I just came home from 5 hours at the emergency vet clinic

[undeterred]

My 14 year old dog was sick the other night but he recovered after I medicated him.

Tonight he had symptoms of bloat, which will cause an animal to die if not treated. He had this 15 months ago and I had to go to an emergency clinic, where I chose a conservative procedure. It worked, even though the chances of it working are 1%. But tonight his stomach was totally twisted and there was no way to save his life except for major surgery. Even then there was no guarantee.

I did not have the money, but I did not feel like it was his time. I can't totally explain why. I called a good friend and he said he would lend me whatever it took. I talked to the young female vet and told her I wanted the surgery for him. I laid down on the floor next to my dog and petted him while we talked. I mentioned that Harry dog was a 6 year cancer survivor, and in our conversation we discovered that she had spent the last year working in another city with the veterinarian who cured my dog of cancer. I suddenly had this great sense of karma that everything was going to be ok.

After an hour and a half the vet who owns the clinic- he had come in from home to help with the surgery- came out to see me and he said that everything went very well. A little while later I got to see my dog in recovery. Bloat is life threatening and now he has been surgically treated (gastropexy) so it cannot happen again. Other than arthritis and a low thyroid he is still a healthy old dog. I will get to bring him home Friday night.

Sometimes everything works out. O8)

[zonkers]

1. Long live Harry!!! Wow, so what he was experiencing last night was

a pre bloat attack? Good thing you took him in. Sounds like a nice vet, too. Get some rest as soon as you can, kid.

[undeterred]

3. Yes! Tonight the symptoms were so clear

and because it happened to him once before I recognized it and got him in to a clinic early. Last time that made it possible just to tube him and withdraw the gas with a needle. But tonight he was fully twisted and his esophagus was twice the normal size. I knew he was in some pain. I've always dreaded this happening - after the first event 15 months ago they told me it almost always happens again - but for some reason it didn't happen for such a long time.

I'm so relieved that he made it - it feels like a lot of things happened just right.

[qnr]

2. ! :) ! n/t

[REP]

4. So Glad The Surgery Went Well

I've been where you are with a sick kitty, and there's no worse feeling than when they're sick and no better feeling than when the vet says they're going to be all right. Except, of course, when your friend is sitting on your lap, happy and healthy!

Yay for your wonderful (human) friend; what a nice person he must be!

[undeterred]

5. thanks

He is a dog lover too :)

[EFerrari]

6. Good! Sometimes everything does work out!

I'm so happy for you guys.

:hug:

[Robeson]

7. What a great story. I'm so glad all has worked out well...

...I can see why you have the name you do...undeterred...:thumbsup:

[xchrom]

8. bless you for loving and helping your friend.

i'm like you -- i will fight for my dogs if there's a good chance.

your dog has the BEST companion he ever could!

[Crazy Dave]

9. We've spent over $500 on emergency vet bills for about....

...half our animals. They never seem to have serious medical problems during the daytime. Holidays and late evenings, always.
I'm sure glad your situation worked out good. Some of ours haven't...but most have :)
I joke about us having some of the most expensive animals on our block and they don't even have papers or blue ribbons.

[NewWaveChick1981]

10. I'm so sorry you and Harry had to go through that, but

it sounds like he's past the worst part. :hug: You are such a good pet parent. :pals:

[ScreamingMeemie]

11. The mother of the $2200 wonder dog thinks you did exactly right.

You did know it wasn't Harry's time. Just like we weren't going to let Jessie go. She was very young at the time. The issue hasn't recurred so it was money well spent on our baby girl. She's our family. Harry's your family. :hug: I'm so glad all went well.

[Robb]

12. Great news!

I know the feeling. :hug:

[LibertyLover]

13. I'm so glad

to hear that Harry is going to be ok. Give him a nice pet for me.
Mom to 5 dogs, 3 rats and 2 guinea pigs

[Lady Freedom]

14. GOOD NEW TO HEAR!!

Best wishes to your little friend!!

[Blue Diadem]

15. I'm so glad your Harry dog will be home with you tonight.

:hug:

The last years with our beloved pets are sometimes so scary and expensive..but they for me seemed to be the years I remember the most. The gratitude in their eyes, the tail wagging/thumping when they see you makes it all worth it. They may be a little slower but the unconditional love is still there. Then there is always that little victorious doggy attitude that they survived and are going home with the one they love.

I'm happy everything worked out and you could get the surgery done.

[undeterred]

17. thanks - just talked to the vet and she said he was playful

and the bill is turning out to be lower than expected. They want to keep him overnight tonight, which is ok, I am so tired!

thanks everyone :grouphug:

[Dangerously Amused]

16. Yay! I'm SO happy for you and Harry dog!

It is always refreshing to see good things happen to good animals and their good people.


Bless your heart for caring so.


:hug:

[Phillycat]

18. You just can't let them down, you know?

Good for you. You are going to be happy about that decision for the rest of your life. :hug:

[undeterred]

20. ..and the rest of his life

:cry: :-)

[Haole Girl]

19. I'm so happy to hear it's working out for you and your best friend!

:bounce:

[marzipanni]

21. Best get well wishes for Harry

from me and my dog Sally. (LOL...When Harry Met Sally?)

[flvegan]

22. Gastropexy on our Dane was done earlier this year

to avoid this ever happening. Glad to hear that Harry's doing well.

Sometimes, money just doesn't matter so much.

[Liberalynn]

23. I am glad your doggie is okay!

:hug: