11yr Old Girl Wobbling, Panting Excessively

[Guest MZH]

Proin could cause stroky problems. It did with my girl; I'll never give it or ppa again. Sparkle had a hemmorragic stroke and she died within 30 minutes. For several months she had been fighting me when I gave the med to her. I wish I had listened to her when she was trying to tell me it was making her sick.

 

You might consider taking her off it and see how she acts. Yes, she'll have urinary accidents for a bit, but you'll find out if it's the Proin causing her problems. If so, there's always DES instead of Proin.

 

Marcia

[Guest trevdog]

Sending lots of prayers......

[tbhounds]

Forgive me as I did not read all of the replies but, I did see that your girl is taking PPA. I almost lost my girl to horrible reaction to PPA. She started to crash within minutes of taking her first dose. She ended up taking DES w/o a problem. She is no longer with me but, passed from in unrelated cancer. I'll be thinking of your girl!

[Burpdog]

I missed that she was on Proin. I, too, would withdraw and see how it goes.

 

Sending more prayers!

[Guest ss556]

Sending prayers.

[Guest vahoundlover]

I missed that she was on Proin. I, too, would withdraw and see how it goes.

 

Sending more prayers!

 

I missed it too.....We lost Dolly to a toxic reaction to Proin.

[Greytlady94]

Sending prayers.

[Guest GreyKat]

Hello everyone,

 

I am afraid whatever it was that was ailing my poor girl moved too quickly. She was in an enormous amount of pain and was one the highest doses possible of pain medication overnight at the hospital. The neurologist this morning said her test didn't go so well and that she thought Luna might either be suffering from cancer or meningitis. She said she wanted to do a spinal tap but that she couldn't in Luna's state. She said the cognitive response was such that it seemed there was a tremendous amount of pressure on her brain. She was worried the tap would kill her. She suggested an MRI if we wanted to try to pinpoint it, but she also said it would be very risky to put her under anesthesia. Everything situation she described seemed like it would equal pain and suffering for Luna, and my husband and I didn't want that. Since the maximum dose of pain medication wasn't even completely making her comfortable, we were worried to keep her in that state in the hospital for what the doctor described would be several days. We wanted to end her pain and make sure we could be there with her when she went, so we made the tremendously difficult decision to put her to sleep.

 

We are currently in a state of shock. Only a few days ago, she was at least playing w/ toys, trying to get the boys to play w/ her in the yard, eating all her food. We've noted the differences in her personality and overall mobility, for sure, but yesterday she just suddenly seemed like a different dog. It happened so fast. I keep trying to tell myself that, although that's extra hard on us, it was the best way for her to go. I didn't want to prolong her life if it wouldn't be the same life she'd been living. Chemo and pain treatments were mentioned, and that just sounded like we'd be keeping her alive for us. She was crying a bit today and kept doing this awful back-curling stretch. That was a concern for the doctor as well.

 

The worst thing is that I just don't know what to do. My poor husband is as bad or worse than I am right now, and we are trying be console each other, but when two weak people try to lean on each other, they crash to the floor. It's so hard being in this house. It's so hard knowing she was just here yesterday morning. It's hard letting the boys out and not seeing her follow right behind them. She was our first. She was truly an angel. She taught me patience and true love. I can do nothing but think of her. It's hard seeing her things lying around, but I can't stand the thought of putting them away. I want to think about her. My husband keeps crying and just keeps saying how much he misses her and how he doesn't know what to do. We both want her back. I'm glad we made the decision we did, because right now I feel like I'd change my mind and try every test and every medicine. I don't think that was in her best interest, so I'm glad I was more rational earlier today, or else the poor thing would still be hooked up to machines and pain medication. It was just really hard not knowing *for sure* that it was the right thing to do. The vet I talked to last night sounded like that's what she would do given the age and amount of pain. But the neurologist refused to say what she would do, which did make it much harder to feel confident about the decision. I rely on my husband sometimes to make my tough decisions when it involves/affects me, and vice versa. Today was so painful because we were both in the exact same state of mind.

 

I just want the world to fall away right now. I can't believe that there's still this job out there, and my work emails are piling up, I'm missing meetings, and I just don't care. I want to float away w/ my husband and our two boys and my memories of our girl. And yet I know that once I begin to focus on some other things, step by step this will get easier. I can't see that far ahead right now, though. Since I've never really dealt with this situation, I don't know what's best for our grieving process. How do I help my husband? My boys? If anyone can help me with that, I would be forever grateful. I have been trying to sleep this afternoon, but now I'm up and feel like I should do some research online. I've always avoided the rainbow bridge articles, but now I need to go read them. If you have any advice though, I welcome it. Especially on how to help my husband.

 

I also just want to say to all of you that you are amazingly kind and generous people. I am grateful to know that I instantly have a bunch of friends and supporters around the world. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your prayers. Although it may seem they didn't work, I think they did. I am happy Luna made it through the night and we got to be there with her and tell her how much we love her, and gently pet her as she crossed the bridge.

[MarcR]

I'm so very sorry to hear about Luna. I wish I had some sage words to ease your pain. When you are ready let me know and I'll give you a link to an essay entitled "The Journey".

[maryz]

So sorry for the loss of your girl. I know the pain you're feeling, but do know that it does get better with time.

You were there for her and that is what matters. I'm sure she will watch over you, your husband and the boys.

She is no longer in pain and running free as an angel.

 

[Guest smarthound]

I am so very sorry to hear that you lost your sweet girl. Try not to question your decision too much. Considering the amount of pain she was in, it sounds like you made the best choice for her. My husband and I had to make a similar decision for our boy last Thanksgiving Day. He too was in the extreme back-curling amount of pain that you described. If it's any comfort to you, our vet told us that the brain shuts down at that point and is unaware of the physical pain.

 

Time will help. You'll get through today any way you can and tomorrow will be better. I found a booklet that helped me to deal with great loss. It's called How can I Help?/What Will Help Me? by James Miller. If you PM your address to me, I'll send you a copy.

 

My sincerest sympathies.

Edited July 18, 2007 by smarthound

[lovinggreysslp]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Godspeed Luna!

[Guest PiagetsMom]

I'm so sorry. I've had to do this twice, and it's a heartache that I think always stays with you and at certain times and in certain circumstances, is still very difficult. Neither time did our vet say, "I think you should" and make the decision easy for me, but gave me as much info as they could as to what my choices were. However, afterwards, they both assured me that, while they couldn't tell me what to do at the time, under the circumstances, they felt I'd made the best decision - it did not ease my heart, but did ease my mind. Allow yourself and your family time to grieve - it takes time, more for some than others. You're in my thoughts.....

[Cynthia]

I think it's feeling helpless that's the absolute worst part of it. Your pain comes through and makes me cry. I am just so sorry. It's always too fast, but please remember how long you had to love and enjoy her. Some people don't get that much time with their dogs. Hugs to you. And try to take a few days off to just cry and give yourself a little break from the rest of the world.

[Guest jeannejj]

I am so sorry for your loss of your baby. I know how hard it is when it comes out of the blue. That final act of love is hard, but shows the depth of your love for Luna. Sometimes the only thing we can do is let them go. Let yourself grieve. It will take time for the wound to scar over.

 

May the beautiful memories stored in your hearts help to bring you comfort and peace.

 

 

[Jackandgrey]

I am so very sorry. There is just no way to short circuit this horrible part where it hurts so much. Just remember she was so worth all the pain that you feel right now. There will come a time where you will remember her with smiles rather than tears but that is not yet so just hang on to each other for now. Take your boys for walks and outings even when you don't feel like it. They do leave us too soon no matter how long they are with us.

[MP_the4pack]

 

 

 

Farewell Master yet not farewell

Where I go, ye too shall dwell.

I am gone before your face,

A moment's time, a little space.

When ye come where I have stepped

Ye will wonder why ye wept.

 

 

 

 

[silverfish]

Oh, no ... I am just so sorry. I came in here hoping for good news, but ....

 

I want you to remember that you did absolutely all you good do for this girl. You took her to your vet, and then you took her very quickly to a specialist. Specialists know their field inside out and if the neurologist was so concerned and could not help her, well, I would have done the same as you. I agree that the dog's quality of life comes first, and that there is no point keeping them alive 'for us'.

 

I went through something similar, and I know how hard it is. Time will heal, but so many of us here know how much pain you're in right now.

 

It's pretty much a foregone conclusion that you will feel guilt, but only because guilt is a normal part of grieving. Remember that you did all that you possible could to try to help her and then performed that final act of love and let her go. She feels no pain now.

 

I found that what helped me was finding something to focus on as a memorial. I planted a magnolia for Susan - a friend found a variety called 'Susan' for me - and had a little figurine of a greyhound painted up to look like her. Make a memory box, name a rose, put together a photo album, plant a tree. It can be a great comfort.

 

Sending many hugs to you and your husband.

 

 

[Guest argolola]

I am so, so sorry. You and your family will be in my prayers. Please take comfort in knowing that you gave your girl a wonderful life.

[Guest LolasMom]

I am so sorry for your loss. God's speed Luna

Edited July 18, 2007 by LolasMom

[Guest spudlover]

Darn. I was hoping it would be better news. I'm so sorry. You did absolutely the right thing, though a terrible decision to have to make.

 

Everyone has their own way of getting through this, but its important to allow family members their own way of doing it. Some will carry on as usual and you'll think its not bugging them (but it is), some will cry for days. Lots of hugs and support - you'll come out the other side, just give in to it.

 

As a previous post mentioned, it helps to do something in memory. We also planted special shrubs for our kitties. When we moved, I dug the shrub of our first cat up, and moved him with us. This spring I planted a Black Knight butterfly bush for our jet black socialite of a feline who died last fall. I'm looking at our brand new hound, and after only 3 weeks, he's wormed his way so far into my heart that its going to take a tree when his turn comes! The kids made signs for the graves - it really did help, though we cried buckets while doing it. The cats photos are on the fridge, and its become comforting, rather than painful. Keeps them with us.

 

My sympathies.

[Devotion]

I am speechless. I am so sorry. Know she was loved and that she loved you all. Run free at the bridge. May you treasure the memories forever.

[rycezmom]

My heart goes out to you and your family. The loss of Luna is hard. The wound fresh and painful in your hearts. Time has a way of softening the sharp edges. The night my heartdog went to the bridge, my daughter put his favorite stuffie zebra under my pillow. There it stayed for over a year. It was a comfort having it there. My family and friends allowed to me talk of Ryce as much and as often as I needed. It got easier as time went on. The zebra sits on my dresser now. It simply fits there. His picture is all over the house and is a constant reminder of his time and the love he gave us. Even though Luna is gone, the love is not. Therein lies the pain. We are here to grieve with you. Allow it to happen......

[Guest vahoundlover]

I am so sorry

 

I think that having all the other pups to take care of kept me going when we lost Doll, we continued to walk everyday, play and just cuddle. Going to work also was a big help...don't get me wrong...many a day I sat back in my corner and the tears rolled, many a day a song or memory would/still does start the flood of tears. My cube at work and our house is full of pics of Doll, I cherish those pics and look at them often. The day I got a letter from the Va Tech telling me of the donation the EVet staff had made in Dolls name, I cried and cried....It will get easier...you will find yourself smiling at the memories. Don't ever forget Luna is still with you in your heart and your memories, she is watching over you just look up and talk to the stars.

 

Godspeed Luna

[Fudge]

my heart is breaking for you. I hope you find peace and comfort in knowing that you gave your Luna girl the best life she could have ever asked for.