The Vet Called with Bad News
By DianneN
@DianneN (246452)
United States
April 19, 2018 5:21pm CST
The good news is that our handsome, sweet, smart, loving Doodles doesn't have arthritis. In fact, his bones and joints look very good.
The horrible news is that he has two bad things wrong with him.
The first is a nerve problem which is causing pain in his right front paw. Meds may relieve it or not.
The second is that he has an enlarged heart and cardiomyopathy. He will need an ultrasound by a vetinary cardiologist to give us more information, a better diagnosis, and a line of treatment.
Strange as this may sound, our dog had the same condition and the same cardiologist. This vet helped our dog to live for three happy years with Digoxin and a homeopathic approach. They didn't think he'd live out the week when our vet first saw him.
I'm ill over this, but we will do everything possible to help Doodles and prolong his life with us.
Thank you all for your prayers and well wishes. You don't know how much I truly appreciate your support. XOXOX to all of you!
~Photo of Doodles resting in front of the fireplace listening to Bach~
56 people like this
57 responses
@Tampa_girl7 (48855)
• United States
19 Apr 18
I'm sorry to hear this Dianne. I'm glad to know that you have a good veterinarian. I hope he can get Doodles feeling good again soon
5 people like this
@Freelanzer (10745)
• Canada
19 Apr 18
Sorry to hear about Doodles, he is so adorable. Hopefully with the right medical help he will recover.
3 people like this
@Freelanzer (10745)
• Canada
20 Apr 18
@DianneN I know how terrifying and painful that can be as I recently had to deal with a similar situation
2 people like this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
25 Apr 18
@Freelanzer It's never easy. I'm so sorry.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (168395)
• United States
20 Apr 18
Oh my poor Doodles! I once had a cat who had a heart murmur and some other problem. He was so sluggish I took him to the vet..the vet said it would be very expensive to treat a few thousand dollars. I said I would like to do all I could, but I couldn't see spending that kind of money...he was quite old at that time probably 17 or so. I said if he was a young cat..maybe I would. The vet said not to feel bad..that he was in no pain..the cat lived another few years..so he had more than a normal life span. I am sure with proper treatment, you will have Doodles quite awhile. for you and Doodles.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (168395)
• United States
20 Apr 18
@DianneN I'm glad!. I wonder if some kind of physical therapy would help with the nerve issue?
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
20 Apr 18
@snowy22315 The blood supply from his heart may be the cause of that. We have an appointment on May 1st for ultrasounds. Sigh....
1 person likes this
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36858)
• Pamplona, Spain
22 Apr 18
He will help to make his life much better with a treatment just wait and see.
He looks gorgeous there in that photos does our Doodles bless him.
1 person likes this
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36858)
• Pamplona, Spain
22 Apr 18
@DianneN
Sure you will hear those words.
All cats are not the same and all the problems affect them all different too.
He will be fine pretty soon with treatment.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
22 Apr 18
@lovinangelsinstead21 Thank you! His ultrasound appointment is May 1st. Hopefully, we will know much more by then and how to treat him. Now, he's on opioids for sleep and pain.
1 person likes this
@cttolledo (5462)
• Legaspi, Philippines
19 Apr 18
Hope he'll get better and be with you longer. He is still lucky then, for having you for taking care of him.
2 people like this
@kobesbuddy (73891)
• East Tawas, Michigan
20 Apr 18
Oh Dianne, I know how bad this feels, when our beloved pets are hurting or worse yet, have life threatening health problems! ' I love you, sweet lady:)'
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (73891)
• East Tawas, Michigan
22 Apr 18
@DianneN Doodle is a family member, he's very important to you:)
1 person likes this
@Bullshark (3479)
• Netherlands
20 Apr 18
I'm sorry to hear that, Dianne. Cat well soon, Doodles!
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
24 Apr 18
@Bullshark Thank you. I'm hoping and praying.
1 person likes this
@Bullshark (3479)
• Netherlands
23 Apr 18
@DianneN Don't lose hope, Dianne. Stay positive... :)
1 person likes this
@mlgen1037 (29901)
• Manila, Philippines
20 Apr 18
Again, I am saddened by this as I wish Doodles good health. Will be including him in our prayers. Be strong, Dianne.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
22 Apr 18
Thank you again. He walked around our yard twice today, sitting and resting when he needed to. It's the first time he's done it in two weeks! We made an appointment for his ultrasound on May 1st. That should tell us much more about his health.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
22 Apr 18
@mlgen1037 Thank you so much, Louise! I will!
1 person likes this
@mlgen1037 (29901)
• Manila, Philippines
22 Apr 18
@DianneN I see. Just keep us posted, Dianne. Looking forward to Doodles' recovery. Please give him my warmest hugs.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (71573)
• United States
27 Apr 18
This is great news and bad news! That is so odd your dog had the same thing. Makes me wonder what it is caused by. I always worry about all the darn chemicals in food and things we eat. I love that your vet was able to prolong your dog's life with the digoxin and a holistic approach. Any doctor willing to look at holistic alternatives is a smart cookie in my book!
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66861)
• Philippines
23 Apr 18
oh, i am so sorry to hear about Doodles' condition. i hope he takes enough rest to limit his heart condition so it won't get more enlarged.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
25 Apr 18
@ridingbet Yikes! Thanks so much. The vet told us to limit his activities. He sleeps a lot.
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66861)
• Philippines
25 Apr 18
@DianneN limiting his activity may reduce his heart rate. if Doodles is a human being, we would advise him to be on complete bed rest.
1 person likes this