Buddy has been sick off and on for a few weeks now in various forms and to various degrees. He developed this little light, rare, cough… Then a week and a half ago He was throwing up his food and we saw blood. We took him to the emergency vet and had him checked out, we had an x-ray done looking for blockages in his digestive track, there were none. We did see something in his lungs. The normal vet thought it was probably a little bronchitis or similar and advised waiting a few days to see what happened. It got worse and his breathing became labored. We got him back in for more X-Rays just this Friday, and the results suggested one of two things.
There is a very real possibility that he has cancer of some sort. There is a more slim possibility that he has a systemic fungal infection.
Of the two we’re hoping for the yeast infection (and 6-12 months of Meds.) Because of how the X-rays look and how bad shape he’s falling into so fast… If it’s cancer… It’s pretty much a death sentence. So we’re waiting for results on his blood tests to see if its a fungus. And we’ve been trying to have as many good moments with him as we have left. Moments where he’s wagging his tail. Times when he wants to play ball. Even just times when he wants to cuddle. The house is already very different. I find myself crying at random memories. He gave me a face bath on Friday night… I couldn’t help but wonder if it was going to be the last one I’d get.
He’s not even 5 years old now, and he’s been through so much. He’s had such a hard life, medically. He’s survived parvo, allergies, too many infections to count. In the end I’m not crying for him, he’s going to a better place his pains get to end now. I’m crying for me… Because I already miss my friend now and It hurts to think how much I’ll miss him when he’s gone.
There’s very little blame to be had here. We feed him the best, we take care of him as best we can, we play with him, love him.
I wish that I had something better to put here. Something funny, or insightful, or informative.
I really do.
I know how hard this is for you – I'm really hoping for the best. Hugs to Buddy.
Thanks for that..
I'm so sorry to hear about this. I'm with Yoav – let's hope for the best.
I know how you feel, having been through it with Surf. Hugs to Buddy, Nikki and yourself and hoping for the best indeed.
Thanks Guys. We're hoping for the best, we really are. But we're also trying not to delude ourselves.
Don't let the pet medicine business get you down. I've never known a dog for whom even the most profound physical pain overwhelmed their ability to be happy. Feed, play, love, increase, repeat. Anticipatory grief will only distract you from this prescription.