14 year old Zuzi
 

My Zuzi is 14 years old and the past month or so she really slowed down A LOT. We thought it was just old age. She is mostly blind and mostly deaf. Then on Thursday night she was shaking and when we tried to pick her up she was in such pain she nipped at us.

She had pain just below her ribs on the right side of her stomach. So on Friday we brought her to the vet. The poor old girl is really sick. She has a kidney infection and what appears to be stones. Her liver function is pretty poor and her heart is 3 times bigger than it should be and isn't pumping very well.

They put her on 3 medications. One for the infection, one to get her heart pumping a little stronger and the 3rd is for pain. They also gave her a shot for pain while she was at the vet. She came home Friday afternoon all happy and feeling better. We had no idea she was in such terrible pain and that was why she slowed down so much. We thought she had arthritis but the x-rays don't show up any and her teeth are that of a young dog. They even noted that on her chart with a big WOW next to their comment :) We just got her teeth cleaned for the first time last year at the age of 13. She just never needed it before.

So we have to bring her back in 2 weeks to check her blood chemistry again and to make sure her liver isn't deteriorating more because some of the meds they put her on have to be processed by the liver which can harm it if there is a problem. They did pick the best painkiller they could that would have the least amount of side effects.

So, we wait and see and hope for the best. I know Zuzi is on borrowed time. For right now she seems happy and alert. Actually she feels better now then she has in the past few months. I wish I had know she was so sick before.:(

One day at a time and every day from now on is a bonus. I hope we get LOTS of them!

Shelley
(Zuzi's Mom)

Sending prayers and well wishes for your baby.

keeping u and Zuzi in my prayers!!

Shelly,

I will pray you have a happy and healthy Zuzi for a long time to come....

Prayers and hugs going out to you and your baby!

Thank you everyone.

Shelley

I am sending prayers and warm healing wishes for your precious one...

Sending good vibes ... give her extra kisses :)

Praying for the meds to help and give you more time together.

sending prayers and get well wishes for your Baby !

Sending prayers to you and your baby. I hope she is feeling better.

Sheilagh

When they get older it is always a guessing game as to whether what we are seeing is something we should run to the vet with or that it is just old age setting in. I have two seniors and I always wonder. Right now it seems as if there are vet bills every week. Some huge ones coming up. So glad Zuzi is appearing happier.:) It does warm the heart, doesn't it?

Feeling better
 

Zuzi seems to be feeling better. She doesn't seem to be in pain from the infected kidneys so that's a good thing. I took her off the pain med Sunday because they can affect her liver which is already compramised. The vet said to do that and if she's in pain start her back up again. So far so good.

She seems a lot more perky than she was over a week ago. Go little girl!

We have to bring her back to the vet this weekend and they will do some more blood work on her to see how she is doing. Today was the last day on her antibiotics. She's doing well on her heart medicine too and seems less out of breath and she's coughing less. All good signs. :thumbup:

Shelley