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Post by lugg on Aug 30, 2022 21:19:05 GMT
So today was a tough one - Zeb , my dog suddenly starting fitting just after his breakfast. First one was prolonged - I feel so bad as I could hear him in the lounge from where I was in the kitchen ...but thought he was just enjoying his usual happy time rolling on the carpet, then I heard some sounds that were not usual so went in and found him having a convulsion. Anyway to cut a long story short he then went on to become very disorientated, went out into the garden and found a spot in the earth and continued to have have continuous but more minor convulsions. Called my daughter to come over , tried to get vet to come to the house but they did not have the staff until the afternoon so with the help of my next door neighbour got him in the car and took him to the vets who were waiting for us - he continued to fit several times during the journey . By the time we got him there he really was very ill . Soi about 3 hours after his first convulsion he was put to sleep , probably a brain tumour. I had not really noticed anything except for --- his tail ...not as perky over the last week, and he had lost a little weight.
Anyway I am trying to concentrate on the positives - he was 12 years plus, I was there at home when it started and my daughter was able to come quickly as she was not in work ( he is really her dog) The vets were fantastic ...he had been well all his life up to this point -well from the time we rescued him when he was 2 years old. But tonight we miss him and so does the cat ...
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Post by mickthecactus on Aug 30, 2022 21:23:48 GMT
I am so sorry lugg. A dog is almost another child and you made the right decision. We lost ours almost a year ago and still miss her badly.
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Post by lugg on Aug 30, 2022 21:28:17 GMT
Thanks Mick ... you are so right .
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Post by htmb on Aug 30, 2022 22:04:12 GMT
I’m so sorry, Lugg. Hopefully, continuing to focus on the many positives will help, but still. It’s a shock and it sounds like you’ll miss him terribly. It’s never easy to lose a much loved animal.
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Post by bixaorellana on Aug 30, 2022 22:12:11 GMT
Oh, Lugg -- I can't tell you how sorry I am. All who have given their hearts to dear dogs know how much you're hurting.
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Post by mich64 on Aug 30, 2022 22:41:27 GMT
Lugg I am so sorry to read about your dear Zeb. I am sure that many members today are surrounding you with hugs and understanding.
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Post by mossie on Aug 31, 2022 7:14:38 GMT
Sorry Lugg. I know how they become part of the family
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Post by fumobici on Aug 31, 2022 14:06:52 GMT
Hard to hear that, wishing you the best.
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Post by casimira on Aug 31, 2022 14:31:33 GMT
My heartfelt condolences to you and yours Lugg.
Our 14-year-old guy Papi is showing signs of decline and we have had to use a harness to help him with some stairs. The medication he is on is effective but it's just a band aid. Each time he has an "episode" I think he doesn't have too long. The loss of his territory at the old place seems to have compounded his lack of energy along with the lack of shady spots to go to and lie down.
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Post by mossie on Aug 31, 2022 18:38:24 GMT
. The loss of his territory at the old place seems to have compounded his lack of energy along with the lack of shady spots to go to and lie down.
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Post by mossie on Aug 31, 2022 18:40:11 GMT
I messed up the quote function, but I intended to put that that summed up my situation. I am beginning to believe that I really am 90, bugger it.
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Post by htmb on Aug 31, 2022 19:25:39 GMT
We’re in a similar situation as you, Casimira, with our sweet old family dog. She’s also 14, and has major anxiety, along with digestive issues, any time her living situation shifts a bit. We thought we were going to lose her last fall, but then she settled down a bit. My daughter rushed her to the after hours clinic earlier this week, but her condition has now improved. With an older dog, it’s just a matter of time.
Mossie, did you really turn 90 on your last birthday? Wow! I’d lost track. Good for you!
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Post by lugg on Aug 31, 2022 19:48:29 GMT
I messed up the quote function, but I intended to put that that summed up my situation. I am beginning to believe that I really am 90, bugger it. Happy birthday - albeit belated Mossie.
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Post by lugg on Aug 31, 2022 19:52:00 GMT
Casi and Htmb - wow 14 years is a good age for dogs - well done both you have obviously given them lots of care, love and attention. Its so hard seeing them age but I think what I've learnt from Zeb's death is to focus on the positives, of which there were many.
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Post by htmb on Aug 31, 2022 21:02:14 GMT
I remember seeing photos and hearing some of your stories about Zeb. He was a beautiful animal.
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Post by bixaorellana on Aug 31, 2022 22:18:56 GMT
Belated happy milestone birthday, dear Mossie. You are one of the people I hold up as an example of someone who keeps going despite leg problems and the like, as that is an inspiration to me. (especially since you are not all that much older than I!)
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Post by questa on Sept 1, 2022 10:44:16 GMT
I share the sorrow which fills your life right now. You know how the grief seems to be never-ending. You also know that the pain does lessen and the funny memories return. Take courage!
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Post by casimira on Sept 1, 2022 14:16:29 GMT
Belated salutations Mossie!
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Post by questa on Sept 1, 2022 21:07:01 GMT
Oh, Mossie, I'm so sorry to miss your special day. I hope it was special because you are a special man. I second what Bixa has said so elegantly.
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Sept 2, 2022 8:04:32 GMT
Dearest Lugg, I am sorry that I missed your sad news. Our pets (especially dogs imo..but then I'm biased) are so precious and we develop a unique and deeply rewarding bond with them. We are here if you need us. Take time to grieve xx Sending hugs
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Sept 2, 2022 8:09:20 GMT
I messed up the quote function, but I intended to put that that summed up my situation. I am beginning to believe that I really am 90, bugger it. You tried to sneak that past us didn't you? I hope that you had a brilliant day. Congratulations darling boy xxx
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Post by casimira on Dec 22, 2022 14:24:51 GMT
Our 14-year-old guy Papi is showing signs of decline and we have had to use a harness to help him with some stairs. The medication he is on is effective but it's just a band aid. Each time he has an "episode" I think he doesn't have too long. The loss of his territory at the old place seems to have compounded his lack of energy along with the lack of shady spots to go to and lie down. Late last night and on and off into the wee hours of the morning Papi was making loud noises/cries of being in distress we had not heard before. It woke us both with a start. He was struggling to gain his footing and his legs were close to giving out. He opted at one point to go outside and he lay in the grass for an hour or so and then managed to climb back up the steps and finally settled down and went back to sleep. He is currently on two medications that address both pain and arthritic inflammation in his rear legs. They have been very effective, but I am thinking he may have built up a tolerance to them. I also think that the hardwood floor in one of our rooms in the "shoebox" attribute to the poor guy being able to get his footing after struggling to get up. I am going to put down a couple of rugs/runners in here to hopefully help him. Then, wait to call the vet when they open in an hour or so. It was an awful night/morning. I asked T. at 5:00 a.m. when I got up if it was real or a nightmare he replied, "both".
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Post by kerouac2 on Dec 22, 2022 14:50:40 GMT
That's very sad. Are you willing to get him the final shot if there is no hope?
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Post by casimira on Dec 22, 2022 15:57:24 GMT
Yes, when the time comes.
We will exhaust what options are available within reason. We have been through these enough times with all our animals, and it always comes down to their quality of life and what functions they can perform without being in pain or discomfort. Food intake and elimination of course. In Papi's case, this has not been a problem thus far. He can still pee and poop without a struggle or show signs of discomfort while stooping to do so.
I am hoping this is an isolated incident and with an adjustment to his medication and providing a more comfortable flooring for him it will abate.
In the wee hours he wanted to go outside and at that point was able to go down the four steps, then he lay down on the grass for about 45 minutes and then climb up the steps albeit slowly and a tad unsteady.
While all our animals have been "ours" there has always been one of us who is the more dominant caregiver. In Papi's case it is T. This allows for one of us to be the more objective and vice versa.
There have been times when they seem to be on a rapid decline and then make a "comeback". That makes it that much more difficult.
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Post by mickthecactus on Dec 22, 2022 16:30:23 GMT
Yes, daughter’s beagle twice came back from the almost dead then just before Christmas last year he had been unwell again and was in his bed but just stopped breathing. A good way to go.
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Post by casimira on Dec 22, 2022 17:37:09 GMT
Papi is having a good morning so far. The vet told me to monitor him and touch base tomorrow if we have a repeat scenario. So, time will tell...
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Post by htmb on Dec 22, 2022 18:17:03 GMT
Poor guy. We’re at this point (and have been there for awhile) with my daughter’s old dog. We’ve also had a few close calls, but so far she’s rallied after a change of meds and rest over time. I wonder if lying in the grass felt soothing to Papi’s aching bones and muscles.
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Post by mickthecactus on Dec 22, 2022 18:20:18 GMT
When Luca beagle was ill he’d lay at the back of one of the flower beds.
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Post by htmb on Dec 22, 2022 18:31:10 GMT
Many years ago we had a Scottish terrier who would lie draped over the cool, concrete steps outside our back door once he’d developed prostate cancer. It seemed to offer him some relief.
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Post by lugg on Dec 22, 2022 20:04:11 GMT
Poor Papi - glad he is having a better day. So tough on you and T, Casimira.
Its strange isn't it how many dogs need to go out when they are distressed or ill? Zeb was the same as he was dying.
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