The information below was written by my husband and sent to all our boating friends on Tuesday. Here is part four, written by hubby, on this continuing saga.
The Saga of Old Dogs – Part IV
We are back from the Vet and had high hopes for weight gain and good liver numbers. Unfortunately, it is not the case.
Although she is up a pound, her main liver number the Dr. is concerned about is almost 6,000 now. I think the test is for ALT, or ALC. She was near 4,000 when she had the seizures when we boated to Village West, then for two months they came down to near 2,000. Now we have a sudden spike. We are doing all the things we can and the answer is simply “Old Dog.” She is now 12 years 6 months.
In doing a bit of Google it appears that with a spike it means rapid liver problems. So as long as she is not in pain, eating and pooping, all we can all do is love her as much as we can for the time left us all.
We are currently on a cruise for the Commodores Appreciation BBQ, for the International Order of the Blue Gavel (Delta District 19), and hubby and I have tons of work to do so we are going to be rather scarce until Sunday afternoon or Monday morning. Just want you to know why we’re not around.
Yes, it is so hard when our babies get a bit of age on 'em. But we love 'em good as we can while we can.
Have yourself a lovely little cruise. I wish I were out on the water. *sigh* big hugs, hon. x0x0
We love her something awful Barb. She knows it too. It's all about her and keeping her as comfortable as possible.
We had an amazing cruise over, a blast all weekend, and an even better cruise back home. 🙂
sorry to hear about the liver number. Give Little Bit a hug and a couple ear scritches from me and Gibbs.
Enjoy your cruise.
She thanks you for the hugs and scritches Ann. 🙂
I feel your pain. I know you both will love and care for LB as long as you can. She has had a mighty good life, filled with many adventures. She is one lucky doggie. Give her tons of scritches for me, K?
Enjoy your fabulous weekend. We get 3 kids back at noon and have them till tomorrow night. I will be feeling like an old dog by then!
Big hugs, honey…
You know we will and thanks for the tons of scritches. She likes those a lot. 🙂
It's the worst, when our beloved animals gets old :-SS
It is indeed. It is indeed. 🙂
It is so hard when they get old. We are sorry Little Bit if having some troubles. As you said just love her a lot. Sandee, is Little Bit on any pain killers?? My vet told me that pred or any thing like that can bring the numbers up. I sure hope those numbers go down soon. Crossing all our paws for you Little Bit. Also thanks for putting Ande on Facebook. Take care Sandee and Zane and Little Bit and have a great week end.
Little bit only gets her allergy shots and her liver pills. She's not on any pain or anti-inflammatory medication at all. We took her of the anti-inflammatory medication when she has the two seizures in January. 🙂
Sorry to hear this and agree with what the others have said and Laika
I hope she rallies along if she isn't in pain as she is being well looked after.
Enjoy your cruise and BBQ :-h
We're with her almost 24/7. We decline many events so we don't have to leave her alone. 🙂
I'm sorry to hear about Little Bit. I still think about my boxer, Bruno. He was such a special friend and even today every time I hear a story about dogs I think about Bruno. Give Little Bit my love and you two also.
Have enjoy your cruise and have a wonderful Saturday Sandee. See ya.
Cruisin Paul
Thanks Paul. All we can do is love her. Love back to you both too. 🙂
It's hard to watch an elderly dog losing ground but you are doing the right thing for her and your family.
Have fun on your cruise.
She's our baby and we'll be here for her until the end. 🙂
Aw. It's one of the most difficult and cruel thing to witness. My heart goes out to our furry friends in pain. If only they can live forever.
Hope you're still enjoying your cruise though.
Little Bit isn't in pain. Apparently she won't be either. At some point she won't feel good, but pain isn't supposed to be in the mix. It's all the other things that can happen to her. Injury and such because she's not very mobile anymore. 🙂
Give LB an extra hug from us- Lucy sends her love also!
Will do Kathe. Thank Miss Lucy too. 🙂
We were there just months ago. Kyla was given 1 to 6 months and most likely 3. It was 3 months when she crossed a week before Christmas aged 12½. We still miss her a lot.
I so remember. We're not looking forward to this at all. 🙂
I feel for all of you. Watching sickness in a loved one is so hard. Take comfort in the fact that you're doing all you can for Little Bit and that she's fortunate to have such a loving home.
She has a loving home indeed. It's all about her at this point. 🙂
Sending love and prayers to all of you…and especially to Spike (((hugs)))
Thank honey. Little Bit appreciates it very much. 🙂
Lots of love and hugs to all of you as you face this time.
Thank honey. Love and hugs are very helpful. 🙂
As the old song goes "Old Dogs, Children and Watermelon Wine"! Your dog will be in my prayers as my 14 year old is.
We know Little Bit won't see 14. We hope she'll see 13 though. 🙂
oh sweetheart, i'm sorry. cat lost her "bobby" this year and it was such a heartache. he was a german shepherd and such an angel. i know little bit is an angel too. roche' says he's lay next to her if i'd mail him to you.
hugs, bee
xoxo
Roche and Little Bit have already been together. How sweet of Roche though. 🙂
🙁 I think that's all we can do with our furry friends…love them while we have them. Our days with them are limited. It takes a while to form a bond when you first meet them but once that bond is formed, you just love them with all you have.
It's all we can do indeed. We love her to the moon and back. 🙂
Sorry about Spike. Hope you are having a great time on your cruising weekend.
Thank Rhonda. We had a fabulous time on our cruise. 🙂
She's lucky to have you, and I'm sure you feel the same about her too!
You're spot on Rose. Spot on. 🙂
OH my heart aches to think of you and Mr. Z facing this loss. You have been amazing parents to Little Bit. Know we are thinking of you, and hope your time with her is still eons to come.
Thanks Lisa. We just love her to pieces each and every precious moment. 🙂
I'm sorry to hear the bad news, Sandee. But like you said, the best thing you can do for her is love her as much as you can and hope for the best.
And love her we do. 🙂
Sorry to hear about your dog but I'm sure she's very happy about how you have treated her and all the love that you gave her.
We treat her better than we treat ourselves. 🙂