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Blue
Aug 11, 2010 2:11:50 GMT
Post by bluelou on Aug 11, 2010 2:11:50 GMT
He's not a memory yet, but Blue has become shockingly and unexpectedly unwell over the weekend. Unless there's an amazing miracle overnight then we'll probably have to let him go tomorrow afternoon. It's 3am and I can't get to sleep - too many upsetting thoughts circling around my head
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Blue
Aug 11, 2010 6:37:14 GMT
Post by Rubyshoes on Aug 11, 2010 6:37:14 GMT
Oh my God Sue -I'm so very sorry and shocked to read this. Sending love and healing thoughts. I so hope there is an improvement. H xx
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Blue
Aug 11, 2010 6:55:27 GMT
Post by Ian on Aug 11, 2010 6:55:27 GMT
Here's hoping for good news rather than bad today...!
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Blue
Aug 11, 2010 7:30:30 GMT
Post by suelovinit on Aug 11, 2010 7:30:30 GMT
Im so sorry we all have our fingers and paws crossed for you today.xx
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Blue
Aug 11, 2010 8:11:25 GMT
Post by richard on Aug 11, 2010 8:11:25 GMT
I have never been good at talking at these times, I think Sue is picking up my bug. We have suspected that something is wrong with Blue for 3 months or so but everybody thought it is was his back. We have had x-rays which showed a bit of arthritis but nothing major, it just looked like a sports injury but we have also checked his thyroid and he was due for more tests this week. Otherwise he seemed in very good health, putting on a bit of weight which we put down to less mad running around in the heat. We were also so pleased that the annual improvement in his coat was really going well.
Thursday morning he was still running around, still making the ground shake as he went past. Thursday night he was in with the emergency vet. He seemed to be in extreme pain. Nerves and reflexes were checked, seemed ok so he got a big shot of Rimadyl (anti-inflammatory, painkiller) and Sue started feeding him Tramadol (I think it is an opiate based painkiller, exceedingly strong).
He did not have a good weekend. Obviously another Vet visit and several phonecalls. Having a sister who is a Vet is very useful as we could ring her and she suggested a more robust treatment plan - our Vets are good but sometimes a little timid. Monday morning Sue got him referred to a specialist clinic and seen that morning. He was kept in, put on fluids and some serious drugs to make him comfortable. The tests on reflex actions were not good - they do a test where the bend the foot round and put it down the wrong way. He should put it right straightaway.
Yesterday he got MRI scanned (cost is eyewatering, we would always have found the space on a credit card but thankfully he is fully covered by M&S). They found several problems which I will explain in a lay fashion. The "minor" problem is a large tumour in his pituitary gland - it looks almost golf ball size on the screen but I think that the screen shows everything double size - his head fills the screen. More significantly his spinal cord has a growth inside the cord for about 4 ridges on his back. The side effect is that spinal cord fluid can't circulate properly so there are two big sacks growing in his brain and a few nasty changes there. Everything is under pressure so it is likely that if they try to sample the growth or fluid that side of the growth then there will be a blow-out which will kill him. The growth is not a blood clot, nor does it take up dye like a typical tumour. Likely disease is something exceedingly rare the name of which starts with necrotising so never good.
When we saw him yesterday he was in a sad state but largely because he was only 1 hour out from being knocked out for quite a while as they did several runs of the MRI. He is on a massive dose of steroids today in case that could help with the spinal cord. If they help then there should be clear signs with 24 hours.
I have just heard that Blue died this morning so I am jumping in the car and will take pack mate Lou to see him and we can all say our goodbyes. I am sorry but I cannot write any more.
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Blue
Aug 11, 2010 8:45:56 GMT
Post by patshep on Aug 11, 2010 8:45:56 GMT
Richard and Sue
So very sorry to hear about Blue. At times like this it is difficult to find words of comfort. He had a fantastic life with you, gave you so much love in return and he will always have a place in your hearts.
Lou will miss him too, but she will have Lynx for companionship short term. Perhaps it was fate that he came to you.
Take care
Pat S
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Blue
Aug 11, 2010 9:11:54 GMT
Post by bertiesmum on Aug 11, 2010 9:11:54 GMT
I'm so so sorry, blue had a loving and amazing life with you, take care, love and wishes xxx
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jennyr
Full Member
Mousha (Blue Moucha)
Posts: 224
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Blue
Aug 11, 2010 10:36:56 GMT
Post by jennyr on Aug 11, 2010 10:36:56 GMT
I am so very sorry to hear this terribly sad news. It is only too clear that Blue had a fantastic life with you and was dearly, dearly loved by you. Please know that you are both very much in my thoughts at the moment. Jenny x
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Blue
Aug 11, 2010 11:30:33 GMT
Post by bluelou on Aug 11, 2010 11:30:33 GMT
Many thanks for the kind messages - they mean a lot to us.
Blue is the 3rd dog that we've sent to the rainbow bridge but it doesn't get any easier and it's been shockingly quick - we're still adapting to it. Lynx and Lou are a great comfort to us and each other - fate indeed!
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Blue
Aug 11, 2010 11:36:32 GMT
Post by richard on Aug 11, 2010 11:36:32 GMT
Having Lynx has been so so good at this time. He is such a cheerful soul and it has been wonderful watching him put on a bit of weight and seeing his muscle tone come back
Lou behaved exactly as my sister predicted, went up to Blue, quite a few sniffs and then turned away, well tried to get out of the building but she is always like that in the vets. I don't think she will be wondering where he has gone, she knows. Interestingly we went for a walk afterwards and she was a bit Blue-like in her behaviour, running out front, checking for rabbits. Lynx has not bonded so much so not the same reaction.
They are doing a post mortem on him as his case seems particularly rare. They will keep us informed which is nice but I can only wish that whatever he had was a bit rarer. You know that their lives are shorter then yours but as with previous dogs and I am sure with every dog owner before us, you just wish that you had them that bit longer. He was so enjoying his retirement, we were honoured to see his joy and have his companionship.
Run free Blue.
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david
New Member
Buzzers Lottery (Lottie)
Posts: 39
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Blue
Aug 11, 2010 12:25:30 GMT
Post by david on Aug 11, 2010 12:25:30 GMT
So very sorry to hear about Blue.
My thoughts are with you at this sad time.
David
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angela
Full Member
My babies
Posts: 163
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Blue
Aug 11, 2010 12:29:02 GMT
Post by angela on Aug 11, 2010 12:29:02 GMT
I am so sorry to hear of your sad news. I do not think it matters how many pets we lose it never gets any easier.
Run free over rainbow bridge Blue and RIP
Our thoughts and wishes are with you at this sad time
love
Angela,Kevin,Tia,Ruby and Charlie x
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Blue
Aug 11, 2010 13:06:12 GMT
Post by liamandbecky on Aug 11, 2010 13:06:12 GMT
Oh my god! I'm so sorry to hear about Blue. Are thoughts are with you at this sad time Kim, Dave, Liam & Becky
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Blue
Aug 11, 2010 13:20:29 GMT
Post by patricksparents on Aug 11, 2010 13:20:29 GMT
Run free at Rainbow Bridge dear little Blue. Having lost our gorgeous Dillon suddenly in January, we can only offer our heartfelt sympathies for you and how bereft you must be at the suddeness of his passing. Our thoughts are with you all.
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Blue
Aug 11, 2010 16:16:45 GMT
Post by buglysprince on Aug 11, 2010 16:16:45 GMT
I'm so sorry for your loss my heart goes out to you, I can only begin to imagine how you must but feeling, at least Blue got to spend his retirement days in a happy place with you! Lesley
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