Yay for cuddle time with the pups
This past week has been an extremely tough one for me. I didn't know if I was ready to talk about it yet, but talking about it makes me feel a little more at ease. My two pups Ellie (14) and Bruiser (15) have always been healthy dogs with no major health issues. All of sudden, Bruiser had a few accidents around our house and an extreme bout of aggression towards me. Now if you know Bruiser, he is usually aggressive to strangers, but NEVER towards me. So when he was aggressive towards me, I knew something was off.
For the rest of the weekend at our ski cabin, he stayed in his kennel and would not come out. When we arrived back home, he appeared well and back to normal until the next morning. Matt ran up the stairs, looked at me with worried eyes and said, "We have to take Bruiser to the vet". With my towel still wrapped around my head, I knew.
I knew that Bruiser was close, close to showing those signs of aging that you hear other people talk about when they talk about the "last year" of their dog's life. Matt witnessed him having a seizure (stiff limbed and unresponsive) that lasted about 30 seconds. That morning we rushed him to the vet, I cried in my morning huddle meeting, and then I waited.
Step 1: Blood test
Result: high liver enzymes.
Step 2: Xray
Result: normal, no large liver tumors present but still does not rule out liver cancer.
Step 3: Bile acid test.
Result. Diagnosed with moderate to severe liver disease. The seizure he had may or may not be related to his liver disease. But seizures in general are progressive and he needs to be monitored 24/7.
Potential Next step: Scheduling an appointment with MedVet in Columbus, Ohio to get a CT scan, liver biopsy, and possible neurology consult
Potential Result: Gain a definitive diagnosis that is treatable and could improve his quality of life. Caveat, there is no guarantee the tests will come back conclusive, and there is no guarantee that due to his age he would even be eligible for treatment.
Potential Next step: Doing nothing.
Potential Result: Continue Denamaran (liver drug to improve liver function) and Rx Phenobarbital (seizure drug to control any future seizures). Max life expectancy 6 more months.
Let that just sink in. 6 more months? I am letting it all digest for now and making my mind numb to the idea that I may have to say my goodbyes soon.
On a side note, this is the reason why blogging is an outlet for me. I get to vent about my doggies, share my emotions, and get distracted by buying pajamas. Pajamas to me is like ice cream to every one else. I buy them when I'm sad, because who doesn't want a comfy pair of PJ's. Never have I ever met a PJ I didn't like.
My favorite places to shop for PJ's are Nordstrom Rack. You get the softest cuddly cotton for a reasonable price. I linked the Shimira style I just bought and also a ton of PJ Salvage that is always my go to. Enjoy and email me if you have any questions!
For the rest of the weekend at our ski cabin, he stayed in his kennel and would not come out. When we arrived back home, he appeared well and back to normal until the next morning. Matt ran up the stairs, looked at me with worried eyes and said, "We have to take Bruiser to the vet". With my towel still wrapped around my head, I knew.
I knew that Bruiser was close, close to showing those signs of aging that you hear other people talk about when they talk about the "last year" of their dog's life. Matt witnessed him having a seizure (stiff limbed and unresponsive) that lasted about 30 seconds. That morning we rushed him to the vet, I cried in my morning huddle meeting, and then I waited.
Step 1: Blood test
Result: high liver enzymes.
Step 2: Xray
Result: normal, no large liver tumors present but still does not rule out liver cancer.
Step 3: Bile acid test.
Result. Diagnosed with moderate to severe liver disease. The seizure he had may or may not be related to his liver disease. But seizures in general are progressive and he needs to be monitored 24/7.
Potential Next step: Scheduling an appointment with MedVet in Columbus, Ohio to get a CT scan, liver biopsy, and possible neurology consult
Potential Result: Gain a definitive diagnosis that is treatable and could improve his quality of life. Caveat, there is no guarantee the tests will come back conclusive, and there is no guarantee that due to his age he would even be eligible for treatment.
Potential Next step: Doing nothing.
Potential Result: Continue Denamaran (liver drug to improve liver function) and Rx Phenobarbital (seizure drug to control any future seizures). Max life expectancy 6 more months.
Let that just sink in. 6 more months? I am letting it all digest for now and making my mind numb to the idea that I may have to say my goodbyes soon.
On a side note, this is the reason why blogging is an outlet for me. I get to vent about my doggies, share my emotions, and get distracted by buying pajamas. Pajamas to me is like ice cream to every one else. I buy them when I'm sad, because who doesn't want a comfy pair of PJ's. Never have I ever met a PJ I didn't like.
My favorite places to shop for PJ's are Nordstrom Rack. You get the softest cuddly cotton for a reasonable price. I linked the Shimira style I just bought and also a ton of PJ Salvage that is always my go to. Enjoy and email me if you have any questions!
