Need support
 

This is one of the hardest things I have had to go through. Some of you know that I have a Pomeranian named Willow. She was acquired from a BYB'er over 10 years ago. When we got her I didn't know there were BYB'ers since I grew up in a time were things like this were the norm. Anyway shortly after we got her she started having breathing problems. We took her in and they did xrays and blood work. She was diagnosed with Partial collapsed traches and asthma. She was put on Theophyline. As years go by she developed other health issues, seizures, LP, and issues with her front shoulders popping out. Last year when she went in for her regular vetting they did bloodwork on her because the theophyline is known to break down the kidneys over a period of time and she has been on it for life. That was when they told us that we had possibly a few more years left with her. It's hard to prepare yourself emotionally for the inevitable day that will eventually come. There are treatments that can be done to help but with her having to be on the medication it was not an option. If we took her off the meds she would have choked trying to breathe. We took the vets advice and kept her on the meds to give us more time with her. Well it looks as if our time is coming to an end. My husband took her in for her routine vetting and they did bloodwork and her kidneys are failing her pancreas is starting to shut down , she hardly eats. This is a dog that was obsessed with chicken, she could tell before you even cooked it that we were having chicken. Now she won't even touch it. Days go by and each day her bowl of food is untouched, then she might have a few good days where she empties her bowl. She went from weighing 22 lbs ( yes she was an oversized Pom) to now only weighing 11lbs. I am really torn up right now. I keep questioning if we are doing enough or if we are doing to much. When do you know when to let go. How do you get all members of the family on board. Just so you all know I am horrible at dealing with death.

I don't have experience in this really but I wanted to tell you that I feel the pain you are going thru. I will pray for you and Willow.

I have read others on here say this: SHE will let you know when it is time to let go.

Until then, you do whatever you feel needs to be done for her. Hugs!

you will know I think. One day you will realize she is in pain or is just miserable... then it is time.

I send you hugs.. I know one day I will walk that path also.

I am so sorry you are going through this. I can completely relate to how you are feeling. We had to say goodbye to our sweet Boxer Coco in August of last year she was almost 13. My husband and I did everything we could to keep her alive. We decided that when she stopped wagging her tell or responding to our touch it was time to let her go. One Saturday morning we woke up to her licking up her own urine:( When my husband ran downstairs (she used to sleep with us but was more comfortable and cool in the basement) he said Coco and she didn't even know he was there:( It was really really hard for both of us to come to terms with it but we knew for her it had to be done. Please PM me anytime if you need someone to talk to. I do agree that you will know when it's time and just remember you are doing the best thing for Willow. (((HUGS)))) to you, your family and sweet Willow.

My heart and prayers go out to you, Willow and your family.

I am sorry to hear about Willow. Having to go through this too many times over the years, you will know in your heart when she has had enough. I had a yorkie, Gracie with a CT and one day after meds stopped working, I took her to the vet and she said she's not enjoying life anymore, she is struggling for every breath. I knew then. She was only 6 1/2.
My heart goes out to you.

Let me ask you this, you pick her up you snuggle your face to hers, you hear her sweet breathing, you feel so much love, do you feel it's time? You know this answer, you know it...somehow they tell you...is she suffering? Momma you know the answer and if you don't then it's not yet, listen to your baby she will tell you, your momma and you will do what is best, when the time is right....bless you and ur baby...

I have no answers, though I too have walked this path. Willow will let you know when it is time....Bless you both. (((huggzz)))

I am so sorry that you are facing this. We went through this with Lolita and she finally took it out of our hands. I hate she had to suffer at all and I know you feel the same way about your baby. Praying that you will know the exact time and that God will heal your heart quickly.

I am so sorry you going through this. I have been through this 8 times and it's never easy.

You will know when it's time, they get this look in their eye that you will know.

Prayers going out for you and your sweet Willow.

Prayers for you and Willow.

Thinking of you and Willow, I am so sorry

SOOOO Sorry to hear this. My love and prayers to you.


Unfortunately, I have VERY recent experience with theophylline. I believe it's the culprit of my Max's sudden passing.

See, he was diagnosed with pneumonia and given antibiotics as well as theophylline (which was told he would have to take for the rest of his life) for his trachea because at the time, he was coughing and it was swollen due to his illness.

Two weeks passed and he had lost a significant amount of weight. He was usually 10lbs and within two weeks, went down to 8lbs. A HUGE alert to us because he was so small.

That's when I hopped on PetMeds website and researched theophylline and my poor Max had almost ALL of the listed issues. We took him to the vet and they all said they never had a problem with the drug (not surprised) however, his x-rays showed that he had developed heart disease within those two weeks, that his liver was slightly enlarged and he had fluid build up in his chest. Instead, they prescribed him heart meds, more theophylline, and made an appt with a cardiologist.

We contested the theophylline because the write up clearly states "do not give this medication if dog has heart issues, seizures, or heart disease".

Sadly, our Max passed, on his own, peacefully, two days later. I however, am now an advocate strongly against the use of theophylline. I don't think dogs with such small bodies/statures should be prescribed it and I really do think it kills them eventually (I've researched a few instances of others' pets who have passed while on it as well).

I hope this helps and that you can further investigate the use and/or effects of this drug and hone in on what is going on with your baby. I can't bare to hear about the suffering of a little soul in stories like this.

If it is too late, I hope you both find peace in the end of suffering. Til then..

Sending so much love strength to you and Willow <3

Thank you all. I know that our time with her is coming to an end. I am dealing with that. Trying to get my husband to understand is going to be a small undertaking. .

ShannonNJ, I am so sorry for your loss.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
It is in her eyes too....she will tell you and you will hear it....you will feel it....I know exactly what you are going thru...I put down a precious pet last month and I had to put another one down Yesterday....I am still reeling fom having to let my little Hailee go yesterday...she was my girly-girl, she was prissy, she loved to model dresses and hats...she loved the Easter Egg Hunt here....I pick up her ashes tomorrow....Hailee told me....her eyes were soooo tired, and the glint and gleam was dull....as she struggled to breathe, she looked up at me and licked my face, my tears....and put her head on my chest....she had no more fight left....and I am dying now....as you will be too....it is such a gut wrenching decision to have to make for them, but they expect you to take care of them, make the best decisions for them, give them a voice.....they deserve all you can do for them because if the show were on the other foot, you KNOW she would do all she could for you, to her very last breath.....