Jun 25, 2020 18:13:14 GMT
Oh honey, I’m so sorry.
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Jun 25, 2020 18:20:27 GMT
thanks, dewryce . It's just that if I think about it, our life the past 9 months sounds like a really bad country-music song! "My dog died (Bisbee died in October pf a brain tumor); we're in a global pandemic; one of our very good friends died in February (kidney failure); my dad died (he was 90 years old and died at the end of April); my mom is falling apart and needs knee surgery (she's 80 and she collapsed mentally and physically after caring for him); and now the second verse of 'my dog died' again." <sigh> I truly understand the cliched phrase 'stop the world, I wanna get off!' Are we sure the Mayan calendar said 2012 was the year everything was supposed to go to he!l, and not 2020?? ETA: and on a more serious note, I know now why some people who have had dogs in the past say they can't have a dog as a pet again... I'm starting to lean that direction, myself. Even though I loved my cats, I do NOT remember it being quite this heartbreaking to go through their physical decline at the end of their lives.. maybe I've just blocked it out, I don't know.
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schizo319
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,030
Jun 28, 2014 0:26:58 GMT
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Post by schizo319 on Jun 25, 2020 18:20:59 GMT
My heart is breaking for you. Big hugs, you'll be in my thoughts this weekend.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 25, 2024 7:54:45 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 25, 2020 18:22:39 GMT
I'm so sorry. My dog doesn't drink a lot of fluids and when she's sick, it's impossible to get her to drink water unless I give it to her via a bulb syringe in her mouth. Do you think it would be possible to feed Krista some blended food using a syringe? If she rejects it, then I would stop trying as it would be causing her more stress.
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Post by dewryce on Jun 25, 2020 18:31:19 GMT
That’s so much, too much, I’m so sorry. (((Hugs))) That’s because cats can be real assholes We are just now ready for cats again after losing our last one 6 years ago, and our first (and admitted favorite) over 10 years ago, and we never thought we’d get here. I hope you can get to the same place.
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lesley
Drama Llama
My best friend Turriff, desperately missed.
Posts: 7,166
Location: Scotland, Scotland, Scotland
Jul 6, 2014 21:50:44 GMT
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Post by lesley on Jun 25, 2020 18:32:23 GMT
I’m so so sorry. You’ve had a lot to deal with recently, any one of these things is hard, but all of them together is awful.
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azcrafty
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,764
Jun 28, 2019 20:24:21 GMT
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Post by azcrafty on Jun 25, 2020 18:43:10 GMT
Lots of ❤ to you and family. It's a hard decision to make.
My friend lost her great Dane last year. She had a service come to the house, she said it was very peaceful. When time comes I will do the same.
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Post by yodutchess on Jun 26, 2020 0:35:42 GMT
Would beef broth be an alternative she might drink, or would the fluid overload her? I am thinking since she will drink instead of eat. Also, I did not know if she had a fluid limit with her heart failure. Hugs to you. This is not easy.
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crumpea
New Member
Posts: 6
Aug 18, 2014 22:28:51 GMT
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Post by crumpea on Jun 26, 2020 6:03:13 GMT
I haven't posted in a very long time, but I couldn't read without replying, so I've revived my account. I truly hope this isn't the end for your pup, and it may unfortunately be, but don't give up just yet. My dog was diagnosed with heart failure about 15 months ago. He wasn't eating and his cough was out of control. After his diagnosis, he started on the meds - which were almost impossible to get into him. Apparently, the meds can make dogs nauseous too, and many of them lose weight in the early days. But about a week after he started on the meds, his lungs started to clear and his energy returned. About 2-3 weeks later, his appetite returned, and he's never lost it again. His health is deteriorating slowly and his cough has never completely gone away, but when he has a setback, we up his diuretic...sometimes doubling it. This helps to clear his lungs, and once he's feeling better, we drop him back down to his regular dose. Keep him hydrated, do whatever you have to do to get the pills into him. We tried everything, and one day, he just decided they were part of his routine. We wrap them in a cheese slice now and he gobbles them up. 15 months later, he's still going strong. He definitely has his good and bad days, but I certainly don't feel like he's on death's door - and I really did in the early days.
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Post by scrappintoee on Jun 26, 2020 6:39:59 GMT
I'm sooo sorry about your precious Krista, and then as I kept reading, I saw this. Ugh, DH and I KNOW how heartbreaking it is, and I hate that you and your DH just went through it last Fall, too. we went thru this last fall with one of our other Shelties, Bisbee... she had an inoperable brain tumor that affected her balance, vision, her ability to eat, and eventually her personality. It was heartbreaking to go through, and we really didn't expect to go thru it again so soon... I totally understand you wanting to give her the BEST chance, so whatever you end up doing, I'm sending you and your DH many, many (( Hugs )) I'm curious what your vet thinks....have they said anything about it being time? We just lost our precious 9-year-old Sophie 2 weeks ago, and the sadness and tears are sooo hard! And I STILL cry when I think of the precious hospice foster guy who we had to put down 3 years ago---so I really, REALLY empathize! If someone had told me I'd STILL cry about a doggie we only had for 10 MONTHS ---(his owner dumped him after THIRTEEN YEARS !!!!! ) ---- I would have not have believed them. Whatever happens, I truly hope you do NOT have guilt !!! DH is blaming himself for a few things that were NOT his fault---but he is convinced that he "failed" her, and it's breaking my heart to see him go through that ON TOP of regular grieving . OOops, I rambled a bit. Leftover grief from 3 years ago, and new, fresh grief from 2 weeks ago. I just sent up prayers and also (( hugs )) to you and Krista !
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janeliz
Drama Llama
I'm the Wiz and nobody beats me.
Posts: 5,632
Jun 26, 2014 14:35:07 GMT
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Post by janeliz on Jun 26, 2020 10:27:05 GMT
I’m so sorry. You have had a terrible year. ((Hugs))
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Dallie
Full Member
Posts: 490
Feb 25, 2020 16:33:25 GMT
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Post by Dallie on Jun 26, 2020 12:15:46 GMT
I am so sorry.
We lost our beloved dog two years ago at only 7 when he got a brain tumor. If it brings you any comfort, my husband said, after we watched beloved dog pass, that he wishes all human suffering could end so painlessly and surrounded by loved ones. It is truly the last loving act we make for our beloved dogs.
Hugs.
(We did get two dogs a few months later. I always joke it took two dogs to replace him. But they are very different dogs, different breeds, different gifts.)
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Post by Basket1lady on Jun 26, 2020 12:45:28 GMT
crimsoncat05, how is your girl doing today? We’re thinking of you.
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Post by elaine on Jun 26, 2020 12:54:24 GMT
crimsoncat05 , how is your girl doing today? We’re thinking of you. Yes, this! (((Hugs)))
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Post by medennis4 on Jun 26, 2020 12:55:14 GMT
Sending you hugs. One of our shelties crossed the rainbow bridge 2 weeks ago. She was 12 years old with a thyroid condition and was on medication. My DH was walking her and our other sheltie when she stopped and started shaking. My husband said he picked her up and started walking home quickly when she passed in his arms. Later that morning we took our other sheltie to the vet and found out her gallbladder needed to come out. We took her to the university vet hospital where they removed her gallbladder and took a liver biopsy. After surgery, she would not eat either so she was given anti-nausea pills and pain medication that we gave her. For food, we have tried boiled chicken, cooked plain rice blended in some of the chicken water, cooked lean ground beef, and Hill’s Science Diet I/D canned food where we bake it into dog treats. She eats a little of some of the food several times a day. Our dog is slowly starting to eat again. Late last week, the vet called to say that our sheltie (only 5 years old) has liver disease. We are sad about all of this.
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ddly
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,947
Jul 10, 2014 19:36:28 GMT
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Post by ddly on Jun 26, 2020 13:25:48 GMT
I'm so sorry. How is she doing today?
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Jun 26, 2020 15:55:05 GMT
We just lost our precious 9-year-old Sophie 2 weeks ago, and the sadness and tears are sooo hard! And I STILL cry when I think of the precious hospice foster guy who we had to put down 3 years ago---so I really, REALLY empathize! If someone had told me I'd STILL cry about a doggie we only had for 10 MONTHS ---(his owner dumped him after THIRTEEN YEARS !!!!! ) ---- I would have not have believed them. aww, man! I'm so sorry, scrappintoee ... dogs just find their way into your heart and stay there, don't they? thank you so much for fostering- I know I'd be a 'foster fail' because I wouldn't want to let any of them go. We lost our beloved dog two years ago at only 7 when he got a brain tumor. If it brings you any comfort, my husband said, after we watched beloved dog pass, that he wishes all human suffering could end so painlessly and surrounded by loved ones. It is truly the last loving act we make for our beloved dogs. I'm so sorry, Dallie! Until Bisbee, brain tumors weren't really something I ever thought about a pet getting. I do agree with you- it is a loving decision we make for our companions, and I, too, wish human suffering could also end as painlessly. (We did get two dogs a few months later. I always joke it took two dogs to replace him. But they are very different dogs, different breeds, different gifts.) haha! yeah, some dogs are seemingly irreplaceable. Bisbee was like that, for us. Krista is a very different personality- I joke that we're her 'retirement home' after retiring from being a show dog... I'm glad we could give her a loving home for her last years. We don't really want Prescott (he's about 10) to be an 'only' dog, but our breeder hasn't had luck with breeding for the past year or so. Sending you hugs. One of our shelties crossed the rainbow bridge 2 weeks ago. She was 12 years old with a thyroid condition and was on medication. My DH was walking her and our other sheltie when she stopped and started shaking. My husband said he picked her up and started walking home quickly when she passed in his arms. Later that morning we took our other sheltie to the vet and found out her gallbladder needed to come out. We took her to the university vet hospital where they removed her gallbladder and took a liver biopsy. After surgery, she would not eat either so she was given anti-nausea pills and pain medication that we gave her. For food, we have tried boiled chicken, cooked plain rice blended in some of the chicken water, cooked lean ground beef, and Hill’s Science Diet I/D canned food where we bake it into dog treats. She eats a little of some of the food several times a day. Our dog is slowly starting to eat again. Late last week, the vet called to say that our sheltie (only 5 years old) has liver disease. We are sad about all of this. oh, medennis4 , I am so sorry for your loss! I'm glad to hear your furbaby is starting to eat again, and I hope the liver disease is treatable. Thank you again, everyone who posted. Last night my DH found a huge lump on her back in her shoulder blade area, which was NOT there just a few days ago, that we know of. So obviously there is something more going on with her health than we even know. She isn't living any more, just 'existing' which is not a good quality of life. So we will be helping Krista over the Rainbow Bridge tomorrow... thanks again to everyone who posted with suggestions, and huge (((((HUGS))))) from me to everyone who has lost furry companions of their own, recently or otherwise. I appreciate your good thoughts. It's nice to know other people understand just how tough it is.
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Post by jloubier on Jun 26, 2020 17:09:02 GMT
Oh, no...I'm so sorry you've had to make that heartbreaking decision. My husband and I have been there a few times. It's like your mind knows it's the right thing to do, but your heart is never ready to let go. Sending courage and comforting thoughts your way.
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Post by scrappintoee on Jun 27, 2020 0:54:15 GMT
I just read your update. I know that today/ tonight and every single minute before you go to the vet tomorrow is going to be BRUTAL, and I'm sending (( hugs )). I post this SWEET (and true!) picture to almost every doggie lover I know, and honestly, I'm already in tears as I type this to you. I just LOVE what it says-----because she WILL be happy tomorrow-----but yes, it is SOO hard on US !!! I hope you don't mind that I'm posting this BEFORE she goes---I just wanted you to see it because although this is so hard on US, the doggies are assuring us that they're GLAD you let them go, and now, they're "dancing" and doing fine. Many, many (( hugs ))
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Post by scrappintoee on Jul 1, 2020 5:17:48 GMT
crimsoncat05 -----Earlier today, I posted a Rainbow Bridge picture to another grieving pea, and after having a ROUGH day and evening of grieving our doggie, I just remembered about your baby. I'm sending many (( hugs )). Sending you hugs. One of our shelties crossed the rainbow bridge 2 weeks ago. medennis4.....I'm so sorry! Wayyyy too many deaths for the peas in the last 2 weeks! To anyone else who's grieving, I'm sending you many (( hugs )), too!
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PLurker
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,738
Location: Behind the Cheddar Curtain
Jun 28, 2014 3:48:49 GMT
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Post by PLurker on Jul 1, 2020 7:19:40 GMT
Someone may have said this didn't read the whole thread as I'm heading to bed. Peanut butter with the pill inside it and rubbed against the roof of her mouth should get the pill down as they have to pick to get it off and pill goes down with it. Worked for every dog I've had.
Otherwise before I go to sleep I just wanted to offer you more hugs. So hard.
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