SUMMARY: That odor. That dripping blood.
The symptoms were the same, Thanksgiving morning, as the previous huge lumpy infection/lesion thing that she had a couple of months ago that antibiotics (and losing part of her cheek) made better.
But no matter how hard I looked in her mouth (and, surprise, she was willing to let me), I saw nothing. OK, turns out it's because it's under her tongue. This--if you've never tried it--is an astounding adventure to try to see or get at. Anyway--on antibiotics again. (Actually a larger one and a smaller one, and then the original site is a little iffy, also.)
Tika was not thrilled with going to the vets (AKA "This torture on top of forcing me to swallow thousands of pills all the time").
I convinced her to overcome her justified concern and get out of the car. We strolled around the parking lot for 10 minutes, and her agenda consisted entirely of coming back to the parking spot and pointing out that there are doors on MUTT MVR that could conceivably be opened to let her back in.
But mostly she handled things OK and we're now both home, resting from the ordeal.
On a side sad note, the vet said that it's possible that these mouth lesions are as a result of her kidney gradually failing. Which I already knew was happening from the blood test that we did when she had that first infection.
She seems to be racing to find as many problems to survive as she can before she leaves this opportunity for extra Zukes and crosses the so-called Rainbow Bridge. To prove what an over-achiever she is. Which, OK, Teek, I already knew.
I can commiserate. Aging is not for the hyperactive of heart and mind. She's so slow now. Back legs weaker. Heart hanging in there against all odds. Abdomen full of fluid despite aggressive diuretics. Occasional bouts of incontinence. The last two of which I suspect are not unrelated.
But just look at how beautiful she still is! And smart. Good old girl, knowing exactly what car doors look like from the outside.
Oh, my heart aches for you. They fight so hard to stay with us as long as possible. She is a beautiful girl. Enjoy your time with her.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I'm trying very hard to focus on the positive and enjoy her while she's here--if I hadn't been, I'd have been crying every day for the last 2 years since her diagnosis with severe heart failure.
DeleteIt's so darned hard dealing with our dogs' accelerated lifespans. I remember when Tika was your baby dog and had that penchant for grabbing your shoelaces during runs. Roxy's almost 15, and she's definitely showing her age too--back end getting weaker, occasional poops on her bed in the morning, kidney values starting to get higher (still not in the danger zone, but it's probably on the horizon). She's still pretty sharp (in spite of having poor vision and hearing), eating well, and she loves her walks, but I know there are hard times coming up. My thoughts are with you, Ellen.
ReplyDeleteThese dogs are amazing in how long they go on and seem generally happy. I'm thankful for that for sure.
DeleteShe's so smart. Gotta give her points for at least trying to avoid the vet! She's beautiful. I hope you have lots of really special days ahead for as long as she is able.
ReplyDeleteI hope so, too! Dogs sure can be good at letting you know what they want--right, Katie?
DeleteOh yea. Katie's got that part down perfect.
DeleteEllen, been thinking about you a ton lately. Sending you and Tika good thoughts. Vici
ReplyDeleteThanks, Vici. As long as she still gets excited about things like going out into the yard or for a walk, and can generally get around on her own, and is eating even if it is spotty and very picky, I'm pleased.
DeleteShe does look young in the pictures. I hope she is doing ok.
ReplyDeleteTika has the advantage of having a face that has always been white, so she doesn't get that old-dog face coloring.
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