Just when I started thinking we might be able to proclaim Lucky's survival, we got a kick in the head. On of those kicks that says, "you big idiot". I have been hoping all along we could get to the point where we felt he would make it, we could relax. But instead I know realize we will never get there. When he gets to be an old boy, that's when we can say, "he made it".
So what happened..... He went to the vet for his ears again and when I weighed him he was 28 LBS. I was shocked. I had stopped his daily weighings when he stopped gaining water weight. Dr M was hopeful it was actual fat, I had my reservations. I felt his abdomin and could feel the ballon like feeling. But you never know. I started the daily weighings again and sure enough he started going down after about 1 week.
I started weighing his sister Aly too. She is getting fat from eating all the treats intended for Lucky. :-) They weighed exactly the same. The race was on to get the weigh off of her and him and then get him fat.
Lucky has been on antibiotics for over 1 month for his ears and I think they are getting to him. He vomits daily now, all the food he eats and he looks very skinny again. I know he has about 3LBS of just water. He no longer has the strength to jump on the bed but he is in good spirits. I won't be giving him the antibiotics again until I prove to myself they were not the cause.
Then our buddy Beanie, took a turn for the worse. She liver numbers are up and she is not feeling well. We all thought she was well on the road to recovery. This more than anything made me realize we will never know if Lucky will make it, until he has his 12th or 13th birthday.
Lucky's Mom, Koko had her second ear surgery yesterday and she is not doing great. She is staying in the hospital another day because she falls over. The vet is hopeful this will go away eventually. Poor Koko, she has also been though so much and is always a trooper.
After her first surgery (2 weeks ago) she came home in one of those collars and she turned into a one dog wrecking crew. She seemed even more surprised than we did when item after item fell and broke in her path. :-)
Lucky was on antibiotics to prevent him from getting like Koko. The operations would be very hard on him, not even sure it could be done. What are we going to do with these Cocker ears?
Our daily thoughts are with Beanie and her family.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Lucky had a UTI, day 262
Lucky started getting worse and was not eating. It all seem to start after his annual booster shot for something or the other. He also seemed to be in pain so of course we headed straight for Dr. M, I told him it was time for another liver test.
When we went in I was told it was time for Lucky's annual exam which involves several test including a urinalysis.
Lucky's liver test was only slightly different, that the last time. One of his emzymes was higher. That was not better but it was not so bad either.
His ears were worse so I decided to do another test to find out what was in his ears. His ears were hurting a lot and when Dr. M tried to get some junk out Lucky cried and lashed out. So I tired and he put his mouth on my hand to warn me away. Well I won't take any grandstanding from my dogs so the tech and vet left so I could deal with him. This meant putting a muzzle on him. Well he won. :-) So they came and got him and took him to the back and no had no issue getting what they needed he was the perfect gentleman. I was not amused because he lets me touch his easr even when they hurt. He knows I will not hurt him anymore. As I thought about I realized it had nothing to do with his ears, it was the muzzle. I use to muzzle him to try and force the pills in him and he has never forgotten. He has real issues with pills.
We were all baffled about why he would not eat. I left to wait for the call about his ears in a few days. Maybe his ears were bothering him enough to make him not want to eat.
The next day Dr V called me, Lucky has a UTI. She wants to know do I want to pick-up pills or do the more expensive 1 shot that gives him an antibiotic for 2 weeks. I know, she knew there was no way I was doing pills with this dog no matter how much that shot cost. Getting a pill in him is like thinking I'm going to walk the Great Wall of China with back problems so severe I can't take a step without being in pain. yes, it is that bad. So in we go for the shot and three days later he is eating.
But we all know that is not the end of the story..........the day he starts eating I get a call from Dr M. Lucky has 4 things growing in his ears and he needs to take 2 antibiotics 2 times a day forever. I'm sure he did not say forever but it's along time, like 6 weeks. So for Lucky and I it might was well be a lifetime.
Looking on the bright side something good did happen. The problem was not his liver and 1 shot cured him from the UTI.
When we went in I was told it was time for Lucky's annual exam which involves several test including a urinalysis.
Lucky's liver test was only slightly different, that the last time. One of his emzymes was higher. That was not better but it was not so bad either.
His ears were worse so I decided to do another test to find out what was in his ears. His ears were hurting a lot and when Dr. M tried to get some junk out Lucky cried and lashed out. So I tired and he put his mouth on my hand to warn me away. Well I won't take any grandstanding from my dogs so the tech and vet left so I could deal with him. This meant putting a muzzle on him. Well he won. :-) So they came and got him and took him to the back and no had no issue getting what they needed he was the perfect gentleman. I was not amused because he lets me touch his easr even when they hurt. He knows I will not hurt him anymore. As I thought about I realized it had nothing to do with his ears, it was the muzzle. I use to muzzle him to try and force the pills in him and he has never forgotten. He has real issues with pills.
We were all baffled about why he would not eat. I left to wait for the call about his ears in a few days. Maybe his ears were bothering him enough to make him not want to eat.
The next day Dr V called me, Lucky has a UTI. She wants to know do I want to pick-up pills or do the more expensive 1 shot that gives him an antibiotic for 2 weeks. I know, she knew there was no way I was doing pills with this dog no matter how much that shot cost. Getting a pill in him is like thinking I'm going to walk the Great Wall of China with back problems so severe I can't take a step without being in pain. yes, it is that bad. So in we go for the shot and three days later he is eating.
But we all know that is not the end of the story..........the day he starts eating I get a call from Dr M. Lucky has 4 things growing in his ears and he needs to take 2 antibiotics 2 times a day forever. I'm sure he did not say forever but it's along time, like 6 weeks. So for Lucky and I it might was well be a lifetime.
Looking on the bright side something good did happen. The problem was not his liver and 1 shot cured him from the UTI.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Lucky is so skinny, day 238
I got back from my trip yesterday and found Lucky so thin. I had told the vet he was retaining some fluid but he was not 100% sure. It was not real bad but he made him look a bit heavier. We had hoped it was fat. Meat on his bones as Dr M says. On the plus side (Ithink), he drained the water by himself. Lucky has not been on any meds for some time now. He got sick and tired of all the meds. He would not take anything and I stopped trying to force him.
My daughter and her family moved into the house to stay with the dogs while we were gone. He wouldn't eat a lot but she always takes good care of him and he was eating. She told me he looked angry or sad. She did not want the small kids around him. I think part of it was he missed me. On the othert hand he does look a bit sad. We will be going to the vet this week to get his liver numbers just to be sure because he once again has that breath that could knock you out. Like something died in there. :-(
My daughter and her family moved into the house to stay with the dogs while we were gone. He wouldn't eat a lot but she always takes good care of him and he was eating. She told me he looked angry or sad. She did not want the small kids around him. I think part of it was he missed me. On the othert hand he does look a bit sad. We will be going to the vet this week to get his liver numbers just to be sure because he once again has that breath that could knock you out. Like something died in there. :-(
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Lucky gets on the bed and has shots, day 234
I went away for the week-end with Lucky's other human grandma. This left my husband in charge of all three dogs. Lucky is close to me there is hardly anyone he will leave the house with. it's like he's afraid he won'tome back. Maybe it was all those hospital stays. He's become quite neurotic but he's ours and he's alive. :-)
We left Friday afternoon . Saturday morning when my husband let the dogs out for there morning baldder run and back in he went back to bed figuring only Aly could make it on the bed to cuddle. He doesn't like it when all three of them are in the bed because he likes to take up most of the bed. Much to his surprise when he woke-up Lucky was there where I would normally be. He was so excited and called me right away. We had a celebration.
Last week on another one of our many visits to see Dr. M, he felt Lucky was well enough to have his very over due vaccines. Since everything is processed via the liver he had only had rabies. Dr. M did not want anything going through his liver that was not 100% needed. Who would have ever thought I would measure his wellness by a yearly vaccine. The tech brought the vaccines and when Dr M saw how many there were he told the tech he was only doing 3 of the 6. Only one shot, one nasal, and one liquid he had to swallow. We discussed Lucky's ears. Unfortunately he has Cocker ears and we are trying everything for him not to go the the way of his Mother, she will be having ear surgery next week.
We left Friday afternoon . Saturday morning when my husband let the dogs out for there morning baldder run and back in he went back to bed figuring only Aly could make it on the bed to cuddle. He doesn't like it when all three of them are in the bed because he likes to take up most of the bed. Much to his surprise when he woke-up Lucky was there where I would normally be. He was so excited and called me right away. We had a celebration.
Last week on another one of our many visits to see Dr. M, he felt Lucky was well enough to have his very over due vaccines. Since everything is processed via the liver he had only had rabies. Dr. M did not want anything going through his liver that was not 100% needed. Who would have ever thought I would measure his wellness by a yearly vaccine. The tech brought the vaccines and when Dr M saw how many there were he told the tech he was only doing 3 of the 6. Only one shot, one nasal, and one liquid he had to swallow. We discussed Lucky's ears. Unfortunately he has Cocker ears and we are trying everything for him not to go the the way of his Mother, she will be having ear surgery next week.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Lucky almost made it on the bed,day 204
He's got excess water, again. It's a weekly thing now. But today he tried to make it on the bed to hide his treat and he almost made it. I caught him and pushed him up as he was falling but the fact that he even tried was promising. He has not tried since he got sick and failed to make it up.
I still don't know what to think and his numbers are the same, not too bad, not better. The vets just say, the longer he lives the better his long-term chances of survival. I could have a liver biopsy done but there are risk with it and the anestesia. I told the vet it was not worth the risk. No matter what the biopsy said, I would not change his care. I will care for him till the end as if he will live 10 more years.
Last week-end I went to the beach and my friend and Lucky's other human grandma came to pick-up all three dogs to stay overnight with her and Lucky's dad. Lucky would not leave and he snapped when she tried to get his leash on him. Very odd behaviour because he still loves to go bye-bye. He has become so close to me that he does not want to leave this house unless it's with me. I happen to find this depressing for him. When I go in any room and shut the door he lays so close his hair is coming through the bottom of the door so I always let him in. :-)
Then there is Lucky's ears. They don't seem to be getting better. But we can't give him any strong meds because of his liver. Can't even give him his shots except rabies.
I wonder if we will get to a year and still not know anything else?
I still don't know what to think and his numbers are the same, not too bad, not better. The vets just say, the longer he lives the better his long-term chances of survival. I could have a liver biopsy done but there are risk with it and the anestesia. I told the vet it was not worth the risk. No matter what the biopsy said, I would not change his care. I will care for him till the end as if he will live 10 more years.
Last week-end I went to the beach and my friend and Lucky's other human grandma came to pick-up all three dogs to stay overnight with her and Lucky's dad. Lucky would not leave and he snapped when she tried to get his leash on him. Very odd behaviour because he still loves to go bye-bye. He has become so close to me that he does not want to leave this house unless it's with me. I happen to find this depressing for him. When I go in any room and shut the door he lays so close his hair is coming through the bottom of the door so I always let him in. :-)
Then there is Lucky's ears. They don't seem to be getting better. But we can't give him any strong meds because of his liver. Can't even give him his shots except rabies.
I wonder if we will get to a year and still not know anything else?
Friday, September 18, 2009
Lucky is still fighting, day 199
It's been exactly 1 month since my last post. I wish I could say that because Lucky was better and there was nothing to say. Instead it's because of work. Don't these people know I have sick dogs to take care of, i really don't have time to work. No one listens to me.
Well anyway, Lucky is about the same. on certains weeks he gains the water weight and I give him Lasix. It's been working. He was 30 LBS two days ago. Today he is 26.2. he's been jumping a bit more and that good.
He is eating his Mom's dog feed most days except when the water is at it's highest. He is still eating as many wheaties as I will give him. :-) And the fruits are still a favorite of his too.
He is skinny and his hair falls out but he seems happy! Till next time.
Well anyway, Lucky is about the same. on certains weeks he gains the water weight and I give him Lasix. It's been working. He was 30 LBS two days ago. Today he is 26.2. he's been jumping a bit more and that good.
He is eating his Mom's dog feed most days except when the water is at it's highest. He is still eating as many wheaties as I will give him. :-) And the fruits are still a favorite of his too.
He is skinny and his hair falls out but he seems happy! Till next time.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Lucky discovers frosted mini-wheats, day 168
Lucky has been on two different diuretics and his water weight up and down since my last post.
Then he discovered frosted mini-wheats. I gave him one at a time and eventually an entire bowl. That evening he jumped up and even jumped on one of our lower beds. I wonder if they work like spinach does for Popeye?
Today he ate 2 bowls of dog food! I have wondered if that day would ever come. Everyday I wonder how I can fatten him up and I come up short.
For now Lucky seems to be doing better. All my fingers and toes are crossed.
Then he discovered frosted mini-wheats. I gave him one at a time and eventually an entire bowl. That evening he jumped up and even jumped on one of our lower beds. I wonder if they work like spinach does for Popeye?
Today he ate 2 bowls of dog food! I have wondered if that day would ever come. Everyday I wonder how I can fatten him up and I come up short.
For now Lucky seems to be doing better. All my fingers and toes are crossed.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
What is this world coming too, day 155
Lucky had remained the same since Sunday with no meds. Gave him some more lasix today and he lost 1 lb. Otherwise he seems the same. Fingers still crossed.
Now for the OMG story. Yesterday I took Koko (Lucky's mother)to a vet surgeon. She has suffered from ear infections most of her life. It's been real bad for the last year. I had to take her in for a consult before scheduling the surgery.
I was handed one of those sheets were you promise them your first born if you can't afford to pay and you still don't get ypur dog back. They gave me some papers that explained they were more like a regular hospital than a vet. That I could get more than one bill depending on what specialty was needed to treat my pet. All the alarms went off. They were going to charge me some huge amount and I would never know what they did. I was wondering where my doogy HMO was when I needed them and would they have referred me to this hospital if they had to pay?
I'm not the type to think too much about money when it comes to my loved ones. Lucky has cost me so much he should have a medal. Forget "Best in Show" he is "Best in the World"
Anyway I thought she was getting a modified version of the ear surgery but he said, it was not very successful so they did not do it anymore. I was very disappointed and it showed on my face. I do not want her to be deaf forever. He explained the possible complications and I felt ever worse. Then he told me the surgery was around 4k. I didn't even blink or flinch. We spoke for about 10 min. He recommended I speak to the animal dermotologist before making up my mind since I was resistant to this type of surgery. I thank him and leave. At the desk the charge is $110.00. Considering all he did was talk for 10 min I find this outrageous. :-0
We go upstairs to setup an appointment with the dermotologist. I am informed the consultation fee is $110.00 and that does not include a diagnosis, meds, test, nothing, just a talk. I wondered if I would get 10 min or less. I guess they had many shocked clients otherwise why the big warning.
Their are currently pet insurance companies but just like their human countertparts they have a lot of exclusions.
I'm still wondering when there will be animal HMO's and all the follow-on lawsuits.
Now for the OMG story. Yesterday I took Koko (Lucky's mother)to a vet surgeon. She has suffered from ear infections most of her life. It's been real bad for the last year. I had to take her in for a consult before scheduling the surgery.
I was handed one of those sheets were you promise them your first born if you can't afford to pay and you still don't get ypur dog back. They gave me some papers that explained they were more like a regular hospital than a vet. That I could get more than one bill depending on what specialty was needed to treat my pet. All the alarms went off. They were going to charge me some huge amount and I would never know what they did. I was wondering where my doogy HMO was when I needed them and would they have referred me to this hospital if they had to pay?
I'm not the type to think too much about money when it comes to my loved ones. Lucky has cost me so much he should have a medal. Forget "Best in Show" he is "Best in the World"
Anyway I thought she was getting a modified version of the ear surgery but he said, it was not very successful so they did not do it anymore. I was very disappointed and it showed on my face. I do not want her to be deaf forever. He explained the possible complications and I felt ever worse. Then he told me the surgery was around 4k. I didn't even blink or flinch. We spoke for about 10 min. He recommended I speak to the animal dermotologist before making up my mind since I was resistant to this type of surgery. I thank him and leave. At the desk the charge is $110.00. Considering all he did was talk for 10 min I find this outrageous. :-0
We go upstairs to setup an appointment with the dermotologist. I am informed the consultation fee is $110.00 and that does not include a diagnosis, meds, test, nothing, just a talk. I wondered if I would get 10 min or less. I guess they had many shocked clients otherwise why the big warning.
Their are currently pet insurance companies but just like their human countertparts they have a lot of exclusions.
I'm still wondering when there will be animal HMO's and all the follow-on lawsuits.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Could things be better? Day 152
Lucky has had no more meds since Friday and he has not gained anymore water weight. I'm afraid to get too happy but I am less worried at the moment.
He is not eating vienaa sausages either, hooray! He is eating dog food and apples.
Lucky has also found his voice again so we must bark at every dog on the TV and every person with the audacity to be outside our house. Thank goodness there are not many of those.
Lucky's mom, Koko needs to have surgery on her ears this week so hopefully he will stay on course so I can focus on her.
He's letting that person outside know he is here and protecting me. :-) I just want to hear the TV.
He is not eating vienaa sausages either, hooray! He is eating dog food and apples.
Lucky has also found his voice again so we must bark at every dog on the TV and every person with the audacity to be outside our house. Thank goodness there are not many of those.
Lucky's mom, Koko needs to have surgery on her ears this week so hopefully he will stay on course so I can focus on her.
He's letting that person outside know he is here and protecting me. :-) I just want to hear the TV.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Lasix works sometimes, day 150
Lucky lost 4 lbs overnight. Hooray!!! But I'm such an idiot, I gave it to him at night. Neither of us got any sleep. He did not seem very amused that he had to pee for so long. He sort of looks at me while he goes and I can imagine he is saying, "can you believe this?"
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Lucky groans, day 149
I don't think I've ever met a dog that groans. Late last night Lucky gained another 8 oz. Everytime he got up or turned over he groaned. I'm not too sure what to think about this.
Koko and Aly have nightmares and make noises as they sleep. They also snore loudly. Lucky really never did any of those things but now he groans. Poor baby, he must be so uncomfortable. He doesn't walk, he waddles. And he never lets me out of his sight. All day long he is up and down the steps following me to and from my office. He's so slow. I want to carry him up and down but I'm afraid to carry him. Just picking him up feels like I will pop him.
By 6 PM today, Lucky gained another 1.8 lbs. His tummy is huge. :-( We will go see Dr M tomorrow to see what he has to say. He's back on the Lasix to see if it will help.
Early this morning, Lucky's head was laying on my arm like a baby would. I had to rub the belly. It ended up as a double tummy rub. He looked like he was in heaven. It reminded me of the times when Koko was pregnant with him and she would lay in exactly the same position in the morning so I could rub her belly. Hers had been shaved also from an ultrasound so it was all soft, warm skin. Those were the days.
Koko and Aly have nightmares and make noises as they sleep. They also snore loudly. Lucky really never did any of those things but now he groans. Poor baby, he must be so uncomfortable. He doesn't walk, he waddles. And he never lets me out of his sight. All day long he is up and down the steps following me to and from my office. He's so slow. I want to carry him up and down but I'm afraid to carry him. Just picking him up feels like I will pop him.
By 6 PM today, Lucky gained another 1.8 lbs. His tummy is huge. :-( We will go see Dr M tomorrow to see what he has to say. He's back on the Lasix to see if it will help.
Early this morning, Lucky's head was laying on my arm like a baby would. I had to rub the belly. It ended up as a double tummy rub. He looked like he was in heaven. It reminded me of the times when Koko was pregnant with him and she would lay in exactly the same position in the morning so I could rub her belly. Hers had been shaved also from an ultrasound so it was all soft, warm skin. Those were the days.
Pets behaving badly, when Lucky was a puppy
Lucky was the runt of the litter so he was very small. Being the only puppy he was spoiled and the apple's of his mother's eye. She watched him like a hawk. Like all puppy's he was always into one mischief or another. One day he fell asleep in the farthest corner in the living room behind the curtain. We looked and looked for him and nothing. Eventually I found him but he was still asleep. He was so cute I took a picture. Koko was a bit distressed so I atempted to get him. Before it was all over the corner he was in look like a tornado had hit it and I had to go to the ER with a concussion. :-) Lucky walked out to Koko with a yawn. We got a picture of the mess and it was later published on mysantonio.com under Animals behaving badly.
That was our Lucky. :-)
That was our Lucky. :-)
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Lucky gained another pound, day 148
I'm positive I don't know what else to do. I get on the scale with Lucky 3 times a day to see if he has gained even an ounce. He gains 1 lb and I gain 2. But water pills can't help me, I think my problem is all the choclate I eat while writing this blog and fretting over Lucky. He wants me to share my chocolate but chocolate's bad for him too. I did share my skittles not so long ago.
Lucky was feeling so sick all the time. Then the ascites made all of his organs push together. We think eating was not on his mind because his stomach was being pushed by all the fluid.
We all agreed that any food was better than no food because Lucky was starving to death. So everyday we tried something new. He would eat whatever it was once because the taste and smell was new and then nothing. Once day at work I was eating skittles and he kept pushing his nose at me. By then I would give him anything he wanted so I offered him the skittles. He ate what I gave him. I thought if I gave him too many it would upset his stoach even more so I limited what he eat. Everyday he wanted skittles so I bought a big bag and gave him some. The next day he stopped eating them and I had to eat the rest of the bag :-)
Right after that I started the force feedings.
Lucky was feeling so sick all the time. Then the ascites made all of his organs push together. We think eating was not on his mind because his stomach was being pushed by all the fluid.
We all agreed that any food was better than no food because Lucky was starving to death. So everyday we tried something new. He would eat whatever it was once because the taste and smell was new and then nothing. Once day at work I was eating skittles and he kept pushing his nose at me. By then I would give him anything he wanted so I offered him the skittles. He ate what I gave him. I thought if I gave him too many it would upset his stoach even more so I limited what he eat. Everyday he wanted skittles so I bought a big bag and gave him some. The next day he stopped eating them and I had to eat the rest of the bag :-)
Right after that I started the force feedings.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
No one seems to do liver transplants, day 147
Today I called Texas A&M. They obviously do not do transplants of any kind. :-( They said to try UC Davis. UC had done a kidney transplant but no liver. They had no suggestions of who I could call.
A google search got me to Michigan State but the vet that I was looking for left a while ago. They are going to find out where we went and call me back tomorrow.
His thought was you use part of the kidney from a shelter dog but you have to adopt and keep the dog. I like that idea. Except how do I put any dog through that? What if the dog did not survive? For me it will not be easy even with a dog I don't know.
I started Lucky on the diuretics yestertday. Seems to be working because he did not gain any more weight today.
Called the vet today to ask if it's possibly a kidney or heart problem causing the worsening ascities. He does not think so. So we wait.
I give Lucky his Milk Thitsle every day with vienna sausages. It works but I worry about the lack of nutrition in them and all the salt.
A google search got me to Michigan State but the vet that I was looking for left a while ago. They are going to find out where we went and call me back tomorrow.
His thought was you use part of the kidney from a shelter dog but you have to adopt and keep the dog. I like that idea. Except how do I put any dog through that? What if the dog did not survive? For me it will not be easy even with a dog I don't know.
I started Lucky on the diuretics yestertday. Seems to be working because he did not gain any more weight today.
Called the vet today to ask if it's possibly a kidney or heart problem causing the worsening ascities. He does not think so. So we wait.
I give Lucky his Milk Thitsle every day with vienna sausages. It works but I worry about the lack of nutrition in them and all the salt.
Monday, July 27, 2009
We're feeling blue, day 146
Lucky's head is in my lap. Aly's back is snuggled on my leg and Koko is curled up on her bed 3 feet away. I can't help but imagine what will come tomorrow for Lucky. He has gained all the water back. It came back last night. I've started him on a water pill to see if it helps at all. He's moving slow again.
They can't drain him every day so he will continue to get bigger until the strain on his heart is too much.
So how much is too much? I wish someone could look in a crystal ball and tell me if Lucky will survive or not. I'd even take a percentage. Gosh I hate Sago Palms! How can I decide when it's enough?
They can't drain him every day so he will continue to get bigger until the strain on his heart is too much.
So how much is too much? I wish someone could look in a crystal ball and tell me if Lucky will survive or not. I'd even take a percentage. Gosh I hate Sago Palms! How can I decide when it's enough?
Sunday, July 26, 2009
It's still day 145
I can't believe how long this day has been. Lucky and I were at the vet when they opened at noon. He went in weighing 33.2 lbs. :-( He could not stand on his hind legs. He was walking but slowly.
When I left the vet I did not want to go far so I hovered at local stores. Their is absolutely nothing I need at any store but I was a woman in distress so what did I do? I bought clothes, shoes, patio stuff, and baby clothes for my grandchildren. At least I didn't eat a pound of chocolate. I didn't eat all day, I was too worried.
I went back to get Lucky at 5:30 PM, he came running out with Dr. M and weighed 28 lbs. Hooray! They got out 3 liters of fluid. He said, it was cloudy this time. While it's not the end of the world it's not good news either. His albumin dropped from 2.0 to 1.7 but Dr. M was not convinced that could explain what had happened.
I hate mysteries I have no hope of solving.
When I left the vet I did not want to go far so I hovered at local stores. Their is absolutely nothing I need at any store but I was a woman in distress so what did I do? I bought clothes, shoes, patio stuff, and baby clothes for my grandchildren. At least I didn't eat a pound of chocolate. I didn't eat all day, I was too worried.
I went back to get Lucky at 5:30 PM, he came running out with Dr. M and weighed 28 lbs. Hooray! They got out 3 liters of fluid. He said, it was cloudy this time. While it's not the end of the world it's not good news either. His albumin dropped from 2.0 to 1.7 but Dr. M was not convinced that could explain what had happened.
I hate mysteries I have no hope of solving.
So what now, day 145
At 11:55 AM Lucky and I will be at Banfield to get the fluid drained. I know the staff will be surprised and dismayed. He was almost 32 lbs yesterday and I fear that today he has passed that. It puts strain on his heart and other organs so it needs to be drained.
Five months into this battled we still have no idea what will happen with Lucky. My Mom and Dad ask about him every single day. Many people ask me about him everytime they talk to me. Debbie and I are still in touch. I still cry and I still wake-up at night to make sure he is breathing.
On Monday I will be calling Texas A&M to ask about that Liver Transplant.
I will keep you posted and thank you for reading Lucky's story.
Five months into this battled we still have no idea what will happen with Lucky. My Mom and Dad ask about him every single day. Many people ask me about him everytime they talk to me. Debbie and I are still in touch. I still cry and I still wake-up at night to make sure he is breathing.
On Monday I will be calling Texas A&M to ask about that Liver Transplant.
I will keep you posted and thank you for reading Lucky's story.
Why? day 143
It's Saturday, July 25 and I am watching TV. A show called Landscape Designers Challenge (or something like that) came on. The couple asked for a family friendly backyard. The designer did a great job except that he used a Sago Palm in the landscape where there had been none. When the family came out at the end I saw they had two small children and a small dog. Unless we got the word out Sago Palms would continue to kill.
I got out my computer and sent and email to my local TV station to see if they will get the word out.
I thought of starting a petition and found this instead http://www.mo-driver.com/sago-palm-plants-kill.htm, please sign this petition to have Sago's labeled.
I decided to start writing this blog and stayed up all night to get it done. It's now 4:27 AM, Sunday morning. I have three sleeping, some snoring cocker spaniels with me in the bed.
I got out my computer and sent and email to my local TV station to see if they will get the word out.
I thought of starting a petition and found this instead http://www.mo-driver.com/sago-palm-plants-kill.htm, please sign this petition to have Sago's labeled.
I decided to start writing this blog and stayed up all night to get it done. It's now 4:27 AM, Sunday morning. I have three sleeping, some snoring cocker spaniels with me in the bed.
To good to be true, day 142
It's Friday, July 24 and Lucky now weighs 30.4 lbs. The ascites is really back in a big way. Why, why, why? I just don't get it. It's not fair. Now he won't eat his dog food so I pull out the vienna sausages which he gobbles down.
OMG finally some good news, day 141
I think Lucky heard me say liver transplant and he decided no one was cutting him open because like some kind of miracle he lost a lot of fluid by Monday. He was barking and running around. By Tuesday he was 22 Lbs and felt so light.
Dr. M had been out so when he returned on Wed I called Banfield and asked if I could bring Lucky just so they could see him. We went up there around 5 PM. Lucky jumped into my Hummer for the first time since March. Everyone at Banfield was so happy to see him looking to well.
He had traded his vienna sausages for dog food. This was a very good sign.
The next day I took all the dogs in for a check-up and for Lucky to get his blood work. I thought he might have gained back some of the fluid but Dr. M said, "no".
Lucky's blood work was better for the first time. His albumin was 2.0. Hip hip hooray!
I almost wrote to Cathy but something held me back.
Dr. M had been out so when he returned on Wed I called Banfield and asked if I could bring Lucky just so they could see him. We went up there around 5 PM. Lucky jumped into my Hummer for the first time since March. Everyone at Banfield was so happy to see him looking to well.
He had traded his vienna sausages for dog food. This was a very good sign.
The next day I took all the dogs in for a check-up and for Lucky to get his blood work. I thought he might have gained back some of the fluid but Dr. M said, "no".
Lucky's blood work was better for the first time. His albumin was 2.0. Hip hip hooray!
I almost wrote to Cathy but something held me back.
A bit of good news, day 133
Lucky is a bit better. He has had fluid removed two more times. He eats everyday now. Mostly vienna sausages.
We saw Dr. M again on Saturday and I asked about liver transplants. He gave me the number to Texas A&M small animal clinic. I planned to call on Monday.
We saw Dr. M again on Saturday and I asked about liver transplants. He gave me the number to Texas A&M small animal clinic. I planned to call on Monday.
The newspaper prints my email, day 124
It's Jul 5, 2009. A shorter version of the email I sent to Cathy gets printed. Hooray more people will hear about Sago's. I told everyone I saw with a pet about Sago's and I'd say 90% of the people had no idea.
Dear Cathy: When my cocker spaniel Lucky ate a sago palm this spring, he stopped eating and almost died. Even months later, he still doesn't want to eat and we must force-feed him puppy replacement milk with his medications. He used to be so full of life, but now he just lies around barely lifting his head.
For more than two months, we have not known if our beloved pet will live, die or be sick forever. We canceled our vacation to make sure he is OK. Please let others know that sago palms are deadly to animals.
— Alyx Chavis
Dear Alyx: What a terrible ordeal. I hope Lucky recovers. You are right to warn others: sago palms, a frequent plant in our San Antonio landscape, are highly toxic to cats and dogs. Common signs of ingestion include vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, depression, seizures, liver failure and even death.
Since 2003, the ASPCA has reported a 200 percent increase in the number of sago palm and cycad poisonings, and 50 to 75 percent of those ingestions resulted in fatalities. According to Dr. Sharon Gwaltney-Brant, veterinary toxicologist and vice president of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, all parts of the sago palm are toxic, not just the seeds or nuts.
If you have pets, this plant doesn't belong in your landscape. Thanks, Alyx, for sending me photos and sharing your story.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/life/columnists/cathy_m._rosenthal/Cathy_M_Rosenthal_Sago_palms_highly_toxic_to_pets.html
Theirs' no way to thank Cathy. I was hoping to be able to send her an email saying Lucky was going to live.
Dear Cathy: When my cocker spaniel Lucky ate a sago palm this spring, he stopped eating and almost died. Even months later, he still doesn't want to eat and we must force-feed him puppy replacement milk with his medications. He used to be so full of life, but now he just lies around barely lifting his head.
For more than two months, we have not known if our beloved pet will live, die or be sick forever. We canceled our vacation to make sure he is OK. Please let others know that sago palms are deadly to animals.
— Alyx Chavis
Dear Alyx: What a terrible ordeal. I hope Lucky recovers. You are right to warn others: sago palms, a frequent plant in our San Antonio landscape, are highly toxic to cats and dogs. Common signs of ingestion include vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, depression, seizures, liver failure and even death.
Since 2003, the ASPCA has reported a 200 percent increase in the number of sago palm and cycad poisonings, and 50 to 75 percent of those ingestions resulted in fatalities. According to Dr. Sharon Gwaltney-Brant, veterinary toxicologist and vice president of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, all parts of the sago palm are toxic, not just the seeds or nuts.
If you have pets, this plant doesn't belong in your landscape. Thanks, Alyx, for sending me photos and sharing your story.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/life/columnists/cathy_m._rosenthal/Cathy_M_Rosenthal_Sago_palms_highly_toxic_to_pets.html
Theirs' no way to thank Cathy. I was hoping to be able to send her an email saying Lucky was going to live.
Another email to Debbie
I welcome any thoughts you have. And it is liver. :-( The vet that did the U/S said all of his other organs except the liver looked fine. He did not see any tumors. He has chirrosis of the liver and they all expect now that his liver is very small. The ALB is the key to most things going on. The vet had explained to me that he was loosing fluid via his blood vessels because of the liver damage. That is causing the fluid build up. I am really thinking a lot of this is due to malnutrition. He won't eat and this AM he threw-up his puppy milk with the meds. Tried the pumpkin after you told me about it, he won't touch it. No apple sauce either. Vet suggested eggs but he won't touch that either.
Albumin is a small protein produced by the liver. Albumin acts as a sponge to hold water in the blood vessels. When blood albumin is decreased, the pressure created by the heart forcing blood through the blood vessels causes fluid to leak out of the blood vessels and accumulate in body cavities such as the abdominal cavity or in tissues as edema. Albumin is decreased if the liver is damaged and cannot produce an adequate amount of albumin or if albumin is lost through damaged intestine or in the urine due to kidney disease. The only cause of increased albumin is dehydration.
Of course this info kills my theory of dehydration. And you are right it's a terrible cycle.
From what I have read Liver damage can cause kidney problems. It causes a lot of issues like diabetes. I think he is in pain now. He bit someone today and snap at my granddaughter. Not like him at all.
We'll go back to the vet tomorrow..
Albumin is a small protein produced by the liver. Albumin acts as a sponge to hold water in the blood vessels. When blood albumin is decreased, the pressure created by the heart forcing blood through the blood vessels causes fluid to leak out of the blood vessels and accumulate in body cavities such as the abdominal cavity or in tissues as edema. Albumin is decreased if the liver is damaged and cannot produce an adequate amount of albumin or if albumin is lost through damaged intestine or in the urine due to kidney disease. The only cause of increased albumin is dehydration.
Of course this info kills my theory of dehydration. And you are right it's a terrible cycle.
From what I have read Liver damage can cause kidney problems. It causes a lot of issues like diabetes. I think he is in pain now. He bit someone today and snap at my granddaughter. Not like him at all.
We'll go back to the vet tomorrow..
One of my emails to Debbie
I did not list ALT and ALKP because his are normal. Go figure. I just don't get it. I only listed the ones that were not normal.
After we saw the vet I looked at every lab result he had and found something interesting about the kidney's. If BUN is high but other enymes are normal it's not liver failure. for BUN to get elevated from a bad kidney it need to be 75% gone and these other things like CREA have to be elevated. So it is more likely the issue is dehydration. All of that info got me to thinking it's not over till I or Lucky says it's over. I started force feeding him this week-end with puppy milk and all his meds except the sam-e (that makes him so sick) and the diuretics.
On Sunday I called the vet and told them Lucky was coming in for fluids. So there we were at 7 AM. He only ate about a tablespoon of dog food when he got home but it's more than he was eating before. Later I got him to drink some 1% milk. I'm worried about him getting the runs and hence the dehydration gets worse so I'll see what happens. Tomorrow I will take him back in for fluids. Then on Fri or Sat I plan to get him retested again. If it's worse then that's, that. If it's better then I'll keep doing what I'm doing and retesting every week and take it from there. Fingers crossed please.
It's very hard for me to give-up but I do realize enough is enough. He does not look good and he's just bones and he does not take his meds or eat. I can't give up without at least forcing his meds for a while to see if it helps. If I can get those down him for a while maybe he will get better. I was hoping his body could fight it off. I guess he ate so much that he could not recover like Beanie. The vets say his liver is most likely very small now. It all depends on if enough is left to sustain his life. I might have the U/S repeated so I'll know.
I don't want him to suffer and now sometimes he looks like he is. It could be my imagination. :-(
After we saw the vet I looked at every lab result he had and found something interesting about the kidney's. If BUN is high but other enymes are normal it's not liver failure. for BUN to get elevated from a bad kidney it need to be 75% gone and these other things like CREA have to be elevated. So it is more likely the issue is dehydration. All of that info got me to thinking it's not over till I or Lucky says it's over. I started force feeding him this week-end with puppy milk and all his meds except the sam-e (that makes him so sick) and the diuretics.
On Sunday I called the vet and told them Lucky was coming in for fluids. So there we were at 7 AM. He only ate about a tablespoon of dog food when he got home but it's more than he was eating before. Later I got him to drink some 1% milk. I'm worried about him getting the runs and hence the dehydration gets worse so I'll see what happens. Tomorrow I will take him back in for fluids. Then on Fri or Sat I plan to get him retested again. If it's worse then that's, that. If it's better then I'll keep doing what I'm doing and retesting every week and take it from there. Fingers crossed please.
It's very hard for me to give-up but I do realize enough is enough. He does not look good and he's just bones and he does not take his meds or eat. I can't give up without at least forcing his meds for a while to see if it helps. If I can get those down him for a while maybe he will get better. I was hoping his body could fight it off. I guess he ate so much that he could not recover like Beanie. The vets say his liver is most likely very small now. It all depends on if enough is left to sustain his life. I might have the U/S repeated so I'll know.
I don't want him to suffer and now sometimes he looks like he is. It could be my imagination. :-(
More force feedings, day 102
The news isn't good. Lucky's kidney function tests are bad and he is now anemic. He is about 20 to 22 lbs of dog and 7 -9 lbs fluid. They drained him again today because he no longer eats and his breathing is labored.
Time to start the force feedings with puppy replacement milk.
Lucky's vet says he'll go as far as we want him to but his personal opinion is inserting a feeding tube is going too far. It would just prolong the inevitable.
Lucky's lab results:
ALB-1.5-low 3.2 - in range
AMYL-470-low 400 - low
BUN-30-high 18 - in range
CHOL-53-low 125 - in range
TP-5-low 6.2 - in range
RBC-2.98-low 6.71 - in range
HGB-5.9-low 14.6 - in range
HCT-18.2-low 44 - in range
MCHC-32.3-low 35 - in range
I'm feeling very blue.
Time to start the force feedings with puppy replacement milk.
Lucky's vet says he'll go as far as we want him to but his personal opinion is inserting a feeding tube is going too far. It would just prolong the inevitable.
Lucky's lab results:
ALB-1.5-low 3.2 - in range
AMYL-470-low 400 - low
BUN-30-high 18 - in range
CHOL-53-low 125 - in range
TP-5-low 6.2 - in range
RBC-2.98-low 6.71 - in range
HGB-5.9-low 14.6 - in range
HCT-18.2-low 44 - in range
MCHC-32.3-low 35 - in range
I'm feeling very blue.
A trip to the beach
Since getting the fluid reduced Lucky seems better. Everyday he eats a little and he takes all of his pills except the sam-e.
We wanted to go to the beach but I could not leave Lucky with anyone because I knew it would stress him out. We decide to take him.
The plan was to stay at the Navy base but pets were not allowed in the rooms. We decided to risk it because he no longer barked and he barely moved. All of his energy was spent in following me around if I went out of his eyesight. I wrapped him up like a baby and took him to the room. No over saw him or even suspected he was there.
In Texas we can drive right up to the water so we backed up our hummer up and got Lucky out. We had brought a soft kennel that was in the back that he could lay in. The truck was open so he could see us. He was having none of that, it was too far from me. I sat him on my lap by the water but I knew it was too hot for him to stay too stay there too long. Eventually he settled under the Hummer on a towel. The Hummer is so high, it was a good place for him. I thought the beach had been hard on him so I sent him home with my daughter the next day since she was leaving early.
Would that be Lucky's time at the beach?
We wanted to go to the beach but I could not leave Lucky with anyone because I knew it would stress him out. We decide to take him.
The plan was to stay at the Navy base but pets were not allowed in the rooms. We decided to risk it because he no longer barked and he barely moved. All of his energy was spent in following me around if I went out of his eyesight. I wrapped him up like a baby and took him to the room. No over saw him or even suspected he was there.
In Texas we can drive right up to the water so we backed up our hummer up and got Lucky out. We had brought a soft kennel that was in the back that he could lay in. The truck was open so he could see us. He was having none of that, it was too far from me. I sat him on my lap by the water but I knew it was too hot for him to stay too stay there too long. Eventually he settled under the Hummer on a towel. The Hummer is so high, it was a good place for him. I thought the beach had been hard on him so I sent him home with my daughter the next day since she was leaving early.
Would that be Lucky's time at the beach?
Cathy the columnist replies
She wants to know if we had to put Lucky down or if he was still alive. I told her he was alive and we planned on doing everything humanly possible to make sure he stays alive.
I wonder again how much is too much. What if he needed a feeding tube, was that too much?
I wonder again how much is too much. What if he needed a feeding tube, was that too much?
Ultrasound, day 77
Lucky had to go to another vet for his U/S. The vet was very nice and accomodating. I warned him that Lucky had a lot of fluid in his abdomin but he said, that was actually good for the U/S.
I thought I would get to stay with Lucky the way I stayed with Koko when he was pregnant with him. But they said it would take a while and I needed to leave him.
Later that day i got a call from the vet telling me that they took a bunch of pictures but they coul dnot see the liver clearly because there was so much fluid. He wanted to know if he could drain the fluid. I told him yes. I was scared but I had no idea what else I could do.
They took out 3.5 liters of fluid and Lucky lost about 6 lbs of fluid. Hmmm wondering if they could do that to me? :-)
I called to see how lucky was doing and if he was ready to be picked up around 3 PM. The lady at the desk told me the vet wanted to speak with me and could I come in at 5 PM. I told her i could come now and again asked how he was. She said the vet could not see me till 5 PM and would not say anything about Lucky. I hung-up and started crying, I thought he had died and she wasn't suppose to tell me. My husband called and I was still crying. He told me he would meet me at the vet's office. When we got there I was very quiet so my husband went and asked how he was and was told he was fine. They had no idea how badly they had scared me but I was so relieved I didn't even say anything.
We were taken to a room to wait for the vet, he came and talked to us. I have no idea what he said. I recall he wanted to show us the pictures on the computer but it could not read the CD so he had to take us in the back. I saw Lucky and he started clawing at the cage to get out when he saw me. He looked so slender and was moving a lot quicker than he had in along time.
The ultrasound showed the changes in his liver but it could not tell us how much of the liver was cirrhosis. We were told Lucky's chances were 50/50, just like Dr. M said.
Now what?
I thought I would get to stay with Lucky the way I stayed with Koko when he was pregnant with him. But they said it would take a while and I needed to leave him.
Later that day i got a call from the vet telling me that they took a bunch of pictures but they coul dnot see the liver clearly because there was so much fluid. He wanted to know if he could drain the fluid. I told him yes. I was scared but I had no idea what else I could do.
They took out 3.5 liters of fluid and Lucky lost about 6 lbs of fluid. Hmmm wondering if they could do that to me? :-)
I called to see how lucky was doing and if he was ready to be picked up around 3 PM. The lady at the desk told me the vet wanted to speak with me and could I come in at 5 PM. I told her i could come now and again asked how he was. She said the vet could not see me till 5 PM and would not say anything about Lucky. I hung-up and started crying, I thought he had died and she wasn't suppose to tell me. My husband called and I was still crying. He told me he would meet me at the vet's office. When we got there I was very quiet so my husband went and asked how he was and was told he was fine. They had no idea how badly they had scared me but I was so relieved I didn't even say anything.
We were taken to a room to wait for the vet, he came and talked to us. I have no idea what he said. I recall he wanted to show us the pictures on the computer but it could not read the CD so he had to take us in the back. I saw Lucky and he started clawing at the cage to get out when he saw me. He looked so slender and was moving a lot quicker than he had in along time.
The ultrasound showed the changes in his liver but it could not tell us how much of the liver was cirrhosis. We were told Lucky's chances were 50/50, just like Dr. M said.
Now what?
Force feeding anyone, day 74
It's been too long since Lucky last ate anything. I am desperate. I call the ER hospital he was last at and ask what they force feed dogs. They told me to try puppy replacement food. I run out and buy some.
My husband is out so I have to do this alone. I put Lucky on our bed and use a leash to hold his mouth with my knee. I have gloves on and a big syringe and I have sccess. I feel better already knowing I can feed him something.
I take a picture of him right afterwards because he is not very happy with me and looks so cute. I want to remember each success.
The next day I write an email to our newpaper pet columnist. I want her to help me get the word out about how toxic Sago's are.
My husband is out so I have to do this alone. I put Lucky on our bed and use a leash to hold his mouth with my knee. I have gloves on and a big syringe and I have sccess. I feel better already knowing I can feed him something.
I take a picture of him right afterwards because he is not very happy with me and looks so cute. I want to remember each success.
The next day I write an email to our newpaper pet columnist. I want her to help me get the word out about how toxic Sago's are.
How much more can he take, day 73
May 15, Lucky is back in the hospital. Dr. M was out and Lucky was much worse so we spoke to Dr. V on the phone and she sent us to another ER for a plasma transfusion.
His albumin is actually up a little bit and his liver emzymes are back to normal. The ER tells me his electrolyes are really out of whack. So instead of plasma they will give him fluids.
We go back to Banfield and his potassium was really low. That's why he felt so bad. He won't eat anything and he's breathing hard. They tell me he most likely has liver cirrhosis. We are sent for an ultrasound to look at his liver.
I start checking the internet for vets that can do a liver transplant. Have not found one yet, i wonder if it's ever been done. :-(
I start to really think about what Dr. M said, "how far do we go". How far do we go? I don't want him to suffer. He looks at me with such sad eyes. I don't know what to do anymore so I cry a lot. I put him in our bed everynight and then I hardly sleep. I listen to him breath and if i don't hear him I sit up and feel for his pulse.
Lucky is tired of vets poking at him and I don't blame him one bit.
I wrote some of this to Debbie. We have written back and forth and even called each other since those first few postings. She has been my support group. I'm not sure what I would have done without her and Beanie.
His albumin is actually up a little bit and his liver emzymes are back to normal. The ER tells me his electrolyes are really out of whack. So instead of plasma they will give him fluids.
We go back to Banfield and his potassium was really low. That's why he felt so bad. He won't eat anything and he's breathing hard. They tell me he most likely has liver cirrhosis. We are sent for an ultrasound to look at his liver.
I start checking the internet for vets that can do a liver transplant. Have not found one yet, i wonder if it's ever been done. :-(
I start to really think about what Dr. M said, "how far do we go". How far do we go? I don't want him to suffer. He looks at me with such sad eyes. I don't know what to do anymore so I cry a lot. I put him in our bed everynight and then I hardly sleep. I listen to him breath and if i don't hear him I sit up and feel for his pulse.
Lucky is tired of vets poking at him and I don't blame him one bit.
I wrote some of this to Debbie. We have written back and forth and even called each other since those first few postings. She has been my support group. I'm not sure what I would have done without her and Beanie.
Losing water weight, day 68
It's May 10th and Lucky has lost a little water weight. We are still fighting the food fight. The only thing he will eat now is corn puff cereal. I spoke to the vet at our last visit. I asked him, no food or any food. Gone are the hopes of keeping him on a diet for his liver. He says, any food.
We eat corn puffs everyday.
We eat corn puffs everyday.
Can it get any worse? Day 60
Lucky is bigger than ever so I ask about reducing the fluid. I have been researching again. Dr. M says, we will if we have to but we shouldn't not otherwise because there is a risk of infection.
Lucky's labs are worse. His albumin is down to 1.3, it was 1.8 a week ago. Dr. M advises me that if it gets to .8 or if Lucky has trouble breathing he will have to have a plasma transfusion to save him temporarily.
We have another talk about how much is too much. He talks I listen.
I make Lucky turkey burgers. He likes them today but will he like them tomorrow.
Lucky's labs are worse. His albumin is down to 1.3, it was 1.8 a week ago. Dr. M advises me that if it gets to .8 or if Lucky has trouble breathing he will have to have a plasma transfusion to save him temporarily.
We have another talk about how much is too much. He talks I listen.
I make Lucky turkey burgers. He likes them today but will he like them tomorrow.
It's bad, fast forward day 48
Lucky is worse. He was eating a little bit of food most days. We have tried everything. Grilled steak, chicken, chops, peanut butter, pumpkin, chips, corn pops, barbeque, fruits, cereal, cream cheese, cheese, cold cuts, hot dogs and on and on. Now he won't eat anything.
It's April 21 and Lucky's lab results are in. ALKP is now 863 and Alt is back to normal at 57. He goes back to the hospital and fluids for 3 days.
By April 30 he is much worse. He got Jaundice so he had two more days of fluids. I noticed he looks fat but I'm told it was all the fluids and it should go down soon. Instead he got bigger and bigger. He gained 7 lbs in 6 days. I took him back to the vet and he was put on Lasix. Dr. M tells me we cannot lose hope but it's a step in the wrong direction.
We were given a liquid vitamin to give him so at least he gets something.
It's April 21 and Lucky's lab results are in. ALKP is now 863 and Alt is back to normal at 57. He goes back to the hospital and fluids for 3 days.
By April 30 he is much worse. He got Jaundice so he had two more days of fluids. I noticed he looks fat but I'm told it was all the fluids and it should go down soon. Instead he got bigger and bigger. He gained 7 lbs in 6 days. I took him back to the vet and he was put on Lasix. Dr. M tells me we cannot lose hope but it's a step in the wrong direction.
We were given a liquid vitamin to give him so at least he gets something.
We have medicine problems, day 20
Lucky will no longer eat any food with meds in it. That darn good nose. I don't know what to do.
The vet gave us sam-e, a standard med for liver problem in dogs. He is now on three meds except I can't get him to take any of them.
For three days Lucky eats nothing. Then on day 4 I make some more chicken with rice and he eats it with the sam-e one. Then the next days at 11 AM he throw-up a lot. It looks like rice and yellow oil. The oil looking stuff was bile. That was the first and last time he had the sam-e.
Back to the vet we go. Dr. M says give him whatever he will eat as long as it does not have a lot of fat in it. At this point it's either food or meds. Dr. M says food is more important and not to give him meds in the food he will eat since he is locking his jaw when he smells the meds.
We are also told to look out for neurological problems. I am afraid to let him out of my sight.
The vet gave us sam-e, a standard med for liver problem in dogs. He is now on three meds except I can't get him to take any of them.
For three days Lucky eats nothing. Then on day 4 I make some more chicken with rice and he eats it with the sam-e one. Then the next days at 11 AM he throw-up a lot. It looks like rice and yellow oil. The oil looking stuff was bile. That was the first and last time he had the sam-e.
Back to the vet we go. Dr. M says give him whatever he will eat as long as it does not have a lot of fat in it. At this point it's either food or meds. Dr. M says food is more important and not to give him meds in the food he will eat since he is locking his jaw when he smells the meds.
We are also told to look out for neurological problems. I am afraid to let him out of my sight.
The first week-end, up and down
The fluids and antibiotics seem to have worked. Lucky was about 90% himself. He still could not jump but he was eating. I had gotten him another can prescription food for stomach problems.
By March 11 he was running around outside just like before playing with his friend Daisy.
On March 19 we had his blood work ran again. The news was not good. His ATL was 208. His ALKP was down to 203 from 493. He had also lost 4 lbs. Lucky was normally 34 lbs.
He won't eat dog food anymore so I am cooking him bland chicken and making chicken broth. He has to take ursodial for his liver. They did not have the dosage he needed so I used the capsules my Dad used and no longer needed. Lucky needed approx 1/2 of what my Dad took. I figured out what that was and put the powder in the chicken.
It wasn't looking good.
By March 11 he was running around outside just like before playing with his friend Daisy.
On March 19 we had his blood work ran again. The news was not good. His ATL was 208. His ALKP was down to 203 from 493. He had also lost 4 lbs. Lucky was normally 34 lbs.
He won't eat dog food anymore so I am cooking him bland chicken and making chicken broth. He has to take ursodial for his liver. They did not have the dosage he needed so I used the capsules my Dad used and no longer needed. Lucky needed approx 1/2 of what my Dad took. I figured out what that was and put the powder in the chicken.
It wasn't looking good.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
What about our vacation, day 4
It's now Friday, March 6, 2009 and we are suppose to be leaving on a week long vacation tomorrow. As I take Lucky to Banfield at 7 AM for his day with fluids I know we can't leave. We will just have to lose all the money we spent because Lucky is more important.
Lucky is not eating. I am advised to buy a prescription food for liver problems. I get the bag and the cans. He never eats any of it.
Lucky is not eating. I am advised to buy a prescription food for liver problems. I get the bag and the cans. He never eats any of it.
Is their hope, day 3
It’s March 5, 2009. I leave the house at 6:30 AM to be on time to pick Lucky up at 7 AM from the ER hospital. We were fortunate he did not need any extra care so our bill was only in the $700 range. He seems in good spirits and we go out so he can do his business. We arrive at Banfield by 7:14. He spends the entire day there on fluids.
I go home and to work. I search the internet some more and finally find a survivor story. Beanie's Story
The post was by a woman named Debbie and her dog was Beanie. She had eaten parts of a Sago 4 months ago, in Nov 2008 and was still alive. Debbie and Beanie live in Austin, TX around 1.5 hrs away from me. I decided to respond to her post and ask some questions.
I was worried because I was being told the first 48 hours were the worse, the most defining moment for survival. But reading Debbie’s words was painting a different story.
I’m at Banfield at 6:30 PM to pick-up Lucky. He is doing well and eating so they decide I can take him home but we need to come back at 7 AM for another day of fluids and antibiotics.
His electrolytes which were out of this world yesterday are now stable with all the fluids but his liver emzymes are now showing some high and low levels.
We go home and I hardly take my eyes off of Lucky. He gets to sleep with us for the first time in a long time. After Aly became full grown we realized our bed was too crowed and we did not want to play favorites so everyone got the boot.
We were so glad to have Lucky home but every move he made woke me up. It was like having a baby. He could no longer jump on our bed so I always had to lift him up and down.
Lucky looked so sad, would he ever be happy again?
I go home and to work. I search the internet some more and finally find a survivor story. Beanie's Story
The post was by a woman named Debbie and her dog was Beanie. She had eaten parts of a Sago 4 months ago, in Nov 2008 and was still alive. Debbie and Beanie live in Austin, TX around 1.5 hrs away from me. I decided to respond to her post and ask some questions.
I was worried because I was being told the first 48 hours were the worse, the most defining moment for survival. But reading Debbie’s words was painting a different story.
I’m at Banfield at 6:30 PM to pick-up Lucky. He is doing well and eating so they decide I can take him home but we need to come back at 7 AM for another day of fluids and antibiotics.
His electrolytes which were out of this world yesterday are now stable with all the fluids but his liver emzymes are now showing some high and low levels.
We go home and I hardly take my eyes off of Lucky. He gets to sleep with us for the first time in a long time. After Aly became full grown we realized our bed was too crowed and we did not want to play favorites so everyone got the boot.
We were so glad to have Lucky home but every move he made woke me up. It was like having a baby. He could no longer jump on our bed so I always had to lift him up and down.
Lucky looked so sad, would he ever be happy again?
We find out Sago's are toxic, day 2
It was day two and Lucky seemed OK first thing in the morning. He did not eat but drank a lot. I went upstairs to work and it was 8 AM.
About an hour later the handyman came over. Lucky seemed a bit lethargic. He did not greet him like he normally would. I tell him what happened and that it looked like Lucky still had a tummy ache.
I go back upstairs to work. I am a technical person and look up everything on the internet. But it is only NOW that it occurs to me to look up Sago's. OMG! What I find is scary but I don't get the impression it is life threatening. I call the vet right away and the tech says there's and appt at 4 PM or I can bring him in now if seems bad. I said, he just seems tired so I'd seem them at 4 PM. Obviously I just did not understand.
At 11 AM I take lunch and go outside with the handyman because we are going to the hardware store to buy things for the new deck, that would take 1 hour. I tell him what I found out about Sago's. He is a retired science teacher so he gets it. He says, "I'll work on other things so you can take the dog now, I think he needs to go now." Hmmm, I had checked on him 10 min ago and he was fine but now I'm scared so I go back in the house to get him and he can't get up, can't walk. We rush to the vet.
We love our vet, we go to Banfield and all the dogs are on a plan. There are usually 4 vets and we see two of them. Since I don't know if I need permission to use their names I will call them Dr. M and Dr. V. Dr. V had treated Koko since we got her and she treated Lucky when he was born. Somewhere along the line we got Dr. M for an ear infection that would not go away. Wanting to make sure we always saw the same person because these ear infections can be bad in cockers we ended up seeing Dr. M 95% of the time. When he is not there we always ask for Dr. V, we lover her too. Well we saw Dr. M when we took Lucky in and he explained to me how toxic Sago's are. He got him started on fluids and told me that Lucky would have to go to an ER hospital for the night since they only had someone on sight till 7 PM and he wanted Lucky monitored. Dr. M explained to me that there was no way to contradict the poison. All we could do was make him as comfortable as possible and do whatever we could to help him fight the pioson. I left Lucky in his care and went home in shock.
I got back on the internet and tried other searches. I got the ASPCA's warning and other web sites. I researched all day. Where were the success stories?
At 7 PM my husband and I went to get Lucky to take him to the ER. They were waiting for him. My husband asked the vet if she'd seen other dogs like this and did they survive. She said, she had seen too many and most did not survive.
Everything was OK until I had to sign the resuscitation order. We got three choices.
1. Do nothing (this was free)
2. Do what can be done up to $250.00
3. Do everything possible. (Over $500.00)
Now I don’t recall the exact wording but this was the gist of it and their were prices next to each option as I have done here (the first two are correct). I’m sure they have done this because people ask how much this will cost all the time. But it was not about money for me. It was about hurting him, prolonging the inevitable, making sure he did not suffer. I had went through this with my son but no prices had been displayed. My decision for Lucky was based on the same choices.
So this is the point where I breakdown, I start sobbing and can’t sign the paper. I had time to make this choice for my son but with Lucky there had not been enough time to understand if he could get better. I tell my husband he has to do it. Now you have to understand that my husband was already in shock about the estimated cost of 12 hours at this hospital (about $1500). He had never had pets as a child and complained about the dogs all the time but I knew his heart. So he signed for them to do everything they could to save him. We left and neither one of us got any sleep, we called the vet a few times to see how he was doing throughout the night. They said, he was doing well and even ate a little bit of food.
About an hour later the handyman came over. Lucky seemed a bit lethargic. He did not greet him like he normally would. I tell him what happened and that it looked like Lucky still had a tummy ache.
I go back upstairs to work. I am a technical person and look up everything on the internet. But it is only NOW that it occurs to me to look up Sago's. OMG! What I find is scary but I don't get the impression it is life threatening. I call the vet right away and the tech says there's and appt at 4 PM or I can bring him in now if seems bad. I said, he just seems tired so I'd seem them at 4 PM. Obviously I just did not understand.
At 11 AM I take lunch and go outside with the handyman because we are going to the hardware store to buy things for the new deck, that would take 1 hour. I tell him what I found out about Sago's. He is a retired science teacher so he gets it. He says, "I'll work on other things so you can take the dog now, I think he needs to go now." Hmmm, I had checked on him 10 min ago and he was fine but now I'm scared so I go back in the house to get him and he can't get up, can't walk. We rush to the vet.
We love our vet, we go to Banfield and all the dogs are on a plan. There are usually 4 vets and we see two of them. Since I don't know if I need permission to use their names I will call them Dr. M and Dr. V. Dr. V had treated Koko since we got her and she treated Lucky when he was born. Somewhere along the line we got Dr. M for an ear infection that would not go away. Wanting to make sure we always saw the same person because these ear infections can be bad in cockers we ended up seeing Dr. M 95% of the time. When he is not there we always ask for Dr. V, we lover her too. Well we saw Dr. M when we took Lucky in and he explained to me how toxic Sago's are. He got him started on fluids and told me that Lucky would have to go to an ER hospital for the night since they only had someone on sight till 7 PM and he wanted Lucky monitored. Dr. M explained to me that there was no way to contradict the poison. All we could do was make him as comfortable as possible and do whatever we could to help him fight the pioson. I left Lucky in his care and went home in shock.
I got back on the internet and tried other searches. I got the ASPCA's warning and other web sites. I researched all day. Where were the success stories?
At 7 PM my husband and I went to get Lucky to take him to the ER. They were waiting for him. My husband asked the vet if she'd seen other dogs like this and did they survive. She said, she had seen too many and most did not survive.
Everything was OK until I had to sign the resuscitation order. We got three choices.
1. Do nothing (this was free)
2. Do what can be done up to $250.00
3. Do everything possible. (Over $500.00)
Now I don’t recall the exact wording but this was the gist of it and their were prices next to each option as I have done here (the first two are correct). I’m sure they have done this because people ask how much this will cost all the time. But it was not about money for me. It was about hurting him, prolonging the inevitable, making sure he did not suffer. I had went through this with my son but no prices had been displayed. My decision for Lucky was based on the same choices.
So this is the point where I breakdown, I start sobbing and can’t sign the paper. I had time to make this choice for my son but with Lucky there had not been enough time to understand if he could get better. I tell my husband he has to do it. Now you have to understand that my husband was already in shock about the estimated cost of 12 hours at this hospital (about $1500). He had never had pets as a child and complained about the dogs all the time but I knew his heart. So he signed for them to do everything they could to save him. We left and neither one of us got any sleep, we called the vet a few times to see how he was doing throughout the night. They said, he was doing well and even ate a little bit of food.
The day Lucky ate the Sago Palm
It was a Tuesday, not my favorite day of the week. But it was a nice weather day. There was a lot to be done. Our handyman was pulling out some of the sago palms to make way for a deck. I went out to check on him before I went to see my parents and he gave me a bunch of Sago babies. They were soft and warm. He knew I likes Sago's, I had them everywhere. I took the babies to give to my daughter. Not knowing what to do with them I put them in a planter. The inside was not viewable to the dogs as it sat higher than them. I did not want them getting them to play as toys and possibly kill them (the plants). After that I left. The dogs were outside and I left them there. They liked to oversea what the handyman was doing and he loved them. He had and rescued Springer Spaniels so he was a dog person. They all had great fun together.
I never intended to be gone so long but it was 10 PM, 6 hrs later when I got home. I let the dogs in right away and everyone took there usual places on the sofa except Lucky, he laid on the floor. I had noticed the door mat has some cream colored debris and I had wondered where it came from. I was dog sitting my Mom's little dog and she could be a bit destructive so I thought it was something she got a hold of.
I offered them a treat to make up for being gone so long. Lucky did not take his. So I sat on the sofa and told him to come, he did not budge. I don't feed my dogs human food so if they have a chance to get it they fall over themselves to get there first. Lucky is the biggest so usually it's him doing his acrobatics to get the food off the kitchen counter that gives them their break. I offered him cheese, cold cuts, hot dog, and chicken before I freaked out. I picked him up to get a better look and he groaned. Then I went outside to see what I could see. I looked at the bebris but could not figure out what it was. I walked around and then saw the planter over turned. A few of the Sago babies were on the ground but at least 6 of them were gone. Then I knew what the debris was. I went back in and got Hydrogen peroxide, tried to recall what the amount the vet had said to give him. We went outside and waited. It does not take too long to work. Lucky went to the other side of the yard and stood by the fence looking pitiful. He threw-up several times and I looked (ugh) at it to see if I could see any plant debris. It just look like normal stomach stuff. So I figured he had eaten them early enough that they had already been digested. We went back in and I told him he had a terrible tummy ache. He seemed to feel better and drank a ton of water. We all went to bed thinking he'd be fine the next day.
I never intended to be gone so long but it was 10 PM, 6 hrs later when I got home. I let the dogs in right away and everyone took there usual places on the sofa except Lucky, he laid on the floor. I had noticed the door mat has some cream colored debris and I had wondered where it came from. I was dog sitting my Mom's little dog and she could be a bit destructive so I thought it was something she got a hold of.
I offered them a treat to make up for being gone so long. Lucky did not take his. So I sat on the sofa and told him to come, he did not budge. I don't feed my dogs human food so if they have a chance to get it they fall over themselves to get there first. Lucky is the biggest so usually it's him doing his acrobatics to get the food off the kitchen counter that gives them their break. I offered him cheese, cold cuts, hot dog, and chicken before I freaked out. I picked him up to get a better look and he groaned. Then I went outside to see what I could see. I looked at the bebris but could not figure out what it was. I walked around and then saw the planter over turned. A few of the Sago babies were on the ground but at least 6 of them were gone. Then I knew what the debris was. I went back in and got Hydrogen peroxide, tried to recall what the amount the vet had said to give him. We went outside and waited. It does not take too long to work. Lucky went to the other side of the yard and stood by the fence looking pitiful. He threw-up several times and I looked (ugh) at it to see if I could see any plant debris. It just look like normal stomach stuff. So I figured he had eaten them early enough that they had already been digested. We went back in and I told him he had a terrible tummy ache. He seemed to feel better and drank a ton of water. We all went to bed thinking he'd be fine the next day.
Is Lucky living or dying?
Today is July 25, 2009 and I can't help but wonder if my pet is living or dying. It's been a very long, life altering 5 months.
My beloved Chocolate Cocker Spaniel, Lucky is very sick. On March 3, 2009 he ate about 6 Sago Palm babies and he's been fighting liver failure ever since. We had no idea the plant was toxic to animals and humans. Before Lucky was born our front yard Sago's had tons of children. We had someone remove them and we planted 10 of them in our backyard. We gave about 30 of them away to friends. At no time did we have any idea this was the wrong thing to do.
Lucky is 5 yrs old. He was born in our home and has lived with his mom (Koko) and his sister (Aly). He was born Febuary 14, 2004 around 10 PM, to a litter of 6. Koko had an ultrasound that showed 5 puppies. Imagine our surprise when Lucky came out, the runt of the litter. He was so tiny. I had to take him out of the sac and cut his cord. It was his mothers first litter and was suppose to be her only litter.
Koko was very spoiled, slept with us all the time and was not too amused that she had to deliver on the floor of our room with paper and towels. She missed the soft sheets. :-) After 10 hrs of labor she started giving birth. All of her puppies were chocolate with one exception. Their was one chocolate and while puppy. This puppy was not doing well and died right away. Another puppy was born dead. So we had 4 puppies and got everyone comfortable in a dog bed on the floor. As soon as we left the room Koko took it upon herself to move her puppies to the middle of the bed. Unfortunately being a new Mom and her puppies being large except Lucky she punctured their lungs. We ran all the puppies to the ER vet right away and to our regular vet the next morning. There was nothing anyone could do. Lucky was so small his skin was hardly punctured so we were told he should make it. Well he did and that's how he got his name. His registered name is Koko's Lucky Boy!
Despite all of Koko's deliver mishaps she turned out to be the best mother. Somehow she understood that picking up and moving the puppies was the wrong thing to do. She and Lucky settled in Koko's kennel on the floor on my side of the bed. I work at home so everyday when she was ready to come out of her kennel and move her puppy somewhere else (she has beds all over the house) she would come upstairs ans bark at me. We would go down and I would take Lucky and follow her to where she wanted to go. We repeated this everyday until he was old enough to follow her. She never again picked him up by the neck as most dogs do. Lucky grew-up to be a very spoiled puppy.
This blog is Lucky's story and his brave fight for life.
My beloved Chocolate Cocker Spaniel, Lucky is very sick. On March 3, 2009 he ate about 6 Sago Palm babies and he's been fighting liver failure ever since. We had no idea the plant was toxic to animals and humans. Before Lucky was born our front yard Sago's had tons of children. We had someone remove them and we planted 10 of them in our backyard. We gave about 30 of them away to friends. At no time did we have any idea this was the wrong thing to do.
Lucky is 5 yrs old. He was born in our home and has lived with his mom (Koko) and his sister (Aly). He was born Febuary 14, 2004 around 10 PM, to a litter of 6. Koko had an ultrasound that showed 5 puppies. Imagine our surprise when Lucky came out, the runt of the litter. He was so tiny. I had to take him out of the sac and cut his cord. It was his mothers first litter and was suppose to be her only litter.
Koko was very spoiled, slept with us all the time and was not too amused that she had to deliver on the floor of our room with paper and towels. She missed the soft sheets. :-) After 10 hrs of labor she started giving birth. All of her puppies were chocolate with one exception. Their was one chocolate and while puppy. This puppy was not doing well and died right away. Another puppy was born dead. So we had 4 puppies and got everyone comfortable in a dog bed on the floor. As soon as we left the room Koko took it upon herself to move her puppies to the middle of the bed. Unfortunately being a new Mom and her puppies being large except Lucky she punctured their lungs. We ran all the puppies to the ER vet right away and to our regular vet the next morning. There was nothing anyone could do. Lucky was so small his skin was hardly punctured so we were told he should make it. Well he did and that's how he got his name. His registered name is Koko's Lucky Boy!
Despite all of Koko's deliver mishaps she turned out to be the best mother. Somehow she understood that picking up and moving the puppies was the wrong thing to do. She and Lucky settled in Koko's kennel on the floor on my side of the bed. I work at home so everyday when she was ready to come out of her kennel and move her puppy somewhere else (she has beds all over the house) she would come upstairs ans bark at me. We would go down and I would take Lucky and follow her to where she wanted to go. We repeated this everyday until he was old enough to follow her. She never again picked him up by the neck as most dogs do. Lucky grew-up to be a very spoiled puppy.
This blog is Lucky's story and his brave fight for life.
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