5-Month Old Energy Level

[lbraxton]

Update on Zoey

Itook Zoey to the vet to be euthanized last Saturday and the vet suggested I wait 6 months. He took Zoey's hind legs and pulled them out and in and up and down and she did not respond. He said if Zoey was in pain, she would have yelped. He suggested we wait at least 6 months or until he knows for sure that she's in pain. Trust me, I had prepared myself to say good bye and the children. We left them home crying because we explained to them about her pain and suffering and that it wasn't fair to us to try and keep her around when she is in all this pain. The vet feels as if she continues to not feel pain then we can hopefully buy time for the surgery. He also wants to see her every 2-3 weeks to see how she's doing in regards to pain. He suggested we take her off the pain medication because in his opinion, she's in no pain. Her red blood cell count is almost normal and he's not too worried about it but he does want to monitor it every 2-3 weeks. I'm so confused because I just knew she was experiencing pain. I've been out of town this past week wondering if the right decision was made. I went there with all intentions of letting her go and the vet was the one that begged us to give her some more time. He feels as if she's not experiencing pain and that I'm overreacting. I don't know but I do know that I do not want her to suffer.

My husband said that he stopped giving her the pain medication and that she's been doing okay. The vet said that the pain medication makes her lethargic and that this could be part of the problem. My husband has stopped giving it to her and said that she has a lot more energy. He's in the process of trying to secure her an opthamologist appt next week.

I'll keep everyone posted and I want you all to know that I had every intention of "letting her go" last Saturday until the vet begged us to give it more time. When we brought Zoey home the kids were still upset. They were so happy to see Zoey. I think when and if the time comes again, it'll be a lot easier because the children really understood and were okay with it. They didn't want her to suffer and the day we went to have her PTS the kids took lots of pictures w/her and fixed her a really tasty meal. All this to say, I found the strength to do it and I know that I have the strength to do it when and if the time should come again.

She will be going to an opthamologist to get her eyes tested and we'll stay on top of the anemia.

Thanks for all the prayers and concerns and I will keep you all posted.

[observer]

Thanks for the update. It is good to know that you have all come to terms with whatever might happen in the future, and will be keeping close watch on all her health issues. Do let us know what the opthalmologist says!

[lbraxton]

Originally Posted by observer

Thanks for the update. It is good to know that you have all come to terms with whatever might happen in the future, and will be keeping close watch on all her health issues. Do let us know what the opthalmologist says!

I really have come to terms what may be inevitable in the future. We've honestly accepted the fact tha Zoey will not be w/us always and I had no problem telling the girls that either. The first question they asked when they saw Zoey was, "Do we get to keep her forever?" Of course, my response was, "we don't know and we'll have to take it one day at a time!" We let them know that Zoey is still sick and will require medical attention for sometime. We shared w/them what the vet said in regards to her pain and left it at that. They know that the time may come when we may have to put her to sleep. My oldest daughter suprisingly said that if she's in pain we have to PTS because she doesn't want her hurting because of us. She said she prayed to God and asked him to help her little sister (that's what she calls Zoey) and she said God answered her prayers because Zoey is back. She said that God always makes the right decisions and if Zoey has to go then she knows that God said it's okay. I had tears in my eyes after she said this because I realized it was me that wasn't ready to let go, not her, they really understood - once we sat down and explained everything to them.

To sum it up in a nutshell, we're taking it day by day and when and if the day comes that I know for sure she's in pain and the vet says she's in pain, I will be prepared to handle it immediately. I will continue to watch for the signs and deal with it when the time arises (even if it's tomorrow).

[denverday]

I had tears in my eyes after she said this because I realized it was me that wasn't ready to let go, not her, they really understood - once we sat down and explained everything to them.

I am very proud of you for being able to acknowelgde this....and it can be surprising how mature and understanding kids can be.
I hope that Zoey can continue a decent quality of life...and I am pleased to know that things will be handle in a humane manner if things deteriorate....

I will be praying for you all....

[lovemypuppies]

Thank you for the update. I am in tears but very relieved. I am impressed with the attitude of your children. God bless you all and my prayers are with you. When my "baby" was young I dreaded every vet visit, so I hope you don't think that I assumed that this visit would be easy! It must have been hellish. You have been very brave! Like a ROT!

[lbraxton]

Originally Posted by lovemypuppies

Thank you for the update. I am in tears but very relieved. I am impressed with the attitude of your children. God bless you all and my prayers are with you. When my "baby" was young I dreaded every vet visit, so I hope you don't think that I assumed that this visit would be easy! It must have been hellish. You have been very brave! Like a ROT!

I don't know if brave is what you call it. That visit to the vet for her to be PTS was hell. The vet allowed us to have the last appt so we could have as much time w/Zoey as we wanted. I lost it a little when I got to the vet because they wanted her weight and I asked them why in the hell did they need her weight if this was the last visit. My hubby calmed me down and put her on the scale. I was miserable and in tears. We went in the room and I just started holding her. Well, you know the rest, it was hell and it's still not over.

I'm in Vail, CO on travel this week and cannot enjoy myself. Everyday I've called home and asked how Zoey's doing. I cannot wait to see her.

Thanks for all the kind words and prayers and whatever you do - keep them coming.

[spoiledbabies3]

Originally Posted by lbraxton

Thanks for all the kind words and prayers and whatever you do - keep them coming.

You, Zoey and your family will be in my daily thoughts and prayers.