Beau needs your help again!
 

When my husband took Beau for his morning walk, he seemed fine, but then he began to limp, and would not put weight on his leg. As many of you know, he is a tiny 13 year old white poodle who has experienced many health challenges. We have been watching him, along with our dear vet, and in October he had poor blood levels and a weekend hospitalization. He rallied, but today's blood levels were again very poor, and full body xrays showed that his arthritis in his spine was causing the problems, not his terrible knees. Inflammation is wreaking havoc with his red cell count. His knees and hips, as well as all his vital organs seem fine. While there he vomited, and had a loose stool attack.

We had three options...leaving him for another weekend hospitalization, leaving him to be hydrated for the day and taking him home with the meds that would be administered at the hospital, or a humane euthanasia. We decided that he was so traumatized by being left over the weekend last fall (he has never been boarded or away from us a night in his life) that we would take him home and see if he responds to the treatment plan. Our doctor actually agreed that we were capable of following his treatment plan, and that Beau would be happier, and more comfortable, at home. We will re-test his blood levels in three weeks, and decide how to move on from there.

Please send healing thoughts Beau's way...we know that his time is very near to cross the rainbow bridge to join his best friend, Ozzie. We are prepared to let him go, if need be, but if we can make him comfortable here we want to give him every chance to stay with us. He was shaking and very scared to be at the vet's office, but once his doctor came in his tail was wagging a mile a minute. He is still, for the most part, a happy and loving little man! :love:

Aw! Poor baby. Sending prayers and healing thoughts...

How very sad.

Keeping sweet lil Beau in my thoughts and prayers.

So sorry you and Beau are going through this.

Prayers for Beau.

I’m so sorry. Sending prayers as well as hugs.

I sat up all night with Beau. He was restless and uncomfortable, but is doing much better today. He is on a protocol of seven different meds and/or supplements, and had several injections at the vet office. He does not seem to be in pain today, and is walking much better. He is interested in eating, and is keeping food down with a much firmer stool. Right now he is sleeping soundly, and I anticipate that he will probably spend most of the next three days napping.

He is barely four pounds (was just under 6 at his prime), and his red blood cell count needs to drop before he is out of the woods, but we are trying to let him enjoy his regular routine, as much as possible, for the next three weeks until his next vet visit.

Thanks to everyone for your support. It makes a huge difference when we are trying to stay calm and not panic or get depressed for his sake!

So happy Beau is doing a bit better. Wishing him more good days to come.

Prayers and positive thoughts to your pup!

It has been a week, and Beau is not showing any improvement in stamina or alertness, but he does not seem to be in any pain. He does not want to eat, but he is on so many meds right now that I think that is playing a part. I changed things up and offered him a bit of warm scrambled egg yesterday morning, and he happily ate it. This morning he did not want his usual chicken at breakfast, but again ate some egg. His first dose of the day is a med to improve his liver function, and is given on an empty stomach one hour before food. I think that it is affecting his appetite.

His energy level is very low, and my husband and I were debating whether he is telling us that he is ready to leave. He still wags his tail happily, and cuddles, but most of his days are spent in bed, and he has not joined in on any play sessions this week...then we left him for the first time in a week for a one-hour meeting, and he greeted us at the door with his favorite toy in his mouth! He is making this decision so hard for us, but for now we are waiting two more weeks to see if his blood levels show improvement.

Trying hard to remain hopeful!

Praying for you all, and for improved blood results for Beau. Hang in there!

I’m so sorry this must be very hard. Sending prayers and hugs.

Stay strong and positive, prayers going out for good blood results for sweet little Beau (((hugs))) :love:

I went to our bedroom to meditate this morning, and Beau was in his bed on the familyroom couch with my husband. A few minutes into my meditation I heard barking, and I assumed that it was Jim having morning playtime with the boys. When I finished and came back to the familyroom, he told me that he was sorry for all of the noise...Beau had jumped off the couch and pawed open the baby gate that we use to keep the dogs contained. (We have to velcro it shut when we go out since Beau has taught Gus to stick his paw into the cracks and pull it open too!)

Just a moment ago Beau jumped off the couch and grabbed his toy to play fetch with Jim. He only fetched once, then rejoined us on the couch, but this is the most physical activity that he has initiated in days. Also stopped off to grab a few mouthfuls of kibble on his way past the food dishes. Way to go little man! :D

Praying for Beau to continue to get better. What a joy it must be to see him playing and even grabbing a "snack" on his way back! Give him a pat on his head for me. :love:

Beau is a little fighter, I pray his condition continues to improve even if it's a little bit every day (((hugs))) :love:

Beau has been a trooper, and has reaped some real benefits from the last two weeks of treatment. He even played fetch with real vigor for two days running! Although his tail still wags, he has begun to resist his "empty stomach" pill, and has not wanted to eat anything...even his most loved foods. Today he began whining in the morning, and could not settle comfortably in his bed. A little while later he was shaking, crying, then threw up. His back is arched again this morning, and we can see he is in pain.

My husband and I have not left him alone in the house for the last two weeks except for a dr. appointment that my husband had. We cannot bear to think that he could be in pain when we are not there. We called his vet, and have decided to spend one last day playing with him and his brothers, then let him go after hours when it will be calm and quiet. We are waiting for his doggie friend next door to come over for a final short play date (he will probably be sitting in my lap, but he still likes to watch).

I will miss our baby more than I can bear to think about, but I owe him a release from his pain. My heart is truly breaking and tears are flowing as I write this. Thank you all for your support.

What a hard thing you are going through. I've been there. <sighs> We are with you in thoughts and prayers.

Thank you for your support. Our best friend just left from his visit, and I was wavering in my resolve when Beau regrouped from his morning vomiting. Always looking for that one chance that "things will be fine", no matter how much you know that they won't. Beau greeted our friend and his doggy playmate wagging his tail, but would not kiss our friend, just turned his head away. You would have to know Beau to understand what that meant to us all...Beau is the world's most aggressive kisser! He actually will stand with his front legs on the shoulders of his victim and kiss them until you make him stop. It is his greatest pleasure to give and receive affection. It is a standing joke with anyone who knows Beau how affectionate he is...no never means no to Beau! Seeing that he had no interest in greeting or saying goodbye to our friend when he left confirmed our feelings that he is ready to leave us.

Hoping that you and Beau have a wonderful afternoon together. Sending you strength and prayers as you go through this difficult time.
:animal-pa

I am so sad for you, this has to be so very hard on you, I couldn't do it but would have to, just to free my baby from pain. My prayers and tears are with with you (((hugs))) :love:

I’m so sorry. I wish I had the words to say to make you feel better. When I was reading your post I was crying for you.

Same here. It's so hard to see them suffer and just as hard to let them go.

All I can say is God bless you all and little Beau will have a wonderful family waiting for him at Rainbow Bridge. We've all been where you are and it's heartbreaking to the extreme. Thank God you had precious little Beau in your life.

:love: Beau left us gently and quietly this afternoon. The vet was so kind, and told us that he was happy that we made the decision to say goodbye. We took the picture of his best friend, Ozzie, who left almost five years ago. Beau was there for his passing, and I know that they will be so happy to meet again on the other side of the rainbow bridge! Goodbye my sweet soldier...

Thinking of you today.

I am so sorry. RIP Little Beau. Hugs and prayers to your Mom and Dad...