Lena, Teacup Poodle w/ adrenal tumor - Lena is now an angel

I agree with what Marianne said in that Most it the lab work is a discovery, there also as she also mentioned a risk of infection spreading and we've seen that before, not always with cushings, it is a risk for any dog that has an infection in tooth or gums and it spreading. It is even possible with a perfectly healthy dog. The alternative though is not having dental work done and then they still can get an infection from not having it done and that can spread just like if they had the teeth cleaned. So, really you see, it can go both ways no matter what you do and no one dog is more likely to have something happen than any other I don't think.

Cushings in itself is known to be hard on the heart. So, while it is more rare, it isn't unheard of to have dogs with cushings develop heart problems.
High cortisol just wrecks havoc on the body, in dogs, in horses and in humans.

I know it is hard to not "what if" we all do it, and I have yet to find anyone whose dog has passed who didn't to some extent feel guilty for something. It is the price we pay to be the caretakers of such wonderful, loving, loyal companions. We have so much responsibility for their lives that there is no way to not try and second guess ourselves, even after the fact.

What I have said so many times, is that for every decision there is a result. If we didn't take the road we do take, but instead of taken the alternate one, would the result be better or worse. It can go either way and we will never know the answer to that question.

I wish I could give you the words that would make you not doubt yourself but again, I think it is a natural part of the grieving. There is pain and loss and anger all associated with losing those we love so much .

Thank, Sharlene...I only just saw this this morning. I was reading Jen's thread about the Theophylline. I wonder if this is what happened that last night. My vet had given her a quarter pill of 100mg that afternoon and maybe because she was having breathing issues anyway, she just had a bad reaction to it and it pushed her poor little heart too much.

I know I will never know and maybe it was better for her, rather than for me to keep trying when she might have been just too tired to go on. I'm glad that she didn't have a lot of the other issues that I read about on this forum...I don't know how you all can bear it sometimes.

It's been one week today...I miss her sweet little face.

Hi Joan, I just caught up on your thread the past few days.

Please, be kind to yourself. The guilt can be overwhelming, but it will do nothing but hurt you now. Just like Sharlene said, for every action, there is a result. We can only do the best we are capable of doing and hope it's the right decision. Such is our burden to bear. You did an amazing job with Lena and even if all else failed, you loved her well, which is all they ask for.

I know, Renee...I am just having such a hard time getting past the guilt and the "what ifs" right now. I know I should stop searching because it is just making me feel worse.

I just thought I would have her a little bit longer.

My dear Joan, I well know all the emotions you are feeling. I too feel like you. When my Tammy passed I felt intense pain and grief. An ache in my heart . Than I felt so much guilt and what ifs. And anger at the vets, thinking they did not do everything they should have done for her. These are all normal feelings. It has been almost a month, and the feelings at times are still there. But I try to switch my feelings to a happier time. When I first got this tiny ball of fur. The love and the fun we had. I know she knew how much I loved her. And she knows I tried my best to do what was right for her. So does your little Lena know this. . She knows how much you loved her and that you took the best possible care of her. The healing process will take a long time. . And our babies will never be forgotten. Brianna

Thank you, Brianna...I am so glad I found this forum, I know I am not alone. My family is afraid to call me because I'm always crying...and yesterday was so hard, one week! It is still so hard for me to believe...and so many people just don't understand.

Lena was not "just a dog", she was my baby, as Tammy was yours, as they all are. I cry every time I read about another one we lose on this forum, and I cry when I read the first threads when they come on so desperate and afraid, looking for help.

I have been able to think back at happier times, and I have been able to look at pictures and smile a little a few times in the last couple of days, so I know it is starting to get better. But sometimes the littlest thing will just hit me and I feel like I'm going to scream.

But I have my two rescues who are both 7 and our little teacup Chihuahua who is 11, they need me and they miss her too and I have to pull myself out of my sadness and try to enjoy the time I have left with them.

Lee will always be in my thoughts, my soul and my heart...I guess there is always that one.

Thank you, dear Brianna...

Two weeks today since you left me, my precious Lee. I still can't believe it. All time is now based on before and after. I miss you every second of every day.

I think Phoenix will be joining you soon, he won't eat anything and is drinking tons of water. You both got here the same year, I think.....it's hard to remember.

My darling girl, my precious angel, my beloved Lena....

Love, Mommy

Oh Joan, I'm so sorry to hear about Phoenix. Too much sadness within such a short time -- my heart goes out to you!

One of my closest friends in all the world was named Lena. We lost her to cancer two years ago, and I will always miss her dearly. She loved doggies with all her heart, and I'm betting my Lena is carefully watching over her little namesake until the time comes for you to be reunited with your sweet angel once again. My Lena will make sure no harm comes to your baby, ever.

Huge hugs being sent your way,
Marianne

Thank you, Marianne...loss is such a terrible thing to get over sometimes. I guess I just have to finish all of the stages, but they keep getting interrupted. Phoenix, who is a cat, is either in kidney failure or congestive heart failure and is in hiding. He is so afraid of everything that to take him to the vet will terrify him and I don't want to do that to him. He seems content with dying on his own.

And my husband brought home another teacup poodle last week without consulting me. I would have told him not to if he had asked. She is 2 months old and is the cutest little thing, but I have to work all day...so now instead of just missing my Lee, I have to miss Sybil as well, plus I was not ready to deal with this.

So now I will have to crate her all day and have another worry on my already overwhelmed mind. He just doesn't get it.....

A question:

What does this mean?

check her eyes to see if she has any dmgs from high blood pressure (signs of pheo)

I saw this on another post and was just wondering. Lena had something going on in one of her eyes the last few days....