Pet thread?

[BTFLCHLD]

well it is good to know my cats are not alone. my tree usually ends in shreds just in time for xmas. oh well...mosttimes it is cute...except when they are gagging on icicles. I haven't experienced any present shredding. They leave that for my vinyl album collection. well...they did until I shelved them. 500 albums with shredded side titles...nice.

[michelle2677]

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

I worked 13 hours today( ,couldn't be here to nurse him). I finally got a few NIBBLES of chicken down him now, then a few small spoons of Frosted Flakes. Thank God he's not thrown that little bit up. I'm going to wait another half hour, then try to get about a half can of Ensure Plus down him(waiting - in hope that nothing comes back up).

This rich old bitch had her Scottish Terrier?(about 5-10 lbs bigger than Cash) in the vet's office yesterday. (okay, Cash runs loose in the vet's office, they even let him back in the carpeted receptionist's area with them. He comes and goes as he pleases. They call him their [ala Wallyhell] "greeter", as he runs to the door, tail wagging, anytime someone comes in). Anyway, when they "called" the old bitch, she wouldn't walk her dog past Cash, until I picked him up and held him(out of fear that he was going to hurt her dog). They all laughed at her, and told her that Cash was the most passive dog that ever lived, and she was being silly.

He is the gentlest, most social dog, that ever lived. He's never met a stranger.

Death, for all of us, is inevitable. God I'll miss him when he's gone.

those people are dumbasses homie. At least your vet took up for him!! and terriers are usually (I SAY USUALLY!!....I know some people on here have them, but all that I know always think they're the ****-ie...my dad's ) aggressive...so they need to STEP back!!!

you haven't given up have you??

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

-Don't read the following, if you can't take "nasty health related stuff"-
Well(in the too much info dept), when they did his mandibilectomy(one year! ago now[he was initially given 6-9 months to live - we're entering month 23!!!! today]), they told me that he might eventually have to have his saliva gland removed(on the side of the mandibilectomy, as it wouldn't be able to properly "discharge"). Anyway, he IS having THICK mucus-sy slobber problems lately. AND, when he does throw up, the food is usually covered in this hard, rubbery mucus(this is not just slobber, it's.......rubber-y). I think that's the problem with throwing up. But the vet thinks that if his saliva gland was the problem, there'd be a lump in his neck, where it was "backing up".
So, they past couple of days, I'm walking around with a pocket full of Kleenex's. Anytime a thick slobber starts hanging out, I grab a Kleenex, and "roll" this thick, heavy, rubbery stuff onto the Kleenex. Gross? Yes.
Anyway, that's my theory on why he's throwing up, and he kept this food down tonight(that I'd cleaned enough of this crap out of there- knocking on coffee table now). I hope I'm right.

I'm the queen of saliva...don't you know?? anyway...it's not gross. It just is what it is..he can't help it. Anyway..I've done some research and talked to my dental peeps. They agree not removing the saliva gland/duct. etc. But what about a medicine to regulate his saliva? there are things humans can use to regulate salivary flow, so i can't imagine it can't be done for cash. Most of the ones I have seen come in gum form (although I realize that wouldn't work for him ) but if there were something else we could try. If that is what's causing the vomitting..(I would get sick too if I had that ..poor little guy) then voila. I'll see if I can check into it some more...

tbc...

[michelle2677]

hmmmm...I can't come up with any reducers, only stimulators and we don't want that sorry..I'm not much help for now...*sigh*

[HomerMcvie]

Dammit, who closed the cat thread? I went to all the trouble of uploading a pic of my "cat coaster", and then realized it was closed. So here she is, and should have the caption, "Dammit, I'm not a f*cking coaster!!!"

[sparky]

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

Thanks. He's pretty much sick of almost everything. Occasional things he'll eat are:
Arby's Beef and Cheddar.
Fried chicken(not the skin though, he doesn't like that)
Fried Chicken Livers and Gizzards.
Frosted Flakes.
Purina Cat Chow.
Cookies(occasionally).
The "pork on a stick" at Chinese restaurants(my vet calls it "rat on a stick"[sorry Vicky!!!!])
And he was picking at some leftover T-day turkey, but he's over that now....

I don't know why he's having such a hard time keeping solids down(the vet doesn't either). At least I got a little bit down him this evening.

Homie, let me say this, your dedication and loyalty to Cash is amazing.
I went through 1 week with Banjo being sick. Just one week. Every night I held him and petted him and talked to him for hours and never knew if he would be alive when I woke up the next morning. I barely slept. When I did sleep I had nightmares.
Two weeks later I still have them.

How you have been able to withstand this for so long I will never know.
I would go to bed wondering If I would literally die from worrying. Every moment of every day I was on edge and in a near constant state of panic. You of all people know that is not an exaggeration.

Please know you have my admiration, my awe, and my best wishes.

[HomerMcvie]

Originally Posted by sparky

Homie, let me say this, your dedication and loyalty to Cash is amazing.
I went through 1 week with Banjo being sick. Just one week. Every night I held him and petted him and talked to him for hours and never knew if he would be alive when I woke up the next morning. I barely slept. When I did sleep I had nightmares.
Two weeks later I still have them.

How you have been able to withstand this for so long I will never know.
I would go to bed wondering If I would literally die from worrying. Every moment of every day I was on edge and in a near constant state of panic. You of all people know that is not an exaggeration.

Please know you have my admiration, my awe, and my best wishes.

Thank you, Sparky. Yes, it's been awful(especially when he's not doing well, as of late). Thirty minutes ago, he climbed onto my chest(something he's never done), and fell asleep, with his head beneath my chin. I wondered if "it" might be happening(I've had this dreaded feeling lately). But, he awoke just now, and climbed over beside me. I've gotten a few spoons of vanilla pudding down him.

The panic you speak of- I had it for quite awhile, after he first became sick. I still do, somewhat, BUT, after you see them in a suffering state(for more than a couple days), I think that you come to accept the inevitable. Yeah, it sucks!

I love him. He's my best friend. We've been inseparable for almost 9 years. I only hope that I have the wisdom to know when it's time to call it a day, and know when the amount of suffering, is more than he should have to go through.

[rbs3676]

Homie ~
You have my prayers and thoughts and love in this hard time...
Know that you arent alone...you have a huge support system behind you.

rbs

[HomerMcvie]

Well friends, I think it's time.
Ever since Cash's last surgery, 24 days ago, he's never (for the most part) been able to keep solid food down. He tries, but it usually can't stay down, even with meds for nausea. He's become pretty lethargic(although he walked with us, playing golf on Monday. He even chased a couple of balls). Also, his breathing has become somewhat labored. I had to put earplugs in, to sleep last night, because I couldn't quit focusing on his breathing.
A few hours ago, I noticed his urine was either brown or red(I wasn't able to capture any of it). I WOULD'VE taken him in this evening, but "his" vet is off on Thursdays. I know it sounds silly, but we've been through SOOO much with her, that IF we're going to put him down, I want it to be with her.
So, I guess we're going to do one last blood and urine test, tomorrow, and if they're bad, we're going to put him down. We might do it, even if they're not.
If we do, one of the vet techs(with whom I've become friends, with her and her husband), has volunteered to drive his body to the pet crematory(if he's not driven there immediately, he'd be in a freezer til they come pick him up, and she has issues with that [I'd told her that I hated the thought of driving with his body], so she volunteered).
If the blood and urine tests come out okay, I MIGHT chicken out tomorrow(although I doubt I will).

I can't imagine saying goodbye to him.

[DrummerDeanna]

^^

Homer...I'm so so sorry - you've kept us so updated on Cash, I can't help but crying about this thing...you've gone above and beyond for your buddy and it sounds like you've come to a tough decision - but no one likes to see those they love suffer....

I'm really sorry - please keep us updated - and my good thoughts and prayers will be with you

[goldustsongbird]

Sorry, Homie. I know how difficult this must be for you. I'll be thinking of you and Cash.

[michelle2677]

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

Well friends, I think it's time.
Ever since Cash's last surgery, 24 days ago, he's never (for the most part) been able to keep solid food down. He tries, but it usually can't stay down, even with meds for nausea. He's become pretty lethargic(although he walked with us, playing golf on Monday. He even chased a couple of balls). Also, his breathing has become somewhat labored. I had to put earplugs in, to sleep last night, because I couldn't quit focusing on his breathing.
A few hours ago, I noticed his urine was either brown or red(I wasn't able to capture any of it). I WOULD'VE taken him in this evening, but "his" vet is off on Thursdays. I know it sounds silly, but we've been through SOOO much with her, that IF we're going to put him down, I want it to be with her.
So, I guess we're going to do one last blood and urine test, tomorrow, and if they're bad, we're going to put him down. We might do it, even if they're not.
If we do, one of the vet techs(with whom I've become friends, with her and her husband), has volunteered to drive his body to the pet crematory(if he's not driven there immediately, he'd be in a freezer til they come pick him up, and she has issues with that [I'd told her that I hated the thought of driving with his body], so she volunteered).
If the blood and urine tests come out okay, I MIGHT chicken out tomorrow(although I doubt I will).

I can't imagine saying goodbye to him.

I'm so sorry. I don't even know what to say, but you know how I feel.

I just hope you're at peace with your decision and if you do decide that's what needs to be done, that everything for him (and you) is as painless as possible.

I hate this for you. Again, you know if there is anything you need, I (and I'm sure the rest of us) are here for you when you need it.

[HomerMcvie]

After talking to my friend that runs a rescue farm(they deal with dying animals everyday, so I think they know more about animals being in pain, than I do. And from what he described, I don't think Cash is in any pain). Oddly, I've gotten about half a can of prescription dog food down him this evening(which of course makes me have doubt/hope). Sooo, I think I've decided that I'm going to let the blood and urine tests decide for me tomorrow. If that IS blood in his urine, then we'll put him down. Because wouldn't that most likely mean the the cancer has spread to kidneys or bladder? If that's the case, I think ending it is the only choice. If the tests come out okay, I "think" I might hold out for a few more days.

I know, I can't seem to let go.

[DrummerDeanna]

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

I know, I can't seem to let go.

And no one can blame you for that - I'm seriously in awe and admiration of you for all you've done for Cash.

Good luck with the blood test tomorrow....we'll all be thinking of you both

[michelle2677]

Homer-good news that he is eating and not in pain. Could this be the "upside" of the surgery we've been waiting for? Still doesnt explain the discolored urine though what time is his appt tomorrow? I will definitely be thinking about the two of you. Let us know what happens. Much kentucky love being sent cash's way (from max murray and i )

[Miss Vicky]

Oh Homie.

I'll keep Cash in my thoughts and hold out hope that his tests come back okay. Reading your posts about him have been a great reassurance to me that there are people out there who truly love their pets and are willing to make great sacrifices for them, as you have obviously done for Cash. Whatever the outcome, he's one lucky dog to have been loved so much for so long.