How do I hate Asergillosis? Let me count the ways

[austroberta]

My poor Solrikka is finally losing the battle against Aspergillosis which she has fought valiantly. She had been on Itraconazole and Truprofen (an anti inflammatory) and was showing great improvement. I still saw a slight tail bobbing, but she seemed strong and vigorous and even started laying eggs. Her lovely duck voice was back and she was active and foraging. She was doing so well, that we decided to give her a break from her meds. Bad decision. Fast forward, 2 weeks ago I saw she was doing a bit of hiding in under the trees. She would come out right away when I called, so I just decided to just keep my eye on her. Last weekend the dreaded open mouth breathing came back and her whole body was moving when she breathed. I took her back to the vet and she has lost substantial weight. As in she's now skin and bones. The vet told me that we could try another round of anti-inflammatory meds and itraconazole and that if that didn't work, she's break out the antibiotics. I assessed her today and her breathing has gotten worse. I'm now trying to convince my husband that we need to euthanize her. It was just a few weeks ago that I remember her gobbling her food, splashing in the pool, running to me when she saw me break out the garden fork to put a plant in the ground.

I'm amazed at her will to live. Despite the tremendous energy it takes for her to breathe, she still wants to forage, is still eating her treats (but not her Mazuri) and still has that light of life in her eye. I'm less sanguine than she is about her prospects. She had a few good months of joy, but this is the end, and it breaks my heart.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I am so sorry. This decision is the hardest we make when it comes to our pets. I always feel they let us know.