westiemum Posted November 4, 2015 Author Share Posted November 4, 2015 It's funny B - post tie-back surgery for his laryngeal paralysis I had no idea how to feed him to reduce his risk of aspiration pneumonia - and so I just did for him what I would do for a human swallowing patient - and it worked. So I probably need to go back to that diet and see if it helps. Don't know why I didn't think of it before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boronia Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 do you feed him lumpy stuff rather than yoghurt and vegie slops? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowgirl Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 Aww, watcha doing little Mac? You've got your mum all over the place. Westiemum, my little 15 year old is on Neulin, prednil and doxycyline every day, whatever it takes to make sure she has a good quality of life. You know your boy, do what you think is best, if he needs ABs every day like my Pepper, diet change, or anything else you think will help with his issues, you do it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westiemum Posted November 4, 2015 Author Share Posted November 4, 2015 You're telling me YG!! Yes and although it sometimes makes me unpopular with the vets, I'm Mac's only real advocate so I make the best decisions I possibly can. And Speechies know vastly more than GPs (and vets it seems) about swallowing dysfunction and its management - so when it comes to managing his swallowing dysfunction it's the one area I'd back myself in every day of the week - with apologies to any vets reading this - I do love you - but when it comes to this I'm the expert!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westiemum Posted November 4, 2015 Author Share Posted November 4, 2015 1446601855[/url]' post='6759847']do you feed him lumpy stuff rather than yoghurt and vegie slops? Yes now I do but post- surgery I puréed his food and then gradually increased the texture and viscosity over two weeks or so until any swelling was gone and his pain subsided and he was back on a normal diet. But for the first time last night he vomited which is usually not a good sign and is an aspiration risk - so I might see if he vomits again and if he does put him back on purée to see if that does the trick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ness Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 Hugs westiemum and hang in there Mac boy :). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 have just seen this ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boronia Posted November 9, 2015 Share Posted November 9, 2015 How's he going today WM? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westiemum Posted November 10, 2015 Author Share Posted November 10, 2015 Hi All, Thanks for your note B. Its very up and down here. He's had a good couple of days - and I got home tonight and he's really steady and alert and eating well - and Mum was very impressed yesterday when he took himself into the laundry for a drink and wee'd on command on the back lawn yesterday. But his bad days are really becoming very bad with his back end completely collapsing - its very hard to know what to do. He's actually pretty healthy - he's just losing his back end function... I'm just praying that he lets me know when he wants to go play at the bridge... and while he's still sniffing Sarah's bottom I'm not sure he's ready... but if anyone can tell me how you make these decisions and how you know when its time I'm all ears... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ness Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 Hugs westiemum - hopefully Mac does as Ness did for me and takes any final decision away. But in the meantime still time to continue to spoil him rotten as I know you will. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loving my Oldies Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 Hi All, Thanks for your note B. Its very up and down here. He's had a good couple of days - and I got home tonight and he's really steady and alert and eating well - and Mum was very impressed yesterday when he took himself into the laundry for a drink and wee'd on command on the back lawn yesterday. But his bad days are really becoming very bad with his back end completely collapsing - its very hard to know what to do. He's actually pretty healthy - he's just losing his back end function... I'm just praying that he lets me know when he wants to go play at the bridge... and while he's still sniffing Sarah's bottom I'm not sure he's ready... but if anyone can tell me how you make these decisions and how you know when its time I'm all ears... Mac and Danny are brothers, obviously. Danny loves to sniff at Jeune, too, as well as lick her back as she lies on my stomach before we settle down to bed. Danny back legs are going as well and last week I had to take him to the vet as he couldn’t stand up. He is back to normal after a few days of a low dose of Prednisolone. Actually, he was pretty well okay after first dose. As for telling us when they want to go, I am sure they well, but I’m also sure we have a bit more time with our darling boys. Remember when you were wondering whether you’d be celebrating Mac’s last birthday - in August, if I remember correctly? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westiemum Posted November 13, 2015 Author Share Posted November 13, 2015 Yeah I do remember DD. He's still very up and down. His back end is definitely worse . And last night he was very restless until I gave him my side of the bed!!! He then put his head down 'klonk' and went straight to sleep - I think my scent must reassure him so I'll let him sleep on my dressing gown tonight and see if I can entice back onto his side of the bed!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottsmum Posted November 13, 2015 Share Posted November 13, 2015 Yeah I do remember DD. He's still very up and down. His back end is definitely worse . And last night he was very restless until I gave him my side of the bed!!! He then put his head down 'klonk' and went straight to sleep - I think my scent must reassure him so I'll let him sleep on my dressing gown tonight and see if I can entice back onto his side of the bed!! Ha ha... little devil! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westiemum Posted November 14, 2015 Author Share Posted November 14, 2015 (edited) Well Mac fans the time has come. I came home last night to Mac half in and half out of his bed in the laundry, panting and thirsty cos he couldn't get to his water bowl and sitting in his own poo. He couldn't stand let alone walk. It broke my heart and I cried and cried knowing 'its time'. I cleaned him up, gave him a big drink and some dinner and we snuggled on the lounge until we went to bed. He was his usual restless self at 1.30 am this morning and then settled down for the rest of the night. This morning he was just as immobile until after a late breakfast. He ate brekky and his pills in blue cheese (of course!) and is now mobile but very unsteady - his back end swings around like a feather in the breeze and then collapses. He can't get himself through the doggy door anymore. And I don't want him to get to a point where he is distressed. So after discussion with Mum, working around my work commitments and when she can be here during the day next week to look after him and unless events overtake us, he'll go to God on Friday evening, the 20th, at home - hopefully with the people who love him most around him. This is hardest and worst decision I've ever made - but its the right one. Here he is this morning on the newly cut lawn which he loves. Edited November 14, 2015 by westiemum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ness Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 (edited) Hugs and thoughts are with you westiemum. Edited November 14, 2015 by ness Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Gifts Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 Oh honey I am so very sorry. Heartbreaking stuff but you are doing it out of love for your beautiful boy so it is the right thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Animal House Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 I'm so sorry to hear it's nearly time WM. The letting go is the hardest, but kindest act an owner can do. Give the Macster a cuddle from me, he sure does have a bit of a fan base here on DOL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boronia Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 O WM, I am so sorry you will soon be saying goodbye to your dear lil' fella .. Give him lots of hugs and tummy rubs and stuff him with blue cheese and all the goodies you think he will tolerate for the next week. Thinking of you, B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westiemum Posted November 14, 2015 Author Share Posted November 14, 2015 Thanks all - while its hard and I'm still teary, I know its the right thing to do. We're going to enjoy his last week. He can have his favourite things and we'll go to the park in the Macmobile, say goodbye to his vets (he's had a cast of thousands over the years!) and do a final farewell at doggy daycare. As someone said in another thread, this will be be a week of building unforgettable memories... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowgirl Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 Oh Westiemum, my heart is breaking for you Thank you for knowing what Mac needs and for making sure he is surrounded by love and comfort in his final days. I will be thinking of you and your darling boy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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