sigh

[ratcreature]

The last two weeks Ignatz wound swelling went slowly down like expected, and it seemed all was okay, though he wasn't very active. Then yesterday evening I noticed that it looked more swollen again and seemed come back (why always on weekends, why?). He's still eating and doesn't seem to be in pain, so I decided against bringing him to the vet during the weekend emergency hours, because from my previous experience with this I don't think there can be done much. I mean, either the bleeding is back even after two weeks of healing and they certainly couldn't do any heroic interventions for that the last two times I brought him for this beyond hoping for the best, or the tumor itself is somehow back and growing fast or something, and then nothing could be done either.

So considering that Ignatz doesn't seem to be suffering right now, I decided to wait until Monday for my vet's regular opening hours -- which admittedly is also more convenient, less crowded, and much cheaper because of the lack of the weekend emergency fee. I had already planned to bring him Monday anyway, because the rattling breathing sounds from his chronic myco lung infection are also back, and though it by now has been already treated with four different antibiotic courses in the past, I thought that maybe there could be still some other they can try this time. Though I don't know how that will be with his wound now being worse on top of everything.

So anyway, it doesn't look good for the little guy, but I'm sort of resigned and numb about this by now.

Comments

[shadowvalkyrie]

*hugs*

[ratcreature]

Thanks. *hugs back*

[cereta]

Oh, hon, I'm so sorry. {{hugs}}

[ratcreature]

Thanks. *hugs back*

[seperis]

*sends hugs* I'm so sorry.

[ratcreature]

Thanks.

[jimandblair.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry, ratcreature. Ignatz, is as you say, not suffering which is a comfort. *Fingers crossed* that the vet can help.

[ratcreature]

Unfortunately with animals so small as rats there are many fewer options than even with cats. I mean, afaik you can't give them IVs or stuff like that to prop them up, and I doubt they could or would open the operation wound again to fix something inside like you might do with larger patients when things go wrong. I love the little guy, but the last times I brought him they couldn't do anything, and even though of course I don't know for certain what causes the swelling this time, I don't see much sense to rush him to the emergency vet when I can't imagine any emergency options. And he doesn't seem so bad that I'd go for euthanasia yet, because he still eats and comes out of the house to be petted, and such.

[lanning.livejournal.com]

*hugs* I'm hoping for the best, hon.

[ratcreature]

Thanks. It never gets any easier to see your pet's health deteriorate, even if you know going in that they won't have long lives. :(

[http://users.livejournal.com/_bettina_/]

Oh no. *hugs*

[ratcreature]

Thanks. You'd think I'd be used by now to the health problems of old rats, but somehow I never am. :(

[http://users.livejournal.com/_bettina_/]

I don't think one can get used to things like that. :-(

[girlwithoutfear.livejournal.com]

I'm very sorry. I had to decide on euthanasia for one of my cats a couple of weeks ago. It was the only kind thing to do for her in her state, when I knew we had done all we could, and there was no hope for recovery.

It's so hard to lose any sort of pet. They are family.

(((hugs)))

[ratcreature]

Yeah, it never gets any easier to watch them get worse and try to gauge whether euthanasia is the better option, because they really suffer rather than just being old and ill. Right now Ignatz still eats and doesn't show pain or distress, but I'm fairly sure he'll only get worse from now, not better with both the wound and the myco tag-teaming him. :(

[hugglewolf.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry, sweetie. Hang in there, okay? I'll say a wee prayer for him and for you.

[ratcreature]

Thank you.

[patk.livejournal.com]

Es tut mir so leid, das zu hören. :-( Es ist schlimm, wenn man merkt, dass man nicht mehr viel tun kann außer dafür zu sorgen, dass sie nicht unnötig leiden, wenn es soweit it.

Mein ehrliches Mitgefühl.

[ratcreature]

Danke.