So sad right now....

[mtkitchn]

So sorry to hear about her condition, Denise. Sending hugs and good vibes your way from across town.

[maillotpois]

So sorry, Denise. That's just one of the hardest things to go through - especially with kids.

I'll be thinking of you and Russo sends licks.

[Tuckervill]

I'm vibing for your dog, and especially for your boy.

Karen

[Tri Girl]

Oh Denise,
I'm so sorry about Abby. Hopefully when she comes home she can rest peacefully and you can get all the information you need to make the right decision.
I'm thinking of you right now- and please love the heck out of Abby while you can. She's one lucky dog to have you looking out for her!!!!

[snowtulip]

RM, sending many hugs and healing energy.

[Brandi]

I tried posting on this thread last night but I started crying. Then i couldn't spell (not that I am a good speller in the first place).
I am one of those people who has saved my animals and had to spend a bit of money doing it. My first and oldest living to this date had a thyroid condition at 14 years. It cost us over $1,000.00 and 16 hours driving her to and from. 1 lost muffler on the freeway while in transet. (That was scary for everyone in the car. The noise was awful!
Babies had to stay in the hospitol for a week. we could not visit her at all cause she was radioactive.
We did not hesitate to get this treatment for her even though we had no idea how many more years or months she had left. But she was a member of our family and that is all we saw.
It was funny when we got her home she went right to her scratch pad, gave a good scratching, then to her food dish, said hi to her brother and sister then went to her spot in front of the fireplace and slept for a long time. She was so happy to be home. She also lived for another 5 years till her kidney's started getting old and she started having complications. They said I could do all this stuff for her. But when I asked how long it would give her ? They said a month or so. And a lot of the time she would be going back and forth to the vet getting kidney flushes etc.. At that point we knew we would just be kepping her around for us. She looked so beutiful when she passed. Like a kitten again. Her coat was not old looking anymore and she was not uncompfortable or in pain anymore (she had really bad arthritis too). We have a wonderful painting of her we got from an artist in New orleans that hangs on our wall. I guess my point is you know when it is time. You feel it in your heart. And she told us she was ready.
We had her for 18 years and she had such a good life. I don't know if my story helps or hurts here. But when you know other people have gone through it it seems to help me.
But you know if you are doing the right thing and it sounds like there is a lot o love in your home for her and alot of support. Good luck we are thinking healing thoughts as well.

[7rider]

Abby is up and doing a bit better according to the vet. She has a full bladder, but won't empty it when they take her for a walk. God bless her soul, just like her mom she can't "perform in public". lol but the vet said he saw a full bladder in the ultrasound and there is no obstruction, she's just being a diva dog.
The troubling thing at this point is that there is some fluid build up in her abdomen that suggests either congestive heart failure or cancer. So that is being sent for a definitive test. he is also having a radiologist read the x rays because he said there are some confusing things on it that he wants another eye to look at.
So I get to pick her up tonight and I guess we will see what the tests say, and how she responds at home. ugh, this is SOO stressful!
But thanks to you caring souls I am getting through it. I think just being able to write about it helps as well. So thanks for your ear.- or eyes or... whatever. hee hee
I'll post again when I know more.
denise

Denise...I hope things are turning around for your Abby. Healing vibes to her, comforting vibes to you and your family......

[sbctwin]

I am in tears...I am at work, too, so I am feeling a little conspicuous. Brandi, your story brings back memories for me. Katrina, my beloved siamese has been gone for many years now. In the mid-90's I came home from my mom's funeral to one very sick kitty. The funeral was in CA and I was now living in UT. Katrina was "old" already, but she was my baby. She was 15 when I had to take her to the vet to find out what was wrong with her. I just couldn't let her go, not so soon after my mom's death. I had her treated, which meant a weeks stay at the vet getting intravenous fluids. She finally came home and I had 4 more years with her before "it was time". Katrina saw me through some very emotional periods in my life. She was there for me. Maybe I was selfish in not letting her go the first time, but she still had a lot of love to give me and I still had a lot of love to give her. Like Brandi says...You will know the right time....

[Bluetree]

So sad, Denise... sending out warm thoughts to you and Abby...

My dog is almost 14 now and I know the day will soon come when we will have to make a decision. Fortunately, she has always had doggie Health Insurance. She's old and slow now, but her coat is still good (luxurious even) and though she's nearly deaf, she still has interest and her arthritis is kept in check. Still, I dread the day...

[Blueberry]

We have a kitty who has been through Radio-iodine therapy for a thyroid problem ($1500), has a plate in his leg ($1500), went through 2 surgeries for bladder stones ($2000+), had a lypoma (Sp?) removed ($500), and a few other things I'm forgetting now. He's only 9. But, he's like a child. I've never hesitated. Probably not the fiscally prudent thing to do, but I couldn't not do it.....

When we got our Golden, we got pet insurance. Remains to be seen whether it's a good deal or not, but we have it.

RM - how is Abby today??

[Bluetree]

When we got my dog insured, we got a good rate because we started her plan as a puppy ($50/year). She was covered for injury and illness, but not for dysplasia or a few other genetic defects. It also did not cover her annual shots/checkups, which were mandatory to keep the policy in effect.

In her old age, the annual rate has increased to $160/year, but it has substantially offset the costs over the years for treatment of her chronic ear infections and countless bouts with rats/raccoons/possums.
I'm not sure the reasons, but the hospital did not offer plans for cat owners. Are cats more prone to disease and injury? I dunno, I'm not a cat owner.

[Brandi]

I hope we get an update today!

[LBTC]

I hope we get an update today!

me too

Brandi, your paintings are fabulous, and thank you for sharing your story. We have a few stories in our house too....for another time (I'm at work and don't want the tears to start flowing again!)

Running Mom, hugs your way and to Abby and your family. It's like others have said. You will know in your heart the right thing to do. Know how much love and happiness Abby has already had in your home. She knows what is right too.

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

[tprevost]

Oh Denise, I am so sorry to hear this... my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I hope she continues to feel better and is not in pain...

t~

[GLC1968]

Oh, Running Mommy! I'm so sorry!

I hate opening posts about pets and yet I totally sympathize. I lost my beloved Tango to advanced Lymphoma last June and it's still hard. I still question if what I did was the right thing and like Emily said...that was easily one of the worst days of my life.

I just wanted to let you know that I'm thinking about Abby and hope that she's doing better today!