Omg-morphine...???!!!

[DBlain]

Originally Posted by pink66

As it was late when I posted, I left some things unsaid. My mother has been here for a year, and I thought she was following "rules" that she had insisted on when she moved in, such as no meds anywhere around the pups. We are both RNs, and med safety has always been a logical part of having any medications. She is still working as a nurse-she is not some frail little old lady. I love my mother and would never really make her leave my house! As some couldn't figure it out-i was speaking metaphorically! I had hoped that by posting here I would be able to express my frustration to people that love their furkids like I love mine!

I could tell you were frustrated and scared and posted as such, not someone that was about to kick mom to the curb.

I started a thread on this topic last year after my sister visited, she takes some serious sleeping pills and after she left I found one on the floor of my office which is also a guest room, the pill was almost in one of Lola's beds. I was furious she could be so careless. Several people posted that they had this happen to them and I believe there was even someone who's dog died because of a pill dropped on the floor. I think the best advice for everyone that has dogs and takes pills is what other's suggested have a safe place to take them and only take them in that spot. Also if you wear reading glasses keep a pair near your meds, I notice some pills can be very tiny and can easily be missed if you don't have glasses on.

[TxVicki]

This is so very sad. I lost one of my beautiful girl's 10 yrs ago due to a pill my MIL dropped on the floor. WE had no idea MIL had gotten into her pills when she wasn't supposed to. To this day I still mourn the loss of my sweet girl Shayleigh.

PLEASE make sure your mother knows what can happen. Can you manage her pills?

I am so sorry this happened.

[DBlain]

Originally Posted by TxVicki

This is so very sad. I lost one of my beautiful girl's 10 yrs ago due to a pill my MIL dropped on the floor. WE had no idea MIL had gotten into her pills when she wasn't supposed to. To this day I still mourn the loss of my sweet girl Shayleigh.

PLEASE make sure your mother knows what can happen. Can you manage her pills?

I am so sorry this happened.

now I remember it was you that posted on my old thread, I still think about it and how sad it was and still is for you. People need not only to worry about those living in their homes but also about those that visit. Often you have no clue what type of meds visitors are on, but now I make a point of asking all overnight guests if they are taking meds to only take them in the guest bathroom and to be very careful nothing is dropped.

[Marhcarter]

I take a lot of pills for BP and thyroid and ADHD, so even though none of my meds are narcotics or sleeping pills, any one could still be lethal to an 8lb dog. I have dropped pills... Who hasn't? After my dh dropped a carafate and Huey got it (tg, the most non toxic thing he could have possibly eaten), I realized that something needed to be done. We have now got Huey to the point of if he sees a pill drop, he will actually back away from it and sit down and wait for it to be picked up. Lots of loud "nonononono, ehhh ehhh ehhh" noises have now conditioned him to stay away from dropped pills. Not saying that we aren't still very careful, but we now have a few more seconds to pick it up without having to push the dog away with a foot at the same time.

[Verbena]

Originally Posted by Marhcarter

I take a lot of pills for BP and thyroid and ADHD, so even though none of my meds are narcotics or sleeping pills, any one could still be lethal to an 8lb dog. I have dropped pills... Who hasn't? After my dh dropped a carafate and Huey got it (tg, the most non toxic thing he could have possibly eaten), I realized that something needed to be done. We have now got Huey to the point of if he sees a pill drop, he will actually back away from it and sit down and wait for it to be picked up. Lots of loud "nonononono, ehhh ehhh ehhh" noises have now conditioned him to stay away from dropped pills. Not saying that we aren't still very careful, but we now have a few more seconds to pick it up without having to push the dog away with a foot at the same time.

That is actually a wonderful idea

[SophieKatesMom]

I agree with the suggestion of taking over the medication or giving your Mom a designated area to store and take her meds.

This is also the rule in my house, with our four legged family members so close to the ground it has to be that way (for us).

Good Luck, I hope you work this out so that Mom and the Yorkies can live together without your being afraid.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by pink66

As it was late when I posted, I left some things unsaid. My mother has been here for a year, and I thought she was following "rules" that she had insisted on when she moved in, such as no meds anywhere around the pups. We are both RNs, and med safety has always been a logical part of having any medications. She is still working as a nurse-she is not some frail little old lady. I love my mother and would never really make her leave my house! As some couldn't figure it out-i was speaking metaphorically! I had hoped that by posting here I would be able to express my frustration to people that love their furkids like I love mine!

My father lives with me. He is a very active 74 year old. Last year, he started acting a little off. Turned out he had pneumonia and was very sick. Being an RN, I'm sure you know how something as simple as dehydration and fatigue can impair judgement. I'm not a health professional, but I have enough experience that I should have known. It's often too easy to overlook things in the people closest to us.

I bring this up because your mom dropped the pill and it was left on the floor. Were you able to talk to her about it? Did she know she dropped it and was she just unable to find it? If so, why didn't tell you?

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by pink66

As it was late when I posted, I left some things unsaid. My mother has been here for a year, and I thought she was following "rules" that she had insisted on when she moved in, such as no meds anywhere around the pups. We are both RNs, and med safety has always been a logical part of having any medications. She is still working as a nurse-she is not some frail little old lady. I love my mother and would never really make her leave my house! As some couldn't figure it out-i was speaking metaphorically! I had hoped that by posting here I would be able to express my frustration to people that love their furkids like I love mine!

I understood and got your frustrations because it has been a problem here to.

[Magnus]

I have pill organizers for my mom and a designated area for her to take the pills. But on occasion, she still managed to drop a pill. After the last time, I do few things to make sure there isn't any that's been overlooked.

I make sure to refill her pill organizer so there's no chance of any spills. Even if I did, I'd have faster reaction to pick them up. I also do a quick sweep/scan of the kitchen floor (that's where mom takes her meds) before and after I go to work.

I hope you can find something that works for you guys...

[lovespandp]

Originally Posted by pink66

Last summer my dad died, then 6 weeks later my mom fell and broke her hip. Since then, she and her Cavalier have been staying with us. My mom is on Morphine for pain in her back. This afternoon while cleaning I found a 30 mg tablet of Morphine on the floor!!!!! It was right next to the pups water dishes!!!! I'm really upset-and scared, sad, mad. One of my babies could be dead right now!
I've been thinking lately that its not working out so great anymore for her to be here, but right now she has nowhere else to go. My sister and her family were renting a house from my parents and this past December it caught on fire. It is almost rebuilt, but until they can move back in they are staying at my mom's very small house, and there just isn't any room for mom to go home until they do.
Does anybody have any suggestions on how to keep my pups safe without kicking mom out?
If something happened to Puff, or Luke, or Grace because of my mother, I would never forgive her.

I’m so sorry for the loss of your Dad. I know how hard it is to go through. I lost mine in 2002 and it still feels as it was yesterday. ( if you ever need to talk, or vent please feel free to Pm me). Not only do you have to deal with the grief that comes with that you have to deal with your Mom. Taking care of a person in general is hard, having it your Mom is an extra dose of stress. With everything going on, I’m shocked you are standing. That is a lot for anyone to take.

I’m so sorry this happened, that really must have been so scary. I could only imagine. If you can talk to your Mom about it that would be the best thing.

Like others have said make her have a designated area where she takes her pills.. this might be hard as you say she broke her hip- I’m not sure how mobile she is.. or can be.

When you are not home can you put a gate up? Can you cut off the area where your babies can’t get to your Mom?

Here is the thing, you have to decide what is best for you and for your Mom. I would first talk to her- maybe the two of you can decide a better plan.

Hopefully things get better for you.. I will be sending prayers for your Mom and for you.

[SWHouston]

Originally Posted by pink66

As it was late when I posted, I left some things unsaid. My mother has been here for a year, and I thought she was following "rules" that she had insisted on when she moved in, such as no meds anywhere around the pups. We are both RNs, and med safety has always been a logical part of having any medications. She is still working as a nurse-she is not some frail little old lady. I love my mother and would never really make her leave my house! As some couldn't figure it out-i was speaking metaphorically! I had hoped that by posting here I would be able to express my frustration to people that love their furkids like I love mine!

I'm glad you posted again. Metaphorics are hard to figure out at times, all we really have to go on, is what you actually say. I don't like to harbor ill-will toward anyone, and appreciate your clarification.

Let me assure you, concerning your expression of love for your furkids, you are in good company.

[celstu1]

Originally Posted by pink66

Last summer my dad died, then 6 weeks later my mom fell and broke her hip. Since then, she and her Cavalier have been staying with us. My mom is on Morphine for pain in her back. This afternoon while cleaning I found a 30 mg tablet of Morphine on the floor!!!!! It was right next to the pups water dishes!!!! I'm really upset-and scared, sad, mad. One of my babies could be dead right now!
I've been thinking lately that its not working out so great anymore for her to be here, but right now she has nowhere else to go. My sister and her family were renting a house from my parents and this past December it caught on fire. It is almost rebuilt, but until they can move back in they are staying at my mom's very small house, and there just isn't any room for mom to go home until they do.
Does anybody have any suggestions on how to keep my pups safe without kicking mom out?
If something happened to Puff, or Luke, or Grace because of my mother, I would never forgive her.

My mom stays with me when she comes to visit up here and she takes a lot of meds. I did find a pill on the floor once and got scared. So we made a deal. I told her that she would feel awful if something happened to my dogs, and I would die inside if something did, so how can we make SURE this does not happen again. She agreed to taking water to the bathroom and opening her pills right over the sink. That way if any fell out, they would fall in the sink. Maybe something like that might work? She could also do it over the kitchen sink.

[celstu1]

Originally Posted by Marhcarter

I take a lot of pills for BP and thyroid and ADHD, so even though none of my meds are narcotics or sleeping pills, any one could still be lethal to an 8lb dog. I have dropped pills... Who hasn't? After my dh dropped a carafate and Huey got it (tg, the most non toxic thing he could have possibly eaten), I realized that something needed to be done. We have now got Huey to the point of if he sees a pill drop, he will actually back away from it and sit down and wait for it to be picked up. Lots of loud "nonononono, ehhh ehhh ehhh" noises have now conditioned him to stay away from dropped pills. Not saying that we aren't still very careful, but we now have a few more seconds to pick it up without having to push the dog away with a foot at the same time.

Thats exactly what I did...lots of noise when I don't want them to touch something that fell. So now when/if I drop something like a pill or a piece of chopped onion, I don't have to go into maniac mode. I just tell them NO very firmly. They stare longingly at it until I am able to pick it up (as quick as I can after dropping it) but they won't touch it. Then I'll say good boys and give them a treat of their own. Training them not to lunge after dropped things will benefit you so much in the long run!

[pink66]

I appreciate the kind words and suggestions. Its been such a miserable time for my family lately. We've lost so many family members-both the fuzzy ones and non-fuzzy ones. My mother refuses to see that there's a problem, and she continually decides to do things her way despite promises not to. The morphine should never have been anywhere near water dishes-it should have been in her bathroom, locked up. I have talked to her several times about using the weekly pill dispenser but she absolutely refuses. I've brought this up several times today but she gets so defensive. Her Cavalier is as important to her as my babies are to me. That alone should make her want to be sure this doesn't happen again, but I have my doubts. I have talked to my husband and kids about this latest issue and everybody will be keeping their eyes open. Recently I've just been feeling so weary.
To Texas Vickie-i am so sorry that you lost a precious furbaby due to meds. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

[chestermama]

sounds like your family has gone through alot of stuff lately, people get stubborn and want to do it there way especially when there has been alot of tragedy, gives them something to hang on to so to speak, take care and my hope is that things get better for you and your family, and yes we love our fur babies alot on this site