So sad right now....

[Running Mommy]

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

[salsabike]

Thanks for the update, Denise. All the TE vibes are still coming from us...

[Geonz]

Settling in at my friend's house (I've been house-sitting) with the three cats around Yay, kitties...

[LBTC]

Oh, Denise!

Thank you for posting such detail! I do hope our prayers and vibes are working.

I'm crying again, as your post brought up more of our furry kids' stories. Did Abby have any sedation? That difficulty walking can easily be explained by that. Our Teddy cat had surgery twice when he was younger....both times he walked like a drunken sailor way more than 24 hours after the surgery. Broke my heart, and you could tell he was not impressed, as every cat is so good at expressing. I also thought about when our Yogi dog came home from having his leg amputated for the cancer. It was amazing how quickly he adjusted to the missing leg. He was very affected by the anesthetic also, and quite unstable for a long time.

In the end, with Yogi, his heart just stopped. He had just finished surgery and was in the midst of a blood transfusion. It was horribly sad for us.

Our Teddy cat, 15 years and going strong, does have a heart condition. Actually, he has three, according to the ultrasound and other tests, which is apparently impossible. Anyway, the good news with heart issues is that the drugs work very well, we find them to be not outrageously expensive, and everyone who meets him today is shocked to hear that he is that old. On his way to this point, he has looked pretty frail at times, but he's never lost his attitude. He acts privileged.

What I learned about congestive heart problems, as explained by the vet, is coughing and a runny nose are a sign of this. The other thing I've learned is to keep track of every little detail at this point...just like you told us in your email.

Hang in there, and keep Abby feeling the love. That's what gets them through, every time. The medicine helps their bodies, but the love makes them want to get better.

And tell Spencer thank you. I think my friends here are very special too!

Now I'm off to find all four of our critters and have a little cuddle with each before I head to bed.

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

[mtbdarby]

Denise,
Thanks for the update. Sorry the days are long but what a great family you have. Give Spencer a big hug for being such a brave kid! It's not easy dealing with this but especially at a young age with your best bud. Please keep us posted and the prayers and hugs are still coming your way.

I remember the Halloween pix! Too cute I had some nice cuddle time with Zeus and Xena last night (I brushed Zeus while Xena hid on me - little stinker). Mine are getting on in age as well so I know this is probably in my not-too-distant future as well. Its comforting to know you ladies will help me through it when our time in here. Is it just me, or has a lot of this been happening to our furry friends in the last couple of months?

Stay strong!

[chickwhorips]

Is it just me, or has a lot of this been happening to our furry friends in the last couple of months?

i was actually thinking the same thing. so no its not just you. here everyone feels comfortable sharing what they are going through and most of us are pet lovers.

[Brandi]

I am glad she is home and eating! I can't blame her for not wanting the bland dog food. Chicken baby food is a good one too. But then she is a great dane and nneds more then a small jar of baby food. Thanks for keeping us posted. My cats are greatful she is doing better to and send purrs of healing her way!

[Bikingmomof3]

Thank you for the update Denise. I am giving my cat lots of extra love. I cannot think of her getting older (she is, I try to ignore it).

I love Abby's halloween pictures.

I do so hope and pray she is doing better today.

[mtbdarby]

Denise, rice is also a very good food for dogs. My uncles dog was shot with a bow and arrow and thats what they had him eat. And believe it or not, beans. They fill them up and don't give them gas. Both are easy on their tummies.

[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

[colby]

Poor doggie, but it sounds like she's happy to be home -- as long as you keep bringing on the chicken. It's REALLY great to hear she's improving, even if it is baby steps. I bet she's thinking "where's my Camelbak now! I could use it for real!!"

Hang in there, Denise, Abby, and family.

[Tri Girl]

Denise,
thanks for the update! I'm glad to hear that she's getting better each day. She's a tough cookie, as are you, Tony and Spencer.
Hang in there friend. Big hugs comin' your way...