My little Maggie Bear!!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Amanda,
So good to get that update! I'm sure everyone from this thread has been waiting to hear, and rooting for Maggie.
It sounds to me like your head is in a good place and you are getting prepared for all possibilities. All of you are doing everything possible.
When Maggie comes home be sure to mix some water into her food to add yet another source of water into her. Water is the key for flushing natural waste toxins out of her body that her kidneys cannot. Maybe try to make her food like a thick soup.

I have to tell you one more thing because your last post made me think of it...
When I left Pearl that critical weekend on IV at her vet's, my vet tried to prepare me for the worst- she said to me that I should know that she had never had a cat survive with lab test numbers as poor as Pearl's were. Three years later, I always kid her about that when I bring Pearl in for one thing or another, and she always says how Pearl proved her wrong and made her change her mind about what was 'hopeless'.
I think there is always hope when your pet is still eating and acting happy to see you. If Maggie is not going to make it, you can feel good that you gave her every chance short of letting her suffer in pain. And when Maggie's time comes (whether this week or 3 years from now) you will be lovingly there for her.

[smilingcat]

Hi Amanda,

You are doing the best you can for her and that is the best gift you can give. And Bleeker's comment are really the best advice I've heard.

Maggie is special and I wish her the best. Song from Diamond Rio keeps going in my mind. "one more day".

We are all pulling for Maggie and for you. You are the best thing that happened to Maggie.

Take care,
Smilingcat

[ClockworkOrange]

He also said he prays for this "Little kid" to trick him again, I am not overly religious but what a sweet thing to say..........

Going slightly off topic but reading the above, I too am the same but when I come on TE Forum I feel really close to you guys, despite the distance and at times I feel so upset and actually find myself saying similar things, I guess it's not such a bad thing.

Anyway Amanda, still have my fingers crossed and it's good reading how things are going.

Hugs to little Maggie Bear.

Clock

[Aggie_Ama]

Well the news this morning wasn't as good on paper. Her values dropped over the weekend but not substantially. The vet offered that we could leave her another night but at some point it seems in vain, she is still double what she should be and at nearly a week of hospital at this point. We decided to bring her home and enjoy whatever time she has left. He said one more night of hospital might mean one more day on her overall life. But really does that mean one day she spent at their hospital? We don't have a way of knowing and in our hearts know she needs to come home. She needs hugs, we need hugs. She was so damn happy last night to see us and eat and love on us. He did tell us we can't leave her there forever, that is not fair to Maggie or us, visiting for one hour a day (and we have been by nearly every day she was there). Another night likely will provide help but it would probably be minimal, he did say it was fair to her to come home. We are still trying subcu but I don't think we have many nights, at least we have this one. Bad day to not wear waterproof mascara for sure.

[Brandi]

I think you should bring her home and spoil her rotten! She wants to be with you and your dh more then she wants to be at the vet that I am sure of. Enjoy her as much as you can with the time you have with her. I have lost animals way to young and wish i had taken the time to enjoy them more. You just never know how much time you will ever have. Spend this time with her. Good luck and (((((hugs)))))) to you all.

[Aggie_Ama]

For all the anger I cannot put into words. My mom knows a miniature schnauzer breeder, a good one that does genetic testing and the like. She said they do not breed the girls until they are TWO and only allow TWO litters before retirement. We got Maggie right before her fourth birthday and she had already had "3 or 4" litters. I am assuming the bred her young, frequently and without much care for her health. My poor beautiful girl, I am just glad we got to love her more than she ever knew those first four years.

[bmccasland]

Can the vet leave in a heprin lock IV and show you how to give her fluids? Either that or just show you how to attach the needle to the bag and tell you how many cc's she needs? I was giving Erin 100 cc's daily for the last couple of weeks of her life, and if I can do it solo, you certainly give Maggie fluids.

I think bringing her home is the best medicine. There living, and quality of life. Frankly I'd be much happier at HOME!!!

[smilingcat]

Hi Amanda,

Beth and Brandi is right. Home is the best place, being loved, cared in a familiar setting with familiar smell. sub-cue isn't that hard. Emotionally it was hard to administer to my cats. I know I had more difficult time than my cat.

Take a day or two off and spend some long time together. It helped my cat Murphy and it helped me. I sat on the couch with him in my lap and I just read books to pass the time. Stroked his head, his ear... He enjoyed the soothing touch of his mom. That's the important thing for maggie bear too. To feel comfortable.

I wish you well and peace to Magie Bear, she has a wonderful mom.
sincerely,
smilingcat

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Amanda,
It sounds like the vet IV treatment did not turn things around for Maggie this weekend. I'm so sorry.
I know this is a terribly sad sad time right now. But the best you can do now is shower Maggie with love, which you are doing. I'm glad you have her home now. Keep in mind that she doesn't know anything except that she doesn't feel too good and that you are pouring attention all over her. She must be happy about that.
Do keep giving her sub-cu water. being dehydrated is not comfortable from what I have read, so keeping her fluids up as best you can will make her more comfortable for her last few days. After a while she will not want to eat anymore. I guess for me that was the point where I would help them 'cross over'.
Again, I am so very sorry.
Maggie has been so very lucky to have such a love-filled life with you. Just keep thinking how lucky and well loved she has been...her happy life...all because of you and your family.

[OakLeaf]

Lisa said it so much better than I could. I'm so sorry the news isn't better.

I didn't want to say it going into the weekend because you were clear how much you and your DH needed the break, and there's nothing wrong with that. But, my Xiao Shieung died at the vet's while they were trying to save him. We were actually in the car on the way to visit when we got the call. There were many things surrounding his death that I felt horrible guilt for, but that's definitely one of them.

Bring her home, let her feel your love surround her, be with her when the time comes.

Hugs to you all.

[wackyjacky1]

I can't add anything that hasn't already been said. I know how hard it is to lose a pet. It's been over 4 years since I had to put my sweet kitty to sleep, and sometimes I still want to cry about it. But I relish the time I had with her, and I know I did the right thing for her.

Stay with your puppy and love on her. That is the best thing you can do. My heart goes out to you.

[emily_in_nc]

I'm so sorry for the bad news. I never give up hope until it's truly time, but I agree with everyone else who has posted, that she will have better last days at home. I've been in a similar situation with a very sick old Boston Terrier, and it was horribly sad for us, but I was glad she was with us at home until it was time for her to go to the bridge. I spent the last weekend of her life downstairs with her, sleeping on the couch, so I could comfort her between seizures, even when she couldn't see or hear me. I am very glad I had that time, even though it was emotionally wrenching, and my eyes were never dry. Our pets are just so much more comfortable at home with their "pack".

Thinking of you and Maggie Bear....

[salsabike]

Ah, Amanda. I'm sorry.

[Blueberry]

Oh Amanda - my heart is breaking for you, your DH and your little Maggie Bear. You're trusting your heart, which is the right thing to do. She'll tell you when it's time. Until then, shower her with love and treats (as I know you will). You'll look back on these memories and treasure them - even though they'll still hurt like h3ll.

Hugs,

CA

[Aggie_Ama]

No one told Maggie how sick she is. When the vet tech (one of the many she loves brought her in) she started bouncing on her. Then she heard the vets voice (Maggie is blind) and ran to him then we called her and she bounded over to us jumping on DH and then me, then DH, then me. She wore herself out being so excited! The vet tech came in and showed us how to do SubCu which Maggie doesn't mind at all right now and that is good because with her frail condition she is getting 100 cc two times a day.

We brought her home and she bounced right to the backdoor then came in and went straight to her water dish. Made up a good ol' bowl of "gruel" and she ate it like they hadn't been feeding her. Wandered around the living room part of the evening, then made herself at home in her bed. We know she is on borrowed time because her values are still extremely elevated and it is very unlikely subcu will bring her down but last night was a gift.

Thank you all for the support. Most of my family has been there but at the same time think we are crazy for fighting for her. My husband's stepmom yesterday told me we should put her to sleep. My mom just reminds me that my Pawpaw let his cat suffer.