Oliver, my sunshine

[sofiesmom]

I wasn't going to do this, but now I am. I'm asking for prayers for Oliver. He's getting a biopsy on Thursday. Here's his story:

About four weeks ago, I noticed that he wasn't pooping much, and when he was, it was an effort. I thought it was just simple constipation. The vet said to give him mineral oil. That didn't work. One of his back feet started turning under. This had happened before a couple of years agoafter an injury. Apparently his two lower vertabrae don't have enough space between them and he can have nerve issues. Getting him neutered helped with this as his prostate became less enlarged. So, anyway, we went back to the doctor because I was so worried about his foot turning under. It turns out that he has a mass inside of him. We don't yet know if it is benign or cancerous. He got an enima, and is taking Lactulose (a laxitive), so going to the bathroom is easier. If the mass is benign, he'll have to be on the Lactulose for the rest of his life...fine with me. He's lost more than ten pounds in four weeks. It's very tricky getting him to eat. Ground Lamb is the thing he likes now. I'm not so worried about proper nutrition right now, I just want him to eat. I'm so scared. The vet that's doing his biopsy is such a negative person. He only gave Oliver a 50/50 chance of making it two years ago, and Ollie returned to perfect health. His other vet (more positive) could do the biopsy, but it would be a couple of weeks later. The not knowing is so hard. I don't want to sound sappy and pitiful, but I'd sure appreciate prayers/ and or good thoughts.

[coffee1950j]

Prayers coming your way for Oliver.

:rose:

[incidentally]

Sofiesmom,

You don't sound sappy and pitiful. You sound like someone who loves her furbaby, Oliver, very, very much.

My prayers go out to you and Oliver.

tally

[kitty1182]

Good thoughts and prayers for Oliver..

[Carol25]

Sofiesmom, we all understand completely. My prayers are with you and Oliver as well! We will be knocking out those negative vibes for sure! :wub:

Prayers done and will continue!

[sofiesmom]

Thank you so much, everyone. I was so afraid that he wasn't going to make it until his biopsy on thr 16th. But now I think he will. He has two vets...one positive, one negative. they're in the same group and give me second opinions. I've never had to deal with possible euthanesia, and I asked the positive vet about that...I don't want him to suffer. She said to weigh his good days against his not so good days. She said that when the bad days outweigh the good days, he will let me know that he's tired of living. He's only seven.

I hate,hate,hate to say this, but I've had fleeting moments when I think it would be a relief for him to just be put to sleep. But then I realize that I need to be strong and do whatever in order to save him.


He's such an athletic boy. He hates being crippled. He was having a pretty good day last week and he tried to jump up on the window sill(sp). It's his special trick. He fell. It broke my heart.

Today's pretty bad. He can't put any weight on one of his back legs. I'm so afraid that the mass (cancerous or benign) has grown to the point that it's pressing hard on nerves that go to his back leg.

I've made a conscious decision to think positively (at least in front of him). When I cry, I go to the bedroom.

[bkwits]

Dear Sofiesmom

I've only had my Annabel for six months, but I would be devastated if anything happened to her. She is my constant companion and best friend. We have truly bonded. So..I do feel your pain. I will pray for you and Oliver.
:wub:

[CHITCHAT]

I am praying for your baby Oliver...I hope something can be done to help him...I have my baby for two yrs now...I dont know what I'd do without her. They give such true uncommplicated love. Common Olie get better.

[Noahs ARK]

Thank you so much, everyone. I was so afraid that he wasn't going to make it until his biopsy on thr 16th. But now I think he will. He has two vets...one positive, one negative. they're in the same group and give me second opinions. I've never had to deal with possible euthanesia, and I asked the positive vet about that...I don't want him to suffer. She said to weigh his good days against his not so good days. She said that when the bad days outweigh the good days, he will let me know that he's tired of living. He's only seven.

I hate,hate,hate to say this, but I've had fleeting moments when I think it would be a relief for him to just be put to sleep. But then I realize that I need to be strong and do whatever in order to save him.


He's such an athletic boy. He hates being crippled. He was having a pretty good day last week and he tried to jump up on the window sill(sp). It's his special trick. He fell. It broke my heart.

Today's pretty bad. He can't put any weight on one of his back legs. I'm so afraid that the mass (cancerous or benign) has grown to the point that it's pressing hard on nerves that go to his back leg.

I've made a conscious decision to think positively (at least in front of him). When I cry, I go to the bedroom.

First of all - I'd refuse to work with the negative vet. It's one thing to be realistic, but not negative. I think they take that attitude into the operating room with them.

Secondly - regarding euthanasia. Are you trying to "save him" for you or for him? If he's in pain and his quality of life has drastically gone downhill, is the treatment going to change any of that or are you just prolonging his misery?

I think at this point all you can do is wait for the biopsy results. If he does have a benigh growth, maybe removing it will take that pressure off his back leg(s).

I'll be sending lots of prayers for you and Oliver. :wub:

[sofiesmom]

First of all - I'd refuse to work with the negative vet. It's one thing to be realistic, but not negative. I think they take that attitude into the operating room with them.

Secondly - regarding euthanasia. Are you trying to "save him" for you or for him? If he's in pain and his quality of life has drastically gone downhill, is the treatment going to change any of that or are you just prolonging his misery?

I think at this point all you can do is wait for the biopsy results. If he does have a benigh growth, maybe removing it will take that pressure off his back leg(s).

I'll be sending lots of prayers for you and Oliver. :wub:Thanks, Ms Noah. I'm hoping for removal of a benign growth.

I'm not trying to save him for me, but because I think he's a valuable being. I also don't think he's feeling much pain at all right now. I think his having a hard time walking is hurting his ego more than anything. I'm not going to let him suffer if there's no hope. We just have to wait.

As far as working with the negative vet, I don't want to, but he was the first available and I felt such a sense of urgency to make an appointment. The positive vet is in the same practice, but in a different office across town. If there's any question about negative vet's prognosis, Oliver will go see positive vet for a second opinion.

I know you guys love your furkids as much as I love mine...that's why I chose to post about Oliver here. But I just want to tell why Ollie's a little extra special to me. I was his bio dad and mom's mommy. He was the runt of the litter. He was so puny, we didn't think he would make it. But make it he did...and then some. He's the end of that line. That doesn't really matter. He's an individual. But that thought does enter my brain every once in a while.

Thank you all for listening,

[Noahs ARK]

You're right - we love our furkids as much as you love yours. We tend to get the underdogs - the abused, starved, runts, dumped ones, so I know how attached you can get when you've saved them.

I hope I didn't offend you in my post. After I read what I posted, it did sound a bit harsh and I certainly didn't mean for it to sound that way. It's just that I've seen so many people let an animal suffer because they can't let go and it pains me to even think about it.

I've worked with negative vets before - they're the ones that told me to "kill" my Cookie-girl cuz she'd never be normal and wasn't worth fighting for. 15 years later...she's alive & well, sleeping in my bedroom. Disabled, but alive & well. (She got kicked in the head and had severe neurological damage, but no pain. I had my physical therapists at work put together a therapy program for her and it worked wonders!)

We're all praying for you and Oliver!! :wub:

[drip~drop1]

Many Prayers for Oliver and you. I do hope things go well for you both.

I have learned 2 things in the past 89 days.
Our darling furbabies try their best to hide their ailments from us
and
You'll know when things take a drastic change. The eyes will tell all.
:(

[withay]

Prayers for you and Ollie. And you will know when and if it is time to let him go. I recently went through this with my much loved Lucy but she was much , much older. Hopefully, Ollie has many years left. But you will know.:wub:

[5boxersmom]

For you and Oliver.:rose:

[sofiesmom]

Thanks again for all the kind and helpful words. Oliver's having a semi good day today. His bark is strong and his eyes look good and he's still showing interest in his normal things. Walking is pretty difficult, though. He won't eat yet so I'm going to the store now to get some ground beef or lamb. Tomorrow's biopsy day and I'm so afraid. I can barely function. I wish I could think positively, but I'm not doing so good at that. I checked my blood pressure this morning and it was 145/100...normally it's @ 112/67. My mind is going to really bad places.

[Noahs ARK]

He won't eat yet so I'm going to the store now to get some ground beef or lamb. Tomorrow's biopsy day and I'm so afraid. I can barely function. I wish I could think positively, but I'm not doing so good at that. I checked my blood pressure this morning and it was 145/100...normally it's @ 112/67. My mind is going to really bad places.

Baby food is good when they're not feeling well.

[mafitz701]

Me and my furbabies are praying hard for you and Oliver. You are most certainly not doing the wrong thing by fighting for him, and it is perfectly normal to have doubts or to think about putting him to sleep. When your caught in such a situation your mind races back and forth with conflicting emotions and resolutions.

We fought for Peanut but it turns out from the autopsy that she was fighting a losing battle because the Parvo was more advanced than what her physical symptoms had shown. It means she had it when we found her. Had I known I would have put her to sleep, but tumors are another story.

Two of the old Bassets we took in had tumors, and the oldest one had a lot of them that had to be removed. We were constantly told to put him down because of the expense but we didn't. He lived to be about 14 years old before he died from massive heart failure. He was supposedly not going to make it past 9 or 10.

The second one we euthanized because his cancer was malignant and he had other underlying medical issues that would have resulted in him dieing during the treatment. And he could not go under anesthesia for removal of many of them. He went to his deep sleep at the aprox. age of 10.

What I am saying is that you need to trust your own instincts, listen to everything the "positive" vet is telling you, and listen to Oliver. I promise you, you will know if or when it is time for the deep sleep.

[drip~drop1]

Thanks again for all the kind and helpful words. Oliver's having a semi good day today. His bark is strong and his eyes look good and he's still showing interest in his normal things. Walking is pretty difficult, though. He won't eat yet so I'm going to the store now to get some ground beef or lamb. Tomorrow's biopsy day and I'm so afraid. I can barely function. I wish I could think positively, but I'm not doing so good at that. I checked my blood pressure this morning and it was 145/100...normally it's @ 112/67. My mind is going to really bad places.

I wish you and Oliver the best of luck tomorrow.
Noah is right---baby food. We usually used chicken or beef, popped the top off and nuked til warm. Then they were finger fed the baby food.

[sofiesmom]

I got some turkey baby food and mixed it with his Bil*Jac (his favorite dog food). After he finished a normal amount, he was pawing at his bowl asking for seconds. I was thrilled.

Your success stories are helping me have some hope for now. Hopefully we'll have
good news tomorrow. I'll talk to you then.

I really need you guys. Nobody in my family really understands loving a dog so much. My husband is helpful, and he does love our dogs, but his love isn't quite as protective and personal.

[Noahs ARK]

Your success stories are helping me have some hope for now.

That's such good news that he ate his food ans asked for more!

You should always have hope until your vet (the positive one) tells you otherwise....we're all praying for you and Oliver!!

[mafitz701]

How did Oliver's biopsy procedure go? How long will it take to have the results? How long will he be at the vet's for the recovery? Have they talked to you about what they want to do with treatment? Are they going to wait till the results are back or start treatment? I hope Oliver is doing okay. We are still pulling for him.

[sofiesmom]

How did Oliver's biopsy procedure go? How long will it take to have the results? How long will he be at the vet's for the recovery? Have they talked to you about what they want to do with treatment? Are they going to wait till the results are back or start treatment? I hope Oliver is doing okay. We are still pulling for him.The biopsy was finished early this morning. They didn't think he'd have to have general anesthesia, but he did. When we picked him up, he was out in a nice yard and immediately saw us and was so excited. I got to go get him to bring him back in. He limply ran to me (which scared me, but it was ok). Results will be in Monday at the earliest. It's going to be an agonizingly long weekend. When we got home, I needed to be away from the house for a little over an hour, but Dad was going to be with him...I haven't left him alone in over three weeks. My life's been on hold, but I don't mind. I'd never forgive myself if something bad happened and no one was there.

When I returned home, my husband told me proudly that he and Ollie had been on a walk. I was livid. It's uphill, and Oliver's quite lame right now. But of course, he can ignore some pain to get to do what he loves. I know I do it all the time at the gym. But you pay for it later, and he's been crying ever since. I'm sure it's from pain and his walking is worse than ever now. He hasn't whined once since he got sick. Also, he's lost another six pounds in the past two weeks despite eating fairly well. I sort of think that he probably needs to save whatever protein/fats/carbs/vitamins and minerals he's absorbing for purposes other than burning those needed calories for painful exercise.

As for treatment, it hasn't been discussed, but I have a list of questions concerning the possible scenarios.

I just thought of something that I meant to ask the vet upon picking Oliver up, but he wasn't available: Would this procedure cause pain afterwards? Maybe that's why he seems worse tonight. Does anyone know? Maybe I could at least ask the nurse tomorrow.

He finally seems comfortable at least. I keep staring at him to make sure he's breathing. I'm afraid to go to sleep.

Again, I'm grateful for the support. You all deserve a bouquet of :rose::rose:.

[drip~drop1]

Bless Ollies little heart.....he wanted to please his daddy and do what he loves. I totally understand how your love for Ollie is and I can tell you love him heart and soul.

In quick answer to your question, Ollie probably does have some pain. Usually the vet will give furbaby a long acting pain medication during surgery, lasts about 6-8 hours if I recall correctly.

I'll keep your little boy in my prayers.

[withay]

Give Ollie some creamy Peanut butter. It's fattening, great protein and energy source and I have never met a dog who did not like it. When I have had rescues I needed to fatten up, or after surgery, it has worked.

[warhorse46]

Give Ollie some creamy Peanut butter. It's fattening, great protein and energy source and I have never met a dog who did not like it. When I have had rescues I needed to fatten up, or after surgery, it has worked.


I'll have to introduce you to my 4 house dogs, they do not like peanut butter. The Rotts outside love it tho.

[mafitz701]

Give Ollie some creamy Peanut butter. It's fattening, great protein and energy source and I have never met a dog who did not like it. When I have had rescues I needed to fatten up, or after surgery, it has worked.

YEP! We did the exact same thing to put the meat back on their bones! They love it.

[mafitz701]

The biopsy was finished early this morning. They didn't think he'd have to have general anesthesia, but he did. When we picked him up, he was out in a nice yard and immediately saw us and was so excited. I got to go get him to bring him back in. He limply ran to me (which scared me, but it was ok). Results will be in Monday at the earliest. It's going to be an agonizingly long weekend. When we got home, I needed to be away from the house for a little over an hour, but Dad was going to be with him...I haven't left him alone in over three weeks. My life's been on hold, but I don't mind. I'd never forgive myself if something bad happened and no one was there.

When I returned home, my husband told me proudly that he and Ollie had been on a walk. I was livid. It's uphill, and Oliver's quite lame right now. But of course, he can ignore some pain to get to do what he loves. I know I do it all the time at the gym. But you pay for it later, and he's been crying ever since. I'm sure it's from pain and his walking is worse than ever now. He hasn't whined once since he got sick. Also, he's lost another six pounds in the past two weeks despite eating fairly well. I sort of think that he probably needs to save whatever protein/fats/carbs/vitamins and minerals he's absorbing for purposes other than burning those needed calories for painful exercise.

As for treatment, it hasn't been discussed, but I have a list of questions concerning the possible scenarios.

I just thought of something that I meant to ask the vet upon picking Oliver up, but he wasn't available: Would this procedure cause pain afterwards? Maybe that's why he seems worse tonight. Does anyone know? Maybe I could at least ask the nurse tomorrow.

He finally seems comfortable at least. I keep staring at him to make sure he's breathing. I'm afraid to go to sleep.

Again, I'm grateful for the support. You all deserve a bouquet of :rose::rose:.

Yes what Drip-Drop said. Did they give him a painkiller? Poor hubby and Ollie, I doubt hubby realised that right now Oliver needs to be resting and chilling as much as possible. And little Oliver is going "oh yeah I am going to be okay"

Liken the biopsy to a spay procedure maybe a little harder on the dog but similar in pain threshold for what was done on Oliver. Typically when it is that invasive there is going to be more pain, even more than what you would find when you have a tumor removed from closer to the surface.

We are still praying for you all. He can make it through, and his vet needs to be taking a proactive position with him in the healing and not in the area of deciding "is he beyond help".

[sofiesmom]

Thanks for the info on pain, drip drop and mafitz. I'm pretty sure now that you're right about the after procedure pain.

Gotta tell you something: I do believe in the power of prayer, but I'm not one to always be looking for "signs". Anyway this amazing thing happened Thurs night (the night after the biopsy). Oliver finally fell asleep...a very deep sleep. It was hard to even tell if he was breathing. I kept waking him up to make sure he was alive. It was really hard to get him to open his eyes, and they looked very droopy when he finally did. I'm sure he didn't appreciate this, but I was so afraid he was going to go to sleep and never wake up. After hours of this, I did go to bed in the wee hours. I decided that a different kind of prayer was in order. All through this, I've been praying for a positive long term outcome, but that night I just asked for God to watch over him and keep him safe until morning. The second after "Amen", I heard him shaking his head. Then I heard his footsteps. Then my husband and Oliver were beside the bed. Hubby said that Ollie wanted to sleep with me. He picked him up, and Ollie went straight to his old spot on the bed and stayed there until time to get up! What a comfort!

Another cool thing happened yesterday. Let me quickly preface this by saying that the "positive" vet told me that one way to judge how well he's doing on any given day is his interest in playing. I told her that Oliver doesn't play. He has no interest in balls, tuggies of any play toy. The only thing he seems to take pleasure in are walks and neck/back rubs. So anyway, yesterday, he got up on the couch and sat down beside me...I took off one cushin(sp) so that it's easy for him to step up onto the rest of the couch. He started pawing at my arm. That's his way of demanding a rub. Needless to say, he got a great massage. It felt so good to both of us...just like old times.

[kitty1182]

That's great Sofiesmom....:smile:

God loves our furbabies too...

[drip~drop1]

Keeping the Prayers for Ollie going. I'm so glad he is acting like Ollie. :)
We'll be with you tomorrow in spirit.

[mafitz701]

Dogs just have their way of communicating in the clearest manner possible don't they?!?

We are still praying hard for you all as well. Oliver deserves all the extra strength we can send his way, and so do you!

[sofiesmom]

Oliver doesn't have cancer!!!!!!!!!!! "Negative" vet acted disappointed that he was wrong. He said that he still doesn't think Oliver's prognosis is good. That the mass will cause serious problems down the road. Whatever. I think he's just upset that he's been wrong twice about Oliver. The biopsy showed that he has a bad prostate infection. He will take his antibiotics and get that under control. I hope his walking gets better as the infection leaves him. Both of the vets have stressed that Ollie will have to continue taking the Lactulose (Laxitive) for the rest of his life. That's fine with me. Get this: 8 oz of that stuff is @ $30. I asked if there was some way we could get the price down. That's over $120 a month. Later they called and said they could get us 16 oz for $45. Well, I went to Walmart pharmacy with a bottle of the stuff and asked if they could sell it to us. They had it right there and scanned it. It's only $7.99 for 16 oz! I think I got that all screwed up, but what it boils down to is that we will pay only 50 cents an ounce from Walmart as opposed to $3.00/oz from the vet for the very same thing! A vet will have to call it in. I didn't even know this was done. I don't think "negative" vet will do it, but I bet "positive" vet will.

Shortly after getting the good news, I went to bed and slept for six straight hours. I never go to sleep while it's light outside. It was such sweet relief sleep.

Thank you all for helping me through this. Right now, I feel like there's nothing I can't handle. I know this feeling won't last forever, but I sure am going to enjoy the moment.

[drip~drop1]

That's excellent news sofiesmom! WOOO-HOOOO!!!
Good boy Ollie!
I'm so excited for y'all!

[withay]

I have also found that Drs Fosters and Smith pet supply on the internet has prescription medication prices that usually are substantially less than the vet. Just for your information...

And I am soo happy to hear good news about Oliver.

[kitty1182]

Wonderful news!! :wub:

[5boxersmom]

Great news. :thumbsup:

[R~O~S]

Sofie's Mom......

I didn't dare comment for fear of jinxing Oliver, your story so much reminded me of how I lost my Nakita.

I'm so happy for you. I'm so happy for Oliver. Best wishes to you both.

[incidentally]

I'm so pleased to know Ollie does not have cancer.

Still praying for your wee one.

[sofiesmom]

Sofie's Mom......

I didn't dare comment for fear of jinxing Oliver, your story so much reminded me of how I lost my Nakita.

I'm so happy for you. I'm so happy for Oliver. Best wishes to you both.I'm sorry. :rose: I've had to refrain from commenting in the past for the same reason.

withay, thanks for reminding me of Fosters and Smith. I knew about them, but had forgotten.

I just wish Oliver's walking would get better soon. He's not putting any weight on his bad leg today. I'm really not sure what's going on with that or how much improvement to expect as the antibiotics do their job. He did make a full recovery before with lots of rest when he had this trouble, so maybe it's not too much to hope for this time.

[drip~drop1]

I'm sorry. :rose: I've had to refrain from commenting in the past for the same reason.

withay, thanks for reminding me of Fosters and Smith. I knew about them, but had forgotten.

I just wish Oliver's walking would get better soon. He's not putting any weight on his bad leg today. I'm really not sure what's going on with that or how much improvement to expect as the antibiotics do their job. He did make a full recovery before with lots of rest when he had this trouble, so maybe it's not too much to hope for this time.

We have 2 extra bottles of Dr Franks. I forgot to cancel when my Boo passed. :( Don't need em here so if you want one to try....

[Lyndilu1]

Gosh SofiesMom, I had no idea you were going through all of this. I just seen this thread. I am so sorry! I should have been there for you.

I'm glad your baby doesn't have cancer. Hopefully this can be treated for a long and happy life with your baby.

Call me sometime, and we'll compare fur baby stories. I got a new one.

[Noahs ARK]

I just now read the update on Oliver - great news!! :wub:

You shouldn't have any problems getting your vet to either call the pharmacy or write a prescription. My vet does it when she knows I can get it cheaper there than their office.