I think Cassie is dying - Page 12 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

broodizt · 09-09-2013, 09:47 AM

I spoke to the Vet who is taking care of Cassie today. She sounds very competent and concerned. She says that although Cassie is out of O2 once again, she is very very worried about her. They are not touching her much, they want to see if she can tolerate just being on room air for a day while giving her a chance to get stronger. She is eating well, and her mentation seems to be better, but the fungal tests came back negative. She states that although Cassie does have a somewhat enlarged heart, the results of the x-rays are very very atypical of CHF, and she said she would be very surprised if this were the case. So we are down to two possibilities, pneumonia or Cancer. She says even with a pneumonia diagnosis, sometimes, even with the most aggressive treatment and support, a patient cannot get off of O2, and it could become untreatable. She does not want to stress her out today at all, she just wants to see what she does on room air and if she continues to get stronger, then tomorrow they will attempt another X-ray. Pray for my baby.

Yorkiemom1 · 09-09-2013, 09:49 AM

OMG!! It must be absolutely unbeliveably frustrating to live in an area where you can not get emergency assistance when desperately needed. Do you have a medical supply store anywhere near you? You may be able to rent O2 equipment from them....or they could help you go in the right direction for that. If you do not have a medical supply store in your area, do you have a family doctor? If you contact him, CRYING, CRYING, and explane you have to get to the vet school and your puppy needs to go with O2, surely to God, he can find it in his heart to write you a prescription for the O2 tank so you can make the trip. Maybe even that vet where your baby is now, can offer some help with providing you an O2 tank that will get you to the vet collage....I used to use an empty aquarium with an O2 tank and tubing as an O2 incubator for newborns that needed O2....then I splurged and bought a real one.....you could use a similar set up for your baby's trip to the vet school...I am praying for you....I can only imagine how desperate you must feel....how hopeless.....maybe even a firedepartment will loan you O2 equipment to transport your baby.....? I wrote this before I saw your update...just some suggestions on where you may get O2 if needed for the car trip.....

Cherie6446 · 09-09-2013, 09:51 AM

This is such a sad situation. This poor baby has been through too much for one little body. Prayers for both of you.

Sammy Mommy · 09-09-2013, 09:52 AM

Saying more prayers for you and Cassie. I wish I could do or say something to help you.

broodizt · 09-09-2013, 11:09 AM

I just wanted to ease everyone's mind a bit about where Cassie is getting her care. Just to assure you, Cassie is not at a regular Vet. This is 24/7 Emergency Cllnic with state of the art medical and diagnostic equipment-as well as wonderful Vets. My two favorite Vets are away at a conference, but all the other Vets I've ever dealt with were also wonderful. There is only one Vet that I am having a problem with, and she is not on till Thursday. Even she, the staff say, is a great Vet, they say they like her, but then again, I'm sure they're not going to tell a client they "don't" like her. They say it is her personality that may put people off, but not her veterinary skills. I do question her judgement sometimes, but at this time, I am dealing with some very good and talented people. In the meantime, she does not work until Thurs.
I feel fortunate that they are only 5 minutes from my house, as people travel miles to get to them. I have no Vet school anywhere near me, the closest one is over 500 miles away. The only other possibility is the Vet Hospital about an hour or so away, and they both have the same equipment. The only difference is that the hospital is bigger. But they would not be able to do any diagnostics on Cassie either, as it is not having the right equipment or specialists that is causing the problem, but my poor baby's tiny little sick body that will not tolerate any handling without turning blue. Wherever she goes she would run into the same problem. They are concerned about putting her under or manipulating her tiny little head, as she has AAI, a life threatening condition that could kill her if her head is moved the wrong way. They cannot do further tests if they cannot get her to stabilize outside of O2 long enough to complete the test. They have even tried it with an oxygen mask, to no avail. The doctor this morning said they will not mess with her today, as she is starting to look a little better on room air, and they want to see if she can stabilize long enough for an ultra sound or any other diagnostic test. So we are in a waiting game, to see if she can get well enough to even have diagnostic tests. This is the current problem. And if she can't stabilize, then, what do we do??????? It's a dilemma. They are able to get X-rays and will recheck them tomorrow. In the meantime, please pray for Cassie, that she will have a full recovery, and be able to tolerate handling in order to finally diagnose, what it is she has, or hopefully, had. Thank you all for you love and your concern. Without you here, I think I would go insane. The one thing, I know for sure, is that I do not want Cassie to suffer. I will continue to pray for a full recovery. Thank you, all, for your love and compassion, and taking the time out of your busy schedule to be there with us in our times of trial.
You will never know how much you mean to us. All of your concern and love and caring, it translates into one the most healing environment I've ever had the good fortune to be a part of.
Love Shellie

Patti · 09-09-2013, 12:17 PM

What a difficult situation. I am keeping you both in my prayers. I know you are doing everything possible for your baby.

MauiGirl · 09-09-2013, 12:52 PM

Cassie and you are constantly in my prayers. I find myself coming back on here several times a day, just to check on her. I don't know what I would do in your position.... it is hard to imagine.

I do realize that you are doing everything possible for your precious girl, and just hope that it is pneumonia and that the antibiotics are fighting it.

Hugs to you too.

Buster Brown · 09-09-2013, 12:56 PM

Thinking of Cassie and you and sending prayers for your sweet baby girl.

LolaKaty · 09-09-2013, 01:05 PM

Always checking back to see how Cassie is doing. My prayers are with you and Cassie.

Ellie May · 09-09-2013, 02:09 PM

I'm sorry.

Even suggesting she be taken home is frazy. These vets can call the closest vet school, have them look at xrays, consult on treatment, etc. which they should be doing.

It sounds like you aren't wanting to risk it and transport her. Please go with your gut on that. You are right... It may be best for her to be with internists, pulmonary specialists, cardiologists, and oncologists. If this is financially doable for you I would transfer her (not by yourself without oxygen).

When this comes up at the ER here an ambulance service is happy to provide transport. For the right price you coud probably find a medic to take her the 500 miles.

EarthAngel · 09-09-2013, 03:55 PM

Shellie, so many of us check here to see how Cassie is doing. We all have her in our prayers that it is only pneumonia and the antibiotics will take care of it. You and Cassie are always in my prayers and thoughts. Hugs to you both.

wemple2 · 09-09-2013, 05:50 PM

Oh Cassie please, please get well very, very soon. This is the prayer I say, over and over again, day in day out.
Ask the vet if they can get a consult from a pulmonary doctor on her over the phone. They can tell them what she is doing, maybe they'll have suggestions that may do the trick. She needs to be properly worked up for a diagnosis...is she still on antibiotics? Does she cough too or only labored breathing? Please keep us updated we are all so concerned and worried about her. My prayers for Cassie will not end...I'm stubborn like that. lol...

lisaly · 09-09-2013, 06:24 PM

I am so very sorry for all that you've been with Cassie. Your love resonates in every word that you write. Cassie knows you love her, and she will fight as hard as she can to get better for you. She has so much to live for because she is loved so dearly. I am praying for both of you. My heart breaks reading about your little girl, and your story has really touched my heart.

broodizt · 09-09-2013, 07:39 PM

Hello all you wonderful people. I just got back from spending two wonderful hours with my baby girl in a quiet visiting room all by ourselves. To me, she is a different dog than the one I encountered the other day. I'm not saying she is bouncing off walls, but our time together was wonderful. She lay calmly in my arms, with no coughing, rasping, gasping, wheezing, struggling for air. She was out of O2 all day. Yes, of course I was not prodding her, or trying to do tests, etc. etc. like the docs were doing, but still she has been stable outside of O2 all day. I held her gently in my arms, gently stroked her beautiful silver hair, gave hers tiny little gentle kisses on top of her head, and told her I was so proud of her for fighting so hard to get well. I told her she was the best girl in the world, and that I loved her more than anything in the world. That I would never leave her and that Muffin and I are waiting anxiously for her to come home. We fell asleep together, the staff did not bother us, and let us sleep. I gave her a cool drink of water. She kissed me, I kissed her back. I massaged her gently, I did reiki with her a lot. We had a wonderful time together. She was making her little clucking (purring) sounds she makes when she is happy and content. Now I only pray there is no set backs, that she is able to stay out of oxygen, and eventually they will be able to do some diagnostics on her. I pray for continued strength, and continued support for all you wonderful angels

I am daring to hope against hope that this is pneumonia, and that it will be able to be curable.

Crystal, thank you for your love and concern. Actually, there are indeed internists, cardiologists, oncologists and pulmonary specialists, as well as surgeons, etc. etc. here at this facility. As a matter of fact, it was a surgeon at this facility that diagnosed Cassie's AAI. No one else, at any other facility discovered this. I do have faith in this hospital, they have saved my baby's lives many many times. Moving Cassie over 500 miles to a Vet school in northern California is not an option for many reasons, but I understand why you would suggest this. At this point in time, I really do think, from the bottom of my heart, that she is in the right place, the best place for her. It is her little body, not the staff or the facility that is preventing diagnostics at this point. And hopefully (I hope and Pray!!!) she will continue to improve. There are very talented people here, and the owners of the facility, my favorite Vets, hire the most talented and caring people, and that is why they are so very very expensive (which many people complain about all the time).

Anyway, thank you all for all your love, concern and prayers. I think your prayers are helping. I really really do!!!!! Please please do not give up on us. Maybe, I hope and pray, we have just turned a corner.

Many blessings to all
Love, Shelie, Cassie and Muffin

baileyz · 09-09-2013, 07:49 PM

So sorry with all you are going through with Cassie. I hope and pray she gets better. I hope that the vets are able to get her better soon. When I read how you feel asleep with her in your arms, I felt tears in my eyes. It is so touching to see how much our pets mean to us. Please let us know how Cassie is doing and I hope you are able to keep your strength up during this time.

09-09-2013, 09:47 AM	#166
broodizt YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Temecula Posts: 669	Update I spoke to the Vet who is taking care of Cassie today. She sounds very competent and concerned. She says that although Cassie is out of O2 once again, she is very very worried about her. They are not touching her much, they want to see if she can tolerate just being on room air for a day while giving her a chance to get stronger. She is eating well, and her mentation seems to be better, but the fungal tests came back negative. She states that although Cassie does have a somewhat enlarged heart, the results of the x-rays are very very atypical of CHF, and she said she would be very surprised if this were the case. So we are down to two possibilities, pneumonia or Cancer. She says even with a pneumonia diagnosis, sometimes, even with the most aggressive treatment and support, a patient cannot get off of O2, and it could become untreatable. She does not want to stress her out today at all, she just wants to see what she does on room air and if she continues to get stronger, then tomorrow they will attempt another X-ray. Pray for my baby.

09-09-2013, 09:49 AM	#167
Yorkiemom1 Rosehill Yorkies Donating YT Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Houston Texas Posts: 9,462	OMG!! It must be absolutely unbeliveably frustrating to live in an area where you can not get emergency assistance when desperately needed. Do you have a medical supply store anywhere near you? You may be able to rent O2 equipment from them....or they could help you go in the right direction for that. If you do not have a medical supply store in your area, do you have a family doctor? If you contact him, CRYING, CRYING, and explane you have to get to the vet school and your puppy needs to go with O2, surely to God, he can find it in his heart to write you a prescription for the O2 tank so you can make the trip. Maybe even that vet where your baby is now, can offer some help with providing you an O2 tank that will get you to the vet collage....I used to use an empty aquarium with an O2 tank and tubing as an O2 incubator for newborns that needed O2....then I splurged and bought a real one.....you could use a similar set up for your baby's trip to the vet school...I am praying for you....I can only imagine how desperate you must feel....how hopeless.....maybe even a firedepartment will loan you O2 equipment to transport your baby.....? I wrote this before I saw your update...just some suggestions on where you may get O2 if needed for the car trip..... Last edited by Yorkiemom1; 09-09-2013 at 09:50 AM.

09-09-2013, 09:51 AM	#168
Cherie6446 YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: SoCA Posts: 1,895	This is such a sad situation. This poor baby has been through too much for one little body. Prayers for both of you. __________________ RIP my darling little Gina

09-09-2013, 12:17 PM	#171
Patti Donating YT 30K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 35,509 Blog Entries: 6	What a difficult situation. I am keeping you both in my prayers. I know you are doing everything possible for your baby. __________________ Cali Pixie Roxie : RIP Nikki; RIP Maya;RIP my sweet Dixie girl 1/17/08 http://callipuppyscastle.bravehost.com/index.html

09-09-2013, 12:52 PM	#172
MauiGirl Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Maui, Hawaii Posts: 7,740	Cassie and you are constantly in my prayers. I find myself coming back on here several times a day, just to check on her. I don't know what I would do in your position.... it is hard to imagine. I do realize that you are doing everything possible for your precious girl, and just hope that it is pneumonia and that the antibiotics are fighting it. Hugs to you too. __________________ SANDY, MOM TO TIKI , KAYLA , KARLEE , R.I.P. MEIKA

09-09-2013, 09:52 AM	#169
Sammy Mommy Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: New York Posts: 3,896	Saying more prayers for you and Cassie. I wish I could do or say something to help you.

09-09-2013, 11:09 AM	#170
broodizt YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Temecula Posts: 669	I just wanted to ease everyone's mind a bit about where Cassie is getting her care. Just to assure you, Cassie is not at a regular Vet. This is 24/7 Emergency Cllnic with state of the art medical and diagnostic equipment-as well as wonderful Vets. My two favorite Vets are away at a conference, but all the other Vets I've ever dealt with were also wonderful. There is only one Vet that I am having a problem with, and she is not on till Thursday. Even she, the staff say, is a great Vet, they say they like her, but then again, I'm sure they're not going to tell a client they "don't" like her. They say it is her personality that may put people off, but not her veterinary skills. I do question her judgement sometimes, but at this time, I am dealing with some very good and talented people. In the meantime, she does not work until Thurs. I feel fortunate that they are only 5 minutes from my house, as people travel miles to get to them. I have no Vet school anywhere near me, the closest one is over 500 miles away. The only other possibility is the Vet Hospital about an hour or so away, and they both have the same equipment. The only difference is that the hospital is bigger. But they would not be able to do any diagnostics on Cassie either, as it is not having the right equipment or specialists that is causing the problem, but my poor baby's tiny little sick body that will not tolerate any handling without turning blue. Wherever she goes she would run into the same problem. They are concerned about putting her under or manipulating her tiny little head, as she has AAI, a life threatening condition that could kill her if her head is moved the wrong way. They cannot do further tests if they cannot get her to stabilize outside of O2 long enough to complete the test. They have even tried it with an oxygen mask, to no avail. The doctor this morning said they will not mess with her today, as she is starting to look a little better on room air, and they want to see if she can stabilize long enough for an ultra sound or any other diagnostic test. So we are in a waiting game, to see if she can get well enough to even have diagnostic tests. This is the current problem. And if she can't stabilize, then, what do we do??????? It's a dilemma. They are able to get X-rays and will recheck them tomorrow. In the meantime, please pray for Cassie, that she will have a full recovery, and be able to tolerate handling in order to finally diagnose, what it is she has, or hopefully, had. Thank you all for you love and your concern. Without you here, I think I would go insane. The one thing, I know for sure, is that I do not want Cassie to suffer. I will continue to pray for a full recovery. Thank you, all, for your love and compassion, and taking the time out of your busy schedule to be there with us in our times of trial. You will never know how much you mean to us. All of your concern and love and caring, it translates into one the most healing environment I've ever had the good fortune to be a part of. Love Shellie

09-09-2013, 12:56 PM	#173
Buster Brown Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Toluca Lake, CA Posts: 5,491	Thinking of Cassie and you and sending prayers for your sweet baby girl. __________________ CarolynBuster Brown "The happiest people don't have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything."

09-09-2013, 01:05 PM	#174
LolaKaty Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Hollywood, FL Posts: 125	Always checking back to see how Cassie is doing. My prayers are with you and Cassie.

09-09-2013, 02:09 PM	#175
Ellie May And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI Posts: 17,928	I'm sorry. Even suggesting she be taken home is frazy. These vets can call the closest vet school, have them look at xrays, consult on treatment, etc. which they should be doing. It sounds like you aren't wanting to risk it and transport her. Please go with your gut on that. You are right... It may be best for her to be with internists, pulmonary specialists, cardiologists, and oncologists. If this is financially doable for you I would transfer her (not by yourself without oxygen). When this comes up at the ER here an ambulance service is happy to provide transport. For the right price you coud probably find a medic to take her the 500 miles. __________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶

09-09-2013, 03:55 PM	#176
EarthAngel Donating YT 6000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: New York Posts: 18,134	Shellie, so many of us check here to see how Cassie is doing. We all have her in our prayers that it is only pneumonia and the antibiotics will take care of it. You and Cassie are always in my prayers and thoughts. Hugs to you both. __________________ Dyan, Mom to Bentley

09-09-2013, 05:50 PM	#177
wemple2 Wee Winston Wiggles Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Kewanee, Illinois Posts: 9,666	Oh Cassie please, please get well very, very soon. This is the prayer I say, over and over again, day in day out. Ask the vet if they can get a consult from a pulmonary doctor on her over the phone. They can tell them what she is doing, maybe they'll have suggestions that may do the trick. She needs to be properly worked up for a diagnosis...is she still on antibiotics? Does she cough too or only labored breathing? Please keep us updated we are all so concerned and worried about her. My prayers for Cassie will not end...I'm stubborn like that. lol... __________________ As Ever, Kathy Intruducing Bentley Winston and Spencer: RIP My Sweet Angels

09-09-2013, 06:24 PM	#178
lisaly Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 5,892	I am so very sorry for all that you've been with Cassie. Your love resonates in every word that you write. Cassie knows you love her, and she will fight as hard as she can to get better for you. She has so much to live for because she is loved so dearly. I am praying for both of you. My heart breaks reading about your little girl, and your story has really touched my heart.

09-09-2013, 07:39 PM	#179
broodizt YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Temecula Posts: 669	A Ray of Hope-Maybe Hello all you wonderful people. I just got back from spending two wonderful hours with my baby girl in a quiet visiting room all by ourselves. To me, she is a different dog than the one I encountered the other day. I'm not saying she is bouncing off walls, but our time together was wonderful. She lay calmly in my arms, with no coughing, rasping, gasping, wheezing, struggling for air. She was out of O2 all day. Yes, of course I was not prodding her, or trying to do tests, etc. etc. like the docs were doing, but still she has been stable outside of O2 all day. I held her gently in my arms, gently stroked her beautiful silver hair, gave hers tiny little gentle kisses on top of her head, and told her I was so proud of her for fighting so hard to get well. I told her she was the best girl in the world, and that I loved her more than anything in the world. That I would never leave her and that Muffin and I are waiting anxiously for her to come home. We fell asleep together, the staff did not bother us, and let us sleep. I gave her a cool drink of water. She kissed me, I kissed her back. I massaged her gently, I did reiki with her a lot. We had a wonderful time together. She was making her little clucking (purring) sounds she makes when she is happy and content. Now I only pray there is no set backs, that she is able to stay out of oxygen, and eventually they will be able to do some diagnostics on her. I pray for continued strength, and continued support for all you wonderful angels I am daring to hope against hope that this is pneumonia, and that it will be able to be curable. Crystal, thank you for your love and concern. Actually, there are indeed internists, cardiologists, oncologists and pulmonary specialists, as well as surgeons, etc. etc. here at this facility. As a matter of fact, it was a surgeon at this facility that diagnosed Cassie's AAI. No one else, at any other facility discovered this. I do have faith in this hospital, they have saved my baby's lives many many times. Moving Cassie over 500 miles to a Vet school in northern California is not an option for many reasons, but I understand why you would suggest this. At this point in time, I really do think, from the bottom of my heart, that she is in the right place, the best place for her. It is her little body, not the staff or the facility that is preventing diagnostics at this point. And hopefully (I hope and Pray!!!) she will continue to improve. There are very talented people here, and the owners of the facility, my favorite Vets, hire the most talented and caring people, and that is why they are so very very expensive (which many people complain about all the time). Anyway, thank you all for all your love, concern and prayers. I think your prayers are helping. I really really do!!!!! Please please do not give up on us. Maybe, I hope and pray, we have just turned a corner. Many blessings to all Love, Shelie, Cassie and Muffin

09-09-2013, 07:49 PM	#180
baileyz YT Addict Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Omaha, Nebraska, USA Posts: 307 Blog Entries: 3	So sorry with all you are going through with Cassie. I hope and pray she gets better. I hope that the vets are able to get her better soon. When I read how you feel asleep with her in your arms, I felt tears in my eyes. It is so touching to see how much our pets mean to us. Please let us know how Cassie is doing and I hope you are able to keep your strength up during this time.