tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279822094292237889.post806639004053874555..comments2024-03-18T23:38:19.018-07:00Comments on Andrea's Easy Vegan Cooking: Our dog has liver failureAndreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16146578985330272891noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279822094292237889.post-781417558111593392016-05-10T19:43:14.935-07:002016-05-10T19:43:14.935-07:00I hear what you're saying, and just so you kno...I hear what you're saying, and just so you know, I never complained to any of the vets who have treated my animals. Being a vet has got to be a very stressful job requiring great caring and compassion. I personally believe that no one should be carrying the burden of huge school debt — not vets, not doctors, not teachers, etc. Big pharmaceutical companies shouldn't be charging exorbitant prices for drugs. I could go on and on. Obviously it's not the fault of veterinarians that costs are high. I just took my poor pup in for an ear infection, and it cost more than $100, including $50 for 10 days of ear drops. I'm sorry you felt insulted, but I think anyone dealing with a sick pet would probably understand how I'm feeling about the money we've spent. We've decided to keep treating her with meds but forego any more testing beyond blood tests. With two ultrasounds, a liver biopsy, multiple blood tests, office visits, etc., we've spent more than $10,000 over the course of eight months. That seems a little crazy to me. I also feel embarrassed by it. It happened chunk by chunk, and it just seemed to add up surreptitiously. If anything, I hope people will be inspired to buy pet insurance so they don't find themselves in this position.Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16146578985330272891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279822094292237889.post-4574128125009217222016-05-07T07:16:19.045-07:002016-05-07T07:16:19.045-07:00I am so sorry for you and your sweet doggie!
I de...I am so sorry for you and your sweet doggie! <br />I definitely feel your pain and am so sorry for your situation. I hope you the best for your doggie!<br />However, I did feel a bit offended at your statement: "unbelievable, shocking cost of veterinary care". <br />As a vet, we undergo the same schooling as an MD, but an associate veterinary paid on average 65-75k per year, which seems tolerable until you consider the school debt of somewhere between 150-300k . Veterinary nurses are paid even less (25-30k per year).<br />We deal with people on a daily basis who complain about cost while expecting us to have the cutting edge equipment and training, expensive life-saving drugs, and treat their animals for free. <br />When you compare the cost of procedures for humans (prior to insurance), and the salaries, I think veterinary medicine is a steal. <br />I don't mean to get on a soapbox but perpetuating the idea that vet med is overpriced is troublesome. Everyone I know in the field does it because we love your pets, and the fact that we have to discuss and euthanize base on lack of money is so stressful to us. There is an extremely high rate of compassion fatigue and suicide in the field. <br />Trust me, we'd love to do what we do for free but we can't. <br />I am certain you didn't make that statement with bad intentions but I definitely feel it ruins a heartfelt post about your sweet companion. <br />Again, I am so sorry about your sweet doggie and my thoughts are with you. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279822094292237889.post-70171476081797089412016-05-05T09:35:02.331-07:002016-05-05T09:35:02.331-07:00It's hard to let go, isn't it? I wouldn...It's hard to let go, isn't it? I wouldn't want Callie to be in pain or unhappy. She still enjoys her favorite activities, though I know the day is coming when it will be obvious that she is no longer living an enjoyable life.Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16146578985330272891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279822094292237889.post-53987680139328063022016-05-05T09:31:46.854-07:002016-05-05T09:31:46.854-07:00Thanks, Maude. I love her so much and I hope she c...Thanks, Maude. I love her so much and I hope she can be with us a while longer.Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16146578985330272891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279822094292237889.post-19333297682469363902016-05-05T07:18:34.348-07:002016-05-05T07:18:34.348-07:00Our dog suffered from Cushings for the last few ye...Our dog suffered from Cushings for the last few years of his life. The best advice I found was ask yourself to list the 10-15 things your dog loved to do. How many of them does your dog still love to do? We had a list of at least 15, and he was down to basically 2 or 3. As pet owners that care, we sometimes hold on too long, rarely euthanizing early, but often waiting too long. SCnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279822094292237889.post-67931340328947983452016-05-02T14:03:53.352-07:002016-05-02T14:03:53.352-07:00I'm so sorry, Andrea. I've been lucky with...I'm so sorry, Andrea. I've been lucky with my one cat's health but I know every animal's time comes eventually.<br />Glad she isn't acting differently. maybe she will make a turn around; otherwise you know to cherish the time you have with her. She looks like a sweetie.foodfeudhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00589414740603993442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279822094292237889.post-62893565646504134132016-04-27T17:07:48.326-07:002016-04-27T17:07:48.326-07:00Thank you Jennifer. Callie and I both appreciate h...Thank you Jennifer. Callie and I both appreciate hugs. :)Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16146578985330272891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279822094292237889.post-26715133825407513672016-04-27T16:55:05.693-07:002016-04-27T16:55:05.693-07:00Thanks, Joey. She's pretty happy — maybe becau...Thanks, Joey. She's pretty happy — maybe because she doesn't know about her blood test results.Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16146578985330272891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279822094292237889.post-56350212385063791062016-04-27T13:46:38.729-07:002016-04-27T13:46:38.729-07:00I'm so sorry to hear this!!!! HUGS!!!!! http...I'm so sorry to hear this!!!! HUGS!!!!! http://MyBlissfulJourney.com Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04562457743187386722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279822094292237889.post-2463767541625530162016-04-27T13:45:09.414-07:002016-04-27T13:45:09.414-07:00I don't have any medical tips or advice to off...I don't have any medical tips or advice to offer, sadly, but just wanted to offer condolences, and hope that Callie remains as happy and well as can be for as long as possible.Joeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17066424084187434409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279822094292237889.post-68118265388247386432016-04-27T11:27:17.666-07:002016-04-27T11:27:17.666-07:00Thanks so much. I really appreciated everything yo...Thanks so much. I really appreciated everything you said. We are doing our best to keep Callie happy and 'healthy.' The thing that makes this all so hard to accept is the fact that she's only five. BTW, We've been through the injected fluids routine with one of our cats, and I even administered IV fluids to a neighbor's cat while she was on vacation. It's amazing what we do for our beloved pets.Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16146578985330272891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279822094292237889.post-70488869937028372482016-04-27T11:23:24.353-07:002016-04-27T11:23:24.353-07:00Thanks, Richa. I know you've had medical chall...Thanks, Richa. I know you've had medical challenges with Chewie, and really understand how it feels to see the dog you love go through serious problems.Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16146578985330272891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279822094292237889.post-47708611769697675072016-04-27T05:36:25.589-07:002016-04-27T05:36:25.589-07:00So sorry to hear about Callie's situation. We ...So sorry to hear about Callie's situation. We live with one of our beloved adopted Cambodian cat's kidney failure. Thanks to special diet and regular administration of subcutaneous hydration fluids-- which I do pretty much daily--she has a good quality of life, eats, is playful, affectionate, happy. I base my feelings about the situation on that, from one day to the next, and remember to appreciate every day I have with her. I don't think about her condition, just conduct our routine with her and cherish her cheerful presence with us. Similar to your situation, she suddenly was diagnosed 4 1/2 years ago with kidney failure, after a healthy lifestyle in our care for 9 years. No reason for it could be determined. So the only advice I have is just take it day by day and appreciate every moment you have with her, all of which you are doing from the sound of it. And try not to let the gravity of her situation overshadow your days with her while she is feeling good (of which I hope there are many more). Ginahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08283107902778819068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279822094292237889.post-35729809711956180742016-04-26T10:43:03.436-07:002016-04-26T10:43:03.436-07:00I am so sorry Andrea. With every passing year I en...I am so sorry Andrea. With every passing year I end up cuddling more and more with chewie. I hope Callie feels like herself and stays happy. Sending you all lots of hugs. Richahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10853950260023760011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279822094292237889.post-61942439436906916772016-04-26T10:15:19.375-07:002016-04-26T10:15:19.375-07:00My thoughts go out to you for Luka and her upcomin...My thoughts go out to you for Luka and her upcoming surgery — hope all goes well. Our last dogs lived to 16 and 14, so I do know what it's like to love an older pup. We haven't been called 'frequent fliers' to our faces, but that's what we are too. Callie is quite popular at the vet and her appointments are often extended because everyone working in the back wants a turn playing with her.Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16146578985330272891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279822094292237889.post-80064689813035350062016-04-26T10:08:14.055-07:002016-04-26T10:08:14.055-07:00Thanks, Amey. I really wish she could talk and tel...Thanks, Amey. I really wish she could talk and tell me how she feels. She's happy and eating and doing all the things I would expect from her if she were 100% healthy. Sometimes I just don't know what to do. Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16146578985330272891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279822094292237889.post-6418235564754894032016-04-26T10:04:54.429-07:002016-04-26T10:04:54.429-07:00Thank you, Mihl. So far she happy and seems so nor...Thank you, Mihl. So far she happy and seems so normal. It's hard to believe she's as sick as the vet tells us she is.Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16146578985330272891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279822094292237889.post-52956503870914040692016-04-26T10:03:12.497-07:002016-04-26T10:03:12.497-07:00Thank you Becky, we are doing our best to help Cal...Thank you Becky, we are doing our best to help Callie. We really thought she was recovering when we got the last jolt of bad news. So sad.Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16146578985330272891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279822094292237889.post-56119806345092294822016-04-26T10:01:38.318-07:002016-04-26T10:01:38.318-07:00We've lost many furry babies over the years, a...We've lost many furry babies over the years, and I agree with you that it's important to know when to let go. Callie seems fine now, but her future is uncertain. We live her too much to let her suffer when her time comes.Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16146578985330272891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279822094292237889.post-5373723348335314712016-04-26T09:59:04.134-07:002016-04-26T09:59:04.134-07:00Thank you, A.G. We keep hoping her liver will some...Thank you, A.G. We keep hoping her liver will somehow recover.<br />Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16146578985330272891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279822094292237889.post-30423028453279371782016-04-26T09:57:54.450-07:002016-04-26T09:57:54.450-07:00You've got it exactly right. Add to the mix th...You've got it exactly right. Add to the mix that she seems perfectly healthy but we know she isn't but don't have any idea what lies ahead.Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16146578985330272891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279822094292237889.post-3624834191343124162016-04-26T09:55:37.147-07:002016-04-26T09:55:37.147-07:00Thank you! Callie is the sweetest dog and I'm ...Thank you! Callie is the sweetest dog and I'm so sad this is happening to her.Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16146578985330272891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279822094292237889.post-38847248285949315872016-04-26T09:50:12.194-07:002016-04-26T09:50:12.194-07:00Ohhh Andrea I am so sorry to hear this struggle, I...Ohhh Andrea I am so sorry to hear this struggle, I wish I had advice but everything you are doing sounds right. I feel your regrets on not getting pet insurance too, with Luka being 12 and rapidly aging (I'm pretty sure she's fully deaf now) we we're called 'Frequent fliers' at the vet clinic just the other day. She's booked for surgery for a growth on her back and at her age anesthesia is always a concern. Even if the time with Callie is shorter than one could wish, know you are giving her the best love and care possible, there is no doubt she doesn't love you 100% best <3Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279822094292237889.post-6369243811066048322016-04-26T09:49:33.316-07:002016-04-26T09:49:33.316-07:00Oh Andrea, I'm so sorry to hear this difficult...Oh Andrea, I'm so sorry to hear this difficult news about your sweet Callie. She seems like such a special and gentle dog. I know how hard (and expensive) it is to have an ailing pet, and to have to make decisions about their care and treatment on their behalf -- without being able to consult with them. I'm sorry for the pain and heartache this brings. I hope that you can still have some sweet love-filled snuggles and dog walks together. <3Ameyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00291071425858947632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2279822094292237889.post-46029730796358409642016-04-26T08:43:57.286-07:002016-04-26T08:43:57.286-07:00Oh, Andrea, I am so sorry! You must be devastated....Oh, Andrea, I am so sorry! You must be devastated. Callie is lucky to have such amazing people caring for her during this difficult time. You are doing a great job.Glue and Glitterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04533322895055523713noreply@blogger.com