UPDATE: When do you just give up?

[Chester's_Mom]

So, here's the latest update on Chester.
We got the blood test results back from Monday's exam, and it is one of two things...a low thyroid or kidney stone/tumor. Since our visit on Monday, Chester has appeared to get better...alert, walking around, reactive, and wanting to be near us...however, he still isn't eating on his own. Monday after the vet he vomited twice, and again on Tuesday, and again today. We called the vet thinking that he might have an allergic reaction to the meds he's taking, but she didn't think so. A bit gross here, but his vomit was very small, did not contain food, was clear & slimy with a yellowish color in it. Nothing we have fed him is yellow...this was the main cause for concern. The vet informed us that, she believes, his urinary track is blocked and the fluid has no where to go but up...thus the yellowish color. She thinks that the problem is either a kidney stone or a tumor. She is out of town tomorrow, so we have an appointment 1st thing Friday Morning. She's going to do some x-rays of his bladder, an ultrasound, and possibly surgery to remove the blockage.
Chester has been such an influencial part of our family, and in many ways keeping us strong and together. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers, and I will be sure to update the situation (good or bad) so that others may learn from our experience.

Staying Strong,
Chester's Mom


__________________________________________________ ___
I guess our main problem is money. We have a Yorkie that has been the highlight of our lives for the past 3 years. My husband & I rescued Chester from the dog pound 3 years ago (he was about 7yrs old at the time) and since then he has been a very valuable part of our lives, he even wore a tux and walked down the asile at our wedding.

Eventhough we love Chester dearly, we have maxed out credit cards and streched ourselves thin just trying to keep him healthy. When we 1st got him he had really bad paradontal deasase and we needed to have the majority of his teeth pulled ($1000) - a few months ago he got a hemriod and we needed to get that taken care of ($500) - Today, Chester is very sick and at our last vet visit she said that it appears to be phnomia. Our last visit, with xrays and medication, cost us another $500. Now, I know that it's only $2000 at this point, but we are a young couple in our mid-twenties, still paying off both our student loans & our wedding, trying to save for a house...and now we have a dog that is very ill. Chester is our baby, in every sense of the word and it breaks our hearts to see him like this.

He hasn't eaten in a week and we are giving him baby food through an eye dropper every hour or so. He gets medication every morning and every night. He no longer has any bladder control; and when he's not sleeping he is just staring off into space. He breathing is short and seems difficult. His coughing has seemed to die down, but he still wakes us about about 3 times throughout the night with a cough attack and won't go back to sleep until he calms down. Even though it does seem like he's gotten better over the past week, I don't expect him to recover for at least another 3 weeks or so...and it's so hard to see him like this.

He will be going to the vet again tomorrow for a check up, because he's not eating. But, my main concern is: How much will this visit cost me? I am willing to do what ever it takes, but my resources are thin and I don't know if another $500 visit will actually make him better.

I guess I just need someone to tell me not to give up and that he'll pull through this.

[SnowWa]

Chester's Mom - Yes, you are staying strong. I was really hoping that he would get better and you wouldn't have any vet bills for a while.

Poor little guy - he has really been sick. Wish I knew what to tell you. You certainly have had your share of problems with your little pup.

I had better count my blessings - my little (big!) Yorkie has been so healthy. But, nevertheless, I have had my share of vet bills with other dogs.

Please continue to keep in touch and let us know what's going on - what you decide to do and how your little pup is doing.

Carol Jean

[yorkiepip]

My thoughts are with you and your dear little pooch.
Sending big hugs his way (((((((((())))))))))

[KELLYLYNN]

Poor little baby been thru so much, our prayers are out to you, Please check on pet insurance, that will save you so much money especially if the poor baby needs surgery...... please keep up posted... I hope he will pull thru for you... He sounds like a strong baby....

[shecass]

I'm so sorry that you are going through this, I would just ask the vet if they honestly think that everything that you are doing is helping or not. Just go with your gut. You will know when it is the right time.

I just had to have our 15 year old Shih Tzu put down the first of January. It was very hard but, I knew that it had to be done. Just don't beat yourself up over it. You have done everything possible to help him.

[lisatodd]

poor baby. gosh, that is so hard to go thru. let us know what happens. i will be thinking about you.

[Ladylavender]

I think if you take on the responsibility of a pet, you do need to make sure that the quality of care you provide that pet is humane. You must also be able to financially afford to keep that pet healthy, within reason. And I think you have done an excellent job.

However, in the course of an illness or sickness of the pet, you will come to a crossroad: Cost of keeping the pet healthy or alive vs the quality of life the pet owner has to lead. A decision must be made within the "family" unit when that fork in the road meets.

It is my opinion, that while a pet is precious and cherished, a family cannot go into the "black hole" of debt for that pet. I think there are many things to consider about the well-being of the "family" and how spending more money on diagnosing and treating the sick or injured pet will directly affect the quality of life the "family" is leading. I don't think you need to feel guilty when you set the "line" of what is affordable and no longer affordable for you. (whatever that line is, is subjective and every family has their own "line" that they draw and no one can speak to what your "line" is or should be)

I hope I don't sound unloving or uncaring, because, I don't know how much I would spend on my Millie to "fix" her before I gave up. But I am pragmatic and I am capable of making the hard decisions when I have too. Or I would hope that my husband would be objective and make me come to my senses if I was going overboard or causing serious detrimate to our human family.

Good Luck. I think half the problem is that there is no firm diagnosis yet and there does not seem to be an end to all the diagnostic testing. I think it would be easier to deal with if you knew what was wrong with your baby and you were on the course of treatment and NOT just on the course of trying to find out what is wrong!

[lily's mom]

Can you please take him to another vet for a second opinion? He is throwing up bile and I am concerned that your vet called it anything other than bile.

[Patti]

I agree. Cali throws up bile 2-3 times a week and has been tested for everything and it just seems sometimes when her tumy's not full she will throw up yelloe slimy bile. I have never heard of urine backing up that way, I think it would be impossible. I would try for another opinion.

[txshopper73]

Poor little guy. Sounds like he was throwing up bile but if it is urine like the vet suggested, I could not imagine having to hold it that long. Sounds very painful.

[Princessyorkies]

My thoughts and prayers are certainly with you all.
Don't give up unless you feel and your vet feels it is time.
I understand about the money situation as I have a little one needing surgery about $2000.00 the specialist said but I am trying every way to get the money together. I am even listing items on here to sell, but I think I can only list one a week.
Any ways your heart will tell you when enough is enough for your babies sake.

[Bizzymammabee]

My prayers are with you all on this. First off I have to commend you for doing what needed to be done. But you do have to get to that cross road where you say enough is enough. I would ask the vet if he/she feels that additional treatment will help or if it's just more money spent. While we try to do everything for our pets there has to come a time where you draw that line. You can't put yourself further into debt if you can't afford it. Also remember we have to realize that sometimes our efforts to save them is just prolonging their agony so we can ease our hearts. My cousin spent $4k on her little maltese only to have her still have to be put down.

I dont' really think that is urine. I would have to agree that it would be bile.

Sorry for what you are going through! You seem to have been a good mommy and you should commend yourself and not feel guilty.

[JeanieK]

We had that very painful decison to make also. When do you say enough.

We asked the vet what her prognosis was. He said they could rehydrate her and put her on a special diet but it was all just a matter of time. She would never get any better. She may have lived for another year or so, but she would have always been sick. So we made the decison to put her to rest. It was the hardest thing I ever did, but we feel it was the right decision for us.

Reading between the lines, I feel that you are feeling guilty about not wanting to incure any more debt on his behalf. I don't think you have anything to feel guilty about. If the vet can make him better then it would be worth any cost. but if it is just going to prolong his illness, then letting him go might be the kindest thing you can do for him.

I hope that helps.

May God give you the wisdom and strength to make the right decision.

[bbdolphin]

Where are you located in California? Would you like to check with another vet for a 2nd opinion? Hope your little one gets better

[sashajade]

Originally Posted by lily's mom

Can you please take him to another vet for a second opinion? He is throwing up bile and I am concerned that your vet called it anything other than bile.

completely agree, why didnt the vet say its just bile?