So I know this is more personal than nursing but I hope you will all get the picture. I got home from work last night and my son went out to feed the dogs. He came in to say she looked really sick - so I went out to look at her and she was panting heavily, pupils were dilated she appeared dehydrated in spite of lapping copious amounts of fresh water. She would only stand up for a few minutes at a time and had no interest in food or her toys. Now she's not a young dog but not terribly old either (10) but I found an emergency vet and my son and I put her in the car and off we went. All the way there my son (14) is asking "Is my dog going to die?'" crying a demanding answers about weather or not I've seen anything like this before. I'm worried about the dog, trying to navigate rush hour traffic and field his questions and I just lost it. "I don't know." I screamed at him. I felt awful as I am usually a pretty therapeutic nurse. After we got to vet and she had blood work, X-rays, US and IV fluids she turned out to have a ruptured ovary and septic abdomen. then they presented my with the "Estimate" of around 2 grand for surgery and after care etc........
Well al is well so far this morning she went through surgery and we transferred her from Emergency Vet Clinic to her regular vet this am where she continues on IV ATB and fluids.
Not sure why I am sharing all this except that my husband doesn't see why she has to stay in the hospital since I can do her IVs etc......I guess I just needed to vent.
So I know this is more personal than nursing but I hope you will all get the picture. I got home from work last night and my son went out to feed the dogs. He came in to say she looked really sick - so I went out to look at her and she was panting heavily, pupils were dilated she appeared dehydrated in spite of lapping copious amounts of fresh water. She would only stand up for a few minutes at a time and had no interest in food or her toys. Now she's not a young dog but not terribly old either (10) but I found an emergency vet and my son and I put her in the car and off we went. All the way there my son (14) is asking "Is my dog going to die?'" crying a demanding answers about weather or not I've seen anything like this before. I'm worried about the dog, trying to navigate rush hour traffic and field his questions and I just lost it. "I don't know." I screamed at him. I felt awful as I am usually a pretty therapeutic nurse. After we got to vet and she had blood work, X-rays, US and IV fluids she turned out to have a ruptured ovary and septic abdomen. then they presented my with the "Estimate" of around 2 grand for surgery and after care etc........
Well al is well so far this morning she went through surgery and we transferred her from Emergency Vet Clinic to her regular vet this am where she continues on IV ATB and fluids.
Not sure why I am sharing all this except that my husband doesn't see why she has to stay in the hospital since I can do her IVs etc......I guess I just needed to vent.
Hppy
I'm so sorry!! After all, our pets do become family members. You have every right to have an emotional reaction to almost losing your dog. My grand puppy died of cancer this week the same night I cared for a sweet family whose father was dying of cancer. When I got the call I just broke down and cried. It was just one too many sad things at the same time.
PS: My own dog blew out his knee a couple years ago. The surgery was $3500, and i never, not once, thought about not having it done. Family.
So glad this had a happy ending for you and that you could afford to have the surgery! I spent over $1,000.00 on my cat last year when she was very close to death, and she's fully recovered now. People at work thought I was crazy because I would even consider spending that kind of money on an animal, but when you've had them for almost half your life, they are way more than just pets...
It burns my butt when I see people pay over $600.00 for a dog, but then won't even think about paying that or more for vet care.
Don't worry too much about snapping at your son. Stress makes us react in bad ways sometimes, and he's old enough that he should understand if you apologize and explain why you did that.
PS: My own dog blew out his knee a couple years ago. The surgery was $3500, and i never, not once, thought about not having it done. Family.
My girl blew one knee and (as they are wont to do when the first has gone) a few months later the other. Didn't think twice about repair; I've spent far more on my dogs than my cars (priorities ) On a related note, I highly recommend the TTO over the TPLO - we did one of each.
Don't feel bad and I'm glad that your furry companion is recovering well. I am a veterinary professional (CVT). I will tell you that my brain shuts down when it's one of my own that is sick or hurt.
I'm sorry for what you and your son went through but glad she is recovering now.
I cant believe posters are arguing about the value of a pet. Do you care how much I drop on hay and shoeing for my horse? Or how much I'm dropping on a trip of a lifetime?
I sure don't care if you would spend what I spend, I just don't get why anyone would feel a need to comment of how OP chose to legally spend her money.
) On a related note, I highly recommend the TTO over the TPLO - we did one of each.
dec2007
508 Posts
I'm so sorry!! After all, our pets do become family members. You have every right to have an emotional reaction to almost losing your dog. My grand puppy died of cancer this week the same night I cared for a sweet family whose father was dying of cancer. When I got the call I just broke down and cried. It was just one too many sad things at the same time.
PS: My own dog blew out his knee a couple years ago. The surgery was $3500, and i never, not once, thought about not having it done. Family.