Portage's roller coaster health problems
The vet checked his heart and his minor murmur is now a biggie. I asked if there was any chance of treating it, and we had a very frank talk about options. We were told we could go to a specialist for a cardiac ultrasound (same guy who did Theeps a few years back). We decided to take it one step at a time. So, we got our test and the specialist said, "If you have to have a heart condition, this is the one to have..." It's treatable. I just got off the phone with our vet, and will pick up his heart meds tomorrow. The vet also says that some of the incontinence could easily be a symptom of the heart problems and may improve greatly with treatment. I'm sitting here with tears rolling down my face. He also says that IF he does well on the heart meds we will then move on to the Cushing's treatment. I know that it's a lot of IFs, and that there's a long and very uncertain road ahead, but for the first time in a long time we've got something to treat and something to fight. I'm not good with doing nothing and waiting. Portage is eleven, and I know that's up there, but his mom was sixteen when she passed, and we met his grandfather when he was thirteen and he was still pup-like. Portage's "old age" came on all of a sudden, and I never believed he was just prematurely ancient. In other news...we got him on a vet brand gastric diet, and he's gained almost ten pounds in the last five or six weeks! About a week ago we noticed that his hair is not growing back, but what he's still got is fluffy and soft again and has some bounce, and he's been holding his head up and paying attention to the world around him. His eyes have some sparkle, and he's been coming over to give kisses, etc. I feel like he's really rallying. It's wonderful to see his body out of starvation mode. I know it's a really long shot, but we are back to being optimistic again. I also get that next week things may be back to horribly wrong, but right now I am so happy, scared, but happy. I just needed to share with people who "get it." I had someone at work the other day ask me why I know so much about my dog's health problems (uh....because I LOVE him and he's part of my family). She found it hard to believe that there are people out there who take dogs to specialists at all. His cardiac specialist appointment cost us about two hundred dollars (lots of money but it could have been much worse...our Theeps had a TPLO and three other surgeries, so we're not unaccustomed to vet bills), and while I would rather he didn't need it in the first place, considering the news (and now the treatment path) I'm delighted we took him. |
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| This is so strange, but I was just thinking about Portage not two hours ago! I remembered that he was struggling, and hadn't heard an update in awhile, so I was going to check in tonight. (Next stop, the Twilight Zone.....)
I'm so glad to hear that the spring is coming back into his step, and that you have found an illness to treat. It makes all the difference in the world. Hugs to you and Portage. Laurie and Oscar |
I can feel the relief in your post, and I'm so happy for you!!  I'll keep my fingers crossed that the heart meds do the trick to the point where you can treat the Cushing's. Please give that special boy a big hug from me and Sammie! |
I am so glad your sweet boy is doing better! Keep up the great work and enjoy your time with him.  |
| So glad to hear he's doing better.... |
A BIG to Portage - I am so glad he is feeling better. 
I got the same response from some when my Macy had her cancer surgery at age 12. I happily proved them all wrong when she lived another 3.5 yrs. And trust me, I knew every single day was a GIFT! |
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| Hugs to YOU and your Portage! |
| Thanks for all the hugs and kind words. Portage started two meds for his heart and has had a few doses so far. One, of course, is doubling his urine output and he's now peeing right through the depends. But, we went through this with Theeps (same med, slightly different issue) and know that in a few days it'll slow down. He seems pretty happy and upbeat, and has lovingly escorted me down the basement stairs to the laundry room each and every time I've had to wash sheets in the last few days (five times, not that I'm counting).
I don't want to add to his stress by suddenly locking him out of the bedroom he's slept in for eleven and a half years, and with plastic down on the mattress it's just a matter of washing sheets frequently. I can use the exercise and it's hot an sunny out so they're drying in no time flat (I like it better when they hang outside), and as I said, Portage has been dutifully assisting me (with a spring in his step - he hasn't bothered with the basement stairs much lately) on laundry patrol. He seems to be enjoying it. |
| Happy to hear Portage is doing better |
| Great to hear that Portage is more like his old self.
Enjoy having a helper with the laundry.  |
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