Not to be too much of a downer today, but since I am going to be off-line for a few days, thought I would give a quick update this morning.
A couple of weeks ago, I posted on an episode with Gracie here: http://hawksbillcabin.blogspot.com/2009/08/thought-we-had-setback.html.
We've had another of these, a complete boycott on Thursday. Plus, she was visibly weak from not eating. These are typical symptoms of end stage Canine Renal Failure.
Off to the vet for a consultation. We're told that finally, the effects of the disease are piling up, getting quite strong, and the nausea and other symptons may be just overpowering her.
It's most important that we continue to get her to eat. Mary has been so diligent about this - trying something new and different almost every day. We are having success with freshly cooked hamburger right now, and the vets gave us some food that is used to help get dogs back on track after major surgery - very much like chopped liver, with a strong smell and overwhelming deliciousness for canines. To our surprise, during this visit's weigh-in, Gracie had gained back 2 pounds!
The advice from the vet was to keep an eye on things, and recognize that there is not a lot left that can be done. Quality of life is the key now, and with a chronic disease, the one benefit you do get is to spend that much more time with your pet.
It's day to day now, and we are a little more flexible with the meds understanding where we are with this - sometimes she'll take them and sometimes not.
Of course, a visit to the vet was enough to give us a rally. When we got home, she ate very well - and she brought a tennis ball to Mary for a toss.
4 comments:
If you reading this before I make my next post on Gracie, thought I would pass along that she let us know today would be the day. So we came back to Alexandria to see the vet. 9-7-09, 1:30 pm. Will post a little more for retrospect down the road a bit. Thanks for the thoughts and concerns. Jim
So sorry to hear about Gracie, Jim & Mary. Chris came home on Monday bummed beyond belief, and the news didn't come lightly to me either.
Take comfort in the knowledge you two made her life the best it could have been. She was a great dog and she will be sorely missed.
Thanks for the kind words, Jeneane. She was a wonderful friend and companion. Sometime soon I'll make a post about this, but neither Mary nor I are ready for that.
Jim and Mary, I am so sorry. I hope that with time, you will find comfort and peace re-reading your blog postings about Gracie. They are so full of love and caring. You did everything possible for her, and she knew that.
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