Thanks for posting this update @Derek-Groves , our Chance is 16 and he has had seizures most of his life. It just started out of nowhere when he was a few years old and for a number of years, we tried all kinds of natural and non-natural medications. We tried Chinese herbs, CBD, diet changes then the typical meds like phenobarbitol, all somewhat helped, but he would still have recurring seizures several times a month, or sometimes a week. All in all, he probably had 100 seizures in his lifetime, but luckily no major damage other than he is a bit wobbly and has head tremors once in a while. It does not seem to bother him though and he is otherwise healthy and active for a 16 yr old. Once I found Keppra through trial and error we stuck with it and that seemed to have been the best way to curb the seizures. We went from monthly to maybe once in a few years, during major events like a house move. Today he is on 250mg of Keppra + Zonisomide every 12 hours and that does the trick, if he does have a sezure (we also have concentrated CBD tincture, which we keep bedside, injecting it into his mouth gets him out of it pretty quickly and speeds up recover. We ended up sticking a particular manufacturer for Keppra (Lupin labs), just to make sure no formula variation is introduced.
Basenji without spunk - very sick, pls read
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Dear Betsey,
I am in tears. I'm so sorry you and Beta have had to go through this. I am awestruck at your strength. There is much for us to learn from Beta's story–not just about Beta's illness, but about how to deal with situations such as this. I wish I could be there for Beta's last day in the park--you and Beta will be in my thoughts. Caren
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Betsey,
I am so sorry, I wish there was something that we could do. Please be strong and know that you gave Beta a great life.
You, Beta and Caesar are in my thoughts and prayers.
Jenn
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Dear Betsey, I will have you and Beta in my prayers. How fortunate she is to have you as her mom and she knows she is loved. That's what matters most. Lenora
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Thanks to share all that with us, you''ll be both in your thoughts.
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Betsy,
I'm sorry and I share your tears. This is the hardest decision to have to make but you are such a good mom to think of your furbaby first. I also wish I could be there to give you and Beta a hug. Take care and you are in my prayers.
Winnie -
Dear Betsey,
I read this last night - my heart broke and could not find words to express my sympathy, because all I could do was cry. On one hand I am glad that you finally found out what was happening to Beta. On the other hand, you've discovered there is no cure. Your heart and love for Beta is admirable. You and Beta will always be with each other in heart. I sit here and struggle keeping composure. You have a big support system here and hope this is of some help to you. From experience with my old boy Rocky, I feel somewhat connected with your courage and persistence to get Beta well again. Thank you for sharing your journey with Beta and know that your publishing will possibly help others to realize an otherwise difficult diagnosis. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Beta always.
Give your girl lots of hugs and kisses for me too . . . and a favorite treat.
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Today has been hard. I fed Beta baby food last night and she was doing great, spunky and alert.
Today she has received her medicine (no pain meds) and is eating and isn't shaking. I am stuggling with the decision to put her to sleep. I suppose I will just have to wait and watch.
I dont know what the right decisions are. I just think she shouldnt suffer. I dont want her to be at the vet hooked up to an IV all day. That is not the life I will allow. That is where I am now….allow...my decision....and is that fair to decide when.
I have options. I could let her keep going until she displays the shaking and pain again. I could just keep her on the meds I have left and when they run out not fill them anymore. I have spent over $7k and feel that it would be financially wrong to continue with procedures or new meds.
I could let her die naturally, but that could be when I am at work and she is in the kennel with Caesar. I dont know about that. And then I can't get her to that specialist for the samples on call. If I put her to sleep, the doctor can get as many samples to help with more research. I think that is important.
I also have thought a lot about Caesar. Beta has extreme separation anxiety and screams when Caesar leaves the house without her. She didnt do that when she was super sick probably because of the pain. I think although they arent litter mates that they have been inseprable for the last 3 years and he should be involved with her death by understanding that she is no longer alive in his world. I think that is important.
I think I will have her put to sleep with me alone. Then bring Caesar in to see her. I think that is what I want.
If any of you have experiences with this I would really appreciate hearing your feelings. I am so scared of making the wrong decision. I wonder if Beta is doing ok today because I have made the decision. I will watch her tomorrow at the park and decide Monday morning I guess.
Maybe it would be a good time becuase she is not in severe pain, she will remember the park and Caesar and me happy. Maybe it is selfish for me to wait for her to crash again. I am so selfish. I dont want to let her go. This is all about me and that is wrong. I cant fix it anymore.
I have never lost a pet before and it feels so much harder than the loss of a family member at a funeral. I am sure it is because I am deciding the ending.
You all have been so helpful. I have never had such hard decisions or ever been so lost and scared of being incapable to remove her pain. Thank you. I hate this soooo much.
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There is nothing that will make this decision easier. The hardest part about pet ownership is knowing when to say goodbye. I know you will do the best thing for Beta.
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Dear Betsey, I would not presume to offer advice in a situation like this. But I can tell you what I have done in the past. I've had two beloved pets put to sleep in the past few years. They were my children; they were my babies. With both I made the decision to euthanize them right before they would have had to have been put on IVs because they were so ill. The first was Pepper–my german shepherd mix and Max's (my basenji) life long companion. I was with her by mysef with the vet. I did not have Max there at the vets and didn't have him see her afterwards. I came home alone to Max, and he did not suffer from any depression or seem confused--but every dog is different. With Max last year, I did the same thing--because it was so difficult for him to be confined anywhere, I had told all his doctors (vet and oncologists) that I would give him medical care up until he would have to be hospitalized--at that point we would put him to sleep. When I found out on a Saturday morning in November that his kidneys had gotten worse after a week of daily sub Q fluids, I knew it was time, and I had him put to sleep in my arms that morning. He was almost 16. These were the most difficult times of my life, and I know you will make the decision that is best for you and your beloved Beta and Caesar.
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Oh, Betsey, I read your posts with tears rolling down my face. It is such a hard decision. But always, no matter what you decide, know that you gave Beta the love and the life that she deserved. She was lucky to have found you.
Terry
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Dear Betsey,
In my previous post, I mentioned my old boy Rocky a Chow mix. He lived to just shy of his 16th birthday. He had a cancer on his rear thigh that we tried desperately to cure. It was the type of cancer that if wide enough margins of tissue could be removed, it might be curable. Long story with surgury, radiation and more surgery, it kept comming back. We knew it was all painful for him, but we had hoped we could get him cancer free. Unfortunately, he never ever recovered. It must have been unbearable for him to stand up and walk. Thousands of dollars later, we made a difficult decision. I began to feel selfish that he was living in pain just so I wouldn't have to say good-by. My husband and I decided to take him to his favorite park in our old neighborhood. We all delightfully enjoyed that hour that brought back so many memories. Rocky was excited and happy to be there. Then we took him to the vet's office, laid out his blanket on the grass under a tree outside. Rocky laid down on the blanket and we comforted him by his side with lots of happy talk. The vet came outside and gave him his last shot. He went to sleep dreaming all about squirrel chasing. I asked the vet if we could stay outside because going into the office had always stressed Rocky and I didn't want him to be that way. I knew the decision I made was right for him because he was no longer in pain. That was almost 4 years ago. I just loved him so much and still do.
Oh my - I hope my experience is of some help making your decisioin. It is one of the saddest, hardest things in life to go through. Again, my thoughts and prayers for you and Beta.
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Thank you. Beta's high or happiness yesterday was short lived. She played with Caesar a bit and was tired for the rest of the evening.
This morning she had some problems of the usual variety. Then she received her meds and a half a tramadol to give her less pain.
We took Caesar and Beta to the park and they had so much fun. The whole pack was there: Nikki, Topper, Eddie, Cally,Call's new brother, Frankie, Bella and all of the basenji parents. They all ran around together for hours. Beta out of character went to each parent and let them pet and love on her. She had a great time.
I will post pics from the park when I get them.
Betsey
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I can only say that my heart goes out to you Betsey…please give Beta a special squeeze from me and Nala. I don't think I could add to the wonderful advice given to you from the rest of the forum. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you all. Lots of love, Sharon
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Betsey, you and your little one are in my prayers as I know today will be very difficult for you. Lenora
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betsey, i am sorry you are going through this ordeal. i have heard of vets making house calls to make it easier on everyone. please dont beat yourself up anymore!
you are so kind to have saved little beta, and given her a wonderful life. bless you and beta. -
Betsey,
I am SO sorry to hear about Beta. I know like me, she is your child.
I can sympathize and am crying as I type this.
At least you were able to rescue her and provide these last years of a loving home with the best care possible.
Hang in there….....
(My dog Pikachu is Betseys other Basenji "Ceasar" s, Mom)
Love Trish and Pikachu -
Thank you. Today was the hardest thing I have ever done. Caesar went with me. Beta and I shared her last moments together. Then Caesar came in and wouldnt even aknowledge that she was in the room. Not even a sniff. I guess she wasnt there.
Today has been really rough and lots of tears. I will miss that little wiggle in her trot and those doe eyes.
The house seems empty but I have Caesar by my side and we are okay together.
Betsey
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here is a picture at the park…
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What a lovely picture, Betsey. Many hugs to you and Ceaser today. You've been in my thoughts.
Hugs,
Lorraine -
Dear Betsey,
I am so sorry for your loss. You and your loved ones are in my thoughts. I am glad that you and Caesar have each other. I know you will be able to help each other through this.
Caren
