Just a quick update for anyone that' s been following Beckett.
We've had what will likely be our last vet appointment in trying to help Beckett's very quickly deteriorating mental health. We have been through the gamut of holistic aids: rescue remedy, homeo-calm, sleep aid, flower essences, bach stuff, good raw diet complete with lots of Omega Oils and such. We have tried to keep his schedule as typical as possible, always including light exercise and he's been going with me everywhere now, though he tends to sleep 90-95% of the time wherever I take him anyway.
We have tried over the counter prescription Melatonin which has been giving us the best effect, but it's not changing behaviour, it's just knocking him out enough so that most of us can get some sleep. That, and the more he is on it, the more he needs. He is a fast healing, hardy sled dog who at about ten years old took half the time to heal 10 stiches in his foot than it does a young dog.
We've done blood, urine, fecal, had three vet checks over the last two months. The only thing left we could do would be to scan for tumours, which would involve an expensive (and most likely highly disorienting) trip to Vancouver where he would have to be put under anaesthetic, and if a tumour did show up (two different brain kinds, or a massive liver one), all three would be inoperable. It would just let us know which he had.
There are two other prescription drugs we could try, however they both have large side effects, and if there is a tumour, they would cause him more pain than the potential good outcome. So it's been decided neither of them are suitable or worth the risk.
We are trying a brain-diet now, and we'll see if it has any effect. We are keeping careful watch on the calendar to count up how many good days versus how many bad.
Beckett will definitely make it to his foster party on Jan 11th in Langford, BC. However, as much as we want him to make summer, if it becomes time it becomes time. It is not fair for us to keep his body here if his mind is already crossing. He was, and still is a beautiful spirit, a kind understanding dog and I think we owe all life to finish with some dignity.
That said, it is not time to do that just yet, and we will enjoy every day we have with him.
Fostering dogs in Victoria, BC. Giving them lifeskills, cushy pillows, structure, confidence and copious snuggles. From chihuahuas to Rottis, to huskies and anything in between, amusing stories, mostly useless dog tips, and cute dog pictures abound.
5 comments:
Oh, I wish dogs would live so much longer! I'm sorry to hear that you've been dealing with all of this...vet visits with your hopes high that there will be a fix to bring him back to being 'himself'. I'm thinking of you guys...and I know Beckett is in good hands. Lisa B.
I just know he is in loving hands with you & it is always a hreat breaker for those who love them so dearly' & when time comes he will always remain in your heart 'forever' prayers & kisses to him ' Pollyb
beart breaker ' sorry misspelt pollyb
So sorry to hear about Beckett Emily but I know you are doing the best by him and that he knows how loved he is. We are so lucky to have these dogs in our lives and Beckett is so lucky to have you.
Hi Emily, I was sorry to hear/read about Beckett's health and wrote to you in reply, but seem to have lost everything I wrote so here I am again. We have Mya, from the same pack as Beckett and I have written to you when we first adopted them. I was always hoping that we could make a visit over to have the two meet someday, but now Mya is also older and deaf. She is one of our best dogs and we call her Queen Mya. We were told she was 8 or 9 years old when we adopted her seven years ago (we checked with the vets from her past), but she still has a lot of energy after having had three mammary tumors removed at three separate times and still loves to run with our other failed foster dog Lacey from TG. Our thoughts will be with you and for Beckett...we know he is in good hands with the two of you and thank you for posting your blog with such clarity and integrity...take care, with love and hugs, Jude
Post a Comment