Update on my dog.

@Valenas (1507)
United States
July 23, 2008 10:16pm CST
I made a discussion about a week ago on the status of my dog. Just for a recap, he was put into veterinary care after getting into the trash can and eating chicken bones, and unknown other stuff. Well, it caused a lot of problems within his body. Anyway, I'll update you starting with the first night. We, mother and I, put him on fluids that night, and the next day, he goes with her to work. He comes home a few days later, over the weekend. Just when we thought he was recovering, even though we were providing fluids still and medication, he still slipped backwards. I had a full day of work on Monday because of a meeting, and we took him back with us. I held him in my lap so he could look out of the window, and he was so intrigued. For that car ride, you wouldn't even think that he was sick... So, we walk him inside, and we put him in a kennel in the treatment room, and Dr. S hooks him up to an IV drip. I was in that room a lot that day due to an dog that was in so much pain in the mouth that he.. I think he might have been in shock. But, I had to see my dog in there, hooked up to a machine, fighting for his life. Because of all of the fluids running into him, he peed, and he bit anyone who got near him, except for mother and me. I had to move him over one kennel because no one else could get near him, and I wanted to cry, but I hid my face and cleaned so that no one would see me biting my lip and trying hard not to. Mother and I had to leave him there, again. Yesterday, she called because it seemed to be storming, and I asked her how he was doing, and she said that the dog was doing fine, that he was alright. He had to stay there again that night. Tonight, she brought him home with her. Grandma asked her how he was doing, and she said that they were talking about euthanizing him because he just isn't getting any better. He still won't stop puking. As she was saying that, he started peeing on the floor, and we had to shove him outside, and mother said, "See this is why, I can't do this alone." She knows that she has me, but she feels the same way that I do. It hurts to lose him. I offered to help clean up, but it was something that she needed to do, and probably the only thing that was stopping her from crying. So, I went outside and did what she probably wanted to do. I grabbed him up and held him and just started crying and crying and crying. I hear a noise in front of me, and mother is standing there watching me, and she tells me that she cried all of the way home, but he is suffering, and he's not looking any better. We're still running fluids tonight, we're going to give him the rest of the bag tonight. As far as I know, he hasn't thrown his dinner up yet. But, he's still not getting better. I think that Mother just brought him home tonight so that we have the chance to say goodbye. I am in my room right now because otherwise I would be in there clinging to him, and he needs to rest. For those that own an animal, I know that it is hard. There are so many euthanizations, so many battles that are fought and lost. We know that sometimes a dog or a cat goes down a slippery slope and there is no turning back. But still, we always think that our pets are somehow stronger than the rest, and it's always devastating to see that, no matter how hard you cheer for that pet, hard work and a will to survive is just not enough. He is sore, he is tired. He's had a needle stuck into him for the past week, he's gotten so much medication, he's emptied his stomach onto the floor or the concrete so many times. I think he's tired of fighting. And I am scared, I am so scared. I've had him since I was six years old. I've grown up with him. He's been there as I went from Elementary school to Middle School, from Middle School to High School. Everywhere that I have gone in my life, he has been there. It is going to be so hard letting go... I just hope he makes a turn around tomorrow. There is still a slight chance of recovery, but I can already tell that he is tired of fighting.
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3 responses
• United States
27 Jul 08
Valenas, I'm sorry that I have not been on, I feel as I if I have not been there for you =( What you are going through/have gone through is an accident that cannot be explained (as to why). I really hope that your pup pulls through and that you will be alright. As with "Momma", our cat had feline leukemia and had to be put down, it tore my mom up and I had to watch her go through what seemed like the end of the world. A best friends' loss is a hard thing to deal with. I can only tell you to stay strong, if nothing else, for yourself and your mother. My best wishes and thinking of you now =) HUGS Kristi Sue
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@Valenas (1507)
• United States
27 Jul 08
That is alright, Kristi! *Hugs* I know that if you were here, you would have been the first one to respond! I am sorry to hear about your cat going through feline leukemia as well. I can understand why your mother was so upset, it's a terrible ordeal. And, for a quick update, my dog seems to be better today. I am not sure if he has thrown up today, but mother hasn't said anything to me about it. I made this discussion because I was afraid, and the topic of euthanization was on the top of my family's mind, and at the time, he just seemed to be getting worse and worse. He's still got some more recovering to do, though.
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@MOMMASAM (1004)
• United States
28 Jul 08
val, this is excellent news. please keep us updated ! i'm praying maybe he turned the corner to wellness...........
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@Valenas (1507)
• United States
3 Aug 08
Overdue update; He's doing much better. There are some days where he doesn't even throw up. We are probably going to have to keep giving him liver medicine, but we were able to take him off all of the other medication. Thank you, everyone, for being there for me. ;)
@MOMMASAM (1004)
• United States
24 Jul 08
oh, i am crying now. i can feel the love you and your family feel for this treasured friend. yes, he is fighting to stay alive and to stay with you. when he has no energy, you will know it is time to say goodbye. i know you do not want him to suffer. it is of no comfort to you now but i truly believe their spirit always is next to you...watching you and loving you.
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@Valenas (1507)
• United States
24 Jul 08
Thank you for responding, Mommasam. Can I call you Momma? I believe that he will always be with me, yes. I just went into the living room, and he is on the chair, which means that he must have thrown up again during the night. I was hoping that he wouldn't...
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@Valenas (1507)
• United States
24 Jul 08
Feline Leukemia is a terrible, terrible thing. I am sorry for your loss. Mother and I both work in a vet clinic, so I see a lot of euthanizations. It hurts to see other people lose their loved ones, but it hits a stronger note when it's your own. He left with Mother two hours ago, and I asked that she call me when she finds out anything.
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@MOMMASAM (1004)
• United States
24 Jul 08
of course, val. it's easy to remember. my nickname is SAM, but momma is perfect. each hour is important. he made it through the night each hour is a blessing, too. i'm still praying ! i do not mean to upset you, and, i had this experience with my cat who had feline leukemia. the vet gave me a pill to put the cat to sleep in my home. when the cat was asleep, of course i took her to the vet for the final. but, i at least did not have to experience her upset at going to the vet again. i was able to hold her until she went to sleep.
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@sameroad (3179)
• United States
24 Jul 08
I'm so sorry to hear this and i really hope he make a turn around too.
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@Valenas (1507)
• United States
24 Jul 08
Thank you for responding. He hasn't thrown up yet tonight, which is a good sign. He's definitely tired of being pricked with the IV needle. His skin is sore on his back where we're inserting it. We'd find somewhere else to do it, but it's the best place to do it if we're just pumping fluid in him rather than attaching him to an IV drip.
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