Need Your Help Quickly! Please!

[Guest kydie]

white light to you and your "little lady", sometimes no matter what we want it is not in the plan, no amount of money will cure this, and her pain will get worse, again I will say what an old vet told me "they were your best friend all of their life, now it is time to be their best friend back" Your heart aches, you gave her a happy life for the past few years, now give her a happy ever after

Edited May 26, 2009 by kydie

[Guest greytful4]

I so feel your anguish about your decision having just gone through that for my heart girl,Kylie.In the end, I charged $4,000.00 and the cancer won ! Watching them suffer is more heartbreaking than letting them go. Hugs to you and your Little Lady...

[Guest sheila]

dogs care don't care about the quantity of their life. They care about the quality of their life. They want to face the day with joy in their eyes and pleasure in the simple things. If they can't have that then I think it is cruel to go to extremes to keep them hanging on.

[Guest greytloves]

bump...update on the vet visit?

 

 

[cleptogrey]

you have given her a wonder 3rd chance at life. listen to you heart, don't let her suffer and hopefully it will be a uti. my last saluki had a tumor which affected his bile duct. the duct would periodically clear and his urine went from rust to normal with in hours. but ultimately the tumor won. i am a no frills person, kept azim comfortable and when his quality of life really declined the decision was made. i cried for who know how long and vividly remember my then 3 year old daughter playing w/ playdough at the receptionist desk and then not taking azim home and trying to explain (she knew) that he was just too sick. it was as if it was last year and that was 23 yrs ago! they never leave you. and i still get misty when i think of him.

[MandysMom]

Sending prayers.

[tbhounds]

Dogs can live with TCC to a point--until it invades the trigone area (neck) of the bladder (and it usually always will). When it gets to that point the bladder can not void the urine making it very uncomfortable and yes, life threatening at that point. An abdominal ultrasound is non-invasive and will tell you how advanced the cancer is. It's a tough decision--I've been there myself recently. The highest gift of love is to know when to let go. I'll be thinking of you both tonight.

[Guest andrealynch]

If you didn't have a cancer diagnosis, it would sound like a UTI, which is treatable with antibiotics. What has the vet said about this possibility?

 

I certainly wouldn't want your baby to suffer if she has a terminal condition, but I'd hate to let her go for something that is easily treatable.

 

Hoping the vet has encouraging answers for you this AM.

 

DD

Well...they think it is a probable case of cancer--due to numerous symptoms. Unfortuately, I don't have the 400.00 they are telling me it will cost to do an ultrasound of her & clearly costs are prohibiting us from getting a biopsy. She gets UTIs every month or so--and on a regular day, does not potty normally--she always pulses and squirts since the day I got her. I have a feeling the guy who gave her up after ten years knew about this--I don't think he really didn't "have time for her" as he put it--I frankly think he was sick of paying vet bills. Since I adopted her in January, I've already spent over $1,000 on bills from the UTIs, a dental, oh yes, and the time she chewed her tail off!!!

 

Plus, she is on antibiotics, baytrol (sp?) and Piroxicam, and she is still bleeding today--this has been going on since Saturday so, I am not quite sure what else to do, but am going bankrupt in the process

 

you have given her a wonder 3rd chance at life. listen to you heart, don't let her suffer and hopefully it will be a uti. my last saluki had a tumor which affected his bile duct. the duct would periodically clear and his urine went from rust to normal with in hours. but ultimately the tumor won. i am a no frills person, kept azim comfortable and when his quality of life really declined the decision was made. i cried for who know how long and vividly remember my then 3 year old daughter playing w/ playdough at the receptionist desk and then not taking azim home and trying to explain (she knew) that he was just too sick. it was as if it was last year and that was 23 yrs ago! they never leave you. and i still get misty when i think of him.

 

Awww...how sad But thanks for the support! I am trying really hard to "listen to my heart," but I just don't know!!! At times she acts better--like tonight she scarfed down her food--but her bottom is still bleeding--and I know that isn't normal!!! Gosh, why does this have to be so hard?!

 

Totally agree with Batmom about the ultrasound. It will tell you what you need to know so you can make a decision based on knowledge. I would do it ASAP to give her some relief one way or the other.

 

Very best wishes going out to you & your little lady.

 

I would love to--but I don't have the $400.00!! Any other suggestions? Anyone know anyone in St. Louis with an ultrasound mach. that would do it for me?

 

we want the best for our beloved pets even in death. we would beg, borrow, cheat and steal to give them what they need.

this decision is up to you, and you will never feel it was the right time…it’ll always feel like too soon or too late, but know you did all you could with what you have been given, emotionally and financially.

you gave little lady they best even in the end. God rewards those who help the weak and old.

peace,

amy

 

Thanks Amy! Yeah, I keep hoping that someone does the same for me when I am her age!! I know there better be a good spot in heaven--I am beginning to think I am the geriatric arm of the foster organization I work with--but I love em' the same. I just learned my lesson well this time--just foster the old ones--don't adopt them if you either A) can't find/afford the insurance on them or aren't a millionaire! (Of which I am/could do neither!)

[Guest andrealynch]

Hi Guys!

 

Thanks to everyone who has written in! Here is the update:

 

The 3rd urinalysis that we have done (in the five months I've had her) came back with results saying there is a ton of infection (no surprise) in her urine, transitional cells, and a BUNCH of blood. The doctor said we could try her on baytrol (sp?) to see if that helped any. She is still bleeding from her vulva tonight--and after being on antibiotics for 3 days, her urine is still dark brown.

 

Other than this, the next alternatives (ultrasound, biopsy, more tests) are costly--and I can't afford anymore even though I would love to.

 

And then, this is where I get stuck in knowing what to do. The Baytrol that the doctor sent home tonight cost 22.50 for 4 days worth of meds. Even if it works--I certainly can't afford to keep her on that EITHER! Grrr...this is so crazy frustrating!!!

 

Any other ideas? Like I said, I think I learned a good lesson about adopting senior dogs that I can't get insurance on!!! I WON"T be doing it again--I'll foster for sure, but don't think I want to go through this financial/heart struggle again! Thank goodness I have insurance on my other puppers!!

 

Sorry for venting

[ahicks51]

Double-check with your vet to see if there's another fluoroquinolone antibiotic (of which Baytril is a member). I'd have to make sure, but I think ciprofloxacin (Cipro) is suitable in canines, and it should have the same mechanism of action as Baytril (for which there is no generic- it's still on patent, IIRC). Good luck.

[dante2zoe]

One of my dogs is being put on long term Cipro for urinating issues. You can purchase it through the Walmart prescription program for 10.00 for 90 days. They have no problems filling prescriptions for my dogs. (I also get Flagyl and Prozac through them (yes, my whippet has "issues.") I get the generics, however, but everything has been fine for us. Good luck and please keep us posted!

[Batmom]

Good advice re the Cipro.

 

I would still do the ultrasound if at all you can -- is it that expensive where you are? Only @ $50-$80 here. It isn't unusual to see some transitional cells in the urine, particularly as dog gets older. If you see sheets of them, that usually doesn't bode well, but I'm not sure even that always indicates cancer (not saying it doesn't -- I don't know on this one).

[robinw]

Hi Guys!

 

Thanks to everyone who has written in! Here is the update:

 

The 3rd urinalysis that we have done (in the five months I've had her) came back with results saying there is a ton of infection (no surprise) in her urine, transitional cells, and a BUNCH of blood. The doctor said we could try her on baytrol (sp?) to see if that helped any. She is still bleeding from her vulva tonight--and after being on antibiotics for 3 days, her urine is still dark brown.

 

Other than this, the next alternatives (ultrasound, biopsy, more tests) are costly--and I can't afford anymore even though I would love to.

 

And then, this is where I get stuck in knowing what to do. The Baytrol that the doctor sent home tonight cost 22.50 for 4 days worth of meds. Even if it works--I certainly can't afford to keep her on that EITHER! Grrr...this is so crazy frustrating!!!

 

Any other ideas? Like I said, I think I learned a good lesson about adopting senior dogs that I can't get insurance on!!! I WON"T be doing it again--I'll foster for sure, but don't think I want to go through this financial/heart struggle again! Thank goodness I have insurance on my other puppers!!

 

Sorry for venting

 

i will pm you when i get home from work tonight. sounds like the exact same thing that loca has. it's a strange bacterial infection...

[sweetdogs]

I would love to--but I don't have the $400.00!! Any other suggestions? Anyone know anyone in St. Louis with an ultrasound mach. that would do it for me?

Is Care Credit an option for you? Or will your vet work out a payment plan with you or a reduced fee? I'm not trying to push you into debt but if she were mine, I would need to know if it was something that could be fixed with meds before I let her go. I would not do anything invasive but I would need to know.

 

I hope what she's on helps her & that you won't have to spend too much more or make any decisions just yet. I do understand the financial worries as well as the physical ones. And I continue to send out good thoughts for both of you.

[Batmom]

Just saw your note above re $400 for ultrasound. Did that include specialist appointment, FNA, biopsy, or just basic ultrasound? If the latter, that's absurd. An echocardiogram doesn't even cost that much here. Worth trying the small animal clinic at University of Illinois? It's a couple hours drive but closer to you than here .......

Edited May 27, 2009 by Batmom

[tbhounds]

NO FNA's! If she has TCC the needle will draw the cancer cells out into the abdomen--therefore NO cyto's--just my 2 cents.

[Guest MyBoys]

My heart is breaking for you as I have been through this seven times over the years and god knows it is never an easy decision. All I can say to you is they seem to have a way of letting us know it is time for them to leave us, you have to put your feelings aside and make the best possible decision for you girl. My vet once said to me, you feel their pain when it is time and it is the final act of kindness we do for them out of love. Believe me, she knows just how much you love her.

[Guest EmilyAnne]

NO FNA's! If she has TCC the needle will draw the cancer cells out into the abdomen--therefore NO cyto's--just my 2 cents.

Also, that sounds like one of the more painful/uncomfortable procedures? When I know my pets are nearing the end, I personally choose to skip uncomfortable/painful procedures as much as possible.

[Guest greytexplorer]

{{{{Andrea}}}}

 

My Mandy is almost 12.

While she has not had any bleeding, she has had that AWFUL brown stinky urine that you speak of.

Here's what WORKED for her---- 2 shots of convenia. It's a broad-based antibiotic.

Ask your vet about it.

2nd shot was administered 3 or 4 weeks after the first shot (I forget).

[Burpdog]

I've sent you a p.m.

[Batmom]

NO FNA's! If she has TCC the needle will draw the cancer cells out into the abdomen--therefore NO cyto's--just my 2 cents.

Also, that sounds like one of the more painful/uncomfortable procedures?

 

Cystocentesis is less painful than a vaccine. Just ask Zema. A very fine needle is used. FNA's are usually painless, too.

 

But, tbhounds may be right about the danger of moving cancer cells around, if any are present.

 

I do know that while my vets like to do a cysto for culture, it just isn't that hard to get a clean external catch. So to those vets who INSIST on cysto for culture, I say ..... thpfbfbfbfbfbfbfbfbfbfbfbt!

[Guest andrealynch]

Just saw your note above re $400 for ultrasound. Did that include specialist appointment, FNA, biopsy, or just basic ultrasound? If the latter, that's absurd. An echocardiogram doesn't even cost that much here. Worth trying the small animal clinic at University of Illinois? It's a couple hours drive but closer to you than here .......

 

You know--that is an idea. Maybe I could call the school at University of Missouri Columbia--that is only 2 hours from my house. I will look in to that tomorrow!

[Guest Gingergrey]

Both you and your little lady are in my prayers.

[Guest greytexplorer]

Hey Andrea, any news/update?

 

Hope everything is ok.

 

hugs,

~Pat