Thursday, September 5, 2013

Vetting Process

We have a new veterinarian. It's not that we don't like the folks I have been using for twenty years, they are very sweet people. Unfortunately they are also very vague when advising us on serious problems with our pets. Yesterday we took Sasha in for a second opinion to a vet suggested by a friend. It was like night and day, to coin a phrase. This guy was unambiguous, straight forward, and best of all Mark understood everything he was telling us. Our old vet office would only suggest as to what might be wrong, giving us a choice almost between A, B, or C. Back in high school I liked multiple choice, but not now with the health of our beloved pet at stake.

So here are the facts as laid out by Dr. Simon. Sasha has a tumor. It is on her lungs, over her heart, and is pushing up on her esophagus. It is why she has been coughing, and puking up her food. The good news is that with the prednisone we are giving her, she is eating again. She is active and happy. The bad news is that at some point this tumor will end her life. Since we don't know exactly how fast this thing is growing it could be a month, six months, or a year before it is over. So until the time that Sasha is no longer pain free we will make her life as happy as possible. That includes letting her piss in Mark's shower as much as she wants, and the prednisone is really making her pee a lot.

7 comments:

  1. That's a happy looking puppy there!!
    I'm glad you found the new vet,
    hopefully the tumor will be slow growing. Sasha has a great home with you and Mark!

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  2. Oh baby! Give her steak tonight! She will live life to the fullest!!

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  3. That is similar to what took our Annie. We, too, made her last months/weeks as good as possible. The hardest part is always making the final decision especially when there is a hopeful rally near the end. My heart is with you and I hope she remains pain free, even though you won't.

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  4. P,S. Always a good idea to get a second opinion...good decision!!

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  5. Sasha looks so happy in the picture, but then again she looks happy in every picture you post of her. She's one lucky pup to have such loving and caring parents. Great idea to get a second opinion.

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  6. Peggy, there is always a "hopeful rally near the end". Especially when you tell them they are going for a ride in the car.

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