It all started last week. Logan (our 13year old Husky) stopped eating on Monday (March 16th) so we took her to the vet Saturday morning. He examined her, ran a blood test, urinalysis, and took xrays. After all the tests and $250 he told us she was fine chemically and all he could see at this point was that her liver was enlarged. He could not tell us what that meant and would need to do an ultrasound. We were to call on Monday to set that up. So we took Logan home and put some hamburger in her food and of course she ate it right up. We thought, "Good, she's eating. Stubborn dog."
So I called the vet on Monday and set the ultrasound up for today. I was to drop her off between 8:30am and 9am. I took Abby to school and then went home to get Logan. We took her to the vet and when we left there, Leah was hysterical that we had to leave Logan. I just continued to stress to her that we would get her back after nap time and the doctor was going to make her feel better.
BEWARE: SENSITIVE MATERIAL AHEAD...
I got a call from the vet at 2pm. He had some bad news. Logan has a heart tumor. Basically there is a tumor growing on/in her heart on the right atrium. The prognosis is a negative one. There is nothing they can do for her. Heart surgery is not an option for many reasons. Besides that she isn't a good candidate for surgery due to her age, heart surgey on a dog is not like for a human and they can't do a bypass, and the tumor would grow back. The vet said that at some point the tumor would rupture and she would bleed to death. (Sorry that sounds so abrupt, but I didn't know how to sugar coat it.) I asked about pain and he said other than the symptoms she is currently having: lack of appetite, excessive drinking, lethargy, she shouldn't be in much pain. She may develop some breathing difficulties. (I guess due to the enlarge tumor pushing on her lungs.) He said when she does pass on, she would first pass out due to the blood loss and then her heart would stop and she will stop breathing. He said a majority of the time, it happens when they are sleeping. He never said that putting her down needed to be an option at this point.
We have no idea how long this tumor has been there or how much longer we have with Logan. We feel that is the hardest part, just not really knowing. We almost wish we didn't know this prognosis and we could continue to go on as we were. He could not give me any type of timeline on the growth of the tumor and it taking her away from us.
At some point we plan to tell Abby that Logan's heart is sick. We just have to deal with it first and then find the right words.
For now, we plan to baby Logan and make her happy and give her as much love as we can.
I will continue to post on Logan's condition as needed. Keep us in your prayers.
So I called the vet on Monday and set the ultrasound up for today. I was to drop her off between 8:30am and 9am. I took Abby to school and then went home to get Logan. We took her to the vet and when we left there, Leah was hysterical that we had to leave Logan. I just continued to stress to her that we would get her back after nap time and the doctor was going to make her feel better.
BEWARE: SENSITIVE MATERIAL AHEAD...
I got a call from the vet at 2pm. He had some bad news. Logan has a heart tumor. Basically there is a tumor growing on/in her heart on the right atrium. The prognosis is a negative one. There is nothing they can do for her. Heart surgery is not an option for many reasons. Besides that she isn't a good candidate for surgery due to her age, heart surgey on a dog is not like for a human and they can't do a bypass, and the tumor would grow back. The vet said that at some point the tumor would rupture and she would bleed to death. (Sorry that sounds so abrupt, but I didn't know how to sugar coat it.) I asked about pain and he said other than the symptoms she is currently having: lack of appetite, excessive drinking, lethargy, she shouldn't be in much pain. She may develop some breathing difficulties. (I guess due to the enlarge tumor pushing on her lungs.) He said when she does pass on, she would first pass out due to the blood loss and then her heart would stop and she will stop breathing. He said a majority of the time, it happens when they are sleeping. He never said that putting her down needed to be an option at this point.
We have no idea how long this tumor has been there or how much longer we have with Logan. We feel that is the hardest part, just not really knowing. We almost wish we didn't know this prognosis and we could continue to go on as we were. He could not give me any type of timeline on the growth of the tumor and it taking her away from us.
At some point we plan to tell Abby that Logan's heart is sick. We just have to deal with it first and then find the right words.
For now, we plan to baby Logan and make her happy and give her as much love as we can.
I will continue to post on Logan's condition as needed. Keep us in your prayers.
My heart just breaks for you all - especially Abby. Praying that your remaining time with Logan is wonderfully blessed. Love, stacy
ReplyDeleteI started crying when I read about Logan. I have thought she was something special and so sweet since you first moved in. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers. If at any time I can do anything please call.
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