When to say goodbye update

    • Bronze

    When to say goodbye update

    You might remember a post I made about three weeks ago concerning our 11 year old Rat Terrier with congestive heart failure. Thought I'd give you good people an update.                                   
      Happy to say Ladybug is holding her own, so no new update! Once a week we make the trip to the Vet, to get the fluids drained that accumilate around her lungs and heart. Yesterday they drained 3 lbs from her 26 lb frame. I consider that a lot for her size!
      Looks like this could be a on-going thing for a while, but I'm not giving up, because she sure isn't! What a little trooper!
      Toward the end of each week, she seems to become uncomfortable, and starts leaving little puddles everywhere she lays. A trip to the vet and an overnight stay and we bring her home acting nearly like her old self, so the $70 bucks per visit is money well spent. I call it payments on the love received !!
    • Gold Top Dog
    I'm glad to hear she's hanging in there; you are a terrific pet guardian. [:D] I hope she continues to do well; thanks for the update. 
    • Gold Top Dog
    Good to hear that Ladybug is hanging in there and doing fairly well.  Would diuretics not work to keep the fluids from building up?  I know they use them in humans who are in congestive heart failure.  Sounds like you've at least got a treatment plan to keep her comfortable and enjoy more days with you.  Good news is always nice to hear.
    • Gold Top Dog
    Yeah, this is GREAT news! Thank goodness for you and Ladybug.
    You know,,,I can't see why it has to cost $70 each time they drain fluid....maybe I don't undertand this procedure,,,but gee,,,,come on!
    Lucky Ladybug,,,,,,she has a wonderful person to take care of her,,,,she loves you so much I know!!!
    • Gold Top Dog
    Im so happy you can do this for her, and your right, if shes willing to keep going... then by all means!!!!  Thank goodness for that!   You are a wonderful guardian for her, and she knows it... good luck to yall.[:)]
    • Gold Top Dog
    I'm glad to hear an update on Ladybug.  I remember your original post.  I can't imagine having such a large percentage of her weight be the fluids - that's amazing.  But it sounds like the procedure isn't hard on her, so it's workable solution.  What a lucky girl she is to have such a devoted Dad.  There are some people that wouldn't make the sacrifices you're making.  I hope the two of you get to enjoy lots more time together!
    • Bronze
    Cakana,
    They have tried everything in medications to prevent fluid build-up, but to no avail. Meds that she is on slow it up, but over a weeks time there is no other way but to have her "drained". Part of the expense is a standing request by me for the vet to give her a good going over to evaluate her condition and up-date us to any thing new.  It amazes me that Ladybug tolerates it as well as she does.
     She's an exceptionally smart dog. First overnights stay at the vets didn't go well, second time she didn't want to enter the vets office, but this time I really think she understood that an overnight stay makes her feel better, as she was actually willing to stay. Never has it taken her long to figure things out. Case in point - She sleeps at the foot of our bed each night. Because of her condition, she "leaks" urin when she relaxes. We bought a water proof baby bed pad for her to lay on, and after the second night she learned that she is to lay on it. If it isn't where she wants to lay, she now moves it to where she wants it, then lays down on it! Sometimes I really think she's half human !!
    As time goes on, I know that things will get worse, but for now it's just one day at a time, and I'm sure she knows that, too.
    • Gold Top Dog
    You ARE a wonderful Dad! And she sounds like a wonderful dog!
    • Gold Top Dog
    Glad to hear she's hanging in there.  Those terriers are tough little dogs.  [:D]
    • Gold Top Dog
    I am sorry, I am going through the same thing with Mindy, she was just diagnosed with it. 
    • Gold Top Dog
    If it isn't where she wants to lay, she now moves it to where she wants it, then lays down on it!


    Ron - that just made me smile to imagine.  She sounds very special and I, and most everyone on this site, fully understand the care and concern you're feeling.  $70 probably feels like a small price to pay to see her come home feeling so much better.  I hope it continues to help her.