End Of The Road

Last night, for the first time ever, Sparky didn't have the strength to even start his nighttime walk. He stood there at the end of the driveway, forlorn, standing stock still, unable to move. (That was always my primary criterion - as long as he could do his nightly walks, he had some quality of life left.)

This morning I took him over to his usual vet at La Riviera, but they wanted an electrocardiogram and kidney work, and their computer was temporarily down. So, off to the VCA Hospital in Rancho Cordova. (I'm not sure how Sparky was taking all this newfound attention - he was unhappy about the sudden enthusiasm to stick thermometers up his butt.)

At VCA, where high-tech medicine rules, I gave away my right arm ($1,405.00 deposit, with a bill expected to rise to about $3,500.00, for a 3-day hospitalization) to see if they could do something to make him more comfortable (like maybe an enema?) Nevertheless, they did not notice any constipation (Sparky had other abdominal issues going, contributing to his discomfort).

It looks like the hit to the wallet will be less than expected: no 3-day hospitalization is forecast for Sparky.

Their initial diagnosis was cardiac arrhythmia featuring atrial fibrillation. They needed the ultrasound test and the kidney work to see if there was a drug approach that might make Sparky more comfortable.

Later this afternoon, VCA got back in touch with me. X-rays revealed severe heart enlargement, primarily on the left side, but also on the right. The electrocardiogram also revealed heart failure on both sides. Fluid was accumulating in the abdomen (ascites), causing the congestion of veins in the abdomen. His kidney readings also revealed kidney failure (BUN level of 215, vs. a too-high level of 61 just two months ago). Since drug treatments can address the kidney failure, or the heart failure, but not both, there are no treatment options. And Sparky is very frail and very uncomfortable.

So, this afternoon, I will head over to VCA for my last visit with Sparky....