Minni was first diagnosed in March of 2004 with diabetes which was
uncontrolled as she had cushing's. Just when things seemed to be under
control, she developed kidney disease.
In Aug 2004, Minni was in the intensive care unit for two weeks at
a specialized care hospital. Prior to this she was in my vet's hospital
for one week in Aug 2004. I asked if he would give me a referral to see
a specialist. She was then diagnosed with cushing's and supposedly that
hindered getting the diabetes under control. She was hospitalized two more
times and then I was hydrating her at home for a few weeks until the vet
said they could no longer help her. It was a painful decision to have to
put her to sleep and I waited a bit as I still hydrated her and then realized
her quality of life would not get better and all she did was sleep. She
hadn't eaten in a month and I had to force feed her. She stopped drinking
two weeks prior to October 30, 2004 which is when I had to put her to sleep.
Since I was hydrating her I sometimes felt that maybe she wasn't thirsty
because of that. I gave her every chance possible and finally had to do
what was best for her. My heart still and always will ache for her. She
was my heart. I love all my dogs but she was special....Like my soulmate.
Another thing that bothers me to this day, is that she was diagnosed
with possible borderline cushing's many months before the official diagnosis
of full blown cushing's at another hospital. This other place told me that
minni was just about borderline and it was best to leave her be as the
medicines that can cure, can also kill her. So I was advised to leave her
alone. My vet did periodic blood work and one day said she had diabetes.
From that point on it was hard to control her levels and that is why I
took her for a second opinion at which time they did a battery of tests
and found that the diabetes was out of control because of the cushing's.
Minni's cholesterol became so high, over 5000 and the DR's never had seen
a case like hers. She developed plaque on her eyes and on her skin.
She was temporarily put on Statin drugs and then with the lysodren her
diabetes was starting to get better control with the right amount of insulin.
Unfortunately she never had normal readings but the better numbers came
to late.
I have two yorkies and one Min Pin Maxi that just developed this
horrible disease. Mostly King Charles Chavalier Spaniels get this Chiari
Syndrome/SM. The brain starts to twist around and the skull fills with
fluid. The meninges ( 2 cords) push through the skull and get pinched in
the C1 and 2 of the spinal column. Maxi had her first seizure about two
weeks ago. I asked my vet for a referral and took her to a neurologist
where they did a MRI and found this disease. It's complicated and Maxi
also started twitching her head and eyes. She is now on several meds and
we will see in another week when she is off prednisone if things start
to reappear again. Also she would cry in terrible pain. The nerve endings
were inflamed in all of her body and the saddest part is when she would
cry out in pain. Her head would ache and you could actually feel and see
her pain through her mouth pulling expressions. She may have to have a
two part brain surgery. One they put in a shunt and I believe attach it
to the liver in order to eliminate some fluid on the brain and the other
is called a decompression surgery for the two cords that need to be cut.
Surgery sometimes has to be repeated and it's not a cure. Hopefully the
meds will be enough to keep her under control. I pray for her and if I
can ask that of you I would be so appreciative.
What
is Syringomyelia (SM)? Click Here
Thank you.
Roz - LadyGat@aol.com
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Memories
Minni |
Minni |
FROM YOUR PET IN HEAVEN
To have loved and then said farewell is better than to have never loved
at all.
For all of the times that you have stooped and touched my head,
fed me my favorite treat and returned the love that I so unconditionally
gave to you......
for the care that you gave to me so unselfishly...
for all of these things I am grateful and thankful.
I ask that you not grieve for the loss but rejoice in the fact that
we lived,
loved and touched each other's lives.
My life was fuller because you were there --
not as a master/owner, but as my friend.
Today I am as I was in my youth.
The grass is always green, butterflies flit among the flowers
and the sun shines gently down upon all of God's creatures.
I can run, jump, play and do all of the things that I did in my youth.
There is no sickness, no aching joints, no regrets and no aging.
We await the arrival of our lifelong companions
and know that togetherness is forever.
Companions such as you are so rare and unique.
Don't hold the love that you have within yourself;
give it to another like me and then I will live forever.
For love never really dies, and you are loved
and missed as surely as we are.
Author Ken Conover
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