I'm trying to remain optimistic by moving Moose's story here from the Death and Dying forum. We were all pretty sure he wasn't going to live through the night last night... and frankly rather surprised at just how good Moose did look this morning when my husband picked him up from the vet. It didn't strike me until we got him home that the vet had not allowed us to actually see him at all yesterday -- even though we stopped by the clinic three times.

We decided to bring him home for several reasons... Not the least of which is the fact that the vets don't have any better idea of how to treat him than we do at this point. Yesterday morning we were told that Moose was in congestive heart failure. This morning though we were told that several of his symptoms were inconsistent with heart failure. If all that's left to do is let him lie there and see what happens -- we figured we could do that at home just as well... And at least he'd be here with us no matter what happens. As for suffering -- he doesn't seem to be at this point. His breathing has gotten pretty regular though he gets a bit winded when he moves around. He doesn't have that glazed and vacant look in his eyes either -- and picks up his head to follow us around the room. What he seems is thoroughly weak. And who can blame him?

I don't know the first thing about medicine.. but looking over our 1200 dollar vet bills for the past 48 hours I see a whole lot of tests and so on: fecal exam, parvo test, CBC, blood chemistry profile, coag profile (PT and APTT), blood typing for the transfusion, diagnostic thoracentesis, an ECG and several x-rays. Other than the transfusion and the oxygen though - I don't see where medication has been administered. The emergency clinic prescribed three medications for him when they released him yesterday morning - but the regular vet said he didn't need the meds when we asked... he said he had whatever he needed there. I'm confused but now armed with 5 bottles of medication. I just sort of wish I knew what he's had so far. Thank God for the internet where I can look up this stuff though and try to figure out what the medication is for.

If anybody has any advice for us as far as simply keeping our puppy hydrated and maybe even fed a little... I'd really appreciate it. I know he has not taken any food at all since Saturday night. I've been trying to give him water every couple of hours by syringe if he doesn't take it on his own (though he's been doing rather well taking it and I'm relieved). Thanks for being there for us all.

I'll keep you updated!
--pags

pags,
Wow what an ordeal you're having for such a young puppy. I am so sorry that it is happening this way but so glad to hear little moose is showing some signs of perking up somewhat. Ways to get food down a sick dog vary from dog to dog.. when Freeway was having a hard day and wouldn't eat on his own usually sitting beside him and threatening to 'steal' his food worked.. heh.. my boy was very protective of HIS stuff but when you had something he totally expected you to share. Sometimes I would also hand feed him, piece by piece, just to get a little tiny bit down him. He'd fight a bit but eventually would take the food, I think just to make me happy. If worse comes to worse and he goes much longer without eating, try feeding him something you know he really likes, but you think might be easy on his stomach since he hasn't eaten and is so very ill. Have you tried a bone or treat of some kind? Freeway would usually eat those, even if it was just a little bite here and there. Saturday is a long time and Moose should eat something soon.. However it's a good sign that he is drinking. I never worried too much about food as long as he drank. Another idea (however kind of icky) would be to mush up his food with water and give it to him with the syringe that way. He probably won't like it but you should get a bit down him that way. If he goes another day or 2 I would consider trying something like that.. He will need to eat for strength.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and moose... Would love to see him recover and have a good 10 years of love to give. He's such a doll...
Keep us updated...

Thank you, jenn. Someone on another board had also suggested the syringed watered-down dog food yesterday and I started trying that last night. He was actually eager to take it and ended up taking his second feeding from a spoon instead. He still won't eat entirely on his own though... so there's a rough road ahead. But I'm more than happy to do the icky syringe thing just to get some nourishment in him!!!

He started getting up and following us around the kitchen when we went in... which is great.. uh but of course I have moved him to his crate now so he gets his rest and doesn't get underfoot. He's awake more than asleep so far today and has taken some more icky food and all of his medication... We'll just keep plugging along.

I'll let you know if anything changes. Keep your fingers crossed!!!

--pags

Definitely some steps in the right direction there! Hoping it continues that way!! That sweet boy is fighting hard, believe me that will get him far. Vets told me my Freeway had 2-4 weeks, probably closer to 2 and he lived over 3 months with a very large, fast growing tumor.. Dogs with fight in them get through far more than dogs without.. kind of like people... Keep looking up and babying sweet moose, and keep us informed

The syringe feeding works wonders.

Even though there's not much hope for Midnight, the vet said the only reason she's still alive is because we mushed up her food with water and syringe fed her. He said if we continue doing this, we can buy her at least a few more weeks

So keep up the syringe feeding! Make sure that puppy drinks water too, so he dosen't get dehydrated.

lots of prayers for you and your little guy!

-Noriko