Another Hurdle for Duffy Dog

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Another Hurdle for Duffy Dog; He could use some jingles.
Tweet Topic Started: May 4 2013, 01:40 PM (2,064 Views)
stephjm	May 4 2013, 01:40 PM Post #1
It'll be an adventure! We're going on an adventure! Posts: 2,362 Group: Members Member #955 Joined: April 12, 2007	I don't have a lot of time to write right now, but Duffy Dog has another hurdle, and this could possibly be his last. Thursday morning he vomited several times. Since then he has not vomited, but he is very sad and is not eating much of anything (Thursday, nothing, since then only scrambled eggs and treats). He is drinking water and no diarrhea, but just not himself at all, even not himself with heart disease. I took him into the vet today to have her look at him. She couldn't find anything on exam, temp normal, and his heart and lungs are stable (so those meds are working). She drew some blood and there was the problem. His kidney function is off. His pancreatic function is a little down. And his liver function is not really very good. And his white blood cell count is high. At least his potassium, calcium, sodium, etc. are fine. So we talked. It could be one of several things. He might have gotten into something a bit toxic (unlikely for him, but possible). He could just be dehydrated and have some sort of infection. Or he could have cancer in his liver/pancreas/and/or kidneys. On his last x-ray in January he did have a suspicious area on his lung that the vet felt was probably a developing tumor. For now, we have given him subcutaneous fluids and some antibiotics. We will see if that perks him up and makes him want to eat again. If that doesn't happen in a couple days, she said we could try some special liver vitamins. However, those are expensive, I am already paying for 4 meds a month for his heart/lungs, and it won't work if he has cancer. Or we can either take an x-ray or ultrasound, or just assume he has cancer. So please jingle that the fluids and antibiotics perk him up. If they don't, I may have them do an x-ray and see what it shows. Or I may not, and just go by how he acts and seems to feel. Honestly, the one big joy left in his life was food (and attention of course). If he doesn't have that, he doesn't have much. And right now he is just looking very sad and defeated. If we do an x-ray and it shows tumors, and he is still very sad and not eating, we will set a day and put him out of his misery. I don't want to do it, but I refuse to let him live with no joy in his life at all, and in possible pain. Thanks all for listening. I hope I am overreacting, but his bloodwork is just not giving us a lot of reason for hope. Ironic though that it might be his liver, etc. that ends up doing him in, when he has had such a bad heart for months now.



Onelanerode	May 4 2013, 02:10 PM Post #2
Off visiting Candy Cave, be right back. Posts: 1,486 Group: Members Member #130 Joined: January 7, 2007	Hugs to you ... such a tough decision. But if he is no longer interested in his favorite things, then you are right ... he has no joy in his life, and that's no good at all. Fingers crossed that some fluids will help. I've seen that�something so simple�do some amazing things to animals who were really not well at all. Hoping that will be the case for Duffy as well.



Sannois	May 4 2013, 04:24 PM Post #3
You're BANNED! Posts: 7,112 Group: Members Member #116 Joined: January 7, 2007	Oh Wow, I am sorry to hear that. Poor Duff man. Well We know you will do the best by him, and if he is suffering at all, then I guess it is Time. Sending jingles that the little man perks up. It is so hard I know.



WhySoSerious	May 4 2013, 08:18 PM Post #4
Off visiting Candy Cave, be right back. Posts: 1,363 Group: Members Member #5,227 Joined: March 21, 2011	Lots of jingles and hugs!



Almostafarm	May 4 2013, 09:48 PM Post #5
We're on a bridge, Chaaaaaaaaarlie! Posts: 231 Group: Members Member #967 Joined: April 16, 2007



onwego	May 5 2013, 04:27 AM Post #6
You're BANNED! Posts: 3,376 Group: Members Member #603 Joined: January 23, 2007



stephjm	May 5 2013, 04:54 AM Post #7
It'll be an adventure! We're going on an adventure! Posts: 2,362 Group: Members Member #955 Joined: April 12, 2007	Thanks all. He is a little perkier today, enough anyway to beg for treats. He still is not eating much besides scrambled egg and treats. Because he won't even eat cheese, peanut butter, or canned dog food, I have to put his pills down his throat, which doesn't thrill either one of us. But he is acting a little more life-like. I'm so conflicted. I have no desire to keep him alive beyond his time, but it is proving to be hard to know. I am considering getting one more x-ray just to see what it shows. Because if it shows a bunch of cancer, there is my answer. If not, we'll have to make a harder decision. Couple this with my daughter graduating in about 2 weeks, trying to get the house ready for an open house, working full time, and having a husband and a six year old son that I want to pay attention to as well, needless to say I am feeling very stressed. Not to mention if I have to make a decision for Duffy, I don't even know when I have time to truly take the time with him!!! Ahh. We are supposed to go to my mother in law's next Saturday all day to do yard work for her for Mother's Day. Honestly I don't even want to go, I want to stay home, get things done here, and maybe spend a last, or one of the last, days with Duffy. I feel guilty for that on top of it. Thanks for listening. Going to go to Mass now, hoping it will clear my mind a bit.



gunnar	May 5 2013, 06:36 AM Post #8
You're BANNED! Posts: 6,490 Group: Members Member #236 Joined: January 8, 2007	Awe Steph! Poor Duffy! Jingling like mad!



Reynard Ridge	May 5 2013, 11:15 AM Post #9
Drivin' The Short Bus Posts: 2,934 Group: Members Member #237 Joined: January 8, 2007



Witchy	May 5 2013, 01:24 PM Post #10
You're BANNED! Posts: 3,289 Group: Members Member #547 Joined: January 22, 2007



Indy	May 5 2013, 02:27 PM Post #11
You're BANNED! Posts: 8,083 Group: Admin Member #326 Joined: January 10, 2007



stephjm	May 5 2013, 04:52 PM Post #12
It'll be an adventure! We're going on an adventure! Posts: 2,362 Group: Members Member #955 Joined: April 12, 2007	Thanks all. He seems a bit cheerier today. He ate about half a normal dinner tonight and is interested in treats. We will see if that continues to improve. If not I'm considering an x-ray to maybe get more answers depending on how he feels, although I may now also have to pay $1600 to get Lauren' s wisdom teeth out, which is probably more important,though what's as another $100 after that!! So we soldier on for now. Duffy is at least much happier temporarily. As a wise friend suggested, we will try to take one day at a time. Thanks all.



FlashGordon	May 5 2013, 07:45 PM Post #13
You're BANNED! Posts: 6,855 Group: Members Member #2,251 Joined: December 3, 2007	Glad he's a little perkier today, Steph. Been thinking of you!



Corey94	May 6 2013, 06:20 AM Post #14
Off visiting Candy Cave, be right back. Posts: 1,313 Group: Members Member #428 Joined: January 18, 2007	Just saw this...jingles for Duffy, and huge jingles for you right now. Sounds like a ton is going on...



kbrethauer	May 6 2013, 06:30 AM Post #15
Shunnnnn the unbeliever. Shunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn. Posts: 404 Group: Members Member #1,406 Joined: August 16, 2007	Big jingles for Duffy! Hope today is another good day.



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