So sad right now....

[wannaduacentury]

Sorry I was a bit busy today to log on. But I have been reading your posts to Spencer and he said "mom your friends are so nice. And they don't even know abby. But I think their prayers are working". And yes, they just may be.
Here is an update:
I picked her up from the vet yesterday afternoon. I was scared when she couldn't get into the back of the bmw. Not something she has ever had trouble with. Tony's truck yes, the car, no. When I got her home she couldn't get out. I had to help her in and out of the car. When I got her in the house she made a slow beeline to the sliding glass door. I let her out and she went straight to her potty spot. I saw that as a good sign until I realized that she was paralyzed in the squatting position. And then she tried to move and her big gangly great dane legs just gave out. She was struggling so bad it was really upsetting. Spencer (who was sobbing at this point) and I had to help support her and get her back in the house. She was panting really hard and I knew her heart was racing. She went straight to her bed and collapsed. She could barely lift her head. I had to give her antibiotics that night so I was hoping I could coax her up. I ended up boiling two chicken breast tenderloins and hiding the pills inside. She ate that pretty well but I could tell she was thirsty. Tony tried to help her to get her up but she was too weak. I brought the bowl to her and she lapped up half the bowl. At this point I was certain that she wasn't going to make it. She did try to walk a bit later but her legs seemed weak, esp. her back legs.
This morning she got up and moved a bit more but was slow. She wouldn't eat the doggy style bland diet that the vet sent home so I asked Tony to make her a couple more chicken tenders and hide the meds again. This worked. She went out a couple of times to do her business and drink out of her big bowl outside. Tony said she even went up the stairs once which I found as huge. When I got home this afternoon she was moving around, still slow but seemed much better. I made her some more chicken and she gobbled it down.
I'm still waiting on the results from the lab on the fluid that's in her abdomen. Also the reading from the radiologist. Hopefully I'll know more tomorrow. I'm really thinking it's going to be congestive heart failure. Not sure what that will mean long term, but I think we may be able to get her well enough to at least hang in there a bit longer. The vet did say that her heart was a bit enlarged but was not as bad as he's seen in danes before by a long shot.
At this point I'm just holding on to every little improvement she makes. And I'm glad that I didn't give up on her. My MIL berated me on the phone the other night and told us that clearly she was at the end and needed to be put down. She told me I was letting her suffer and that was cruel. Well I don't feel like she is suffering, and I have no regrets about what we have done so far. so PTTTTTTT (insert picture of DIL sticking out tongue at MIL) on her!!
So I guess you could say she's not out of the woods yet, but she's hanging in there.
Ok, off to bed for me. The stress has been over the top this week. And there is that little matter of ironman training that I'm trying to fit in around all of it. Which actually helps relieve stress in a way. But it still makes for a long day.

Thanks again all. I think the collective prayers and well wishes may be working!
If you have a pet, give em a hug for me tonight!! Unless of course your Nanci and your pet slithers.. hee hee hee
Denise

BTW- You can see a picture of her in her halloween costume here:
http://s11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...se69/?start=40

She's Beautiful- Please give her a hug from me too. I'm glad she's hanging in there. I love the camelbak for doggies Jennifer

[kaybee]

Denise, I just wanted to offer you a little encouragement. We have a 16-year-old fur baby that was diagnosed with congestive heart failure two or three years ago. He takes Lasix (and a host of other medications) and has trouble dealing with the heat and humidity, but has managed to pull through the last two (hot, humid southern) summers by staying inside most of the time. His hips are now giving out and I'll be very surprised if he makes it to and through summer, but I refuse to think about that now. In any event, I wanted to let you know my thoughts are with you and your family.

KB