Speaking of Paws

Sunday, November 17, 2024

Preparing for the Unexpected

Several days ago, a neighbor asked for information on the nextdoor app on rescues who accept senior dogs. A family member passed away and left behind a senior pet that no one else had the space or resources to keep, but they didn’t want to drop the dog off at the shelter. Hence why the neighbor was reaching out for resources that they could look into.

Kudos to them for trying to keep the dog out of a shelter, but this serves as a reminder of how important it is to have a plan for your pet if something were to happen to you. Not all family members know what to do or are willing to go the extra mile to ensure your pet finds a new home if you were gone.

Take my husband, for example. He is not an animal person, and there is this understanding that Cas and Chunky are my babies. He loves me enough to help out with them, and he even enjoys playing with them when one or the other are in the mood to play. However, if I were to pass away before my babies do, he wouldn’t keep them. He also wouldn’t know what to do, which is why we had a conversation of what I would like him to do.

Chunky would go to my sister, mostly because my sister was the one who originally adopted him, so he was technically her baby first. It made the most sense, and I knew she’d take him in. Cas would go to a dog rescue. I know that some would frown that he wouldn’t go to a family member, but no one in our family is able to take him in. Either they aren’t animal people, they live in apartments that don’t allow dogs, they already have their own dogs, or they aren’t in a place financially to take care of an animal with health issues. My red-eared slider turtle is the only animal my husband would keep, mostly because my turtle is low-maintenance and not too expensive to take care of.

One thing to note is that I’m not angry or bitter at my husband for not wanting to keep my furbabies. He was honest with me, and I knew the only reason he accepted the cat and dog into our home is because he wanted to make me happy. Some might say that he made a commitment and that doesn’t end when I’m dead. However, I’d rather he tell me the truth now so I can make plans instead of lying to me.

I know a lot of people put these kinds of conversations off; unless we’re older, terminally ill, or had near-death experiences, it’s very easy not to think about death. I think some folks purposely don't think about it because its a morbid topic. But we should, because anything can happen, and our pets are not going to understand. They’ll be confused and lost once we’re gone. Our families will be confused and lost, too, so having a plan will make the transition for everyone involved a little more seamless.

So if you have a partner, talk to them about what the plans are if one or both of you passed away. Talk to family and maybe even friends as well to see if there is anyone who may be willing to take in your pets. Research nearby rescues, too, in case no one you know can take your pet. For Cas, I have Frosted Faces Foundation (https://frostedfacesfoundation.org/) and Golden Years Dog Sanctuary (https://goldenyearsdogsanctuary.com/) on the top of my list of rescues since both of them primarily focus on seniors. And it just occurred to me that there might be a few rescues out there that focus on poodles, so I'll research and see if there are any that could potentially help. I want to make sure my husband has a decent sized list to work since we all know that a rescue can only take in so many animals.

PetFinder has a decent article on what you can do to prepare for your pet to live without you if it comes to that, including general guidelines on legal steps one can take to ensure your pet is going be okay. Here's the link: https://www.petfinder.com/adopt-or-get-involved/adopting-pets/about/providing-homes-for-your-pets-after-youre-gone/

Look, I’m hoping to live a long life. If I don’t, then at the very least I want to outlive my furbabies. We don’t always get what we want, though. Does it suck to think about something as depressing as death? Yes, which is why so many people don’t have wills. I don’t have a will either (even though I should). But I have to make sure that my furbabies will be okay if I were to pass away. I urge all pet moms and dads out there to do the same.

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

CHN: Small-cell Lymphoma

It's official: Chunky has small-cell lymphoma. I’ll be the first to say that I never expected to find myself dealing with an oncologist or a cancer diagnosis for one of my babies, but here I am.

It’s taken a while to process, but I think I’m finally at a place of acceptance. This couldn't be prevented, and it can’t really be cured. It helps that Chunky is acting normal. You wouldn’t even know he has cancer, except for when I have to give him his medicine. Even then, if I didn’t wrap him into a little burrito, he’d fight me with his little paws.

When the oncologist confirmed that Chunky had small-cell lymphoma, I had an idea of what it was already, but she was helpful in explaining that lymphoma is the most common cancer that cats can be diagnosed with. There are actually two kinds of lymphoma that cats can get: small-cell lymphoma, and large-cell lymphoma. Out of the two, it was better for Chunky to get small-cell lymphoma, mostly because it has a higher response rate to chemotherapy compared to large-cell lymphoma. This means a longer survival time for Chunky, and the oncologist is optimistic that Chunky will live for at least another couple of years. He might even go into remission.

Even if he went into remission, though, he will need to take chemotherapy medication and steroids for the rest of his life. The good thing is that he isn’t experiencing any side-effects from the medication so far. If he were, he’d be vomiting more, eating less, and overall just not feeling himself. Ironically, the meds decreased his chronic vomiting and increased his appetite. I guess I should be grateful for that, since there’s less vomit for me to worry about. Not to mention he gained a half-pound since he started his medication. It doesn’t seem like much, but for a cat that was under five pounds, a half-pound is a big deal.

There is a risk of him getting diabetes because of the medication, which is why Chunky needs to go in frequently for bloodwork. Right now it’s monthly, and assuming his blood work continues to come back normal, they’ll draw blood every other month. I’m not sure what the plan will be if he does eventually develop diabetes, so let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.

There is one downside to the positive effects the meds have on him–the increase in appetite has led to constant meowing in the mornings when he doesn’t get the wet food that he wants. The thing is, I have no idea what it is that he wants. He’s not only picky, he gets tired of certain flavors and brands, so it's a revolving door of wet food. He’s a free-feeder when it comes to his kibble, so he isn’t being starved, but you wouldn't know that with how vocal he is when he is unhappy with the wet food he is given.

This has certainly been an interesting year when it comes to my pets. Expensive, too, but that's a post for another time.

And if you’re wondering what the CHN tag stands for, it’s for Chunky and Cas Health News. It's a tweak from the title of my last post. I have a feeling that my plan to write about them from time to time has shifted and that you’ll read about them a lot more frequently. Bear with me as I navigate my new normal with my senior furbabies.

I'll leave this pic here for you all to enjoy of Chunky taking a nap on me instead of the nice comfy pet bed I bought for him.

Friday, August 30, 2024

Chunky Health News

It’s been a hard couple of weeks.

Last Tuesday, Chunky had his appointment with an Internist for an abdominal ultrasound. If you may recall, Chunky was experiencing chronic vomiting so his primary vet recommended the ultrasound to try to figure out what was going on.

The ultrasound showed two things: Chunky’s lymph nodes are enlarged and the lining of his small intestines is thicker than it should be. The Internist recommended a biopsy, which of course I authorized because I needed to know what was wrong with my cat.

For two days I was on pins and needles, waiting for the results to come in. When the Internist finally did call me, it was with the worst news possible: there was evidence of cancer.

It wasn’t what I wanted to hear. I cried so many times since then that I don’t know if I have any tears left. The idea of Chunky having cancer seemed ludicrous. How can my furbaby have such a nasty disease?

I made an appointment with an oncologist while the Internist does further testing to confirm what kind of cancer it is. The appointment isn’t until the second week of September, so there’s not much I can do except twiddle my thumbs, which sucks. I mean, this entire situation sucks, but having to wait for answers makes the situation harder to deal with.

I remember when Cas was diagnosed with heart disease, it was a little easier to process. I didn’t have to wait days for results, nor was I bouncing around between doctors. I was given his diagnosis, the recommended treatment, his medication, and his life expectancy all within the same hour. I don’t have that with Chunky. I don’t know how advanced the cancer is or what treatment plans are available, if any. I don’t know what his life expectancy is now. I don’t know if treatment will make things better or worse for him. I’m unable to make a decision. I’m unable to adjust. I’m just lost.

Like I said, this sucks.

Below is a picture that I took a few years ago of Chunky and Cas. Cas always appreciated the camera but it's rare to get one of Chunky looking in my direction when I'm taking a picture of him. Usually he turns his head, as if he's saying "no pictures, no pictures." That's why this is one of my favorite pictures, because I have both of them looking at me. Both were healthy without a care in the world.

I'd give anything to go back to this moment. Anything.

Thursday, August 15, 2024

It's Time to Clear the Shelters

If you’ve been thinking about bringing home a new pet, now may be the time to adopt from a shelter or rescue because if you haven’t heard, the Clear the Shelters campaign is officially underway.

For those who may not be familiar with the name, Clear the Shelters is a yearly campaign that sees NBC and Telemundo stations across the U.S. partner with local shelters and rescues to promote adoption and to fundraise. There’s even a television special that will air nationwide on August 16th, hosted by Amanda Seyfried (any fans of the Mamma Mia or Mean Girls movies out there?).

I’ve been a huge fan of this campaign because it helps highlight animals who are available for adoption. A few posts back I mentioned that I’m not here to tell anyone what to do when it comes to adopting or shopping for a pet, and that still stands true. Personally, though, I’ve always been a proponent of adoption. My own fur babies came from shelters. There’s so many overlooked animals stuck in kennels who just need to be given a chance to be seen. I will never judge someone who buys from an ethical breeder, but I will always promote adoption from a shelter or rescue.

Which is why I wanted to use this post to highlight the campaign. It gets people to think about adoption or, at the very least, get people to think about donating. Shelters are underfunded and recuses often rely on just donations. They are doing their best in a situation that has spiraled out of control, and the more support they get from their communities the more they can do for the animals.

The attention that Clear the Shelters brings has helped thousands of animals get adopted, and this year the adoption campaign is running from August 10th to September 10th. Even more exciting, this is the campaign’s 10th anniversary, and they opted to celebrate that achievement by extending their donation initiative through September 30th.

If you can’t adopt or donate, no worries! Sharing the campaign with family or friends who may not have heard about it can help. For more info, please feel free to check out their website: https://www.cleartheshelters.com/

Thursday, August 1, 2024

Cats and the Outdoors

There’s a cat that visits my patio from time to time. It has no collar and it hisses at me if I approach it. I nicknamed it Smokey, and I know what you’re thinking: Smokey is a stray. I thought so too, at first, but it’s fat with a clean coat. The strays I’m used to seeing in my area are usually skinny, so I have a feeling Smokey belongs to someone, and that Smokey’s owner lets it roam outside.

Every time I see Smokey, I always wonder why the owner lets it be outside. In fact, why does anyone allow their cat to go outside? I am not talking about enclosed patios or fenced backyards. I’m talking about opening the front door, watching your cat leave, and then shutting the door behind them. I’ve seen social media posts of cat parents saying it's good for cats to be outside. I’ll admit, I judged them. I judged them hard. I even thought they were lying.

I did some digging and as it turns out, they might be telling the truth. Nothing is concrete, but it's been suggested that cats who have access to the outdoors can benefit from more exercise and are able to indulge in natural behaviors. This includes hunting, exploring, and climbing (Tan et al.). A cat may also benefit from the stimulation they receive while outdoors. They can take in the sights, smells, and sounds, and entertain themselves with what nature has to offer (“Outdoor Cats: Pros & Cons of Outdoor Life | Purina”). There’s also the possibility that cats who remain indoors could develop issues such as indoor spraying and scratching due to stress, or engaging in destructive behavior due to boredom. (“Pros & cons: Indoor or outdoor cats”). I suppose it makes sense that some cats might thrive being outside if these benefits are proven to be true.

I also can’t forget the cons. Take my area, for example. We have coyotes here, and they aren’t afraid to jump over walls and fences to get to small animals. A cat walking down the street is easy pickings, so that is the number one reason why I don’t let my own cat outside. Not to mention the other risks outdoor cats face: moving cars, diseases, parasites, and humans with very ill intentions. To this day, I carry the haunting memory of seeing a dead cat lying in the middle of the street. You just never know what might happen.

Alas, I can’t control what other people do with their pets. So, if you are thinking about letting your cat explore the great outdoors, use common sense. Consider the pros and cons, and acknowledge the risks. The Purina article takes it a step further and advises owners to have their cats microchipped and neutered before letting them out, which I whole-heartedly agree with. If your cat gets lost or goes too far, a microchip will go a long way in letting people know who your kitty belongs to when they are found. Getting your cat fixed should go without saying, but it's especially important if they are going to be let out. For one, you don’t want to add to the already high cat population, and two, unneutered males are more territorial and may get into fights with other cats.

As I finish writing this post, my mind goes back to Smokey. I know some may be thinking that I should just bring Smokey indoors, but it's not my place to do so and Chunky would not appreciate it. All I can do is hope that the next time I see Smokey, it won’t be lying dead in the street.

Sources

“Outdoor Cats: Pros & Cons of Outdoor Life | Purina.” Purina UK, https://www.purina.co.uk/articles/cats/kitten/welcoming/outdoor-cats. Accessed 23 July 2024.

“Pros & cons: Indoor or outdoor cats.” Banfield Pet Hospital, https://www.banfield.com/en/Wellness-at-banfield/kitten-hub/indoor-vs-outdoor-cats. Accessed 23 July 2024.

Tan, Sarah M.L., et al. “Uncontrolled Outdoor Access for Cats: An Assessment of Risks and Benefits.” NCBI, 6 February 2020, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7070728/. Accessed 23 July 2024.

Tuesday, July 9, 2024

June Gloom: Chunky Edition

After my last blog post about Cas’ heart disease, I didn’t anticipate bringing up another personal matter so soon. This time it’s for my cat Chunky. He is seventeen and on the thin side, so I’m always on the lookout for any medical issues due to his age.

In early June, he started to vomit. Chunky has occasionally thrown up here and there over the course of his life, especially during the summer when he chucks up at least one hairball a week. But these weren’t hairballs; these were large puddles of yellow bile and undigested food. He abruptly stopped eating his kibble too, which was worrying because it was a prescription to help with his kidneys. The only thing he wanted to eat was his wet food.

I took him to the vet and they ran some tests to see if they could pinpoint the issue. They thought that perhaps his kidney issues had evolved into full-blown kidney disease, but the blood work didn’t show that. The only thing they found was that he was severely dehydrated. They gave him some fluids and scheduled two follow-up appointments.

The fluids he was given seemed to help and he became interested in his kibble again when I brought him home. He still threw up, though. He also lost interest in his wet food. At his first follow-up appointment, they checked to see if the problem was with his thyroid, but tests ruled that out. They recommended that I take him to an Internist to get an abdominal ultrasound, and in the meantime prescribed Cerenia (anti-nausea meds) to help with the vomiting.

Big mistake on the Cerenia. Chunky experienced such bad side-effects from it. Complete loss of appetite, lethargy, and obvious weakness in the limbs. He was completely disconnected from me and my husband, and only wanted to sleep all day and night. I stopped giving it to him and decided never to give him Cerenia again.

As for the abdominal ultrasound, I think we all know how expensive specialty medicine is. The cheapest I could find for the ultrasound in my area was about $600. I had already spent $500 for the tests they ran on Chunky, and just a few weeks prior to that I had spent $900 for Cas’ echocardiogram. My plan was to save up money for Chunky’s ultrasound.

In the days leading up to his second follow-up visit, Chunky seemed to be doing better. The Cerenia was wearing off, which was a huge relief. He wasn't vomiting buckets of yellow bile, either. He was active and nibbling on his wet food again, as well as some bland chicken I made for him. He stopped touching his kibble again, but I started to suspect his vomiting had turned him off from it since he didn't mind the chicken.

During the second follow-up, the vet asked if there were any updates on the ultrasound. I told her my plan and her vibe became somber. She insisted that I get the ultrasound sooner because she suspected that the underlying issue was cancer. Chunky was now at five pounds—one pound lighter than he was when she saw him last. He was docile and not really engaged during the appointment. She claimed that the last time she saw him he was a bit more active, but because he was just lying there she felt that he was rapidly declining. She told me that I had to be realistic and start thinking about what was good for Chunky, and the possibility that it was time for him to be put to sleep.

Her words drove me to the ER to get that ultrasound because appointment availability was weeks out among the hospitals I contacted and I was so sure I was about to lose him. I was crying on and off, terrified that I would have to put him down.

The ER vet took me aside and asked if I really wanted to do an ultrasound that day. A couple of things they wanted me to consider:

They had an ER Internist who could do the ultrasound but that was their last day at that hospital, and if something were to be found in the ultrasound I would still need to make an appointment with an in-house Internist for continued care;
They suspected kidney disease as being the culprit for the chronic vomiting even though the bloodwork didn’t really show it;
They agreed that an ultrasound was needed to rule out any possible GI issues, but it didn’t need to be done that day as they didn’t believe that he was declining the way the other vet claimed.

I appreciated the ER vet’s honesty and compassion. Their calm demeanor and thorough explanation dug me out from this dark hole I had buried myself in. They even went as far as to void the exam and consultation fee. The experience in itself was so wonderful that I went ahead and made an appointment with their in-house Internist for mid-August.

So what did I take away from this entire experience? For one, delivering wonderful customer service can result in a returning customer. For another, I’m not sure I’ll be taking Chunky back to that vet who basically said that he was dying.

Look, I understand where she was coming from. Sometimes you have to think about the worst possible scenario. I just don't think her delivery was the best. Also, the cancer diagnosis was only a guess. Yes, it’s a possibility that I have to consider, but maybe there is another GI issue at work. Maybe Chunky just had an upset tummy that resolved on its own.

I’m not dismissing anything here, but pushing the idea of cancer had sent me into a spiral I could have done without. Would it have been different if another vet had delivered that kind of news? Honestly, who knows.

At the end of the day, Chunky is here and alive. He is eating kibble again (I did end up having to switch brands) and he commandeered Cas’ bed as his own to sleep in, much to Cas’ annoyance. Hopefully the ultrasound will reveal nothing and the only thing I walk away with is another expensive vet bill. For my peace of mind, it will be well worth the cost.

Tuesday, June 18, 2024

MMVD - It's All About the Heart

Ever heard of myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD)? If your answer is no, then you’re not alone. I didn’t know what it was either until my dog Cas was diagnosed with it a few years ago.

After Cas’ primary vet detected that he had a heart murmur, I started taking him to a cardiologist for an annual echocardiogram (a test that uses soundwaves to create images of a dog’s heart). That is where I learned that the heart murmur was caused by MMVD. I was worried, but the cardiologist had emphasized that dogs with MMVD can live long, full lives if the disease didn’t get worse.

Unfortunately, the results from his latest echocardiogram weren’t good. Not only had the disease progressed, there was no stopping the inevitable: Cas will eventually go into heart failure.

How did we go from Cas living the rest of his life with just a heart murmur to one day going into heart failure?

For starters, MMVD causes the degeneration of the mitral valve, which is located between the two chambers on the left side of the heart. When the valve works normally, it opens to allow blood to flow from the top chamber to the bottom chamber and then closes to prevent blood from flowing backwards. As the valve degenerates, it creates a leak that causes the blood to flow back into the upper chamber. That backflow of blood is the source of the murmur, and it can eventually cause increasing pressure in the left chambers of the heart, which in turn causes the chambers to enlarge. All of this can lead to congestive heart failure.

MMVD is the most common heart disease in canines and affects about 80% of small breeds. The chances of a small breed getting it increases by 60% when they turn seven. It is categorized into the below stages to determine how advanced the disease is and if/when medication is needed.

Stage A: At risk of getting the disease, but no signs of a heart murmur.

Stage B1: Signs of a heart murmur.

Stage B2: There’s visible enlargement of the heart.

Stage C: Heart failure; symptoms can be managed with medication.

Stage D: Heart failure; medication is no longer effective.

Cas’ disease had originally been diagnosed as B1. Now it is categorized as B2. Medication isn’t necessarily automatic when a dog’s disease progresses to B2. How enlarged the heart is really determines when medication is recommended, and for Cas, the enlargement was labeled as moderate. This was enough for the cardiologist to suggest medication.

Medication isn’t a cure, but it buys more time. As Cas’ cardiologist explained it, it would be an estimated 6-9 months before Cas’ disease progressed to stage C. With medication, it delays it by 1-2 years. From a logical standpoint, the medication doesn’t delay heart failure by much, but from an emotional standpoint it gives Cas more time to live his life without symptoms.

As a mom to senior pets, I anticipated health issues to arise as they age, but it’s still hard to hear a diagnosis that brings no hope. Death was only a theory, a probability that I didn’t have to think about because why wouldn’t I think my animals would live forever?

Now I’ve been brought back to reality. The silver lining is that Cas doesn’t realize what is happening. He isn’t faced with his own mortality. He remains innocent and pure. I can take some comfort in that even as my heart breaks.

The information above is summarized from the sources below as well as the information provided to me by Cas’ cardiologist. I do not work in the veterinary field. I encourage you to conduct your own research or reach out to your dog’s vet to learn more about MMVD.