Seriously injured dog needing good thoughts (outdoorschik)

I'm so sorry to hear that he's refusing food and acting so depressed.  You're right about that fine line, Karen.  It's such a very fine line and it can change course hourly with such severe injuries.  I feel sure that you won't put him through more than he can take and will do what needs to be done to either get him through this or to let him go.  I do hope you see some improvement when you get home.  (((((Karen))))) 

^^^ what Jackie said.

super-tight ((((((((Karen))))))))

You are in my heart.

 BF is right and you have done (and are doing) a great job. I can't imagine anyone doing anything more. (((hugs)))

I think we all understand where you're at with this and many of us have been in a similar situation. It's such a tough call for sure and you really have to trust your gut. You love him and would do anything to help him but there's only so much that's within your power. (((HUGS))) and I hope that he takes a turn for the better soon. We're all by your side mentally holding you up and wishing the very best for One Ton.

JackieG

I'm so sorry to hear that he's refusing food and acting so depressed.  You're right about that fine line, Karen.  It's such a very fine line and it can change course hourly with such severe injuries.  I feel sure that you won't put him through more than he can take and will do what needs to be done to either get him through this or to let him go.  I do hope you see some improvement when you get home.  (((((Karen))))) 

really well said Jackie - Karen she is spot on.  Warm, calming hugs going out to you and BF.  One Ton you just let your mom know if you are going to heal or you are done.  We support you either way big guy.

kpwlee

Karen she is spot on.  Warm, calming hugs going out to you and BF.  One Ton you just let your mom know if you are going to heal or you are done.  We support you either way big guy.

Exactly...(I couldn't figure out how to say it) 

(((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))

Thanks so much for the support everyone, it is truly keeping me going and calmer about things. I just got back from the vet (he wasn't with me, I had to drop off some four leggers for altering). One Ton started bleeding again after school, the pressure from getting up and around without an ace bandage made it bleed, the area has pooled up again. It is pure blood coming out, no fluid, just blood.

Here's where we are at now... after confering with them, what we know is: 1. That he is likely too weak for surgery right now. 2. Without surgery to diagnose what is truly going on in his neck (and to fix it), we can guess that there is a vein that is damaged, badly from the fight & torn/damaged internally and he may slowly bleed on a dialy basis. 3. Can it heal on its own?  No one knows, when he was doing best, there was a lot of pressure on the area since it was filled with fluid and blood. In lancing it, it took the pressure off, maybe damaged the vein in question more and the squeezing to push fluid out certainly did not help. 4. Veins try to heal by the damaged ends actually growing together (learned that today) and it depends on the severity as to whether or not it can heal itself.

His symptoms right now can be explained by blood loss and stomach issues due to the loads of antibiotics. So, there is a bandage on it right now to add some pressure. The down side of it not draining is that the pool of blood is inviting bacteria growth in an already overloaded body (his WBC was 30,000 last week) I told them if he is going to die by slowly bleeding out internally I want to put him out of his misery now rather than have it happen slowly. If we can get him back to the state he was in two days ago, he may be able to heal on his own they don't know and can't predict.

So that's the quandry and here we are ... I will do the best I can, and see what tomorrow brings. Thanks again for the hugs, support and wonderful well wishes for him.

outdoorschik

... I will do the best I can

We know you will. You're all in my thoughts and prayers.

 Karen, first of all, here's a big <<<<>>> for you because I know how hard this is.  I desperately wanted Maska to eat and it was so hard watching him refuse.  If One Ton is keeping liquids down, ask your vet about feeding him a canned liquid diet like CliniCare.  Might at least get some nutrition in to him, plus fluid.  We're still praying for him here...

It is just plain time for the candle page again and I'm gonna do a post inviting a little vigil.

Candle Page

One Ton keep trying.  Karen, my thots and prayers are with you, as always.  I wish you were closer (how many times have we wished that over the last 13 years??) and I'd hug you.  I'm here -- any time at all.

I saw today's update when I was at work.  I think most, if not all, of us have faced that horrible "fine line time," and it's got to be the worst thing an animal lover can experience.  Trying to make decisions and choices when you can't truly consult the loved one who is most affected by the situation.  When our dog was in his final weeks, I must have wished 1,000 times a day, "If only you could talk and tell me clearly how you feel, if you want to keep fighting, what you want us to do . . . because I just don't know what's best."  Oh, just thinking of it while I type this is making me cry (thus the reason I waited until I was home to post).

My heart is heavy for you and I'm holding all of you in my thoughts and sending the most supportive vibes possible.  I'll continue to hope for One Ton to turn a positive corner in the coming hours -- a strong hug for you and gentle ear rubs for One Ton. 

Karen, I am keeping you in the forefront of my mind lately.  This is hard...stay strong, as we all know you are.  Sending you the strongest support and virtual hugs I can muster.

 ^^^ what Karen said... off to light a candle.

Karen, my hope for you and One Ton is peace.  Not to give up the fight...but to have strength to make a decision, act on it with confidence and to have the wisdom to change course if the results are not what you want.  You have been the best champion for him and I hope he starts to feel better.