My 11 1/2 year old Ridgeback, Timber, is dying. This monday morning she fell off my bed with a seizure. I felt so terrible for her as I held her during the seizure so she wouldn't hurt herself.
I took her to the Emergency Animal Hospital where she spent the day and night. I visited her that the night where she was glad to see me and gave me lots of kisses. Tuesday, she was given an ultrasound where they discovered a splenic mass which the spleen was bleeding into. I took her home with an anti-seizure kit. She ate well and I slept on the floor with her that night to give her water or keep a blanket over her.
Wednesday, I took her back for a MRI scan. No brain cancer but the splenic mass had grown and her red blood cell count has dropped. A blood clot was also discovered in her back leg, reducing blood circulation to 10% to the back legs(explaining a reason why she was having difficulty walking long distances). B/c her condition is prone to blood clots, a splenectomy would more likely kill her. They allowed me to take her home but wanted me to bring her back the next day for a follow-up blood test to see if her rbc count had dropped further to the point of putting her sleep.
Thursday, I dreaded taking her to the Hospital. I brought treats to give her and a copy of the Rainbow bridge to read her, just in case. But Timber appeared strong and walked on her own power to the car. Happily, her rbc had stabilized and I could take her home.
It's day to day now. So far, she's been eating and drinking well. She appears comfortable. She's on anti-convulsant and blood clot thinning medication.
She is my very first dog and she's been my loyal companion for so long. She's gentle with everyone and has an amazing temperament. I don't want her to go and not ready for her to leave me. I'm terrified that her splenetic mass will rupture and she will fade away on me. I don't know if she has minutes or days. She is such a good girl. I can't imagine her not being with me.
Attached is a pic of my gang. Timber is on the left - http://i20.photobucket.com/alb...t_Caveman/TheGang1.jpg
Just needed to vent. Thanks for reading.
Please no trolling comments. I appreciate it.
Update 3/20 - thru rest and medications, Timber made a strong comeback. But in the last few weeks, her health has declined. In a few minutes, I'm off to my vet friend's house where I will allow my sweet Timber to cross the Rainbow Bridge.
I'm sad.
I took her to the Emergency Animal Hospital where she spent the day and night. I visited her that the night where she was glad to see me and gave me lots of kisses. Tuesday, she was given an ultrasound where they discovered a splenic mass which the spleen was bleeding into. I took her home with an anti-seizure kit. She ate well and I slept on the floor with her that night to give her water or keep a blanket over her.
Wednesday, I took her back for a MRI scan. No brain cancer but the splenic mass had grown and her red blood cell count has dropped. A blood clot was also discovered in her back leg, reducing blood circulation to 10% to the back legs(explaining a reason why she was having difficulty walking long distances). B/c her condition is prone to blood clots, a splenectomy would more likely kill her. They allowed me to take her home but wanted me to bring her back the next day for a follow-up blood test to see if her rbc count had dropped further to the point of putting her sleep.
Thursday, I dreaded taking her to the Hospital. I brought treats to give her and a copy of the Rainbow bridge to read her, just in case. But Timber appeared strong and walked on her own power to the car. Happily, her rbc had stabilized and I could take her home.
It's day to day now. So far, she's been eating and drinking well. She appears comfortable. She's on anti-convulsant and blood clot thinning medication.
She is my very first dog and she's been my loyal companion for so long. She's gentle with everyone and has an amazing temperament. I don't want her to go and not ready for her to leave me. I'm terrified that her splenetic mass will rupture and she will fade away on me. I don't know if she has minutes or days. She is such a good girl. I can't imagine her not being with me.
Attached is a pic of my gang. Timber is on the left - http://i20.photobucket.com/alb...t_Caveman/TheGang1.jpg
Just needed to vent. Thanks for reading.
Please no trolling comments. I appreciate it.
Update 3/20 - thru rest and medications, Timber made a strong comeback. But in the last few weeks, her health has declined. In a few minutes, I'm off to my vet friend's house where I will allow my sweet Timber to cross the Rainbow Bridge.
I'm sad.