Snoopy is Having Testing Done - Prayers Needed

[ramanth]

Great news!

[dukedogsmom]

Yippee! So happy to hear this. What wonderful music hearing him bark must have been. I hope he continues to get better. Give him a big bear hug from me.

[chocolatepuppy]

Happy to hear Snoopy is doing better!

[4 Dog Mother]

Up and down the roller coaster goes! Snoopy had another seizure last night. There was a miscommunication on my daughter's and my part as to who was to give him his mid day meds and he didn't get them. The half life of his medicine is so small that if he goes without one dose, he will have a seizure. But there is no place for us to go but ahead - he can't go back to phenabarbital and potassium bromide because it will continue to destroy his liver.

The seizure was a grand mal which means he lost control of his bodily functions and when I realized what happened at 3:30 am, he needed a bath and his crate needed a total cleaning. He had to go out and we had freezing rain yesterday, so he went spread eagled on the sidewalk and couldn't get back up. I called for Carl but was able to manage to push him up the steps and in the door. He gets very restless after a seizure and doesn't know what he wants but whines and barks a lot.

Last night I had talked to Dr. James to figure out what I should be feeding him and also about what to do because we only have 8 days of meds left. It is cheaper to buy the Keppra in Canada but I found it takes 2-3 weeks to get it - again I only have 8 days left. The Pharmacies here want between $$174 - $241 for a 20 day supply which should give me time to get a supply from Canada. I was suppose to get the prescription this morning to fax to Canada before we knew how long it would take. After his seizure this morning, I went down to pick up that prescription, see if they could call one in to a pharmacy here and get Tucker weighed so I can figure out when to get him neutered. Dr. Freeman (the original vet who helped to get Snoopy through some of his earlier problems but who was gone to a continuing ed program when Snoopy got sick this time) came out of one appointment and was headed to another when the receptionist asked him if he could call the prescription in. That started a rather frank talk between he and I that has left me very depressed and sad.

Basically he told me we did everything right when we went to Ohio State and refused to have the biopsy done. The ultrasound showed what we wanted to know and to do the biopsy would not tell us enough to make it worth the cost. The treatment would be the same. He said that we need to enjoy every day we have with Snoopy - he can't tell us whether he will live another year or another 5 but he will will not have a full life span. It is not if but when will have to euthanize him. And he is afraid that I will wait too long for Snoopy's good because he doesn't think I can let Snoopy go. I can't look at it that Snoopy just has seizures. He has liver damage, chronic pancreatitis and hyperlipidemia (build up of fat in blood). The ways of dealing with the liver damage and the other two are at opposite extremes of the spectrum. While we are now treating for the liver issue, it could easily be the impetus to have a pancreatic attack to come on or to have the fat build up and cause more seizures. If we go the other route and treat for the other two than we don't get his liver back under control and the fluid on his stomach does not go away. We are between a rock and a hard place - even his diet will be different in each case. In other words, our decision is just a matter of time, and I could tell that he doesn't think Snoopy will make it another year.

So continue to pray for us - for Snoopy that he has a ittle longer - Carl says he would like him to live long enough that the weather will get a little better and we can take him to the dog park a couple of times to let him run and run and run. And pray for me - that I do know when the time is right and don't keep him alive for my sake not his. My heart is breaking....

I love you Snoopy, boy!

[Cinder & Smoke]

Up and down the roller coaster goes!
Snoopy had another seizure last night.

There was a miscommunication on my daughter's and my part as to
who was to give him his mid day meds and he didn't get them.

So continue to pray for us - for Snoopy that he has a ittle longer ...

I love you Snoopy, boy!

Hang in there, Mom ~ We're not done sending PT Prayers yet!

Some Ideas:

1) Run over to WalMart and find a "Pill Minder" box that stores enough pills for a whole week -
they make 'em in "once-a-day" (single pocket X 7) or "twice-a-day" (TWO pockets X 7).

You load an entre week's worth of meds on Sunday and then just look at the Pill Minder to determine
if the morning and/or evening pills have been taken. He'll never get a double-dose;
and it should be easy for a couple of the pill popper folks to look at the Pill Minder
to be sure he got a dose.

2) How about sending Amy or Kimmy, or someone else living close to a Canadian Border crossing point, over into Canada to pick up Snoop's Meds?
Is it "illegal" to cary those meds across the Border?
Don't do it if it's "illegal" --- but the older 2-Leggers go to Canada all the time to
bring back human prescriptions.

Also - remember to carry your Birth Cetrificate with you to get back into the USA!

Give the Snoopers a big {{{Hug}}}!

[Freedom]

Even though I haven't posted in a while on this thread, I have been reading and keeping up with it. So, take the doc's advice and enjoy every moment you have with Snoopy.

I was going to suggest a pill box, but Phred beat me to that idea.

Hugs to all of you and pets to Snoopy.

[chocolatepuppy]

I'm sorry to hear this news about Snoopy. Hopefully he'll have many more good years ahead of him. I will continue to pray for him.

[joycenalex]

diana, first hugs for you and skritchies for snoopy. alex has had 2 seizures this weekend. my vets and i all are in agreement, it's a hospice type situation. i will keep alex happy and comfortable for as long as i can, but, his last set of clusters was only 2 weeks ago. i know how hard it is to think about making that call that awful day for the appointment with dr bev. you and snoopy have been in my prayers and thoughts. call if you need a shoulder, kleenex and coffee.

[shais_mom]

oh LES..
Diana - you are in my thoughts and prayers.
And please give my favorite Snoopy Boy a big hug and kiss from me...

[cyber-sibes]

Oh Diana, I'm getting a pit in my gut as I read your latest post. I know you are devastated at the bleak prognosis... We're all praying Snoopy may have plenty of good days left, and he gets that chance to go to the dogpark many more times. I especially loved sitting on the bench & soaking up the sun while the pups ran around, it's such a peaceful place. Hugs to you & Carl, & the rest of your family. Gentle hugs to dear Snoopy.

[Pam]

Diana I have not followed this thread for a couple of days and am so sorry to read the turn it has taken. My eyes have filled with tears. You are truly between a rock and a hard place with how to treat your poor boy. Your vet sounds like he is a straight shooter and some of what he said had to be hard to hear. Many of us here have been in your shoes and have watched a beloved pet become sicker and sicker and so we can totally understand. (((Hugs))) for you and Snoopy and your entire family. I hope that your hubby gets his wish and Snoopy can have some fun in the spring at the dog park.

[anna_66]

Diana I am very sorry to hear this I really don't know what else to say but you all will be in my thoughts and prayers.
(((HUGS)))
Anna

[lizbud]

Diana I have not followed this thread for a couple of days and am so sorry to read the turn it has taken. My eyes have filled with tears. You are truly between a rock and a hard place with how to treat your poor boy. Your vet sounds like he is a straight shooter and some of what he said had to be hard to hear. Many of us here have been in your shoes and have watched a beloved pet become sicker and sicker and so we can totally understand. (((Hugs))) for you and Snoopy and your entire family. I hope that your hubby gets his wish and Snoopy can have some fun in the spring at the dog park.

Diana, I think Pam said it so well. This is heartbreaking news.
I remember when my vet had a long talk with me about Buddy. How after
many surgeries, there was nothing that could be done short of "new hips"
that would ever make him a happy dog again. It was the hardest fact to
finally face & deal with. ( still deal with it today)

I will pray that you & Snoopy will have more happy days where he can
run around the dog park & enjoy the sunshine with his family.Please God.

Big (((Hugs))) for you & Snoopy.Liz.

[captain]

Diana,
My thought and prayers are coming to you through LES.
Snoopy, spotty boy - big kiss, darlin

[dukedogsmom]

My heart is breaking for you I'm just now seeing this. So very sorry for you and dear Snoopy. I pray you do get to take him to the park and he gets to play. You'll know when the time comes to say goodbye. I'm shedding tears, as well. Love on that dear dog for me, too. Cherish every moment.