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My boy Rocky isn't doing too well. I thought I was gonna have to put him "down" this morning. Still may have to Monday if he doesn't react to treatment and medicine. Our story begins... a week or so ago. Ever since a fall from the side porch of our new house, he's been steadily declining health wise. Since Wednesday night, he's been hacking, walking really stiff, and barely eating or drinking. He HAS been "going to the bathroom" so that's a good sign along with the eating and drinking. A vet visit this morning revealed a crushed trachea as well as a couple of other issues. The fall knocked out a couple of bottom teeth as well as crushing a front canine tooth back to where it'll have to be removed. I admit I have neglected proper dental care on my dogs.BAD HUMAN, I know!. PLEASE don't' neglect your dog's teeth like I did!!!!!
The kind folks at the vet are keeping him today doing a variety of tests, xrays, etc.
I just received a call from my wife (11:55am ET) stating the vet said Rocky's heart, lungs, liver, and kidney functions are VERY good for a 15 year old dog- KUDOS to Iam's with an occasional can of Pedigree mixed in. He is blind in one eye and is going blind in the other. We're gonna pick him up this evening after 6pm.
The bottom line is that he is too old for surgery to replace or repair the trachea. There is medicine that can relax him and help it heal. The vet assured me that he is not in pain- other than the pain associated with "hacking" and gasping for air. We'll know by Monday afternoon as to whether the treatment, shots, and medicines will work. If they don't, well, I'm not selfish enough to prolong his life in that way.
I AM conflicted, though. I mean, I care more about this "dog" than I do most strangers or people I deal with that I don't know. I understand that my dogs have an affect on me as children would. There's a part of me that's screaming "It's just a dog!". There are friends and acquaintances who echo those sentiments. I can only attribute my irrational thoughts, my strong emotional feelings, joy, and heartaches about our dogs to being a flawed human. Many would agree and disagree with me. All I can say is that I love my dog Rocky and hopefully will have him around, pain free, for a little while longer, God willing. I will put the laptop down for a while, delay and enjoy my friend a little longer.
