Sparky-sad news #74

[Freedom]

So sorry, Eillie. Always a difficult time. Hope you get the appt with the vet you prefer; it DOES help, all of us, human and pet. Gentle cuddles to Sparky. I hope you have someone who can drive you there and back. If not, do be cautious, both ways, take the time you need.

[Alysser]

I am so sorry to come back to such a sad update. I hope there is more that can be done.

[chocolatepuppy]

I'm so sorry Ellie. (((hugs)))

[kaycountrygal]

I just saw your update. I am so sorry it seems that Sparky is nearing his end. I got tears reading about it. I wish I knew what to say other than "I'm sorry". I do understand how hard this is... and will be for you. My heart is sad for you all. You're in my prayers. Kay in NC

[Shady]

Oh dear, I know right where you are in this dark and scary hours..it's horrible to know what you dont want to know. I hope there is something that can help little Sparky and you..I'll say a little prayer .. for you and your babies.. (hugs) Just love on him all you can for as long as you can. xo

[Grace]

I'm so sorry, Ellie. Prayers for all of you.

[pomtzu]

I hate roller coasters, but I'm on one and can't seem to get off, no matter how hard I try.

And Sparky is still here with me!!

After him being half dead yesterday morning and the night before, he started looking a little more alert around noon, so I thought I'd try to get him to eat something. I had to play the "meatball game" with him - make little meatballs out of his food and hand it to him - but he ate a little. Then about an hour later he ate about a quarter of one of my yogurt cups. Well - that was sure better than nothing - and he was looking somewhat better, but I still wasn't all that optimistic. Then around dinner time I tried more meatballs, and he ate what would be the normal amount he would eat, and then had some more yogurt. Before bed he ate his evening snack too.

His breathing thru out the day was erratic. First he would be breathing somewhat normal, and then he would be puffing like a steam engine and it seemed like his little heart would burst right out of his chest, then it would be so shallow, I'd have to look real carefully to make sure he was actually breathing. This went on most of the day.

I had held off calling for a vet appointment for him to see how it went thru the night, and then I would know more of what to do this morning. I was prepared for the worst of course. When we first went to bed he had a little cough, then a huffing and puffing episode, but then he settled down and I didn't hear a peep out of him the rest of the night.

This morning he ate his regular small breakfast, and then at lunch - his regular big meal of the day - he ate most all of that too. Still, I decided he needed to see his vet, so I got him appointment for late this afternoon. After I relayed to her all that has been going on, she really can't give a definitive answer as to what happened. The seizure like episodes probably aren't really seizures in the true sense of the word, but more like fainting or near fainting episodes caused by lack of oxygen to the brain and/or muscles. The yelping with them could be because they are uncomfortable like a muscle spasm. He could have something else going on besides the heart issue, but just blood tests won't show much, and he cannot withstand extensive testing. He could also possibly have a bacterial infection - he does have bad teeth - so she put him on an antibiotic just in case.

So I don't have any answers, but he is better for now anyway. He's not exactly a bundle of energy, but he's much, much better than yesterday. He only had one little coughing episode today, so that's a plus, and it seems that the increased med doses are working for now anyway. Doc said all we can do is take it a day at a time, and of course she's right.

Thank you all for your concern, and I'm sorry I pushed the panic button, but I truly didn't think he would make it thru this time. If you could have seen his condition, you would have thought the same.

Yup - one stressful day at a time..............

Please keep Sparky in your prayers, since I really believe they played a positive part in his rally.