[Magdalen] Advice - Malcolm

[Rick Mashburn]

Thank you, Chris!

Thanks,

Rick

On Tue, Jan 25, 2022 at 1:34 PM Christopher Hart <cervus51 at gmail.com> wrote:

> So sorry, Rick. I didn't respond earlier because I really had no advice to
> offer, but I feel your pain. May Malcom be comforted by your love.
>
> On Tue, Jan 25, 2022 at 12:08 PM Rick Mashburn <ricklmashburn at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> > Thanks to everyone who has responded. He's not getting any better. I'm
> > waiting on a call back from his regular vet to confirm that there isn't
> > anything else that can be done.
> >
> > The really scary part is that some of the stones in his bladder are
> pretty
> > large. (I've seen the x-rays.) If he gets completely blocked, his bladder
> > will fill pretty quickly. If it ruptures, that will be painful for him
> and
> > traumatic for all of us. That's not what we want..
> >
> > A friend recommended a vet who makes house calls. We will likely schedule
> > the procedure for Friday morning. We're heartbroken but it's the best
> thing
> > for him. It would be unfair to wait too long. He will be here where he
> > feels safe and loved and with his family.
> >
> > Prayers would be very much appreciated.
> >
> > Much love,
> >
> > Rick, Alex and Malcolm
> >
> > On Tue, Jan 25, 2022 at 10:35 AM Ann Markle <ann.markle at aya.yale.edu>
> > wrote:
> >
> > > Rick, I'm just so sorry.  I can't imagine saying goodbye to my cuddle
> > bug,
> > > and it has never been easy in the past.  I've been lucky to have vets
> > > advise me, and illnesses so serious that it really had to be done.
> > > Clementine was done at the vet's office.  I lay beside her and talked
> to
> > > her until she went to sleep; it was a 2 shot deal (the last to stop her
> > > heart), and I couldn't stay for the last shot.  Dori came into my life
> a
> > > short time after that, and cold as it sounds, it really did ease the
> pain
> > > of losing Clem.  I hope this isn't too devastating for you, but also
> that
> > > you grieve well, with sweet memories.
> > >
> > > Ann
> > >
> > > The Rev. Ann Markle
> > > Buffalo, NY
> > > ann.markle at aya.yale.edu
> > >
> > >
> > > On Mon, Jan 24, 2022 at 12:49 AM Rick Mashburn <
> ricklmashburn at gmail.com>
> > > wrote:
> > >
> > > > Dear friends,
> > > >
> > > > It's been a hard day at our house. As some of you know, Malcolm was
> > > > diagnosed with calcium oxalate bladder stones for some years now.
> He's
> > > been
> > > > on meds to balance the Ph in his urine (believed to pre-dispose dogs
> to
> > > > these types of stones) with success for the last 3 or 4 years.
> > > >
> > > > In the last six months, the number of stones has increased and he's
> > > needed
> > > > hydropropulsion therapy multiple times. Last week, that stopped
> > working.
> > > He
> > > > was at the vet on Thursday and Friday but they were not able to clear
> > his
> > > > urethra. In spite of taht, on Friday night, he was able to urinate
> > almost
> > > > normally and to a lesser extent on Saturday. Today, it has gotten
> much
> > > > worse. He is able to urinate but not very much and it's obvious he is
> > not
> > > > able to empty his bladder.
> > > >
> > > > We are walking him more frequently so he can empty his bladder as
> much
> > as
> > > > possible but we know this is not a sustainable situation. The worst
> > case
> > > > scenario would be a ruptured bladder which would be painful and
> > traumatic
> > > > for all of us. I can't stand the thought of that happening to him.
> > > >
> > > > We've been in touch with a vet who makes house calls. They provide
> > > > euthenasia in a gentle, supportive way that would let us say goodbye
> to
> > > him
> > > > without trauma. But, the thought of saying goodbye too soon is also
> > hard
> > > to
> > > > imagine.
> > > >
> > > > I know many, many of you have had to make this agonizing decision.
> What
> > > > made the difference for you? What is the right criteria? We don't
> want
> > to
> > > > make a decision too quickly but I'm afraid that is mostly just
> > > selfishness.
> > > > I don't want to say goodbye at all but the window for that is closing
> > --
> > > > and could close even more quickly than we imagine.
> > > >
> > > > We know our hearts will be broken either way. We want to do the right
> > > thing
> > > > for Malcolm.
> > > >
> > > > Much love,
> > > >
> > > > Rick
> > > >
> > >
> >
>
>
> --
>
> Christopher Hart
>
> List Mail Address: cervus51 at gmail.com
> Personal Mail: cervus at veritasliberat.net
> Twitter: @cervus51
>