Dog Update

I'm up early, but I most likely will go back down for nap after barn chores.  Hubby and I were up most of the night waiting for a call.

After the vet called me (the first vet), and I was given the not-so-good prognosis, I was back in the car to go pick her up.


Once there, I picked up her x-rays, blood work and papers, paid the $231.00, and drove her to another emergency clinic.  One that was high-tech and could take better x-rays and even an ultrasound if needed.  I knew the numbers would crunch, but I wanted answers.

The first vet, our long-time family vet, told me from his work that Sadie could be bleeding from her Spleen or somewhere else (indicating possible mass that ruptured).  That's what it came down to.  But no complete test result answers.  He did warn me that if it was her spleen, he preferred an emergency clinic did the surgery due to the possible loss of blood and possibility for a blood transfusion during the surgery.

When I arrived, they offered to x-ray or ultrasound.  I wanted definite answers, so I pinched my forehead between the eyes, and told him I wanted the three times more expensive ultrasound done.  I called Hubby at that point, and texted my oldest daughter.  She needed to be prepared, and I hated to do it, but I needed to.  

I sat and waited.

The results were pretty much what they predicted - internal bleeding, most likely from the spleen, and once they had surgery, they would know more details (cancer, no cancer, or even if it was from rat poisoning).

We got the call at 2:30am.  They were able to stop her bleeding for the surgery, and she did not need a blood transfusion.  By the way, I found out the cost for those - $928.00.  Sadie weighs almost 90 pounds, so I am not sure if that is based on her size or not.

She's able to come home most likely tomorrow, and the biopsy results will be back Friday or next Monday.

I won't post the estimated cost for the entire surgery, because I don't have the energy to deal with anyone that may post judgmental comments, and it's done. 

Sadie is my daughter's life-long best friend and her protector.  That dog sleeps with her, and won't let one person touch her while she sleeps.  Literally.  They are bonded.  My daughter is still dealing with the loss of her horse, and now her cat, so bringing Sadie home was our decision (Hubby said he had to work away from some co-workers yesterday because they were urging him to put her down due to the cost).  Daughter has, as she's put it, "been through hell" already by going through boot camp and serving her country for all of us, and through it all most of her closest friends abandoned her.

I am told I can go visit Sadie any time until she is able to come home.  The vet also told us she's never seen such a good dog.

Thank you all for your prayers. Please pray for Hubby today.  He's very sleep deprived, and is working today.  I can nap, but he can't, and has a pretty long drive home.  This has been a very stressful (and emotional) time for our family. 

Update:  Had I not taken Sadie to the vet that morning, she would have indeed died overnight.  She was internally bleeding from a ruptured mass on her spleen.  The biopsy has been sent out to a lab.  That morning, I knew something was terribly wrong, but was hoping to be told it was a bad bladder infection.  We all thought it was an infection, considering she pee'd in the house, and she never has done that.  My Son put up a donation site, and I am waiting for the widget for it, to share.  Again, we thank everyone for their support and prayers.