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Post by jesmelric on Feb 1, 2015 15:18:54 GMT
My poor girl (11 1/2) has been going through so much lately  She had surgery Dec 18th to remove a mammary gland tumor that proved to be malignant. She had a tough recovery from the surgery because it was quite radical (they spayed her, removed several mammary glands, the tumor and surrounding tissue) and she had a reaction to the pain meds that made her zombiesh and unable to lay down/rest for several days. She was bouncing back quite well and then a week and a half ago she suddenly became lethargic and acted like she was having pain in her back right leg. Another trip to the vet proved it to be arthritis and they started her on pain meds. She has acted like she's feeling much better, and isn't limping or acting like she's in pain at all. However her appetite has seemed to disappear She won't eat dog food at all, so I've been cooking for her: boiled chicken, rice, lean hamburger, etc. She was eating some, sometimes not. The vet said let her whatever she wants, whatever she's willing to eat. So she ate pretty well Thurs and Fri, but yesterday I could hardly get anything down her, and so far today the same. I've been hand feeding her and offering her a large assortment of foods, meat, etc, and nothing. I am going to call the vet tomorrow morning if her appetite isn't picking back up, but I was wondering in the meantime if anyone might have any suggestions? I appreciate it. I've been quite a wreck over this whole thing, vet hasn't indicated it's time to put her down as of yet but I'm so worried about her not eating and getting weak. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2015 0:01:13 GMT
I have no advice beyond what you are doing, but I have been there before and am so sorry you two are going through this. ((( )))
If it comes down to it, the vet will have meds you can give to make her hungry. They are a bit touchy with some pets, but at least work to get something down them without a fight.
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Post by atdahop on Feb 2, 2015 0:17:28 GMT
First, I am sorry sorry that you and your poor girl are going through this. Is there a chance that meds for arthritis are causing her lack of appetite? This may seem silly but try giving her some ice cream and see if she is receptive to it. (((hugs )))))
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Post by zoesam on Feb 2, 2015 1:50:40 GMT
I had one dog that didn't love bland diet (boiled burger & rice) & I seem to remember that our vet suggested some additives like garlic powder & broth, the smell was s'posed to make it more appetizing. I would check with your vet's office first though or at least do some thorough online searches.
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Post by jesmelric on Feb 2, 2015 2:56:09 GMT
Thanks for the replies. When I spoke to the vet last week, she basically said just feed her anything she will eat, and don't worry at this point about it being "healthy". Today she ate maybe two pieces of lunch meat, a bit of chicken, and a bit of chuck roast, that is probably about it. I am making myself so upset with worry, I love that old girl so much I've tried heating the food up, seemed to work last week, not so much the last two days. I'm still going to call tomorrow, maybe they'll have a suggestion. Thanks again  |
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Post by Shirley U Geste on Feb 2, 2015 3:17:36 GMT
I wonder if the pain meds are upsetting her stomach, they can be hard on the digestive tract. Indelicate question but is she pooping? Pain meds are really constipating too, and if she is getting plugged up she will feel full and not want to eat as much. Hope you get to the bottom of it, it's so hard when our fur babies aren't feeling well. |
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Post by zoesam on Feb 2, 2015 3:38:03 GMT
Good point abt the pain meds being constipating!
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Post by atdahop on Feb 2, 2015 16:57:34 GMT
Jes, I have been thinking about your girl and hoping things are better. Have you called the Vet?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2015 17:41:18 GMT
Just popped in hooping for an update on your poor girl.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2015 18:12:30 GMT
If you're still looking for foods to tempt her with, my dogs absolutely love these. Fresh Pet comes in a roll and is in a refrigerated section at pet food stores or supermarkets. To me it smells like bologna. You just cut the amount you want to serve off of the roll and store the rest. I cut it up into cubes for them. Comes in a couple different varieties. Lasts a long time in the refrigerator.
Their other favorite is a Perdue chicken product. Don't know if it's available in your area. It is a whole roaster chicken and comes in a bag. You just cut a small hole for steam to escape and put the whole thing in a pan in the oven. Instructions are on the bag, but I roast it for 2 hours. It's nicely seasoned, and my dogs love love it. I cut it up into small pieces to make sure I don't miss any bones and serve it with a little rice and some Heinz chicken gravy.
Hoping for a good outcome for your girl.
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Post by jesmelric on Feb 2, 2015 18:52:51 GMT
She is on Gabapentin for the arthritis, which can cause diarrhea, so she actually has loose stools of late I did hear back from the vet and they said I could come by later this afternoon and they'd have some anti-nausea medicine for me to pick up, so I'm hoping that will help. She's eaten a tiny bit more today so far than yesterday; a bite of my husband's breakfast sausage, some leftover chuck roast from yesterday, and strangely when I was making my daughter a grilled cheese (she stopped by for lunch) she ate a couple of ounces of sliced cheddar cheese. Not a great diet, I know, but at this point I just want her to eat SOME thing! Every day I try heating up some canned dog food but she rarely accepts it. I have boiled her chicken, chicken livers (A stinky no-go, lol) rice, broth, beef, lean hamburger, you name it. Scrambled eggs, anything we can think of. I think my Kroger does have the Fresh Pet rolls, I'll have to check that out and see if she likes it. Especially if the anti-nausea medicine helps. I was reading online that dogs with cancer often get nausea, and one sign is turning their head away when you offer food, which is exactly what she has been doing. I've actually never owned a dog since I've been an adult other than her, so this is my first time dealing with an elderly dog with health problems, and it all came on so suddenly. So stressful and it breaks my heart because she is such a dear. I have to keep trying not to let myself cry |
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val2525
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Post by val2525 on Feb 3, 2015 18:08:53 GMT
How's she doing today?
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Post by jesmelric on Feb 3, 2015 19:14:44 GMT
Val, not so good We gave her the medicine yesterday afternoon (it's two pills at once yesterday, and again today) and she didn't eat really any more last evening than she has been: some cheese and about 1/3 cup of mashed potatoes. I thought she might eat better this morning, but not so much. More cheese, and since the mashed potatoes worked yesterday, I made some more this morning and again she ate about 1/3 cup or so. Hopefully the second dose this afternoon will help, but so far it's not looking good on that. Plus it seems like her arthritis was bothering her this morning. It might be the weather the dr said cold and rain makes it worse which it is today. If no improvement in appetite and/or arthritis I guess I'll be calling the vet again tomorrow. She said if she seems in pain they'll adjust her pain meds. Not sure what else they can do about the appetite? |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2015 19:55:54 GMT
As my dog got older and sicker he had to be on a lot of medication - some of which upset his stomach. My vet had us give him Pepcid AC and it seemed to help. She also suggested putting gravy on his food to make it more appealing. Check with your vet first about the Pepcid AC if you are considering it.
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val2525
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Post by val2525 on Feb 3, 2015 21:22:59 GMT
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Post by jesmelric on Feb 3, 2015 21:33:05 GMT
Thanks for the suggestions. I plan on calling the vet again tomorrow if no improvements. I have tried gravy, but no luck Today it's just been mashed potatoes and cheese. I'm hoping things might improve after the second dose. |
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Post by jesmelric on Feb 9, 2015 1:20:45 GMT
Just to update this thread: with great sadness we had to have her put to sleep yesterday She deteriorated so rapidly it was startling. Wed we got an appetite stimulant and that wasn't helping and her hip was doing this weird twisting thing by Thurs so that she wasn't walking that well and by Friday she was losing fur and we saw another tumor on her chest, and it was quite large. So we decided Friday to take her to the vet Saturday morning. By Saturday morning she was even worse and could barely walk it was just heartbreaking. The vet said it appeared the cancer had spread rapidly and because of the weight loss and obvious pain it was time. Can't think of a sadder day in my life She'd been part of the family for 11 yrs and 8 mos and it's hard to believe she's gone. |
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Post by 57roses on Feb 9, 2015 1:22:59 GMT
I am so sorry for your loss.
You obviously took good care of her and she had a happy, secure life with you.
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Post by allikat on Feb 9, 2015 1:48:52 GMT
I am so sorry for your loss. I can tell you gave her a great life and lots of love and a graceful passing at the right time. Hugs to you.
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val2525
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Post by val2525 on Feb 9, 2015 2:19:34 GMT
(((((((jes & family)))))) I'm so sorry you had to do that. It was the right thing, though. But still, it sucks and it hurts.
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Post by zoesam on Feb 9, 2015 17:59:49 GMT
Jes, I am so very, very sorry for your loss  I hope you can take comfort in knowing what a great life you gave her for so many years. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2015 8:35:03 GMT
I'm so sorry for your loss. Sending healing thoughts your way. Our pets become family members, and it's hard to deal with when we have to say goodbye. She obviously had a great life with you.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2015 13:12:07 GMT
((((jesmelric))))) I'm so sorry for your loss. We had to do a similar thing a few weeks ago, and it really breaks your heart. I once heard something a long time ago that made me feel a little better, it went something like we are only stewards for our pets, that we can love them and care for them and give them a good life, but at some point we have to let them go. What was her name?
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Post by Shirley U Geste on Feb 10, 2015 13:30:28 GMT
I'm so sorry, (((Jes))). Our fur babies become such a part of our families that it is so hard to let them go. You gave her a good life, loved her completely and did the right thing for her. |
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Post by sunsetpainter on Feb 10, 2015 14:55:45 GMT
(((jes and family))) I'm so sorry for your loss. That is the hardest thing to do.
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Post by jesmelric on Feb 10, 2015 15:24:13 GMT
Thanks you guys. I've never had to make this decision before and losing her has been so devastating, she was so much a part of our lives. We miss her greatly. Her name was Coco, although we mostly called her Deet or Deety, silly nicknames It's comforting to know she did have a great life with us. She was a stray that showed up at our door one day and we didn't even plan to keep her. She was so sweet and good, and just the best pup ever. The house is so empty now |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2015 15:37:15 GMT
(((Coco))) Jes, you did everything and the only thing you could do. Coco is now happily now filling her belly over the rainbow bridge.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2015 15:52:16 GMT
I'm so sorry you lost Coco. You were there for her in the end and it sounds like she was loved every step of the way.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2015 19:55:48 GMT
I'm so sorry. |
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Post by jesmelric on Feb 10, 2015 21:23:13 GMT
((((jesmelric))))) I'm so sorry for your loss. We had to do a similar thing a few weeks ago, and it really breaks your heart. I once heard something a long time ago that made me feel a little better, it went something like we are only stewards for our pets, that we can love them and care for them and give them a good life, but at some point we have to let them go. What was her name? I'm sorry for your loss, too. It's very hard!!! But there is comfort in knowing she had a good life. I appreciate all the kindness, it does my heart good. |
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She had surgery Dec 18th to remove a mammary gland tumor that proved to be malignant. She had a tough recovery from the surgery because it was quite radical (they spayed her, removed several mammary glands, the tumor and surrounding tissue) and she had a reaction to the pain meds that made her zombiesh and unable to lay down/rest for several days. 
I hope you can take comfort in knowing what a great life you gave her for so many years. 