We think Prissy is dying. ....

[TheSkeptic]

Her appetite is shrinking. She sleeps most of the time now and has a harder time getting up to go outside to do duty. This morning I was watching her walk slowly around the yard. She came upon a tennis ball in the grass. Until today, when she did this, she would at least pick up the ball and chomp on it a bit, but today she just nudged it with her nose and watched it roll a short distance. She then turned her head to look at me and smiled a funny kind of smile. I felt as if she was thanking me for all the times I played ball with her, but I think that I didn't play enough. I also sensed that she was telling me good bye. She then came in the house and lay down on her comforter. Tonight I bought 3 pieces of church's fried chicken just for her, but she only ate a thigh. (Note: Just the meat, not the crust, skin and bone.) Before she would have devoured all three pieces and come looking for more. The vet says she is not suffering, but agrees she is dying. If and when we see signs of suffering we will put her down. Until then we are taking each day as it comes. Here is a picture I took just a short time ago. No matter how much you try to prepare for this, you never are.

[Traci]

Does your vet say she is aging, or is this from a health condition?

My thoughts are going out to Prissy and you, and hoping this is not truly her time......

[Tambrey]

{{{husg}}} and prayers for you and Prissy...

[TheSkeptic]

She is aging. She is younger than Dottie, but the same age as Mr. Dawg and Ginger. She just aged more rapidly than the others. She is eaten up with Arthritis and all her bloodwork is low or high normal. No clear sign of any individual problem, but Dr. C thinks her body is just slowly shutting down, but so far all is still functioning. Normal fecal. Eyes have some cataract development. Ears are clear. Heart is regular, but not as strong as it should be. Heartworm neg. Lungs clear. More extensive testing could be done, but Dr. C does not think it would alter our chances of saving her or improving her livestyle. Her lack of appetite makes it hard to medicate her. She can still lock those jaws when she sees you coming with a pill.

[Marty]

I am sending hugs your way....don't know what else to say, cause I am lousy at it........but know I care

[Traci]

With all due respect, Skeptic, if your vet is refusing to persue diagnostics, you can't possibly know if there may be a condition that is entirely treatable, even if symptomatically. Now, I don't know what has transpired between your vet and you, but any vet who does not offer the client additional diagnostics and tells the owner "it's age, nothing you can do", has no respect from me.

Yes, there are age-related conditions, some of them progress with age. However, without diagnostics, how would you know if this were a treatable problem that may add significant time to her life? The body will shut down if a condition isn't addressed....it could be a simple problem or it could be a complex problem..the only way to determine is through testing. Low values on bloodwork need to be addressed, and your vet needs to tell you what those levels are, and how to address them. There are various methods to giving medication, has your vet given you those options?

[TheSkeptic]

With all due respect, Dr. C. knows Prissy and her history completely. She brought Prissy into the world when her pregnant mother was abandoned in puppybirth at her father's vet clinic on June 30th, 1994. She was a vet student then, now she is one of the best internists in the area. I fully trust her judgement and knowledge. She is as deeply affected by Prissy's illness as much as us and cares deeply for her.

[TheSkeptic]

We were getting everyone outside to do duty. She got up from the comforter, started to go outside, turned around and went to another comforter, laid down and died. I've never seen a dog die like that before.

RIP Prissy. ....

[Tambrey]

oooohhh....I am sooooo sorry....
Safe Journey Sweet Prissy...
{{{Huggggs Skeptic and Cheryl}}}

[Traci]

I certainly didn't mean you any disrepect, Skeptic...as we all know, much is lost in the way of communication in the written word on a forum. As I stated, I didn't know what transpired between you and your vet, and I replied to limited information.

I am deeply sorry for your loss, my heart goes out to you and Cheryl. Safe and gentle journey, sweet Prissy......(((HUGS)))