Last Friday was one of the worst days of my life. It was the first day of the worst week of my life. On the advice of our regular vet, we took Roxy to see an internal medicine specialist, and after an ultrasound, she told us that Roxy has end-stage liver disease and, to quote the vet, “her time is short.” We hoped she’d be able to give us some idea of just how short after we got some test results (due the end of this week). We spent the rest of Friday totally devastated and looking for ways to baby her. We cancelled the kennel reservation for her for Christmas; she’s coming with us. We bought low protein dog food and dog treats. She’s taking more medication than ever, and because her paws are all screwed up (the pads are cracked and dry), we’re massaging her feet daily with this ultra-vaseline stuff called Bag Balm (so called because it was originally developed for farmers to use on cow udders). We spent all week wondering just how bad her liver disease is and how much longer Roxy might have. She didn’t seem to be in pain, and the medicine appeared to be helping her, at least a little. She doesn’t move away when I sit down next to her on the floor (like she used to). Is that because she’s more willing to let me stay close? Or because it’s too difficult for her to get up and move? I nearly broke down in Wegmans while picking out low protein dog treats. It was a horrible week.
This morning, we finally got the phone call from the vet with Roxy’s test results (part of them, anyway). Surprise! Turns out Roxy’s liver is functioning normally. That’s great news! I mean, it really is, REALLY, but did we have to go through all of that? It’s too soon to say she’s out of the woods entirely, but her days are no longer numbered (not any more than any other 9-year-old epileptic dog). Her paws are still in bad shape, her liver enzymes are still a little high, she’s still a little anemic, and we haven’t gotten the thyroid test results back yet. BUT. Her liver has not failed. It may have some issues, but it’s functioning NORMALLY. She doesn’t need to be on a low-protein diet. SHE’S OKAY. But that vet needs to be more careful about what she tells people.
(I’m still going to baby Roxy. She needs babying.)
Melvin?
Awful. That hurts. You’re still taking her for Christmas?
Wombat Central
Aahhh! I’d switch vets! What a horrible thing to put you all through. I’m so sorry you had such a crappy week. As for the foot pads, maybe what we got for Schmoopy’s nose would help. I wished I had taken close-up pics of her nose before so I could post the after pics. Her nose was all dried out and prickly looking. I told the laser therapy vet about it (she’s really into holistic medicine), and she gave me a miracle product that also works on their paw pads. It’s called Dermoscent Biobalm: http://www.amazon.com/Dermoscent-Balm-Skin-Repairing-Care/dp/B0035MPSQ6
Glad your sweet girl is okay. 🙂
Zannah
Yes, still taking her for Christmas.
Wombat, thanks for the suggestion – we’ll check that stuff out.
Jess
Ugh. I can only imagine how much that must have sucked. Yay for Roxy’s normal liver!
Zannah
Yay!
Brian Breguet
If Amber wasn’t on the phone, I wouldn’t have read to the end to find out she is doing better than you first thought…glad to hear the good news!
Zannah
Thanks! And I hope you’ve learned your lesson about reading all the way to the end. 🙂