Feeling sad... Update on Beau post 38

[ejctm]

Mrs Feathers - sending

to you from the UK.

I lost my beloved Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Max this year after he had been loving and faithful to us for over 10 years. He started having seizures about 3 years ago and was on medication for this, that had to be increased every 6 months or so as his conditon worsened, but was keeping him well. We think he had some form of brain tumour. When he went, it all happened out of the blue one night and took us completely by surprise. I still miss him terribly - he was the most affectionate and soppy dog I have ever had.

It is so sad that we know we cannot keep them forever. Even when you prepare yourself for the worst it does not really make it any easier when it happens. We open our hearts to them only to be broken, but they give us so much that we don't regret it at all.

I do hope your dog has more time, and it sounds like he might have from what you have said. Best wishes to you, and love and enjoy him while you can.

 

[Mrs. Feathers]

He has a poor appetite today but seems much more alert and energetic....seems to be one or the other. Bless our chickens because scrambled eggs are about what he is up to eating right now. We are going to take him on a little family trip this weekend. Our vet said to go for it as he loves the car, family and the beach. Just taking things a day at a time right now.

 

[Mrs. Feathers]

Quote:
Thanks ejctm....our concern is that this may be a brain tumour. Did you Max go off his food? So unfortunate that our very special friends live for such a short time. It is so sad losing them but it sounds like your Max went peacefully at night? I sat with our last dog Jesse when our vet finally had to assist with her passage. It was one of the most difficult decisions I have had to make.

to you

 

[ejctm]

Thanks Mrs F.

No, he did not go off his food. That could be just a general symptom of Beau not feeling well, due to the infection or the fever. Also fevers can cause seizures so I hope he doesn't have a tumour after all.

Max's seizures were pretty well managed by anti-convulsive medication, though we knew that the underlying cause would eventually cause him to die. Our vet told us that epilepsy occurs in young dogs, so since Max started having seizures when he was 7, meant that there was something not right in his brain. We could not afford the £900 fee for a brain scan, so just decided to treat him with meds until it got to the point where he could no longer be treated. His condition was managed with regular vet checks, tests and changes to his medication. We did not imagine he would last for 3 years, and just seemed so well in himself. One night, he just had seizure after seizure until he did not come out of a seizure. We got him to the vet first thing in the morning and they tried valium and other drugs to stop the seizure, but he was brain damaged from the length of time he had been seizing. They tried for about 2 hours to get him to come round, and finally we had to do what was best for him and let him go. Both me and my DH were sobbing our hearts out at the vets, and they were so good with Max and with us, we were very lucky.

Sorry to be so depressing! That is just how it happened. Afterward we were grateful that it all happened in one night, as the vet had warned us that if there was a brain tumour then it could cause his personality and behaviour to change and become unpredictable and we did worry with the children around, as although he was an absolute darling with them, if he was no longer himself, then we did not know if he would be safe around them. Anyway we decided to deal with that if we did notice any behaviour changes, but it never got to that.

Anyway, let's just hope that Beau has a short-term illness that will be fixed by anti-biotics and he will have more time with you. I say, just take it day by day, and every day is a bonus! My thoughts and prayers are with you.

 

[Mrs. Feathers]

Quote:

It sounds like your Max was very much loved during his lifetime.
We had a good weekend away with Beau. He is eating a bit more but still has little energy. He does seem to be on a slow upward curve but not anywhere near what he was 2 weeks ago. I will be happy when the course of antibiotics is done to see if his appetite and energy improve further. He does not seem to be in pain and loves being around the family...just very lethargic. Check in with the vet is scheduled for tomorrow.

 

[ejctm]

Thanks Mrs F. We do miss him a lot

I'm glad to hear that Beau is picking up a little bit. I hope he continues to improve. It sounds like you are giving him happy times and enjoying his company

. All a dog really needs is loads of love and I am sure Beau has bucketloads of it

Do keep us updated with his progress, and I'd love to see some photos of him

 

[satay]

Was wondering how Beau is?

 

[Mrs. Feathers]

An update for all of you who have been so kind, caring and supportive over the past couple weeks that our dear Beau was so unwell.
Sadly, we lost him on September 15th. He was in the hospital and our vet was with him when he suffered what appeared to be a major stroke at 2AM.
We had a memorable weekend holiday with kids and granddaughter where he walked on the beach and waded in the ocean with us for the final time.
Here is a photo of him on that weekend with his best buddy our granddaughter. He always had a tail wag when he heard her name, right up to the final day we took him into the vet.
Bless each of you for your kindness and for providing an ear when I really needed one.

 

[joebryant]

Oh, boy, wish I was worthy of giving advice, but...
With every dog we've had I've always said, "Next time I will have the pet, whatever, put to sleep rather than see it suffer like that." Easy talk, but the next times came, and I could never do it. Good luck!
ETA:
Update: Sorry I didn't see the post above. You did well by your K-9 friend. Sorry about your loss.

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

lots of

What a great weekend he gave you.