- Joined
- Jul 17, 2014
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- 323
- Purraise
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Hi, everyone. Mr. Grimsby (15+ years), hasn't been doing well lately. I took him to a couple of vets to figure out why he wasn't eating and threw up when he did. The "second opinion" vet took several x-rays and said Mr. G was suffering from a terrible arthritic flare-up in his spine. He said he couldn't find any reason for the eating problems, and his blood work wasn't too bad. He guessed the arthritis might be so painful that Mr. G. won't eat/can't keep it down.
The vet gave him a shot of steroids and prescribed a round of Prednisone. He also started a round of cold laser therapy, which is supposed to reduce the inflammation. Mr. G. also got 400 CCs of subQ fluids that day. Fast-forward two days and his second visit for cold laser therapy, and he needed another 300 CCs of subQ fluids. He missed his appointment yesterday because he's found a new hiding place that I haven't uncovered yet, and the vet's office closed at noon.
Yesterday afternoon, I tried to give him some more subQ fluids because he is still not eating and is positively skeletal. He tolerate about 15 CCs then started squirming and pulling away. I plan to try again today with the clothespin trick. This morning we fought like cats and dogs over whether he was going to take the Prednisone tablet - I won, but just barely. I'm not looking forward to a repeat of all this tomorrow and for the next two weeks or however long it takes to get him back to normal (assuming that is achievable).
Today (and it could just be a passing thing), I feel that we our relationship is degrading to an adversarial one because of all the poking, prodding and shoving pills down his throat. He's not happy and I'm totally stressed out - crying all day or fighting back tears. I've told hubby that I can't keep doing this, and got him to agree to board Mr. G. at the vet until he's past this crisis.
So, here's my question to all of you who have had a loved one cross the rainbow bridge. If you had your loved one put to sleep, how did you decide when it was time? If I have to, I would rather put Mr. G. to sleep than make him suffer in his last days and hate me in the end. What was your tipping point?
I could really use some guidance with this. Thank you all very much for your input.
The vet gave him a shot of steroids and prescribed a round of Prednisone. He also started a round of cold laser therapy, which is supposed to reduce the inflammation. Mr. G. also got 400 CCs of subQ fluids that day. Fast-forward two days and his second visit for cold laser therapy, and he needed another 300 CCs of subQ fluids. He missed his appointment yesterday because he's found a new hiding place that I haven't uncovered yet, and the vet's office closed at noon.
Yesterday afternoon, I tried to give him some more subQ fluids because he is still not eating and is positively skeletal. He tolerate about 15 CCs then started squirming and pulling away. I plan to try again today with the clothespin trick. This morning we fought like cats and dogs over whether he was going to take the Prednisone tablet - I won, but just barely. I'm not looking forward to a repeat of all this tomorrow and for the next two weeks or however long it takes to get him back to normal (assuming that is achievable).
Today (and it could just be a passing thing), I feel that we our relationship is degrading to an adversarial one because of all the poking, prodding and shoving pills down his throat. He's not happy and I'm totally stressed out - crying all day or fighting back tears. I've told hubby that I can't keep doing this, and got him to agree to board Mr. G. at the vet until he's past this crisis.
So, here's my question to all of you who have had a loved one cross the rainbow bridge. If you had your loved one put to sleep, how did you decide when it was time? If I have to, I would rather put Mr. G. to sleep than make him suffer in his last days and hate me in the end. What was your tipping point?
I could really use some guidance with this. Thank you all very much for your input.