Quote: sharon empson

Dear friends: Cody's liver count has shot up, he is not doing good. they want to do a liver biopsy that costs 7,980.00. which we do not have. we are giving him another day and see what happens. we are heart sick! We do not want him to suffer but we do not want to give up on him...all this just happened yesterday.
Just an update, thanks for all your comments and comfort. Our home feels absolutely dead without him. He is just a wild man. Our other two dogs are just laying around.
Thanks again

Oh, Sharon, please know that no biopsy would really change the outcome at this point, even if you had that kind of money. (And who does?)

I know that you will know when/if to put him down. He is blessed with a great owner.

I hope with all my heart that he pulls through. If he does not, I hope that your other dogs can somehow have a chance to see and sniff the body, because death is a natural part of life to dogs -- unlike a possibly confusing sudden absence. (I have now given two the opportunity to see for themselves by having them in come in from the car after the PTS, and I wished that I could be the same way. They looked, sniffed, thought for a minute, and then walked away. It was so evident to me, at least, that they simply experienced it as "oh, this is what has happened to my friend." They were subdued and "lonely," if I may humanize them to that extent, but they never searched or whined or waited, the way my dogs in the past had done.

I hope that you are not offended by such blunt talk. I certainly do not mean that it's inevitable.

My heart is with you.

Dang it.

I thought he was turnin' a corner with this morning's update.

Do they have any guess as to what happened yet?

We're still pullin' for him.

Thoughts and prayers to you and your family. I'm glad Cody is getting the attention and care he needs, you are doing all that you can do.

You, Cody, and your family are still in my thoughts and prayers. Praying often for his recovery. Please keep us posted.

Connie: I am not offended by such blunt talk. We have noticed that where Cody was layin out in the back yard that they go there and sniff it each time they go outside, they spend quite a long time there. Thanks for the thoughts, they are good. Love, sharon

Come home and turned on the computer right away. Who can afford that vet bill.I sure hope he recovers overnight. We are with you in prayers and healing thoughts.

Dear Connie and all on the web. My daughter in law looked up the symptoms my Cody was having and we found out there is one thing that described all his symptoms and I wanted to warn you about it.
Xylitol poisoning. Sugarless gum and sugarless snacks. It kills small dogs or can kill them. As little as 1/2 piece of gum for a small dog can kill them. I walk cody at a shopping area, and parking lot. People spit out their gum all the time there you see it on the street. I never let Cody eat it, but he could have gotten a tiny piece without me knowing it. Please be warned, if you have kids and they eat sugarless gum or treats, make sure they never miss the trash can when they throw them out.
ANyway, just wanted to warn everyone.
Have not heard any news on cody, will call this morning. Taking my other dogs to have their clotting factor checked in their blood this morning.
Love you all and your encouragement.

Sharon,
First, I just wanted to say that my heart goes out to you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are still with you.
Also I send a (((((( e-hug your way!))))))

Thank you for posting about the Xylitol and your warning.

I have heard Connie talk about this before and I thank you for bringing it up again. On occasion, my one dog has gone into my purse and pulled items out. Things like hand lotion, lip balm receipts etc.
I have gum in there from time to time. From now on, I will be keeping that in the zippered compartment just for this reason.
Thanks for this important reminder!

Xylitol scares the hell out of me. I actually don't even buy gum anymore that uses it as a sweetener. Too much change I'll leave my purse open on the floor or something, esp. now that I'm an absentminded mother of a 5mo old. I don't know where ANYTHING is these days and am getting dumber by the day.

Sharon, what would an $8k biopsy tell you anyway?!

Focus on the important right now; support Cody in the ways that you can. Mental/emotional support, IMO, means as much to a dog as it does to a person. Sit with him if they'll allow it. If they won't, tell them to piss off and do it anyway. Just be there with him/for him, and he'll let you know how he's doing and what needs to be done.

Keep in mind, if otherwise healthy, the liver is an organ capable of repairing itself quite well. Just a few short months ago, they were about to label me a goner due to off the charts liver enzymes and death-level platelets. They supported the rest of my body as best they could, and aside from a couple transfusions I did have (hoping to raise platelets), my liver started to rebound on its own, and continued to do so for the next few months. Now, it's almost normal.

So, don't count him out just yet; if he's not worsening by the minute, I'd not be too hasty to PTS, as these things can turn (either way) pretty quickly. How are his other organs functioning?

Update cody: Today his liver count has gone down from 14,000 to 10,000 still high but better today. Also his clotting factor is normal. THank you for your prayers, please be in prayer that it will continue to improve, and that he will eat. My husband is visiting tonight. I visited yesterday.
keep praying for Cody thanks.