Ohhhh, not good news! I am so sorry for our boy & for you! I wrote to Marie on FB to ask her to give any advice to you she thinks might be helpful. Her Snowball had an enucleation recently. Unfortunately he had other complicating factors which I won't go into---but she had to help him to the "rainbow bridge" after he was almost healed from the surgery. I don't know if she can get on SM or not! She is the only one I know w/this experience. How old is Cody & can you remind me what kind of cancer he has--is it sarcoma? My memory is fuzzy.
Cody will be 16 years old July 16th, he had a liver mass tucked under his ribs. I can’t even remember the exact name of the cancer right now. It was a cancer mass that was found tucked under his ribs that was removed although they didn’t get all the margins out. That’s why he went on palladia pill. It was a Liver mass. I truly forgot the name of it. Omg I hope your friend has some information for me that would be truly truly helpful. I am so worried any anesthesia and is liver not clotting so scared to do anything right now. But I can’t bear to see him in such pain. It’s killing me. I am afraid too to get the eye done then he has to go to rainbow bridge too for the liver issue. My mind is in all directions. Unless just get the eye sewn? I just don’t know. Thankyou for reaching out for me it means sooooooooo much! 🐾💖
Hello to Cody’s Mommy (can you share your name please?) ...
I am so, so sorry what you and your precious baby, Cody, are going through. I totally understand.
My precious Snowball has been gone for over three weeks and the devastating pain of helping him ... Rest In Peace ... was the most difficult and painful decision I have ever had to make in my life, I am so heartbroken and will miss him until the day I die.
Sandi asked if I could be here on Spoiled Maltese to help share some information and maybe give you some advice. I hesitated doing so because I know your heart is already hurting ... and, I don’t want to say anything that might upset you more. However, please try and understand that I am speaking from the heart ... and as I grieve the devastating loss of my not being able to hold my angel Snowball in my arms.
Snowball had a wonderful life ... but, especially during the last year of his life he endured a lot of discomfort and adjustments with aging. He was 16, plus over two months, when he passed. So, being over 16 years old ... Snowball was bound to start experiencing age related health issues,too.
Over six years ago, Snowball had a very serious heart attack (ruptured chordae tendinae). At that time, his prognosis was a year to eighteen months. However, with what I feel was Divine Intervention ... and, a home cooked diet, his heart meds and Chinese supplements, and loads of tender loving care ,,, Snowball’s heart remained completely stable throughout the rest of his life ... so he was able to enjoy long walks and was not limited to various kinds of exercise. He was able to have anesthesia without any problems ... dental and oxalate stone surgery. And, his last surgery for the removal of his right eye. The enuncleation surgery went well ... and, Snowball had complete recovery from that surgery.
However, and unfortunately, Snowball’s left eye became infected in early March. The last two and a half months of Snowball’s life he had to wear a cone so that his left eye could have a chance to recover ... (his left eye was almost healed).
With all of this, and from what I have personally learned ... I cannot stress how crucial it is for you to not wait ... and, even for tonight ... to get Cody to the ER. I learned that time is not on our side with a ruptured corneal ulcer. Snowball’s doctor saw Snowball here at home and called the ER to see what treatments he should be on IMMEDIATELY. Dr. Rouse was able to get the needed meds right away so that we could start with the initial dosages of antibiotics. We did not and could not go to the ER at that time ... because COVID still had/ has long hours of waiting at the ER’s.
Right before the eye issues started ... Snowball developed an abscessed nodule on the lymph node on his neck. Cancer becomes suspect when an abscess occurs on a lymph node ... so, lab work was done to rule out cancer. With the initial lab results there were no cancer cells. However, further tests were planned to make sure there was no underlying cancer ... because often the cancer is hidden deeper inside the tissues.
Something was causing Snowball’s immune system to become weaker. His liver values soared and he developed a pot belly from this. The ophthalmologist said the eye infections were caused by dry eyes ... and, the reason it was taking so long for the left eye to heal was because Snowball’s immune system had a hard time fighting off infections, etc.
When I look back at pictures of Snowball ... and, especially since the eyes became infected in early March ... my poor baby was struggling. During the past winter, I did everything I could think of to make him feel more comfortable with his osteoarthritis. I switched all of his steps going up to the furniture and bed to orthopedic steps ... and, he loved that. He received bi/tri weekly acupuncture that really helped. But, then the cataracts, along with the eye infections, started really affecting whatever vision he had left. Snowball was such a trooper ...I cry when I think about his last two days ... he was so tired and didn’t get enough rest because he was still taking meds and eye drops around the clock ... even in the middle of the night. And, I learned that dreadful last night ... that Snowball’s kidneys were beginning to fail, too.
Cody’s mom ... I know this is a very long post ... but, I guess I am trying to help you think about how much Cody might be going through. I learned that just with an infected corneal ulcer in dogs ... that it is very painful for them. I mean a constant pain until either the eye heals or the eye is removed.
You and I have been blessed that our precious angels have lived to be 16 years old. I really hadn’t expected Snowball to live beyond ten years old because of the heart attack.
Nobody can tell you what decisions you must make in regard to Cody. We can only share our stories and give feedback, support, and advice if asked. I do hope that you seek an ophthalmologist’s advice on Cody’s eye. I hope I read wrong that a vet told you to wait until tomorrow to see how Cody’s eye is ... can you send pictures of his eye to a local ER nearest you? A ruptured corneal ulcer in dogs need immediate attention from a doctor ... and, in person.
Please keep us updated. Sending healing hugs to you and Cody. I wish I could take away your anxiety and pain ... I am totally there myself and understand. 💔
Marie
