When Life Gets Real…Fast
Today’s post is simply an update on my life. No fashion, no controversy…just how life can get real, very fast. Our little dog Lucy had some minor health problems lately that have suddenly turned more serious.Ā
Two weeks ago I found a strange lump in her paw. She was limping and seemed in pain so I took her to our regular vet. He decided she had arthritis. I insisted she had something inĀ her paw but he didn’t believe me. Frustrating!
Three days later I took her to my friends vet who saw a growth and recommended surgery to remove it. I signed paperwork to pay for a biopsy of that growth but this vet decided it was notĀ important and tossed the tissue with no biopsy. I was not happy.Ā 
Two days after her stitches were removed she began limping worse than before. I took her back to the vet who’d done the surgery who decided Lucy needed to take fish oil and “let’s just do another round of antibiotics”. I was furious and frustrated.
We headed out for a few days of camping in our trailer but I was worried. HerĀ paw beganĀ to swell dramatically, so we came home quickly and took her to the emergencyĀ hospital, who had no idea what was going on.
We finally took her to the UC Davis veterinary hospital yesterday, which is one of the best in the country. We were lucky to snag a cancellation with one of their oncologist’s who did a needle biopsy and admitted she’d never seen anything like it.
We’re driving back tomorrow to see a dermatologist and perhaps get a larger tissue biopsy. She’s almost 13 and was the picture of health 2 weeks ago. This is shocking and frightening. I simply want her out of pain and to get some answers.
She’s a darling little dog and it’s my responsibilityĀ to make sureĀ she has theĀ best quality of life.
Is there anything we wouldn’t do for our pets?
Thanks for reading and have a great day!
xo
Oh, how upsetting. She looks like such a sweet dog. I hope that you get answers quickly so that she can find relief, and so can you.
She’s very sweet. Thank you Dorothy
Oh Jennifer! I totally get it! My little Brittany spaniel is 15 and a half and, while she’s in very good health, I know things can (and likely will) change on a dime. Sending you and Lucy healing hugs.
Good wishes for your little doggie. Thank you!
So sorry, Jennifer. I know how much you love your dog and how you love to stroll with her. I hope someone can help soon.
Thanks Pam. We are praying for a miracle.
Iām so sorry to hear sheās not well. Lucy is well loved and I know she will get the best care possible. As you said, thereās nothing we wonāt do for our pets. All best.
Thank you Lor!
Poor little sweetheart š I hope you get answers and she gets relief soon!
Thanks Patty!
I hope you get good news soon!
Many thanks
Hope your sweet little pet will be well soon. I know how hard it is to lose one or have one be sick.
Love your posts !!
Thank you Betty!
Oh, I hope she’s going to be okay!!! As a pet parent, I know how much they mean in your life and wish you all well!
Thank you Maureen.
Prayers for you and Lucy. I have two senior fur babies and they are very important members of my family. Excellent compassionate vets are hard to find. Sounds like you are on the right track now. Keeping Lucy in our thoughts.
Sherry, Riley and Kirby????ā¤ļø
Thank you so much Sherry!!
Lucy is so sweet. Iļø donāt have a pet but Iļø love animals and always want them safe and secure. My positive thoughts are with you for Lucy.
Thanks Lee! All good thoughts welcome.
I’m so sorry you are going through this. As I write this, I am caring for my little bichon who is 8, and on Friday had to have a TPLO surgery which is for the doggie version of a torn acl muscle, only it involves cutting the bone, screws and a plate, etc. It’s intense. It’s an 8 week recovery and we are just praying for that recovery. $6,000 in, and I’m prepared to spend whatever it takes, so long as he can regain his quality of life, even an “adjusted” quality, if necessary. They are such gifts to us, aren’t they? Prayers for you and your little one.
Dear Laurie, I’m so sorry for your little sweetie. Sending prayers for a healthy recovery for your little one. Lucy is having exploratory surgery tomorrow and we are praying for a miracle.
Jennifer, I am so sorry about Lucy. She looks absolutely precious. It is so hard to see them suffer when they cannot tell us what is wrong or that they are in pain. I retired from Animal and Veterinary Sciences at Clemson, so animals were my life at work and home. UC Davis is definitely one of the best. I would never go back to either one of those vets you saw the first time…if they brush you off or do not listen to your concerns, they would be a no go for me. I used to tell my students that being a vet is as much about people as it is about the animals; every dog who walks in your clinic has a person attached to the leash, and they pay the bills. Please keep us updated on Lucyās progress.
You’re a hero to me Roxanne. Caring for animals must be so difficult because they can’t explain what hurts! I won’t be going back to either of those vets and one has been caring for our pets for over 25 years!
What a Sweetie Pie!!! I hope she gets well soon!
Thank you Karen
I’m so sorry about Lucy’s paw. Our pets are family and it’s so hard to see them suffer. Prayers for answers and a speedy recovery for your girl
She is my girl and do devoted. I’ll do whatever I can to help her. Thank you!
I had a little Yorkie who we had to put down at 14 years of age. I see Lucy’s tongue hanging out which indicates to me (from our experience) that she’s had teeth removed and her tongue has difficulty staying in her mouth. My Maggie walked 3 miles with me just 4 days before she died….picture of health, no issues. I feel your pain and completely understand. If I were standing beside you, I’d give you a hug and little Lucy, too. Now I have to quite typing so I’ll stop crying.
Oh no Sandy! I’m so sorry for your loss. Yes she’s missing bottom test and always looks like she’s sticking her tongue out. It’s so sad when they get old and ill. Xx
Sorry….just realized I had an incomplete thought in my earlier comment. We will do anything to keep our beloved pets free from pain or suffering.
I totally agree Mary!
Prayers for your sweet pup. And yes, because they give us the joy of unconditional love, we will do anything possible to help them. Keep us updated, please!
Thank you. I will!
Praying for your baby. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for my dogs/pets. Animals need health advocates just like humans. So glad you continue to look for the answers.
Thank you Mary! I’m her advocate and would do anything to get her the help she needs.
Poor little darling, I hope that they find out what is causing the problem and that she gets better soon. I had a similar frightening escalation in my elderly cat. He was 16 a was still looking fit and young and energetic but over a couple of days, he began to get fussy and eat very little. I went away for a few days, and when I came home I was astonished at how skinny he looked and got cross with my family for not giving him fresh food as it looked like they just left the food from a few days before until he ate it! But he didn’t want any of tempting treats that I gave him and I took him to the vets where they diagnosed a hugely enlarged kidney and mass on his bladder. Given his age, the fact that we about to go away and leave him for a week, and the pain that he was in and the little prospect of full recovery we all decided not to operate and to euthanise him. It was all so sudden and very distressing as I hadn’t thought that he was so close to his last days. I miss him terribly as we have decided not to get any more pets as we travel so much.
Dear Melissa, I’m so sorry for your loss. Ultimately, we must make the tough choices to give them the best quality of life. You made a hard decision. I’m prepared to do everything I can to be sure Lucy has the best quality of life. It’s hard as you know.
Good luck with your sweet little Lucy! Will say a prayer to St. Francis, patron saint of animals ,for her health.
Thank you so much Veronica! All prayers are so welcome.
Funny you should write about this now. We have two tabbies and they’ve been part of our family for 12 years. Well, one had a eye that clouded up, and began to swell. Not having pet insurance, we put the trip to the vet off. By the time we got there, the eye had to be removed. $700 later, he is stitched up and recovering very well. No, there is nothing we wouldn’t do for our “pet” family. I got these kittens when my youngest went off to college and i was experiencing “empty-nest” depression. Needless to say, 12 years later, they are a permanent part of our family.
I’m so sorry Regina! They are members of our families and firmly entrenched in our hearts.
God Bless your little doggie Lucy. Sounds like she’s finally in good hands. These dogs are fighters. My Eli is 14 almost 15 has kidney and heart failure for a year 1/2. I take him twice a week for fluids and he’s on medication. He eats like a champ, plays acts like he did as a puppy. Remember dogs love you more than you love them. You are their life. Enjoy everyday with Lucy.
Bless you Janet!! They love us so much and deserve all the care we can get them.
Jennifer, Iām sorry your sweet Lucy is having health issues. I hope you get answers quickly and she can get back to normal. Our pets are family and we will do anything for them! Our sweet Tootie turned 16 lately. So far so good. Prayers for Lucy.
Thanks Terry. Best wishes and prayers for Tooties continued health.
Oh Jennifer, I know how worried you must be. Best of luck with Lucy!! Sending you lots of positive thoughts and hugs!
Thanks Beth! We are terrified.
I hope Lucy is better soon. Our pets mean so much to us. As with our health, I learned recently we need to listen to our inner voices about what we think may be going on.
All the best to your family and Miss Lucy.
Judy in Phoenix
Thanks Judy. I completely agree and am following my inner voice to get her the best help I can.
You bet! Two hip surgeries for our Abby. She is 14. I comment that the kids are grown and gone but their dog is still here. You are correct. It is our responsibility for their health and well being. Good luck. Frustrating and concerning.
Yes! The dog is here and loves us unconditionally. Good luck with Abby!
Sending love and warm hugs to you & your fur baby Lucy. May she heal and be back to her happy self quickly. You are doing the best you can do for her.
Thanks Suzy. Xx
It saddened me to read about the shoddy care you encountered. Glad you found someone who will help Lucy. Sending best wishes for her speedy recovery. ā¤
Thanks Jen. We are praying it’s not too late.
Oh Jennifer,
I am so sorry. The love we share with these fur babies is untellable. Hugs and prayers that all will be ok.
Rosemary
Thank you Rosemary. We need all the prayers we can get and are hoping for a miracle.
I hope they find an answer and can make her comfortable. I do like the sweater you are wearing????
Thanks Gayle. I’ll be so happy if they get her out of pain. It’s all about quality of life.