Fuzzy ("Fuzz") is my daughter's lab-hound mix. I posted pics of him with puppy Dylan a couple of years ago - the link to that post is at the end of my message. Fuzz was a stray my DD took in. She tried to find his home, but the closest she got was a neighbor who said his owners had moved away without him. He is an incredibly sweet and gentle dog who I've grown to love and is now near the end. He has a cancer on his front leg that has been excized at least twice, but has regrown. The vet refused to excize it again because his liver enzymes were too high. Fuzzy is going downhill very fast. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers - he needs all the help he can get.
http://www.cathelp-online.com/forums/vi ... ight=dylan
Fuzzy
Re: Fuzzy
Oh Karen, my heart just aches for Fuzzy, what a precious boy - do they know the type of cancer? If daughter is unsure of Fuzzy's deteriorating state, she can ask the vet for pain meds to keep Fuzzy comfortable if she thinks might help, at least as she contemplates if it might be the time to let him go 
Fuzzy is in my thoughts and prayers as is your daughter and family, as little comfort as it is, at least Fuzzy has known love and dedication from your daughter, having been so horribly abandoned before. If it is time, please talk to your daughter and help her through this, particularly if she has questions and is unsure.
((((((((HUGS))))))))
Fuzzy is in my thoughts and prayers as is your daughter and family, as little comfort as it is, at least Fuzzy has known love and dedication from your daughter, having been so horribly abandoned before. If it is time, please talk to your daughter and help her through this, particularly if she has questions and is unsure.
((((((((HUGS))))))))
..........Traci
Re: Fuzzy
Thanks everyone
Traci - I'm not sure the pathology was done. DD has had money issues ever since the economy went bust. Her hubby lost his job and the salary at the new job is about 1/2 of what his previous one was. (At least he was able to get another job quickly, which hasn't happened for a lot of folks). She was in retail working on commision and it got to where she was barely making enough to pay for gas and food. She's since taken a job as an executive assistant, but her income has also dropped significantly. They have a sky-high house payment and an upside down mortgage (fortunately not an adjustible mortgage, but they still owe more than the house is currently worth). Fuzzy is in liver failure, and they couldn't afford to do any extensive tests to determine why. He is an old dog (we don't know how old, but the vet estimates him to be at least 14) and I suspect it's cancer of some type, maybe related to the tumor on the leg, maybe not. He still has a good appetite and tries to be happy. She doesn't think "the time" has come yet, but it looks like it's getting close.
Traci - I'm not sure the pathology was done. DD has had money issues ever since the economy went bust. Her hubby lost his job and the salary at the new job is about 1/2 of what his previous one was. (At least he was able to get another job quickly, which hasn't happened for a lot of folks). She was in retail working on commision and it got to where she was barely making enough to pay for gas and food. She's since taken a job as an executive assistant, but her income has also dropped significantly. They have a sky-high house payment and an upside down mortgage (fortunately not an adjustible mortgage, but they still owe more than the house is currently worth). Fuzzy is in liver failure, and they couldn't afford to do any extensive tests to determine why. He is an old dog (we don't know how old, but the vet estimates him to be at least 14) and I suspect it's cancer of some type, maybe related to the tumor on the leg, maybe not. He still has a good appetite and tries to be happy. She doesn't think "the time" has come yet, but it looks like it's getting close.
"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." ~ Josh Billings.
Re: Fuzzy
My thoughts and prayers go out to Fuzzy and the family.
Re: Fuzzy
Well, an xray might help to determine if there is a metastatic cancer in the chest region and elsewhere.
Didn't the vet determine the cause of the liver failure, or is it because daughter couldn't afford bloodwork and xrays/ultrasound? Depending on the liver problem would of course depend on the treatment.
In the immediate sense, she could ask the vet for his opinion on antibiotics, a low-protein food (or if losing weight and has anorexia, a high-calorie food if vet has determined better to eat something rather than nothing), make sure he's hydrated (ideally IV w/hospitalization but sub-q's at home can help), an antiemetic if vomiting or nausea. These medications are usually common approaches in most liver diseases.
If Fuzzy is in obvious pain, pain medication, can be given orally, but sub-q route is quicker, vet can show her how to do so at home.
If there is any concurrent disease, this might make it harder for Fuzzy, daughter will have to gauge how he is responding to food/liquids, sub-q's, normal elimination habits, normal routine, awareness... vs tiredness, lethargy, breathing distress, reluctance to move about, weight loss, anorexia etc - the latter all necessitate a vet visit or determining if it is time. I know you know this, but please try to convey to daughter what you know so that Fuzzy isn't suffering (or encourage her to talk to her vet if uncertain).
I know how awful this is, I'm so sorry, Karen, I so wish I could help Fuzzy and your daughter.
Didn't the vet determine the cause of the liver failure, or is it because daughter couldn't afford bloodwork and xrays/ultrasound? Depending on the liver problem would of course depend on the treatment.
In the immediate sense, she could ask the vet for his opinion on antibiotics, a low-protein food (or if losing weight and has anorexia, a high-calorie food if vet has determined better to eat something rather than nothing), make sure he's hydrated (ideally IV w/hospitalization but sub-q's at home can help), an antiemetic if vomiting or nausea. These medications are usually common approaches in most liver diseases.
If Fuzzy is in obvious pain, pain medication, can be given orally, but sub-q route is quicker, vet can show her how to do so at home.
If there is any concurrent disease, this might make it harder for Fuzzy, daughter will have to gauge how he is responding to food/liquids, sub-q's, normal elimination habits, normal routine, awareness... vs tiredness, lethargy, breathing distress, reluctance to move about, weight loss, anorexia etc - the latter all necessitate a vet visit or determining if it is time. I know you know this, but please try to convey to daughter what you know so that Fuzzy isn't suffering (or encourage her to talk to her vet if uncertain).
I know how awful this is, I'm so sorry, Karen, I so wish I could help Fuzzy and your daughter.
..........Traci
Fuzz was put on a special diet by the vet, but I think that has gone by the wayside and it's now "feed him whatever he'll eat". He is losing weight, and that's what is scaring her the most. I mentioned antibiotics, and apparently the vet doesn't think he needs them. To the best of my knowledge, they did not do any xrays or anything other than pre-op lab work and exam that showed the liver failure which caused the surgery to excise the tumor to be canceled.
"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." ~ Josh Billings.
Re: Fuzzy
oh prayers for fuzzy....I know that the money situation is tight...I can sure relate to that....prayers for all in that area as well