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Xan

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Posts posted by Xan

    Sutra's Limp = Probable Osteo

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    That's a lot to digest, Kristin. For the very present moment, the eating seems to be the biggest issue. If he's more willing to eat when you're not there, that suggests and answer (put the food down and walk away). Maybe he's associating you with all the pill-stuffing. Can you dissolve his meds and syringe them in? Your game of meal roulette is bringing back bad memories! It's so hard when they won't eat!

    Hang in there!!

    :bighug

    Sutra's Limp = Probable Osteo

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Had to laugh about your hypersensitivity to your dogs! I'm that way, too. I can tell from around the corner that Pogo has finished eating, and is "pointing" at a kibble that has fallen out of his reach, waiting in perfect stillness for us to help him out. :lol

     

    I'm glad Sutra is feeling better. We'll all be waiting to hear how it goes tomorrow!

    Final Hour Wizard Help

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    I don't have any advice. I just wanted to let you know you're not alone in this experience. As have many others here, I went through so much of the same; doubt, frantic fear, head-banging regret, hopeful flights, dashed hopes, gearing up to euthanasia then riding one more wave of hope and doubt.....

     

    I hope your search turns up a solution for you all. In the mean time, make as many good memories as you can.

    :bighug :bighug

    It's Real- She Is Gone

    in Remembrance

    Posted

    So much pain and sadness! :( My heart is breaking for you. The pain you're in right now, at this moment, is the worst it will ever be. Knowing that it will be less sharp as time goes on may give you some hope if not comfort, but now is now, and it hurts. :bighug

     

    Taking on a foster now could be a wonderful thing. That dog doesn't know about all that pain, and will be a new adventurer under your guidance. That's a pretty compelling responsibility, and maybe it will give you a chance to see through his/her eyes at a new world, one full of unknown possibilities.

     

    :bighug :bighug :bighug

    Teddys At The Vet

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Whew! That first wound is gnarly! :( Looks like it's pretty free from swelling and all, though, which is amazing, considering.

     

    It sounds like you're having to make a lot of tough changes. I'm so sorry. I hope your husband's issues turn out to be simple and easy to remedy or cope with (maybe just some B12, or cranberry juice/capsules [we learned that an unidentified UTI can have symptoms similar to dementia]). Sounds like moving out the fosters is a good start.

     

    Home health services may be a real godsend for you as things go on, allowing you to do things you need (or even just want) to do that take you out of the house.

     

    The idea of padlocking the dog crates I understand, but it worries me, too. If your husband is in a wheelchair, can a simple slide-type lock be put on the room's door that is out of his reach? We did this for my MIL at one point.

     

    Best of luck to you and the family. I'm sure you need all the help and encouragement you can get!

    :bighug

    Sutra's Limp = Probable Osteo

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Kristin, I'm just catching up on this. Wow. What a ride. Sounds like he's doing better than you are, as far as he's concerned. :bighug At least it's a mercy that he's not going through all the emotional and mental anguish that you are on his behalf. :(

     

    Did the hind end tucking go away? Is he still knuckling under (on the front leg?) when he limps?

    Hang in there!

    Manny's Epic Battle

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Oh my gawd. I'm trying hard not to imagine what it must have been like for Manny, smashing into that stick so hard, feeling it break off inside him, and then every moment after that through all this horror!

     

    HUGE hugs to you, and whatever Manny likes best to him! He deserves only softness and good things from now on EVER!

    Riley Has Osteo

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Lucy, I'm so sorry you're walking this sad road with your beloved Riley. :(

     

    I so support your decision of "better a day too early than a day too late", and choosing a date rather than having the date choose you ensures it goes as well as it can be expected to. When we had to let Happy go, it was at least 2 weeks too late (maybe even 2 months!), no one would come to the house, our vet was out of town for days, so we just dragged her along 'til the stars aligned. It was awful for everyone. In the end, we carried her blanket-wrapped body back out to our car, took her home, and then out to a grave we dug while we sobbed. She was suddenly so heavy. :sob:

     

    Please make sure you have friends or family with you to help you through this.

     

    :bighug :bighug :bighug

    Lyra

    in Remembrance

    Posted

    **Posting for Merann**

     

    I never had cancer in the back of my mind because Dr. Duke said it looked good - a fixable break. He was wrong.

     

    Lyra ruled the boys with an iron paw. She and Sterling had their own special game of stealing each other's rawhide. She would bark at him until he gave his up. Then she would grab it and run downstairs with it. It wouldn't be long until off went Sterling - and they would play the game downstairs - with one rushing back upstairs after successfully taking the rawhide. It truly was a game because there are always about 10 rawhides in their basket to choose from.

     

    She was "Her Royal Highnesses". You see - she had two hineys - one one either side and both needed to be scritched every morning. She would come in the room and turn around and "present" herself for scritches.

     

    We could get her to roach by asking her if she was "cute". "Lyra, are you cute?" Oh yes, then she would roach. And just as quickly, green eyed Rynn would try and get in on the action - moving in for pets.

     

    She LOVED her walks. I would touch her back and she would swing her head from side to side while arching her back. She was just so happy to go on walks. She would chatter her teeth at me for a walk. How could you resist that?

     

    All those things I will miss. She was so beautiful with her silver face, silver hairs on the back of her legs and belly and little white tipped tail.

     

    One time she was playing with a rawhide in the living room - tossed it into the air and right into my very expensive glass bowl I have on the coffee table. She immediately looked at me in horror. I laughed and got up and gave the rawhide to her. Lisa said "she could have broken that". I said, "but she didn't". That was a couple of years ago. Sunday I was cleaning that bowl and there is a long crack that starts at the base of the bowl and almost goes to the edge. It made me smile. The bowl is broken now, after she is gone. She left me a sign.

    ***How she passed***

     

    A week ago yesterday I was home as workmen were at my house. My roommate came home at lunch and went to give the three hounds a potty break. All of a sudden I hear screaming - screaming. I ran down and Lisa was walking in with Lyra. Lyra was screaming and limping - holding her right leg up. I told Lisa to hold her and I ran upstairs and got some Metacam and gave it to her.

     

    I gingerly felt her leg. It was just swinging. I knew she had broken her leg. I told Lisa to go call Dr. Bill. His office is only about 3 minutes from us. We somehow got her in the back of the jeep and I was back there with her. Dr. Bill put her on the table - I don't know why he had to do that. She was in such pain she bit me and then bit Lisa. I was screaming at him to give her something for the pain. I know I was hysterical and he got angry with me.

     

    She needed x rays. Mill Creek couldn't take her until 2:00 pm and by that time it was 11:45. So Dr. Bill called Pilchuck and they could take her. She was a little more calm - we headed over to Pilchuck. By the time we got there - whatever he gave her was wearing off. She started screaming again. Lisa went in to the office - it took forever for them to come out with the gurney. Finally get her inside and they take her back. I can hear her screaming and screaming. Finally Dr. Duke came in and said he was angry because he kept getting Dr. Bill's voice mail. He wanted to put her under and splint the leg. I told him just to do it - don't wait for Dr. Bill. Finally she was quiet. They recommended orthopedist down by 145th. Lisa called and they would take her. First place we tried said no -not until tomorrow. Dr. Duke gave her more pain medication and we got her back in the jeep.

     

    I rode back there with her trying to hold her - because every time she moved when the car accelerated - she screamed. We got there and again - why does it take so long for them to come and get her?? Finally we are in a room with a vet tech. PLEASE give her something for the pain. She did - opiates. Which takes them out of their minds - but at least relives the pain.

     

    We waited there - kept going out to get the vet tech when we thought she needed more pain medication. Finally at 4:00 the Dr. came in and started talking to us. Dr. Duke had told us it was a clean break and could be repaired. So I couldn't figure out why Dr. Bennett was talking about everything, what she eats, etc. instead of fixing her. He asked me - "What do you want to ask me?" I looked up and said - how do we fix her? He then said "Oh this is the part I hate - I saw a tumor behind the break". I collapsed - osteosarcoma. Again. Sterling was diagnosed last May and had his amputation and chemo. My tri-pod - it has been almost a year.

     

    I was sobbing and sobbing. Dr. Bennett said that the chance of recovery for her was not going to be good - the cancer had shattered the bone. Even if he did amputate - the chance of infection and a long recovery was certain.

     

    I looked at my little girl. This girl could not stand any pain - she had the lowest pain tolerance I have ever seen in a dog. I couldn't do this to her. Sterling - yes -my huge boy was only 6 when his happened. Lyra was going on 12.

     

    We let her go. Peacefully - she went peacefully.

     

    The shock has been so great - she just turned the corner - she didn't even fall.

     

    I emailed OSU as they gave us Sterling's chemo drugs. Dr. Liliana said that 4 out of 5 times - due to the osteo - the break is just spontaneous.

     

    Even with five cats and two other hounds - the house is so empty. We are all still in shock I think.

     

    We got her remains back on Saturday. I still haven't put her up on the mantel as of yet.

     

    I have one thing to be grateful for - we were there when this horrible thing happened to her. What if we had been at work and she would have screamed and suffered all day?? I can't even imagine - I think I would have died.

     

    She is at the bridge with Britta and Tant - and Raz, and Ruffian, and Aegean, and Mazzit. Oh the list is so long.

     

    A couple days after - I looked at Dr. Bennett's bill. His consultation fee was $80.00. I read down further - the pain medication - the cremation - and then at the bottom - he backed out his consultation fee. I wrote him a card thanking him - and telling him that his consultation was what helped me make the right decision. Our cards crossed in the mail - he hand wrote me a card saying how sorry he was about Lyra. What a lovely man.

     

    Run free my girl. I love you so.

    **Xan here. I was able to quickly find just a couple pictures of lovely Queen Lyra.

    Lyra2ws.jpg

     

    Lyra1ws.jpg

     

    Lyra was a special girl, who lived a lucky life. Merann loves her pets/kids so completely that they are all free to open like flowers, living happily as one big family, furry and not-so-furry. Lyra leaves a big hole in that family, and is missed!

    :bighug :bighug :bighug

    Simon

    in Remembrance

    Posted

    Aw! Sweet ol Simon! For a Vanilla guy, he had a pretty varied life with you.

     

    I'm so sorry for your loss, Elizabeth. It's hard when your long-trained reflexes (how many bowls at feeding time, how many beds, leashes, muzzles, isn't it time for a potty break? why's it so quiet in there!?) keep reminding you of your grief.

    :bighug :bighug :bighug

     

    Take gentle care of yourself!

    :grouphug

    Lyra

    in Remembrance

    Posted

    :bighug :bighug :bighug

    Merann, I know your post didn't come out right. Maybe you should just try again here, replying to your thread?

     

    She went so suddenly. I know your heart is broken, but I also know that Lyra (and your other pets) have the best life on the pet planet with you. They're incredibly lucky.

     

    Take good care of yourself.

    :bighug

    Toes Rubbing Together

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    I wondered about keeping even Bag Balm on it, in terms of it being kept moist, and also that it might collect muddy grit, making the problem worse. :rolleyes:

     

    The idea of keeping it dry appeals, as does the tuf-foot.

     

    Since it doesn't actually seem to be bothering him (yet?), I'm reluctant to do anything involving injections, antibiotics or steroids, but the idea that it might be something structural is important to keep in mind, so thanks Cheryl2.

     

    Earlkattangrey, good luck with your guy! I'm sure he'll settle in now that he's found his forever home. :)

     

    I did get the ol' Dremel back out today, and everyone got a good touch-up, so something good has come of it, anyway! :lol

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