URGENT, opinion needed - to visit or not to visit

I honestly feel that visiting is the best thing, but Pirate was used to being 'left' with people, so it wasn't stressful for him for me to leave again. I would bring him something cooked from home, as he wasn't eating well, his 'messages' (posts from iDog and emails from his friends) and usually a fresh towel from home with my smell on it.

 yes, stinking up the shirt to bring in

but the visit, when she'll see us she'll expect to come home with us ... she likes other people, but hates being left :-(

 I agree with Megan and think that visiting and bringing something with your scent to leave with her is best. I hope that she recovers quickly and is home again soon; {{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}

This is why I talk to my dogs ALL THE TIME.  They are used to plain English.  I'd walk in and toss down the shirt or towel and say 'I'm just here for a bit b/c you gotta stay with Dr. _____ 'cos you're still sick.  So 'm gonna visit today and I'll come back Monday (or Saturday or whatever) to visit you,"

No hysteria, no sadness -- just 'ok - you go back with Dr. ____ now (or whatever the Tech's name is) and I'll be BACK!!"

Use whatever words you routinely use when you leave re: being back.

 I used to visit Dakota in ICU all the time. They let me have free reign to the area whenever she was there. Usually she was happy to see me, and I would take her out of her crate and love on her. But after a while she wanted to go back in the crate and lie down again.

So, my recommendation to you is to go. You have to be strong though and leave like it's no big deal. Goosh all over her when you leave won't do her any good.

Yes, we talk to her all the time too and she understands more than we'd like. She definitely knows the words I'll be back and stuff. But she also really hates being left behind or secluded. So I'm really torn trying to figure out what would be better for HER.

I'll explain what happened when I'm emotionally more stable.

I know for me when Willow was sick and I was leaving her for extended periods at the hospital-it helped her to know I was coming and going.  I used the words I usually use and I "think" she understood that I wasn't leaving her there for good. 

And, also, from my perspective although I was dying inside to leave her there it did help me to see her for myself, to know how she was doing and be able to ask questions while I was there etc.  It made my imagination wander a lot less to see her with my own eyes. 

Whatever is going on, I hope she will be coming home very soon. 

Thank you all for your support and good vibes.

Some of  you know that Jasmine has a rough history. This however was out of the blue. On Tuesday she was in for x-rays. Then seemed not comfortable, it was assumed it was because of pain. Injection for pain was given. Then she spiked a fever of 42.5. Fever brought down and believed she was just very weak from the ordeal so eventually she was let to come home.

Very weak, couldn't get up on her own, barely made it out to pee. Improvement expected by next day - didn't happen. Urine brown. Rushed to emergency. Lot of crazy ideas, rushed to teaching hospital. Her blood fried. During multiple exams and tests abscess found in abdomen.

 Not clear whether the pain meds caused the fever, or in combination with the abscess which was unknown ... On IV, platelets slowly rising. Doubled since yesterday from 6 to 12 (out of 100 or whatever is normal). Still can't really walk.

That's a brief summary :-(

 Go. I know it will do you both good.

Reading that I started to panic.  I know these symptoms a little too well.  I'm praying for her!!

:-(

Well, they do feel confident that she should make it through ok... This is the most advanced place she could be in - veterinary teaching hospital - that's where all ontario vets learn. Lots of equipment, lots of specialists. I am worried about the too slowly improving mobility.

Responsive and alert otherwise, the problem seems to be focused on the body. Even through the worst time it was clear that she was enjoying all the attention she was getting (she loves attention).

Thank you for your prayers, I am praying also. I would ask about your experience, but I have the feeling I don't want to hear it at this point.

Willow had a pretty long recovery but she's fine now. . .just thought you'd want to read that.