Samantha is sick.

elizavixen · Senior Member Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 683 Location: SC

I just got back from taking Samantha to the vet. She is very sick. She didn't want to eat her breakfast this morning and wouldn't stand up. This afternoon when she finally got up she started falling and stumbling because she is so weak. Then she had an accident in the car on the way to the vet. It was so awful. She could barely walk into the vet office. She kept falling on the ground.

THe vet did bloodwork which came out confusing. He says she is very dehydrated and has nonregenerative anemia. She is losing red blood cells and not making any new ones. He doesn't really know what is wrong. HE thinks it is either cancer, a severe kidney infection, or a foreign body obstruction.

She is at the vet now. They are giving her fluids so they can get a urine sample to test for a kidney infection. I am supposed to call in 30 mins to see if she is stable enough to stay at the vet for the night or if she needs to be moved to the emergency clinic.

I don't know what to do. I hope it is not cancer or something very expensive. I don't want to have to make that decision. If it is I don't know what to do. SHould I let her get all the treatment that is very expensive that may help her, or should I just let her go. I don't know. I am not ready to lose her yet but I don't want her to suffer and as awful as it sounds, I don't want to waste the money if it is not going to help her.

I guess I will know more tomorrow.

halaroo · Posted: Thu Nov 11, 2004 10:29 pm Post subject:

I'm so sorry for you to have to go through this! If the time comes that you have to make a decision, just follow your heart. You will know what to do.

My thoughts are with you both.

nern · Moderator Joined: 14 Mar 2004 Posts: 5042 Location: NY

I'm sorry Eliza. You must be very stressed over this. I will keep good thoughts for Samantha. Let us know what the vet says.

honeybears · Super Senior Member Plus Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 3637

Eliza, ((hugs to you and Samantha)) I just went thru a terrible bout with Wylie last wee at teh ER.

here is an excellant site for anemia that has lots of helpful info and treatment advice

http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson/
please keep us posted and my prayers to Samantha

honeybear

Brenda · Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2004 12:50 am Post subject:

Eliza, Did your vet do a test for Lyme Disease? We have it so bad here in the area I live in. I know that with Labs it goes for the kidneys. I don't know what breed of dog you own. I had a Lab that got kidney damage from Lyme Disease a few years ago. I also know of a Lab that died of kidney failure because of Lyme Disease. Brenda

loves-da-pits · Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2004 2:27 am Post subject:

Have your Vet check for autoimmune hemlytic anemia. The body destroys its own blood cells leading to severe anemia. Specific types of autoimmunity icluds autoimmune hemolytic anemia, autoimmune thromboctopenia, systemic lupus erythematosus and discold lupis erythematosus. Treatments is with drugs that suppress the immune system.

Also blood parasites such as erlichiosis (tick fever) and babesia can cause the body to destroy it's own red blood cells resulting in anemia.

One of these are more than likely than a cancer.

Piper's Mom · Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2004 3:38 am Post subject:

Sending positive thoughts and good wishes your way ...

elizavixen · Senior Member Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 683 Location: SC

Thanks for the replies.

They couldn't get a vein to give her fluids so they had to do a cut-down to be able to put the needle in. All her veins had collapsed they said. But they said she could stay at the vet's tonight.

They are going to try to get a urine sample to test for infections. They said that it could be a kidney or uterine infection. But if it is, the doctor doesn't know if she will be able to get through the treatment.

This all just happened so fast. Last night she seemed OK. Not perky but she never is. She ate all of her dinner. I should have brought her in earlier today but I thought she was just being moody. She gets that way sometimes where she just doesn't want to eat.

I will look at the anemia site. I know the vets are testing for everything. They said they took x-rays to look into the cancer. There are 4 or 5 vets at this place and they said they are all looking at her.

I just hope she makes it through the night. The puppy is upset without her. He is not used to being by himself.

I feel bad even thinking about the money issue. But at the moment money is very tight. The vet did say that they will work out a payment plan with me and tomorrow I am going to go apply for a job at TCBY.

4Dogsihave · Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2004 4:49 am Post subject:

I am so sorry to hear about Samantha. I hope they find out what it is soon. Have they mentioned lyme desease yet? From everything I have read it is fairly easy to cure if caught early enough. Please keep us updated and you guyswill be in my thoughts and prayers.

Aqueous · Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2004 2:55 pm Post subject:

I'm sorry Samantha isn't well.

lil96 · Super Senior Member Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Posts: 1265

Oh I am so sorry this is happening, I would ask about those things that love da pits said. I know she is a St. bernhard and people say they age quicker, but she isn't very old is she? I hope she gets better soon.

Jamiya · Moderator Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 5593

I'm so sorry Eliza! I hope she feels better soon. She didn't get into a batch of onions or anything, did she?

honeybears · Super Senior Member Plus Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 3637

I also thought lime disease, I was doing a search llast week on Wylie being sick and found that lyme disease has the same symptoms Samantha has.

I am glad your vet is working out a payment plan for you

Honeybear

elizavixen · Senior Member Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 683 Location: SC

Just an update. Samantha is at the emergency clinic. She should be seen by the internal medicine specialist this morning and he will decide what to do. She is going to get a blood transfusion today which should make her feel better. SHe essentially has no red blood cells. Although today they did her blood again and her numbers have improved very slightly.

lil96 · Super Senior Member Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Posts: 1265

I hope you are holding up ok too! Vent here with us if you need to. I'll keep bith of you in my thoughts

elizavixen · Senior Member Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 683 Location: SC

Samantha was put to sleep this morning. She had liver disease and kidney disease.

halaroo · Posted: Sat Nov 13, 2004 7:39 pm Post subject:

I cannot express how sorry I am for you right now. Please take care of yourself. My thoughts are with you.

GinaH · Super Senior Member Joined: 18 Mar 2004 Posts: 1377

Eliza I don't know what to say besides I am so sorry. I wish there were something I could say or do to ease the pain you must be feeling.
http://www.angelbluemist.com/memorywall.html

Aqueous · Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2004 1:21 am Post subject:

I'm sorry for your loss Eliza

loves-da-pits · Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2004 3:29 am Post subject:

Eliza: My deepest sympathy to you for your loss. Nothing hurts more than a loss of a beloved pet.