Need Help/Information on Brain Tumors and Strokes

[Albie]

Aimee - I know it is so hard to know what to do. Have you asked the vet any questions as to what you would do if you find out he has a heart condition? Do you think he can tolerate being put on heart medications? Belle (who has dilated cardiomyopathy) needs to have routine blood work to follow her kidney and liver functions because of the heart meds she is on. If he is in heart failure, is it congestive heart failure? Congestive heart failure can be treated with Lasix (a diuretic) to remove the fluid build-up and make him more comfortable. Obviously, this is hard on the kidneys. I can tell when Belle has a build-up of fluid in her lungs because her breathing sounds real wet and she makes a whistling sound when she exhales. The Lasix makes this go away. Other than when Belle experiences breathing issues, I don’t really notice any signs of a heart problem. Although, one thing I have noticed is if she is not feeling well, her gums will often be pale or the insides of her ears will be pale. Belle’s pulses are strong and steady, but not so strong that I feel them without actually putting my hands on her and feeling for them. I know that I often worry if I am doing the right thing for Belle. I feel like I have to weigh every decision I make concerning her care so carefully, and even then who knows if it is the right decision. I wish there was some sort of guidebook that gave us all the right answers when it comes to our furbabies, but since there’s not, I have come to realize that you just have to feel at peace with the decisions you make. When Belle was so sick and was in the hospital fighting for her life, I really wondered if I was putting her through all of this for selfish reasons. Now that she is home with us and is doing great, I am so relieved that I did not give up on her. I know that there will be a time when I have to make another life or death decision, and I honestly don’t know what I will do. Good luck with whatever you decide to do and take comfort in the fact that you have brought him this far.

 

[bigears]

Aimee,

Here are more vibes to help Baxter (and you, of course) keep up the good fight ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Keep going strong, big guy!

Allison, Mugsy and Shadow

 

[Aimee]

Thank you guys!

I do not know what, if anything, they could do for poor Baxter's little ticker. I don't believe it's congestive heart failure, he doesn't have fluid build up. It's as if his heart just has to work extra hard :( I'm glad that Belle is sustaining and doing so well.

I was going to call the cardiologist this week to make an appointment but I'm going to wait now and see if Baxter stabalizes. He has not had a walk in 3 days and he is very unsteady on his feet. Friday we bumped him back up to 20mg of pred from 17.5mg because when I went to walk him he was extremely wobbly, just wanted to see if it would help him. Then on Saturday we switched his pred around to 15mg in the morning and 5mg at night per the recommendation of our vet. He was worse yesterday. I took the day off today to stay home and watch him, he's had breakfast and is sleeping soundly in bed right now. I homecooked a nice stew for him yesterday, he has begun to turn his nose up at his breakfast every morning. He eats dinner well, but not breakfast. He inhaled his bowl this morning, which is a good sign! Yesterday Baxter had a nosebleed. He was bleeding from the same side that his ulcer/abcess is on. I searched on the internet and found that the abcess/ulcer is most likely a malignant tumor, which I have suspected. The nose bleeds, sneezing and ulcerated and dead skin are typical signs of a malignant tumor. Our hearts are breaking. We are going to watch him over the next couple of days and if there is no improvement, I believe we are going to have to set Baxter free from his broken body. Please pray for my special man.

Aimee

 

[Austin's Mom]

*tears* Aimee I'm so sorry Baxter isn't doing well. I pray for him and for strength for you and Jason. I know you'll do what you think is best for him. ((((hugs))))

 

[ljnash]

My thoughts and prayers will be with you this week. I hope Mr. B. can rally once again, but if not, I pray you have the strength and courage to do what's best for him.

 

[debbie knowles]

Oh Aimee....I wish I could say or do something to make this all better. I do know one thing though, there have never been any two individuals who are more intune to each other than you and Mr. B..in mind, body and spirit. Please believe this and know in your heart that you WILL do the right thing this week, whether it be hug him tight and be thankful for him responding to the meds and rallying back or helping his gentle, loving spirit to a better place where he can be whole again and have the physical strength and abilities that he so rightfully deserved here on earth. It is hard...so very hard to let go when the time comes but you know there is no one in this world that you can trust more than Baxter, so I know you can trust him to let you know what is right for him and he will let you know. He will...

Baxter: You hang in there big guy...cause there ain't nobody here ready to let you go. We just love you too darned much.

You know we will all be thinking of you guys and praying just as hard as we can. Love, Deb

 

[Holden's Mom]

Not the news I wished to read this pretty Monday morning. I'm hoping and praying Baxter responds to the meds. If not, you will know and set him free to be whole once more. Baxter himself will let you know.

Pam and Pete

 

[Jan]

Sending more positve vibes to Baster. Hang in there Mr. B.

 

[jray]

Amiee,
I don't know what to say. You will continue to have my BW vibes! I'll be thinking of you both this week more than ever! Hang in there Big Guy. We love you!

Jenny

 

[Albie]

Aimee, we are so sorry to hear that Baxter is going through all of this. We are sending prayers your way!