Eric7100 Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 Today, I am 41 years old. And for the 16th time, I share my birthday with the birthday of my dog, Salt, who turns 16 today. Unfortunately, it is not a happy birthday. Salt is old and ailing. On Sunday, she lost her ability to walk. Now, she is not eating. She has been to the vet, with a good prognosis, according to blood work and X-rays. But still, I have my doubts. With a heavy heart, I celebrate what I know will be Salt's final birthday. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+eebuckeye Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 Sorry to hear Eric.. that is always very sad. We have a beagle that looks similar to your dog and she is a terrific dog. Hopefully your dog will turn around soon! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+cvga Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 Happy Birthday to you and Salt. I know it's difficult to lose a pet but hope that the two of you are able to enjoy the time you still have together. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m-crew Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 Today, I am 41 years old. And for the 16th time, I share my birthday with the birthday of my dog, Salt, who turns 16 today. Unfortunately, it is not a happy birthday. Salt is old and ailing. On Sunday, she lost her ability to walk. Now, she is not eating. She has been to the vet, with a good prognosis, according to blood work and X-rays. But still, I have my doubts. With a heavy heart, I celebrate what I know will be Salt's final birthday. Salt And Eric.jpg Happy Birthday !!! Be thankful for all those years and that Salt is still here to celebrate this years BD.. Cheers and have a great Day!!!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+nanochess Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 Happy birthday man! And give Salt so much love as possible. Everyday counts 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 Happy Birthday Eric. Spend as much time with Salt. You have a good heart for her, and she knows that you love her. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+intellivotion Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 Happy birthday, man and dog! Trust the vet and enjoy the day 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJChandler Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 Happy Birthday, Hope you have a great one. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scalpel Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 Happy Birthday Eric. Take care about Salt. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiLic0ne t0aD Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 Happy Birthday! Make it a good one. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RetroAl Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 Happy Birthday to the two of you. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+BBWW Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 Watching our companions grow old and suffer is very difficult. My last companion was a cat that lived to the age of 22! Happy Birthday and love to Salt! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+JasonlikesINTV Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 Happy Birthday, Eric. Sorry about Salt's decline in health. You guys are fortunate to have 16 years of companionship together. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric7100 Posted November 24, 2016 Author Share Posted November 24, 2016 Thank you all for the birthday wishes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChefPepper Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 Happy birthday to you and Salt! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnPCAE Posted November 25, 2016 Share Posted November 25, 2016 Happy Birthday! (I also turned 47 yesterday). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric7100 Posted November 25, 2016 Author Share Posted November 25, 2016 I am back from a critical care appointment at the vet. I will post a more detailed update later, but for now, I will just say that Salt appears to be in her final hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Umberto Posted November 25, 2016 Share Posted November 25, 2016 Sorry Bro, my wife and I know your pain. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric7100 Posted November 25, 2016 Author Share Posted November 25, 2016 (edited) Salt was doing fine until Sunday morning. That was when she stopped walking. On Tuesday evening, I took her to the vet. Blood work and X-rays were taken, which showed nothing abnormal. Salt's blood levels were normal, her organs were functioning, and there was no signs of any masses or tumors. Low potassium levels and a deteriorating spinal disc were determined to be the cause of her walking problem. A potassium supplement, along with other meds, were sent home. However, Salt would no longer eat, as of Tuesday night. She became very tired and very weak. She has not been able to keep her eyes open. On Friday morning, she returned to the vet for a critical care appointment. Her temperature, heartbeat, pulse, abdomen, and lymph nodes are all normal. She is not dehydrated. She has no signs of any distress or pain. She is not showing signs of any condition that would cause her to stop eating. But she looks miserable and ready to stop living. The vet said that sometimes they can't find or see what is wrong. It could be a tumor in her brain, which would not be detected by blood work or an X-ray. It could be that her cancer has spread to somewhere undetected. We will probably never know. However, it appears that Salt is now in her final hours, as we are doing everything we can to keep her comfortable until whatever day/hour it is that God decides to bring her home. Please keep her in your prayers. Edited November 25, 2016 by Eric7100 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hyperboy Posted November 25, 2016 Share Posted November 25, 2016 @Eric..hang in there bro! Sent from my non beer holding hand. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m-crew Posted November 25, 2016 Share Posted November 25, 2016 Its tough Eric, I can feel your pain and Salts. .. Salt needs to be at peace .... Im sure he knows and feels that's what you want for him. Peace Bro!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric7100 Posted November 28, 2016 Author Share Posted November 28, 2016 Salt received IV fluids on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. On Saturday afternoon, we traveled 20 miles for her annual photos with Santa Claus. This appointment was pre-scheduled. The pictures will arrive in a couple of weeks. Salt did a fantastic job. She leash-walked with me from the car to Santa's room. She was very alert for the 20-minute photo session, eyes wide open and ears up. She looked like she could keep posing all day. Salt has been drinking water and urinating normally. No bowel movements. I have force-fed her some of the critical care canned food from her veterinarian, but turkey from Thanksgiving is working MUCH better. She eats the turkey on her own, without hesitation. That's the only thing that she will eat. Otherwise, her condition has remained the same. Lots of sleep. Lots of kisses when awake. I think she needs a higher dose of potassium, because her walking is very weak. When asleep, to be honest, she looks close to death. When awake, she looks MUCH better. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChefPepper Posted November 28, 2016 Share Posted November 28, 2016 So glad to hear Salt is doing better! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric7100 Posted November 29, 2016 Author Share Posted November 29, 2016 Salt is back from her 8-week follow-up appointment with her oncologist. Although he acknowledges that her oral cancer has returned, it remains a skin cancer that will not spread to her organs. Unfortunately, due to her weakened state, she can't receive chemotherapy at this time. Her inability to walk is probably related to a deteriorated spinal disc, for which he has increased her steroid dosage. He does not believe that either problem would lead to a decrease in appetite. He is uncertain why Salt has stopped eating, but he hopes the steroid and the appetite stimulant will help. If not, I will continue to force-feed her. She is still drinking water on her own. Next week, she has an ultrasound scheduled to see if any specific problems can be detected. When asked if he agrees with the veterinarian's assessment that Salt is in her final days, he said "not necessarily." 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4ever2600 Posted December 3, 2016 Share Posted December 3, 2016 Very sorry to hear this, but keep positive thoughts... glad to hear the vets last opinion about it not necessarily Salts final days. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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