My foster... Lucky

I didn't know if I should post this in the Positive Vibes section, or in the General Medical.

I've had Lucky for a while now. He came into rescue because he went through a dramatic personality change, and his owner could not keep him. He was not dumped. She did really love and care for him. She has 2 other pugs, and for whatever reason, Lucky's change in personality was directed at her other two pugs, and he was attacking them, being aggressive.

At the same time, he was exhibiting other symptoms, extreme pain, and some sort of stomach issue.

It was found that he had eaten a good amount of rhubab, which is toxic to dogs. He spent a good deal of time at the vet, and they felt he had recovered.

After he was taken home, his symptoms did not change, but he appeared to be out of pain. His owner made the difficult decision to surrender him to rescue, because she knew he was unhappy, and frankly, she didn't know how to help him.

Fast forward to when he get him, which is about 6 weeks after all the things started initially for him. He appeared okay, a little different, but we wanted to asses him ourselves before we went crazy with testing. We figured some of his neuro problems were due to the lasting effects of the rhubarb toxins.

He's been with me, and I have taken him to the vet for periodic neuro follow ups to see the progression of his symptoms.

We had another such appointment yesterday. At this appointment, the vet consulted with another vet in the office about the progression of Lucky's symptoms. He is not getting better - he is getting worse. The comparison of his symptoms between yesterday, and where they were 6 weeks ago, 3 months ago.....all are worse, and new symptoms have appeared. He is unsteady walking, his peripheral vision has gone, he is losing weight (even though I have taken to feeding him peanut butter mixed in his food to increase calories), he hangs his head, he sleeps 22+ hours a day, he gets lost in the house and the yard, he shows signs of depression, he is super sensitive to stimulation, his legs give out, his sense of smell is almost non-existent. So far, I have not seen a seizure.

He is exhibiting 90% of all the classic signs of a brain tumor. Without an MRI, we don't know for certain, but, it is more likely than anything else. If he had effects from the rhubarb, we would be seeing an improvement in the symptoms over time. We aren't.

At this point, he is not elligiable for adoption. He will stay with me until his time comes.

We are giving him some prednisone to see if that helps any.

Please, spare a thought for Lucky. I am terrified of watching him decline, but I am committed to helping him make his journey.

If you have any tips or informatio on brain tumors, please pass them on.

I have no tips or advice. I do, however, want to commend you and tell you that you are an amazing person for your willingness to stick by him through what will most likely be a very emotional time. Thank you for all you have done, and will do, for Lucky.

Poor boy. He's been through a lot. I have no experience with brain tumors, but now have an elderly pug that I am fostering that will not likely be going anywhere and although he is relatively healthy, I know his time is limited due to his age. Thank you for being the soft place for this guy.

Tyson&LuLu'sMom wrote:I have no tips or advice. I do, however, want to commend you and tell you that you are an amazing person for your willingness to stick by him through what will most likely be a very emotional time. Thank you for all you have done, and will do, for Lucky.

My thoughts exactly. I'll be keeping Lucky and you in my thoughts.

Take care,

Trish

Miss Pit wrote:

Tyson&LuLu'sMom wrote:I have no tips or advice. I do, however, want to commend you and tell you that you are an amazing person for your willingness to stick by him through what will most likely be a very emotional time. Thank you for all you have done, and will do, for Lucky.

My thoughts exactly. I'll be keeping Lucky and you in my thoughts.

Take care,

Trish

Mine too. You are Lucky are in my thoughts and prayers.

I am so sorry to hear this, I have no advice either, but thank you for looking after this poor little man, you are in our thoughts x

Lucky is indeed lucky to have landed with someone who will allow him to go through his illness with dignity and love. Thank you for being there for him.

Lucky's name is appropriate in that he was lucky to be taken in by rescue and such a wonderful foster mom. Many prayers for Lucky and hugs for his foster mom.

How sad for you and Lucky. Sending good thoughts your way.

dieselsmom wrote:Lucky's name is appropriate in that he was lucky to be taken in by rescue and such a wonderful foster mom. Many prayers for Lucky and hugs for his foster mom.

Thanks everyone, and thank you Rachel. I already said, I refuse to think of Lucky's name as ironic. He is lucky, not unlucky. My daughter has really taken to him, and she has been a tremendous help with his needs. Its bittersweet, but I am thankful that I will be able to help him through this journey.

Renee wrote:

dieselsmom wrote:Lucky's name is appropriate in that he was lucky to be taken in by rescue and such a wonderful foster mom. Many prayers for Lucky and hugs for his foster mom.

Thanks everyone, and thank you Rachel. I already said, I refuse to think of Lucky's name as ironic. He is lucky, not unlucky. My daughter has really taken to him, and she has been a tremendous help with his needs. Its bittersweet, but I am thankful that I will be able to help him through this journey.

I absolutely think he's lucky, he ended up in a home that will take care of him and make sure he gets the care he needs; and even his home before, it seems they loved him. So, he is lucky, he has known love his whole life.

Well, Bless him and bless you. It's always so hard to see a dog have to become a hospice dog, but what a gift you are to him in his last weeks.

how sad. i'm so glad you have lucky and are providing such a wonderful home for him in his last days.

I'm so sorry Renee. I know it seems ironic that his name is Lucky but he is lucky to have found you.

northernwitch wrote:Well, Bless him and bless you. It's always so hard to see a dog have to become a hospice dog, but what a gift you are to him in his last weeks.

Blanche said it wonderfully. I've had a few hospice dogs and at least they go to the bridge knowing someone loves them.

Hugs to you Renee.

I'm so sorry Renee. I lost my darling Puck to a suspected brain tumour 3 years ago and the only clear signs were seizures. I don't know what I can say to help, other than I think you'll know when it's time to help him go. Bless you both. He is indeed Lucky to be in your care. I am sure he feels incredibly loved.

I have had a dog with a brain tumour. After some weeks of not being accurately diagnosed, it was finally diagnosed by an MRI scan. It was utterly heartbreaking to watch her decline - particularly the difficulty in walking/balance and the disorientation she suffered. Just before the end she would go outside into the garden, and simply howl.
On the day of the diagnosis I asked the specialists to let her go while still under the anaesthetic. I couldn't bear to see her suffer any more.
I still remember it as though it were yesterday. She was only 10 and a little piece of my heart went with her.

H the P wrote:I have had a dog with a brain tumour. After some weeks of not being accurately diagnosed, it was finally diagnosed by an MRI scan. It was utterly heartbreaking to watch her decline - particularly the difficulty in walking/balance and the disorientation she suffered. Just before the end she would go outside into the garden, and simply howl.
On the day of the diagnosis I asked the specialists to let her go while still under the anaesthetic. I couldn't bear to see her suffer any more.
I still remember it as though it were yesterday. She was only 10 and a little piece of my heart went with her.

Thank you for this. It is good to know I am not alone.

We haven't done an MRI, and that worries me. I suppose a small part of me is in denial...thinking, oh, he'll snap out of it. The lack of a definitive diagnosis weighs on me. But...he has almost all of the symptoms. The lack of balance and disorientation is a big problem of his. Fortunately, he doesn't howl yet, but he does cry, especially when he is anyone out of the house.

Renee, you are amazing! Lucky landed in the perfect home! Sounds like you are raising a future pug rescuer (Amber).