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spottydog - Thu Jun 29, 2006 8:19 pm
Post subject: Polly - Seriously Ill

My beautiful girl Polly, age 10, has been diagnosed today with damaged kidneys and the most likely cause is a cancerous tumour.
Only 2 weeks ago she pranced around the show ring like a puppy and won the Veteran Stakes, her biggest win ever. She is at the vets tonight ready for more tests tomorrow, frightened and depressed not even eating her food any more. Crying or Very sad

I'll know more tomorrow but I am not hopeful. Sad

_Jules_ - Thu Jun 29, 2006 8:44 pm
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Awwww I don't know what to say...you must be worried sick. I hope the vets can give her something to keep her happy and keep her going for some time yet.

(((((HUGS)))))) and healing vibes coming your way~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jules.

spottydog - Thu Jun 29, 2006 8:51 pm
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Thanks Jules.

The boys are very subdued, I will probably have them both on the bed tonight so we can have a group cuddle.

I have to get through work tomorrow somehow. Sad

PS Which part of Essex are you from? I lived there until 18 months ago

_Jules_ - Thu Jun 29, 2006 8:53 pm
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I'm in Basildon....but I'm not your typical Basildon Bird Wink

.

Can't you get the day off tomorrow???? You won't be able to concentrate anyway , will you.

Give your boys a hug from me....and give Polly one too when you see her tomorrow.

Jules.

annestaff - Thu Jun 29, 2006 9:08 pm
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So sorry to hear this Gill, fingers crossed its not the dreaded C Sad

Its terrible when your dog has to stay in the vets but with this looming you must be feeling awful. Will be thinking of you all tomorrow,

spottydog - Thu Jun 29, 2006 9:47 pm
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Can't get the day off, wouldn't get paid and things are tight enough as it is. I have all next week off so I can look after her. Unless it's REALLY bad news Crying or Very sad

then i will need the week off anyway Sad

we don't get sick pay either so that's out too.

Pet-Village - Fri Jun 30, 2006 12:24 am
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So sorry to hear about Polly, you must be worried sick, i hope theres something the vets can do for her, fingers crossed for her. Sad

nemo - Fri Jun 30, 2006 6:22 am
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Really sorry to hear this news. Hope it turns out to be not so bad as you fear.

Will be thinking of you both.

pollaton - Fri Jun 30, 2006 10:03 am
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i am so sorry to hear your news gill. i hope that you are all coping and that work isn't too stressful....you could always throw a sicky if it comes down to it.
i have everything i possibly can crossed for you that the results come back ok. give her a big hug from me and wilson. we will be thinking of you. x

Nosey - Fri Jun 30, 2006 2:40 pm
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Sorry to hear about Polly. You must be so worried for her. I hope everything turns out ok

Petguru - Sat Jul 01, 2006 3:06 pm
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Hi Gill,

Really sorry to hear about Polly, am thinking of you both at this horrible time.... please let us know how you get on.

Hugs to Polly,

Petguru

Chinakit - Sat Jul 01, 2006 3:10 pm
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I am so sorry to hear about Polly. Best of luck at the vets. I know just how you feel as my mum has just lost her elderly dog, after 13 years together, she's absolutely devastated.

Chinakit

justlou - Sun Jul 02, 2006 11:25 am
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So sorry to hear about Polly.

{{{hugs}}} to you xx

sambo - Sun Jul 02, 2006 11:33 am
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Oh Gill i am so sorry to hear your awful news how have the tests gone

Thinking of you both xx

spottydog - Sun Jul 02, 2006 5:53 pm
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We're not much further forward. She has kidney stones in both kidneys AND her bladder, unusual for a bitch as they normally pass them, but the kidneys are both damaged - not by the stones so there is some other reason unknown at present. She has been very quiet this weekend and peeing gallons, mainly pure water as the kidneys are not processing it, can't have any antibiotics or pain killers as the vet wants yet more urine samples tomorrow to send to the vet college in Dublin.
I am going to see whether I can take her up there, or get a referral to the animal hospital which is much closer, since if her kidneys are failing it is often too late by the time you find out and I don't want her hanging around without treatment or a decision being made as she is miserable and it can only get worse if ignored. Crying or Very sad

nemo - Sun Jul 02, 2006 8:40 pm
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I know how your feeling because we had this trouble with our Yorkie Brendan.

My thoughts are with you.

annestaff - Mon Jul 03, 2006 7:03 am
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Sorry to hear your not getting anywhere fast, hope you get the referral sorted then treatment can begin and Polly can get the right meds.

Nosey - Mon Jul 03, 2006 7:30 am
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Hopefully Pollys treatment will start soon. I'm thinking of you both

spottydog - Wed Jul 05, 2006 8:12 pm
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Polly is not going to make it. She can't even have treatment for the infection at the moment since most anti biotics will wreck what is left of her kidneys faster than the disease but the vet is trying to find something which is less damaging.
No-one can tell me how long she will have a reasonable quality of life for, and when I will need to make a decision Crying or Very sad

Apparently chronic kidney failure is progressive but very hard to assess what point it is at. She has lost weight noticeably in the last week but is still eating well.
I will just have to keep monitoring her and note any changes ...... Crying or Very sad

The vet says she's managing ok at the moment.

annestaff - Wed Jul 05, 2006 8:16 pm
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Just read about Polly on the other forum Gill, its so sad and unfair. Rest assured Polly has had the best life possible with you.

Anne x

pollaton - Thu Jul 06, 2006 11:44 am
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there are no words i can say to express how sorry i am for you and polly...but like anne says at least she is in the best place with you right now. Wink

justlou - Fri Jul 07, 2006 10:26 am
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I'll keep you & Polly in my thoughts x

{{{hugs}}} to you xx

Snowmantra - Fri Jul 07, 2006 10:38 am
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Sorry to hear about Polly. I agree, I'm sure she's had a good life with you. It doesn't make it any easier though.
Sad

nemo - Fri Jul 07, 2006 12:15 pm
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Just gutted to hear about Polly. You must be devastated. Sending you (((hugs)))

spottydog - Fri Jul 07, 2006 4:01 pm
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Thanks again to everyone for the support.
The vet has just rung, he knows what the infection is now so I am of down there shortly to pick up some antibiotics, if we can clear that up he will put her on steroids to relieve the strain on what remains of her kidneys.
I weighed her today. 23Kg. She's normally 25-26kg.
The vet reckons her life expectancy - or a reasonable quality of life - is anywhere between a week and a year....... impossible to tell. I just have to keep monitoring her.

spottydog - Thu Jul 13, 2006 11:38 am
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Polly died this morning at 11am. She was in my arms and went peacefully. Her condition suddenly worsened last night and she was vomiting huge quantities. We were at the vet's at 11pm and the vet was not hopeful. I brought her back but by this morning she was vomiting again and wobbly on her feet.
I could have propped her up for a week or so with drugs but she was going downhill rapidly so the decision was the best for her, although I am distraught. Crying or Very sad

_Jules_ - Thu Jul 13, 2006 1:15 pm
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I know no words will ease the pain.

You did everything you could for Polly and no animal can ask any more than that.

Run free at the bridge Polly love.....

((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))

nemo - Thu Jul 13, 2006 2:59 pm
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Awwwwww so sorry about Polly. She is out of pain now though. Although I know you are suffering. Sending you big (((((hugs)))) and am thinking about you.

sambo - Thu Jul 13, 2006 8:49 pm
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Omg Gill i am so sorry and as everybody else has said i am so so sorry to hear your news i know exactly how you feel at this awful time as i put my baby Trixy to rest 19th August and felt absolutley awful if you need a chat mate i'm here.

My deepest sympathies are with you babes but please be assured you gave here the best life and she will always be with you in your heart.

Run free Polly

spottydog - Fri Jul 14, 2006 6:07 am
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Thanks everyone for your support and kind words. A special thanks to Sambo for sending me the e-card from Petchat, I was touched.
Polly will be buried this morning at 11am under the trees on my site, the builder and my landlord (who is a farmer) will be coming to assist. She will be laid to rest wrapped in her favourite blanket, her new collar, one of her "Best Veteran" rosettes and some wild flowers from the field.
Polo and Deccy will be there too - they both slept on the bed with me last night and seem to know what has happened.

pollaton - Fri Jul 14, 2006 7:40 am
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gill i am so sorry to hear of your loss, polly will be in our thoughts, take care and remember we are here if you need a good cry. positive thoughts are being sent to you.
i hope the funeral isn't to painful for all of you.

littlelab - Fri Jul 14, 2006 11:58 am
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Gill

I am so sorry to hear about Polly, I have just caught up on all the posts.

She will be running around at the Bridge with all our other fur kids, god bless.

Natalie x

FROM FRIEND TO FRIEND
You're giving me a special gift,
So sorrowfully endowed,
And through these last few cherished days,
Your courage makes me proud.

But really, love is knowing
When your best friend is in pain,
And understanding earthly acts
Will only be in vain.

So looking deep into your eyes,
Beyond, into your soul,
I see in you the magic, that will
Once more make me whole.

The strength that you possess,
Is why I look to you today,
To do this thing that must be done,
For it's the only way.

That strength is why I've followed you,
And chose you as my friend,
And why I've loved you all these years...
My partner 'til the end.

Please, understand just what this gift,
You're giving, means to me,
It gives me back the strength I've lost,
And all my dignity.

You take a stand on my behalf,
For that is what friends do.
And know that what you do is right,
For I believe it too.

So one last time, I breathe your scent,
And through your hand I feel,
The courage that's within you,
To now grant me this appeal.

Cut the leash that holds me here,
Dear friend, and let me run,
Once more a strong and steady dog,
My pain and struggle done.

And don't despair my passing,
For I won't be far away,
Forever here, within your heart,
And memory I'll stay.

I'll be there watching over you,
Your ever faithful friend,
And in your memories I'll run,
...a young dog once again.

In Memory of Asta, Feb. 1997
(c) Karen Clouston

littlelab - Fri Jul 14, 2006 12:02 pm
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The House Dog's Grave

I've changed my ways a little; I cannot now
Run with you in the evenings along the shore,
Except in a kind of dream; and you, if you dream a moment,
You see me there.

So leave awhile the paw-marks on the front door
Where I used to scratch to go out or in,
And you'd soon open; leave on the kitchen floor
The marks of my drinking-pan.

I cannot lie by your fire as I used to do
On the warm stone,
Nor at the foot of your bed; no, all the night through
I lie alone.

But your kind thought has laid me less than six feet
Outside your window where firelight so often plays,
And where you sit to read--and I fear often grieving for me--
Every night your lamplight lies on my place.

You, man and woman, live so long, it is hard
To think of you ever dying
A little dog would get tired, living so long.
I hope than when you are lying

Under the ground like me your lives will appear
As good and joyful as mine.
No, dear, that's too much hope: you are not so well cared for
As I have been.

And never have known the passionate undivided
Fidelities that I knew.
Your minds are perhaps too active, too many-sided. . . .
But to me you were true.

You were never masters, but friends. I was your friend.
I loved you well, and was loved. Deep love endures
To the end and far past the end. If this is my end,
I am not lonely. I am not afraid. I am still yours.

Robinson Jeffers, 1941

spottydog - Fri Jul 14, 2006 3:52 pm
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The burial was the best it could have been. I was there with the builder and we picked a spot in the woods in a small clearing, under a tree. When everything was ready, he carried her in her blanket and laid her down. She fitted perfectly and looked like she was sleeping soundly. I performed the rites I had planned, leaving with her a natural stone for earth, a feather for wind, lit a candle for fire and sprinked some pure spring water on her then a posy of wild flowers from the same field. She had her new collar on and one of her best Veteran rosettes pinned to it. The builder withdrew so I could have a few minutes with her. The sunlight was coming through the trees and dappling her, a gentle breeze wafted across, it is a really peaceful place. I brought the boys out to see her off, Deccy sniffed long and hard, Polo just looked sad, then we let the builder cover her. He created a neat mound and marked the grave with pegs so I can decorate it properly later.

justlou - Sat Jul 15, 2006 2:14 pm
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Run free Polly

God Bless x

nemo - Sun Jul 16, 2006 7:21 am
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It's sound such a lovely spot you have picked for Polly's resting place.

It will be such a comfort for you and your other dogs to visit her there.

I had Brendan cremated and I often wished now I had done the same as you so I could have visited him.