He’s 20 years old, and 6 months after his 2nd cancer diagnosis & CHOP treatment and he’s… doing fine? Got blood work back today and he’s great, even gained a pound, and as usual tried to murder a chipmunk on his walk today. Absolutely crazy, I got nothing.
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Congrats!
cherish every moment
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Put the chihuahua on Prozac today. Her back is all better from the disc issue but she clearly is anxious about it hurting again from being picked up or handled.
Asking her to go for a walk is terror for her. She wants to go so bad but she is so afraid of getting her harness on. She’s learned to go into her little travel bag and submit and then when she is all hooked up she is rearing to go. It would be nice if we can skip the fear part for her.
Hopefully this will cut down her anxiety.
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I have to take my cat in for a recheck ultrasound today. The instructions are to stop feeding at midnight the night before until the appointment at 4:30pm. Anyone who has a cat can imagine how that is going.
I’m also supposed to try to prevent him from peeing 1 hr before the appointment. No Problem! I’ll just tell him to hold it and he’ll understand.
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This part is insane, I mean, I get kinda just keeping him around you non-stop during that last hour, but how are you supposed to do that if he needs to?
Kennel? Worst case you might have to do some cleaning. If so, put it in a bottle and hand it to the vet. “I couldn’t keep him from going but I saved it for you!”
Every time you stand up from a sitting position the cat jumps to his feet and rushes to his food bowl, meowing every step of the way
Had to take three urine samples to be mixed for Jakes appt this week. And then they couldn’t do one of the tests because the presence of bacteria (sample contamination from an open air sample they think). Thankfully everything checked out and they decided to not get new samples now, try again at next appt in 4 months.
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Our vet typically says “nothing after dinner” the night before the ultrasound. 4:30pm would be rough. We’ve also never been told anything about peeing (maybe they realize you can’t make your cat not pee).
You’d think these instructions would be pretty consistent across the board.
Adopted a new member of the family yesterday. Meet our new 46 pound Frenchie, Juniper. She’s 2-3 years old, sweet as can be, and the largest French bulldog I’ve ever seen.
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A beaut. Congrats!
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Our roommate rescued a pit bull puppy (from abuse and being raised for breeding fighting dogs). This is Nova, 4 months.
I wasn’t ready emotionally for a puppy, but it was the right thing to do.
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Love the name and that harness.
That tongue is massive!
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After 16 years, Apollo, the tuxedo, and the first pet I’ve ever owned, is at the end of his line. 
Kidney disease diagnosed ~18 months ago has progressed, and while the levels aren’t end-stage, he is now severely anemic (17.5% HCT). Has barely eaten the last week, only will eat his favorite treat.
In clear discomfort which we’ve managed with pain meds. With kidney value not being terrible, doc suspects it is bone marrow disease, but to confirm would require a bone marrow biopsy. At his age, and recent weakness, we don’t think it’s best to put him through that, especially since if something is found (cancer or autoimmune disease) both of those have poor prognoses. I’d pay any amount to get him better - the vet has recommended that in his shoes, he would put him down.
Apollo, of course, has been a total asshole about it today. He got a steroid shot at the vet, and since that has him feeling a little better, he’s purring more than he has in a couple week, he’s back to cuddling Sputnik and humans, and he’s being the best boy again. Although still not much interest in eating.
Having not gone through this before, I can’t shake this nagging feeling that I can’t do this to him without trying every available option no matter how he might respond to it - Ms. JordanIB is (rightfully) telling me he’s in too much pain.
It sucks so so much.
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My dad was deliberately an asshole about pet end-of-life scenarios to make a point.
“Just think of how many new puppies you could buy with what a bone marrow biopsy would cost!”
Thanks DAD, it doesn’t quite work that way.
It’s tough, my heart goes out to you. I’ve always kept faith that the dog will tell you when it’s time.
All of Apollo’s pain is gone now. He’s front of the line in kitty heaven for sure.
It’s pricier, but I highly recommend having someone come into the home at the end. Apollo was able to lay on us and fall asleep a happy boy, eating his favorite Churu treats. He was purring.
Good night my best boy.
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