Field trips

[altivo]

Well, the first one was more like a necessity. Dogs and cats to the vet. Shouldn't be a big deal (other than the money) except that Sarah gets so excited about going in the car that she bays and yelps all the way there. By the time we head home, she's so exhausted she falls asleep, though.

The usual stuff, blood tests, vaccinations. Simon is 13 and a half now, and losing his hearing and eyesight. He's had a couple of benign tumors removed in the past, and has more lumps. Sigh. They biopsied one today and said it's malignant. It's fairly large and though they think it's operable, I'm not so sure. There could be a lot of involvement. Or he could have chemo or radiation. I think not. It isn't hurting him yet. I'm inclined to spare him the pain of an extensive surgery that probably won't get rid of the cancer anyway. We may leave him alone until it starts to discomfort him, and then ... Now I can't see. Sorry. You know what I mean. He's been mine since he was a puppy, but typically beardies only get to 15 or 16 so I knew this was coming. We'll probably take him for a second opinion, but I think surgery is inappropriate.

Came back from the vet, did chores, then rushed up to Lake Geneva. Our friend Amy got us an invitation to see a private theatre organ installation in the building where her orchestra has been rehearsing. It was great. John has a huge stock of organ parts not yet installed, but one chamber is filled and working, plus some percussion and a couple of pedal stops in another area. A nice two manual console from a small theatre in Wisconsin, removed years ago, and he's the third owner since then if I counted correctly. It was really nice to hear actual pipes sounding, as I haven't been in a working installation in probably 12 or 13 years. He's not a bad organist either, and he was working on a '53 Buick when we arrived. Doing a full restoration...

That was a good distraction. Then in the car on the way back the radio was all full of people complaining and protesting about the health care reform package, and I got home and Simon was here to greet me. I'm still depressed, damn it.

Comments

[calydor.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

At his age, the surgery might only give him a month or two extra; is that time really worth the discomfort of it all? It's never easy to say goodbye, I still tear up thinking about Ronja, but the time always comes.

Always too soon.

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Yes, with dogs especially, it's always too soon. My horses might outlive me, but even if I get another dog, chances are I'll reach this point again. *hugs back*

[cabcat.livejournal.com]

My kitty is getting to this stage, I still feel sad when I think about it but I've taken heart in trying to make the remaining time happy for her.

[altivo.livejournal.com]

I think that's the best thing to do. You might get lucky and she will pass peacefully without having to make the big decision for her.

[hellmutt.livejournal.com]

Cuddles to you, Gar and Simon.

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Thanks. At least for the moment, he just seems old and slowing down, rather than unhappy or uncomfortable. Like his beloved pal Tee, whom we had to lose eight years ago also due to cancer, we'll probably know when he loses interest in food and attention. So it isn't yet, thank goodness. It's going to be hard though.

[songcoyote.livejournal.com]

Oh 'Tivo....

I feel your pain about Simon. Our Max has started to have more and more trouble getting up (he's almost 12 and is quite a big dog), and he just had a long nosebleed that left him without appetite - which is incredibly disturbing for a creature as enthusiastic about eating as Max. My sweetie and I just talked this morning about possible choices to make after his vet visit this afternoon.

Now I can't see well either. But I know we'll do our best for our beloved friends. Be at peace, and know always that you have been and always will be loved.

Light and laughter even in hard times,
SongCoyote

[altivo.livejournal.com]

We had an elderly golden, one we rescued from the shelter when she was already gray around the eyes but we never knew her exact age. She eventually went because of a cancer in her throat that was getting into her lungs, but she had the nosebleed problem at one point. The vet gave us a blunt syringe with what I think was epinephrine in it, and told us to spray it up her nose if she got a bad nosebleed again. I think it would have worked, but after that it didn't recur. She had an episode of not being able to get up without help too, but we got through that. Bigger dogs usually don't last as long, it's true. Our big golden, Tee, got a serious cancer when he was only eight. Sunny, though, must have been at least 16, maybe more, by the end. She was such a sweet girl.

Things that might help Max: We give Simon an herbal product in his food. It's called "Longevity" and is made from kelp and other vitamin and mineral sources. It made a significant difference, and he perked up a lot once he started on it. He also gets a baby aspirin in each meal, and a capsule of something called "Co Q 10" that's a human supplement Gary picked out for him. These do seem to have given him more energy and more ease around his joints. Our vet said we can increase the aspirin as high as one normal adult tablet in each meal. He weighs about 60 pounds. Coated aspirin tablets are better than the really cheap ones, but you can still get even the coated ones in generic or store brands. Check with your vet about safe dosage for Max. Sunny was on a prescription anti-arthritic called Rimadyl for her last year or so, and that really helped her, but is a bit expensive. She also had difficulty keeping food down and digesting it, so we put her on Prozyme, a non-prescription digestive enzyme you add to the food and that also helped.

I think the key is quality of life. As long as they are happy and we can control any pain, it's still good. When the pain takes over, you can tell and they often lose interest in food or cuddles.

I can't live without my animals, but losing them is sometimes harder than losing humans has been. Ponyguy on FA just made an interesting journal post on that topic and how it has shaped his view of religion, in fact. It's called "The Deal Breaker" and you might find it worth a read.

[saythename.livejournal.com]

I had a whole refutation on Obamacare ready but
then thought of my kitties and the vet.

You must be rather well off sir to take so many
for so much to so few. @.@

XD

Forget us, how about government healthcare for
pets!

=D

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Don't call it "Obamacare." He didn't write this garbage. Congress did. It's not any kind of care plan, just another thinly disguised handout to wealthy corporations.

[ducktapeddonkey.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

[altivo.livejournal.com]

*hugs back*