2/14 Tiki PMPS 209, +4 110, Strength Needed

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Re: 2/14 Tiki PMPS 209,

Like Valentine's Day isn't bad enough for us single ladies...

BAD day on the doggie front. Sasha hasn't been feeling well over the last week. Kinda mopey, not really eating, panting all the time (which has been her normal for years, but this past week it's been ALL THE TIME). She hasn't wanted to go for a walk and when we do it's like I was dragging her behind me). Yesterday she coughed a couple of times. Three weeks ago they took an xray when looking for a kidney stone and discovered a mass of some sort in her lung and told me to watch for her to start coughing. It was just a couple of coughs but still. So I took her to the vet's and they took another xray to see if there were any changes and they found liquid surrounding her lungs. Her heart seems normal and she's had no history of heart issues so they think it's either an infection or cancer. They think it's most likely cancer. They removed over a liter of liquid from her lungs and she's still panting like crazy. They did other tests so now it's just hurry up and wait. She either responds to the antibiotics or the liquid returns and then I have to make that dreaded decision. I've been freaking out about the end of her life since she was like 5. She's ridiculously independent and rarely tells me when something is wrong so I've had to watch her like a hawk to be able to tell when something is wrong. I just hope she tells me when it's time. I fear I will have to be the one to decide, even as bad as she was feeling with all that liquid in her lungs she never gave me any indication that such a serious thing was going on with her. She is my JOY, my heart and my soul. I am praying for the strength to do what's right when the time comes and to put her first. So much easier said than done. Tiki can totally sense something is wrong. He's been glued to my side since we got home from the vets and is watching me like a hawk.

Or he's just hungry. LOL

Any advice on the end of days with your fur babies. Things you've done, things you wish you'd done? Seems like a terribly rude thing to ask.
 
Re: 2/14 Tiki PMPS 209, Strength Needed

oh tonya, i'm so sorry you are faced with this. i hate to tell you that this was what made us let punkin go. he was struggling to even move a few feet. i took him to the vet and his lungs were so surrounded by fluid that his lungs only showed as a sliver. the vet said they could remove the fluid but that it almost always returns. i just couldn't put him through any more, so we had the vet come to our house that night.

i wish i had a better story to share, but since you asked for similar experiences . . .

it's so hard to let our little ones go, but honestly, i was afraid that he was going to feel like he was suffocating. that was the deciding thought for me. i couldn't bear to think of that happening to punkin. i think letting him go was about the hardest thing i've ever done, but he knew how much he was loved and treasured. i have no doubt of it.

sending you much love! :YMHUG:
 
Re: 2/14 Tiki PMPS 209, Strength Needed

Thanks Julie,

I know this is more than likely the same story that will play out here over the next couple of days. I guess I am first exhausting my options before I truly know there is no other choice. I would hate to second guess anything afterwards. I've had to put two of my kitties to sleep and know it's quite peaceful so I'm not afraid of that. I just don't want to do it one minute too soon or one minute too late. I guess if I knew the answer to that question I would be in Vegas!
 
Re: 2/14 Tiki PMPS 209, Strength Needed

i think you have to be as comfortable as you can be that the time is right. you'll know - you love Sasha and you'll know when she is ready to go. :YMHUG:
 
I sure hope so. Guess I should make home made tomato sauce this weekend. It's her favorite, she goes crazy for the stuff. If nothing else I can maybe make her tongue and tummy happy.
 
Tonya, I am so sad for you and your Sasha. This is such a hard decision to make, and only you can make it. I am glad you are thinking clearly about this. I was in a similar situation last year, and I couldn't make the decision. Unfortunately, the wonderful staff at my vet's office didn't want to tell me to make the decision, so we prolonged my kitty's life, and his suffering, way too long. I wish with all my heart someone with clearer vision than mine had told me it was time. I pray you will have that vision when the time comes, and the comfort of knowing you are doing what is best for your beloved Sasha. I love that you are planning to do things that you know will make her happy. You are a wonderful, loving bean and I'm sure she has had a good, happy life with you and knows she is cherished. I'm glad you have Tiki to give you love and comfort as you go through this.

By the way, Tiki is looking good today! :-D

You will be in my thoughts and prayers over the next few days. I know you will be feeling the support of many more people here on the board - we've all been there. :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG:
 
This happened to my civvie Farrall. They did tap and drain her, but it refilled almost immediately. When that happens, continued drainage risks unbalancing the electrolytes and may result in seizures and death. i let her go across the Rainbow Bridge.
 
There surely doesn't seem to be a good outcome for any of us with this issue. I am so sorry you had to go through this too. It just SUCKS.
 
Tonya --

A great deal regarding prognosis depends on what the cause for the fluid build up is. Another member here posted on FB about one of her civvies who has several medical problems and because he was once feral, she really can't give him oral meds. He spent several days at the vet and is doing very well. Everyone has a story. You need to be prepared that the outcome can go in either direction. What is most important is that you regard every moment as precious so you have no regrets regardless of the outcome.
 
Hi Sienne,

That is what I am trying to do. At least between the tears and sobbing fits. She seems to be feeling better today than yesterday, less panting and more comfort. She has rejected her dinner so far tho. I made a batch of homemade tomato sauce so she is probably holding out until I put some on her food. Gotta let the meat cook first!

I'm of course hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst.
 
Sending you comfort and strength vines, Tanya. I'd hold out for the sauce too. :smile: Whenever you make the decision, it's the right one at the right time.
Liz
 
I'm so sorry to hear about Sasha. She will let you know when she is ready, but in the meantime, just keep loving on her. Sending you hugs and prayers for strength.
 
((((Tina)))), it is such a hard decision to have to make. We hope that they will "tell" us that they are ready to leave, and I think that they do. Our Alice had a fast-moving cancer. The vet discovered the lumps during a routine physical. He told us that she didn't have much time to live and that we should make her as comfortable as possible. Alice hadn't shown us that she wasn't feeling well prior to that vet visit, but when she heard the vet's prognosis (she was super smart and understood English) she withdrew from us and hid for 3 days. When she came back out we moved her bed to next to the radiator, spent lots of time sitting with her, and played her favorite music for her. She told us that she was ready and we abided by her wish.

I hope that you will have as much time with Sasha as possible and that you will know when the time comes. I'm glad that you made the tomato sauce.

Hugs and prayers heading your way tonight,

Ella
 
(((Tonya)))
Sending all sorts of vines to Sasha and you. :YMHUG:

I hope she responds to the antibiotics well and you will have more quality time with her.
When the time comes, I pray that you make the decision knowing it's the right one.
And I do believe that you will know. It sounds like the bond between Sasha and you are strong.
I hope she's enjoying your tomato sauce.
 
Well I just tested the sauce and it's MMMMM MMMMMMMM Good. She held out until I put some on her dinner and ate it all. Always a good sign. But the panting has resumed. :sad:
 
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