Anyone taking care of a sick pet ?
- Thread starter Ruthanne
- Start date
PeppermintPatty
🐢. 🐳. 🐢
- Location
- Canada
I took care of a dog that had epileptic seizures , was diabetic and blind. She had to have two needles a day. It was tough but she was worth it.
I am sorry to hear this, Ruthanne.
Yes, I took care of my little mini dachshund. She developed bladder stones at the age of 6 years old. She was operated twice and had to follow a special strict diet. She often had accidents even though I took her outside every hour. It took a lot of energy out of her and I am sure a lot of pain.
Pain is hard as they cannot well express it to us. I often felt helpless.
Yes, I took care of my little mini dachshund. She developed bladder stones at the age of 6 years old. She was operated twice and had to follow a special strict diet. She often had accidents even though I took her outside every hour. It took a lot of energy out of her and I am sure a lot of pain.
Pain is hard as they cannot well express it to us. I often felt helpless.
Buffy. My girl, my cat, my love. She had lung cancer. She was not suffering. Cared for her for months. One of the most important things I've ever done is to be with her. Getting choked up; can't say more, except:
I'm an old woman now. This end time with Buffy helped me get there. I had to do it for her, I had to. My girl, my cat, my love.
I'm an old woman now. This end time with Buffy helped me get there. I had to do it for her, I had to. My girl, my cat, my love.
. Many people don't understand how much we love our fur babies or fur kids. I call mine my baby. It's heartbreaking to go through this. I can't even talk about what's going on.
My dachshund is not sick, but she's 15 years old, almost completely blind, deaf, totally toothless and incontinent to some degree. She still eats well and we still enjoy napping, lap cuddling and sleeping together at night. I would happily go many more years like this -- with a plan to re-carpet later.
When my last dog was fading away I had to start spoon feeding her wet dog food because she couldn't stand in front of her food dish, I had to carry her outside to potty, had to put her in bed at night and cover her up. I even started driving home on my lunch hour to check on her and give her a bit of company.
She deserved nothing less, she gave so much love to our family she was a true treasure.
She deserved nothing less, she gave so much love to our family she was a true treasure.
Twostep
Well-known Member
- Location
- Tiny town Oklahoma, OK
We are responsible for their food, shelter and wellbeing.
When you have a sick child, you can go the medicine cabinet and get aspirin or whatever to help ease their pain. Not so with pets. They have to suffer until you can get to a vet, not always easy to get an appointment. It would help for someone to come up with a first-aid kit for poorly pets.
Twostep
Well-known Member
- Location
- Tiny town Oklahoma, OK
I am sorry to hear that scheduling is an issue. Our vet is an old geezer with an attitude who really cares. He always fnds a minute. Last minutes only after closing and nobody else on site.
He used to handle horses only. Things change. You may want to ask around. Rescues are aways good references.
Imogene
Member
- Location
- Middle Tennessee
I have laid seven horses to rest in my lifetime; five are buried on this farm. Six were 27 and older.
The last one hurt as much as the first, but I don’t send them down the road just because they are old , sick and will cost me a lot to keep until they say I can’t do this anymore.
One from high ringbone.
Three went to some form of cancer.
Two went to major colics. One brought on by strangulating lipomas. One likely years of dealing with serious insulin resistance and cushings, and the meds he had to take to control the cushings.
One from a freak pasture accident that shattered the bones below the knee.
Many dogs and cats, most of whom are laid to rest in their section of my Pet Sematary.
Many of theses animals were rescues. Several only got as far as the roadside to the vets office, but I brought them home to give them a decent burial.
i have been heartbroken more times than I can count, but it helps to know I gave them a safe haven in their remaining days. I have always been fortunate to find a way to pay for their care.
I am down to my last horse, who is 28-ish. He was taken out of a bad situation and gifted to me. His professional caregivers all agree 28-ish is as good a guess as any
When it’s time to lay him to rest, that will leave me with two dogs who both came from shelters, as I am too old to take on anything too big to live in the house.
The last one hurt as much as the first, but I don’t send them down the road just because they are old , sick and will cost me a lot to keep until they say I can’t do this anymore.
One from high ringbone.
Three went to some form of cancer.
Two went to major colics. One brought on by strangulating lipomas. One likely years of dealing with serious insulin resistance and cushings, and the meds he had to take to control the cushings.
One from a freak pasture accident that shattered the bones below the knee.
Many dogs and cats, most of whom are laid to rest in their section of my Pet Sematary.
Many of theses animals were rescues. Several only got as far as the roadside to the vets office, but I brought them home to give them a decent burial.
i have been heartbroken more times than I can count, but it helps to know I gave them a safe haven in their remaining days. I have always been fortunate to find a way to pay for their care.
I am down to my last horse, who is 28-ish. He was taken out of a bad situation and gifted to me. His professional caregivers all agree 28-ish is as good a guess as any
When it’s time to lay him to rest, that will leave me with two dogs who both came from shelters, as I am too old to take on anything too big to live in the house.
JustBonee
SF VIP
- Location
- Texas Gulf Coast
My aging Bichon Frise was showing signs of his age for a few moneths before he died earlier this month… he was 15.
He had lived 15 good years, and then the end came quickly.
It seemed like doggy dementia had taken hold of his normally outgoing personality. Everyone noticed when he was outside walking, and he was losing weight.
His eating habits changed, and then his energetic walking gait slowed too.
I just had a hard time watching all this happen, and not be able to do anything.
He was the best dog I ever had, and I really miss him.
He had lived 15 good years, and then the end came quickly.
It seemed like doggy dementia had taken hold of his normally outgoing personality. Everyone noticed when he was outside walking, and he was losing weight.
His eating habits changed, and then his energetic walking gait slowed too.
I just had a hard time watching all this happen, and not be able to do anything.
He was the best dog I ever had, and I really miss him.
LadyEmeraude
l love Buttercup flowers~
Over the years, I have taken care of and tended to all of my sick, or
declining pets. Whatever is needed. Recently and for the last almost
six months, I took care of my sick and declining cat. She is since gone
over the rainbow bridge. I miss her terribly..
declining pets. Whatever is needed. Recently and for the last almost
six months, I took care of my sick and declining cat. She is since gone
over the rainbow bridge. I miss her terribly..
Twostep
Well-known Member
- Location
- Tiny town Oklahoma, OK
She is not gone. She is just watching over you in a different way.
I totally agree about the first aid kit! I have medicines to give my girl thank God but of course had to get them at the Vet and CVS,, too.
I'm so
sorry. Loss of a fur baby is as hard as a loss of a person. They really are people too!I'm sorry for your loss. To me our fur babies are like our children and it's so sad we have to lose them.
You sure have suffered many losses and I know the heartbreak. You've done wonderful by rescuing so many! God bless youI have laid seven horses to rest in my lifetime; five are buried on this farm. Six were 27 and older.
The last one hurt as much as the first, but I don’t send them down the road just because they are old , sick and will cost me a lot to keep until they say I can’t do this anymore.
One from high ringbone.
Three went to some form of cancer.
Two went to major colics. One brought on by strangulating lipomas. One likely years of dealing with serious insulin resistance and cushings, and the meds he had to take to control the cushings.
One from a freak pasture accident that shattered the bones below the knee.
Many dogs and cats, most of whom are laid to rest in their section of my Pet Sematary.
Many of theses animals were rescues. Several only got as far as the roadside to the vets office, but I brought them home to give them a decent burial.
i have been heartbroken more times than I can count, but it helps to know I gave them a safe haven in their remaining days. I have always been fortunate to find a way to pay for their care.
I am down to my last horse, who is 28-ish. He was taken out of a bad situation and gifted to me. His professional caregivers all agree 28-ish is as good a guess as any
When it’s time to lay him to rest, that will leave me with two dogs who both came from shelters, as I am too old to take on anything too big to live in the house.
My dog has eyesight problems and hearing and teeth problems too. She is taking an anti-inflammatory medication for her arthritis and everything else.
It's wonderful to see them continue eating isn't it? The med seems to help with that too.
I wish you many more years with her!
Thank you all for sharing about your fur babies. It has helped me to feel less alone. I'm not the only one going through this very difficult time.
My dog
has had a serious illness for over a year and now for a few months developed another even more serious illness. They don't think she has very long to live now 
She is about 14 or 15 ,
a smaller breed, and a rescue so not sure exactly how old she is. She is a tough doggie, still loves her food and treats, and such a.very sweet, gentle girl.
She is on medications that help but they won't cure her. She is too old for any invasive procedures. There really isn't anything more they can do.
My dog
has had a serious illness for over a year and now for a few months developed another even more serious illness. They don't think she has very long to live now She is about 14 or 15 ,
a smaller breed, and a rescue so not sure exactly how old she is. She is a tough doggie, still loves her food and treats, and such a.very sweet, gentle girl.
She is on medications that help but they won't cure her. She is too old for any invasive procedures. There really isn't anything more they can do.
Imogene
Member
- Location
- Middle Tennessee
Thank you all for sharing about your fur babies. It has helped me to feel less alone. I'm not the only one going through this very difficult time.
My dog
She is about 14 or 15 ,
a smaller breed, and a rescue so not sure exactly how old she is. She is a tough doggie, still loves her food and treats, and such a.very sweet, gentle girl.
She is on medications that help but they won't cure her. She is too old for any invasive procedures. There really isn't anything more they can do.
Knowing our fur friends are coming to their end time is a tough place to be. I try to console myself by asking myself where would it have ended up, had it not been for me taking it in. Each of them had/have their own stories.
Bless YOU for caring for her and probably spending some of your grocery money on her
Try to remind yourself of the great home you gave and continue to give her, that she wouldn’t have had without you. She has had an exceptional life and I’m sure her sweet & gentle nature has been contributed to by your sweet & gentle nature, for which she has thanked you a million times over
Imogene
Member
- Location
- Middle Tennessee
We have an emergency small animal clinic but it’s an hour away. Some years back we drove one kitty there on a Sunday. He was 14 with cancer and the extreme pain came quickly, even with the meds. They PTS’d him and we brought him home to join his friends already over the rainbow bridge. The Admiral was my last kitty.
Since then, the all animal clinic in my county has very much improved their 24 hour emergency service. When you have horses too sick to get on the trailer, the vet has to come to you.
i am also able to keep some mild pain meds on hand. Some of these cross over between dogs and horse but are under different names and the dosage changes for each creature. If I am in question , I can at least call the vet on call from my clinic for up front help.
It might be helpful for many folks to inquire as to whether there’s a 24 hour small creature emergency available. E
prepared for it to be very expensive.
MaidMarian
Member
- Location
- Baltimore, Maryland USA
I have a cat with epilepsy. He is also a very anxious and scared cat, which brings on the seizures.
His seizures have been under control for a few years now. Fingers crossed…
His seizures have been under control for a few years now. Fingers crossed…
Thank you! That was helpful to meKnowing our fur friends are coming to their end time is a tough place to be. I try to console myself by asking myself where would it have ended up, had it not been for me taking it in. Each of them had/have their own stories.
Bless YOU for caring for her and probably spending some of your grocery money on her
Try to remind yourself of the great home you gave and continue to give her, that she wouldn’t have had without you. She has had an exceptional life and I’m sure her sweet & gentle nature has been contributed to by your sweet & gentle nature, for which she has thanked you a million times over