Abi

Abi was put to sleep yesterday at home. Her cancer came back and went to her lungs. It was first noticed a couple of weeks ago. She got worse and worse. In the end she wasn’t eating and had poor quality of life. Vet had put her on codeine to reduce coughing. Want to say that although she didn’t have long, we don’t regret her amputation etc. We had a few months of watching her joy at life. Take care all and hug your dogs. Thank you for your support.

Abi and friend Jack enjoying ‘the field’. I tried to get an action shot but it turned out a bit weird! For the first time since her op she did her ‘I’m a scary monster who dashes out from the jungle’ thing. Basically, she roots around in the undergrowth and then comes hurtling out of the rough into the open towards you. She was very tired when we got home and stumbled- always scary in case she hurts a leg. But if she can’t play and get tired what quality of life would she have.

I have been trying her on a ready mixed raw food thing (Natures Menu). Not sure if we’ll stick at it as it gives her a touch of runs. We’ll try a bit longer. I may just give her it for the one meal a day and then stick to her normal for the other meal. Thinking even if this diet is not as wonderful as is sometimes claimed, decent quality food can only be a good thing. Abi seems to like the stuff, but Jack does not like it. Also ordered K9 immunity plus.

 

 

 

 

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Abi proving she can roach despite unbalanced legs.

She went for a 3rd chemo on Friday. Small blip- the vet said she had developed a heart murmur (nothing to do with the chemo). However, it is low level so not too worried. She had an X-ray to check it out so now has a new bald patch.

I can’t post the video so here is the link to Abi having fun. The video is not great as I had another dog on a lead but just to show what a happy girl she is.

Today, in our small part of the world all is well. In fact the sun is shining, the birds are singing, dogs are happy.

We went to the field. This is where Abi can run around.

To take a few steps back. The yelping reduced. We went on Tuesday to the vet for chemo and a check up. The vet’s had messed up getting the chemical in so we had to come back. I couldn’t be cross with them as they are so good. Though poor Abi had got stressed out for nothing. However, she did have a check over. The vet thought the yelping had probably been due to a pulled muscle, so you guys commenting on the previous blogs were right. Just been overdoing it.

I want to get her wearing a walking out harness so she doesn’t pull neck muscles. We have a ruffwear support harness which was used by the beautiful angel Mitch. She won’t wear it. Runs every time I pick it up. Abi is a dog with phobias. She also scared of small children and footballs, and going through kissing gates. She is a rescued dog so we don’t know much about her puppy-hood apart from she was rejected as a racing dog because she wouldn’t chase the lure. So, I am trying to desensitize her to harnesses and meanwhile have purchased an Ezydog one as recommended on the Tripwads web site for front leg amputees.  It wont come with the cool Tripawds logo as I am purchasing from the UK. Let’s hope I can get her to wear it.

So we went beck Friday for chemo. Again a stressed out dog. Chemo went fine. Abi fine but very tired.

However, today (Sunday), as she seemed a little more lively I thought we would go to her favourite place ‘the field’. It’s just a playing field but I can let her off lead and she can sniff around the hedgerows as she pleases. There’s also a bit of rough ground attached which she likes to explore. So here she is in the field, the last picture being her resting after her hop.

 

 

 

Abi is much better today. I feel so happy. While she still occasionally whimpers when she lifts her head (watching her closely suggested that was where the problem was) sometimes she doesn’t. Also, last night she did move from bed to bed but spent most of the night on one bed before moving in with me. While it might be the pain meds covering something more sinister than a pulled muscle, at least she’s comfortable now. So, I am going to cancel tomorrow’s vet appointment. She has to see the vet Tuesday anyway for the next bout of chemo so I shall explain what’s been going on to the vet then. I don’t think it can be the cancer come back as she seemed to cry more the very first time she lifted her head after a night’s sleep, so I think its probably, as others have said, a sprain or something. I will tell the vet though as when poor old Mitch’s cancer came back I told myself it was just arthritis.

It’s been a beautifully sunny weekend but I missed most of it trying to soothe Abi. Still, she enjoyed the fuss.

Abi was doing so well. Playing, running, etc. Then last night she couldn’t sleep. Every time she lay down she would whimper and then stand up again. She’s bed hopping. She did a get a couple of hours sleep but not much more. Fine standing up and hopping around, eating and drinking ok. Phoned the vet this morning. I am taking her there in first thing Monday morning. Meanwhile she’s back on metacam and also paracetemol.

Thinking if she doesn’t settle in a couple of ours will give her gabapentin too.

And its her birthday today- we were going to celebrate with a walk around the field but we better not now.

Abi can sing. She always has enjoyed a good singsong, and here she is singing.

Today we went to ‘the field’. This is one of her favourite places but alas avoided due to her ‘illness’. We did take her the day before yesterday. We went by car (before we used to walk there) so as to save her energy. Today we went again. Abi seemed even more energetic, hopping and skipping. The black dog with her is Jack.

I have been trying to get her used to wearing a harness in case she gets tired. Unfortunately Abi hates dog coats and harnesses and runs when she sees them, so I have my doubts as to whether this will ever be possible. Seems I might have to carry a scarf to support her in emergencies.

Abi last night enjoing a hide bone. First time since her op. She used to really enjoy them but has not been interested until last night.

OK, husband came back today after a couple of weeks away. That perked up Abi no end. She was making funny little noises of appreciation. She ran from him to me and back again, obviously delighted.

Last night she slept really well. Pleased about that. There had been some panting the night before.

She has now figured out that I put tablets in her cocktail sausages and she slowly chews the sausage (carefully, so as not to break the capsule) and then spits out the tablet. Luckily after today there’s no more to take (she was finishing off the last of the antibiotics)

Also bought her a Fry Bentos pie as a treat (Jack the other dog had one too). I’ve never seen her seem so hungry.

Apart from today’s pie I have started giving her some of her normal dog food mixed with the posh. The posh consisted of a selection of the higher priced pet foods that come in foil trays – Wainwrights, Nature Harvest and also some tins of Denes. She decides one day she likes one and the next day wants a different one.

She is drinking fine.

I think the effects of the chemo have about worn off. Until next time. She still goes for very short walks but we are making them slightly longer.

All in all, fingers crossed still, things ok.