Worrying about my pup

[Kathryn]

You certainly have had too much at one time...hope at least Currey perks up today. Your mom is a real sweetheart to visit right now too.

You are all in our thoughts and wishes...

[Pepper Bug's Mom]

Pepper and I have been watching in the background and hope that you and Currey make it through this difficult time. Our prayers are with you and your family and we are hoping for the best with Currey.

[jodi0553]

Currey's bloodwork came back and the short version from the vet is - "not bad, I've certainly seen worse". So, not good...his liver enzymes are up even higher, but he had a good night last night and slept peacefully. His skin is healing well, so that's exciting. We gotta get some nutrition in him though. I'm so worried about that. He'll probably need to get his central line put back in for that, which definitely stresses him out. I am going to have to leave him from Friday afternoon till Sunday afternoon and am really scared to do so. He's going to go back into the doggy hospital as an inpatient, which might be bad for his morale. I am going to talk to the vet today to see if he's allowed to have visitors that aren't his people, and try to send him some visitors.

[pkcrossley]

he's doing the classic version of hanging in. impressive, given what he is going through.

if they can get nutrition to him, which they clearly can, they can keep him going till you get back. it will be hard for him. but hold him a lot till then, and if there is any way at all that people he knows can visit him, i expect the hospital will be able to understand he importance of keeping his morale up. you won't be away that long, though i know that it will scary for you. you have to do one thing at a time. currey may pick up more than we know. they have slight psychic streak, after all. he knows very well that you would never abandon him, and if you are not around for a day (saturday, in fact), he will figure there is a good reason.

[BetsyNoodle]

Jodi, my heart is breaking for you. You and Andy have my deepest condolences for the loss of his Dad. I know you are concerned about leaving Curry, but it sounds like he will be in good hands at the animal hospital. I hope the vets will allow some of your friends to visit with him while you are away, even if it's only for a few minutes at a time. I once had to leave my little Min Pin in the hospital and go out of town for a couple of days. He was very closely bonded to me and I worried that he would be stressed. I took a small towel and rubbed my scent on it, and the vet put it in his hospital cage. She said he snuggled into that towel every night while I was away.

We will be sending even more prayers and positive thoughts your way during this stressful time.

Melissa

[hheldorfer]

Jodi, if we all lived in Albany you'd have lots of visitors for Currey.

One day at a time, one step at a time . . . Hang in there.

Helene

[Hawkeye]

Jodi, I'm so sorry for your family loss. You and Andy have had such a tough time recently, my heart goes out to both of you. It has to be very difficult to leave Currey at this time, but the best place for him will be at the animal hospital.

I'll keep all of you in my thoughts & prayers...

[mrseggcup]

WOOF! Eli here. Currey dude, I am so sorry you and your family are going thru this. You have always been a loyal CUR member. I wish I could come a visit you when your uprights are out of town. I would sneak you a bully stick. If you didn't feel like eating it you could always hide it for later. Man, I hope you get better soon!

Woof!

Eli

[Rohnda]

Wow Jodi... a little good news. I hope the rest of this week goes smoothly for Currey. I am hoping that each day Currey gains some strength so that when you have to leave this weekend he will just think he's at the spa getting special treatment!! Hugs to you all!

[jodi0553]

Well, some more good news. A former student of mine who is a vet tech at our regular vet's office is willing and able to care for Currey at our home this weekend. She's going to spend the night with him and when she's not around because of some prior engagements, she's going to send over one of her two closest friends who are also vet techs who know Currey (one works reception at the emergency clinic so she knows all about Currey's recent history and the other was the tech that helped with our last few visits to the regular vet before being transferred to emergency/specialists). They aren't vets, but they are well trained and know how to deal with a special pup. They also both know Currey, and Currey really likes the girl who will have the main responsibility. Our vet thinks this is a way better solution for Currey than hospitalization and has said if things go bad, the emergency clinic is always there and these ladies know it well and will take him there. I do have a fear that Currey is fighting because I'm fighting and if I am gone for a couple days he may leave me, and his sitter did tell me that animals sometimes do that - they fight because you are at their side fighting and they won't say goodbye till you are not around. I know all sorts of things could go wrong while I'm gone, but also know I must go to my family and grieve for our loss and hope it is our only loss this week. I will be gone for just over 48 hours and he'll have near constant attention from sweet loving people in that time. great, huh?

Currey got a pile of meds to take him through the weekend including an appetite stimulant that seems to have had some effect - a piece of stinky jerky got three sniffs this evening before he turned away, which is more than any food has gotten in several days! If he doesn't eat by Monday, we have discussed a feeding tube. I have a pretty strong aversion to the invasiveness of it, but our vet thinks it is the absolute best way to stimulate his gastrointestinal system and get him eating again and prefers it quite a bit over IV nutrition because of the likely problem that he is afraid of digestion being painful. Tonight, he has some perk to him and even tried to drag me with his leash the way he wanted to go when I had him out earlier which was just silly and adorable. He even wagged his little shaved rat tail a bit! He's still weak and his liver is really not working well, but he seems to be resting easy most of the time in his own bed with way less whimpers and moans than the first night we had him home. Last night he was so quiet at one point when I woke up that I just had to reach over and make sure he was still there and breathing. His swelling (edema) has gone down enough now that he can lay in just about any position comfortably. I can't tell you how wonderful it is to have him by my side again. I just hope that next week both Andy and I can experience this joy together.

[pkcrossley]

you are phenomenal. whatever is possible to accomplish here, you will accomplish.

i understand your fears about leaving currey, but you have to. do what you can to get him to understand that you will be back very soon and expect to see him when you return. it may get through. you and he have been through a lot lately, you have a special communication. i hope he continues to improve, and remember it is only saturday that he will not see you. and being at home will be a tremendous comfort to him.

my first dog had a stroke the day my grandmother died, and i had to leave him for five days to go to the funeral. i was terrified that he would die while i was away, and at one point a tech mistakenly told me on the phone that he had died. he was unable to control his body temperature and his systems were all failing dramatically, but he waited for me. they can understand when that is the right thing to do.

[BetsyNoodle]

I think it is wonderful that Curry is going to be able to stay home. The familiar surroundings will certainly help him relax and lower his stress. Also, I think the feeding tube is a excellent idea, and may jump-start his appetite. IMHO, it certainly is preferable to parenteral nutrition if he can tolerate it.

God bless.

[Emma_]

Great that you have such an ideal currey carer x

[josie&holly]

It is is lovely that you have some carers for Currey whilst you need to be with Andy and family, and he will feel happier for being at home with familiar smells around him even if you are not there.

Will be thinking about you all.

[jo_]

That's such great news. I'm sure being in his own home is really going to help him. And as pkcrossley mentions, there will only be one day he won't see you. You'll see him Friday before you leave and then return Sunday so that only leaves Saturday. I'm sure it will seem like a lifetime to you but Curry will be in his own home, in his own bed with your scent surrounding him with very capable people caring for him.

I'm taking the leash pulling and tail wagging as a good sign...the little guy still has some spunk and life in him! Try to stay positive....I'm sure some of your energy is transferring to your sweet boy.

[ScruffynMag]

That is great news that Currey can stay at home where everything is familiar to him and surrounded by the scents and smells he knows so well.

Thinking about you all and you'll be back in no time x

[Tami]

I've just re-read this thread and feel so bad for you and Currey. I'm hoping that he keeps being strong and that he'll get better soon. It's so amazing how these little guys become such important family members. Thinking good thoughts for you and yours.

[Sam I Am]

Jock is crossing his paws and I am crossing fingers and toes that Currey does well while you are away. Home is where I am sure he wants to be.

[Rohnda]

Oh Jodi... such wonderful news that Currey gets to continue to stay home. I'm so glad that you have such good care lined up for him. Such a good sitter will allow you to easier do what you need to do with your family this weekend. I continue to send positive thoughts your way that you and your family are getting through this sad time together and that Currey continues on getting stronger.

[Hawkeye]

Jodi, that is great news Currey will be able to stay at home where he will be the most comfortable and you can go tend to your family. Currey is so lucky to have such a wonderful mommy & daddy who will do whatever it takes. Thinking of you and your family during this trying time.

[Kathryn]

Currey is in my thoughts - as are you and Andy - each night before I go to bed. I hope he sleeps well and finds something worth eating in the next few days.

Allie, T Bone and I all really really want him to get better and join his family as a healthy happy dog.

[tlwtheq]

Just thinking of Currey. Give him lots of hugs and kisses for us.

[BetsyNoodle]

We are still holding Currey close in our thoughts and continuing to send prayers....

[jodi0553]

Hi all. We lost Currey this morning. My heart is breaking so many ways and it was so hard to make the decision, but it was time and he and I both knew it. His little body just couldn't fight the cancer anymore. I don't know when I'll be back, but you are all some of the most wonderful people and doggies on the planet. Please hug your pups for me and make sure they know how much you love them.

Jodi

[Meggie]

Ohno. So very sorry. xoxoxo I have no words.