My dog is a lot sicker than we thought**update p. 6 he's gone**

[EsmeraldaX]

Sending lots of PD for you and Ranger. I'll be thinking of him all night and day. Please keep us updated.

 

[Kitty 34]

Hoping Ranger gets better real soon!

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I have decided that I will pay the emergency fee (what is another $80 in the grand scheme of things) and my dad and I are taking Ranger to OSU today. We will leave soon. I am worried that DH and the kids are not home yet, and if something happens they will not have said goodbye....but he is turning his nose up at water and his watery food this AM, and probably hasn't lapped up water since midnight. I have shot some down his throat with a syringe but he doesn't like it. I have left two messages on DH's cell phone but have heard nothing yet, so I'm worried about them as well. Hope they don't leave anything behind; checking the camper and campsite are usually my job.
Off to brush my teeth and meet the vet at her office. Wish us luck. I'll be back this evening, hopefully with good news and/or the dog.
Robin M.

 

[Pop Daddy]

glad your taking him now, good luck

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Update 7 PM 9/6:
It did not go well. When we took him into OSU they took him in the back and he was in respiratory distress. The vet at OSU looked at his XRays and while the esophagus was a concern, he sees something in Ranger's chest that is pushing his trachea up--hence his breathing problems as well as the food thing. He is suspicious that is might be something called canine lymphosarcoma. I've done a search on this and it is not curable. Surgery and chemo (doggie chemo!) prolong the life of 80% of dogs, but only for a year or so.
I went back before we left to come home (they are doing tests, etc. and need to keep him overnight at least) and he had an oxygen tube up his nose and an IV. He actually stood up and tried to lick my face. It about killed me. I kissed him goodbye once for me, DH and each child, just in case.
Dad and I have already decided that if it is lymphosarcoma we will probably just put him down. Chemo is no way for a dog to live, plus unless we could get it done up here (OSU is 2 1/2 hours away) it wouldn't be feasible with everyone working. Plus it only buys you a year or so. I just don't want him to suffer. He looked like a very old dog this morning and he is only 5. They asked what they should do in case he stops breathing during any surgery. We said drugs or chest compression, but no open chest heart massage.
The kids are all upset, I'm trying to keep them strong since we have no definitive answer at this point. They want to say goodbye, but I told them how he had to struggle to get up and see me, and if they all went in to see him crying he'd just get anxious and upset.
They are to call my cell tomorrow when they have any news or diagnosis; I can't DIS at work but I'll update as soon as I can. Thanks for all of your support.
Robin M.

 

[epcotfan]

I'm so sorry

 

[chell]

 

[damo]

Oh Robin, this is so sad. I hope that things take a turn for the better and something can be done. Keep us updated.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I am so sorry.

We're all wishing for a good turn of events here.

 

[Meriweather]

I am so sorry that the news wasn't better.
Best wishes for you, your family and Ranger......whatever is best for him is the way to go. It is so hard

 

[poohbear1029]

Hugs to you and your family! I will say a prayer that this all turns out positively for your family and Ranger.

OSU vets are awesome. When we lived in Hilliard, we had a vet there, Dr. Kelleher who was trained by OSU an he ran a teaching clinic. If they are all as compassionate and skilled as he, then Ranger is in good hands!

 

[KristiKelly]

 

[goin2disneyagain]

I am so sorry to hear about your dog. I hate to hear about sick dogs, it always saddens me. I hope he gets better.

 

[DopeyRN]

Robin...I am hoping for the best. While very often the docs know what they are dealing with before they get there, sometimes they are surprised. (Just this week one of our employees went to surgery for 2 masses...one in the abdomen and one on the kidney. All of us nurses were just hoping it was not an open and close surgery. Surprisingly it turned out to be non malignant, the kidney remains and the prognosis is good). My point is that you never know...there is still hope. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

 

[Blondie]

I'll be thinking good thoughts for Ranger! I know how devastated I'd be if something like this ever happened to our Shiloh.

Please keep us posted!

 

[airhead]

I'm sorry you have to see your dog like this,its hard. For those of us that love our animals so much,our hearts break when they get sick.I hope things turn positive for your dog.

 

[Kallison]

So sorry the prognosis doesn't sound good. If it is what you say and you decide to put him down, I think you are making a wise choice. He is a well loved doggie and he knows that. Keeping good thoughts going from PA.

 

[shortbun]

I'm a mile from the vet school. I'm sending really strong good
thoughts so Ranger will be comforted and feel safe. I hope the
prognosis is better than you think. The OSU vets are wonderful,
all of Columbus loves them. They pull off things you could not
imagine. Our animals have all been "saved" at one time or
another by them. Your Ranger is in my thoughts as are you and
your family.

 

[chager]

 

[CyranoJones]

Many good thoughts for Ranger and you.