Pedro is fighting for his life

Paul Coover · December 31, 2008, 05:53:16 PM

When we returned from our holiday trip, the dogs are usually very rowdy when we return. They missed us, and they take some time to get back to normal. Usually a couple of them lose a litle weight and Buddy is very clingy to the point of anxious as if to think we will leave again.

This was the first time we left Pedro alone, so we were not sure what to expect. I have a friend of mine care for the dogs while we are away, making sure that they are fed and watered and such. Pedro was much more needy, as he needs medication and he also needs to be expressed.

pedro was not his usual self. He looked down, a little thiner, and he just wasn't the usual happy dog. He was drinking but he refused to eat anything, even his favorite bacon treats or peanut butter. I put him to bed and thought nothing more of it.

This morning Pedro was much worse. he was very cold and he could barely move. He couldn't even hold his head up. I rushed him to the local vet.

His temp was barely 94. His body is shutting down. The prognosis is very poor, it will be a miracle if he survives this battle.

His body is septic. Apparently he developed an infection, probably a UTI. We never noticed it, as we were away for a week, but he probably developed it before then. We have not been very observant with all of the crazy things happening in our lives, and now Pedro may pay the ultimate price for it.

Because of our leaving, the stress probably aggrivated his condition. His conditions and his medication probably helped speed things along, and now I sit and wait for the next update from the vet. He is on IV fluids for dehydration and anti-biotics for his infection. All I can do now is sit and wait for the vet to call with the next update.

As I sit and wipe away the tears, I can't help but feel guilty. We thought about bringing him with us on our trip, but decided to leave him behind. Now I can't help but think that my decision has killed him.

Everyone please keep Pedro in their thoughts and help him fight.

PattyInAK · December 31, 2008, 06:15:40 PM

OMG, Paul, sounds like you guys have been put thru the wringer. I am so sorry to hear about James, Michelle, you and Pedro. Have you been able to express Pedro? Did the person watching him know how to do that? I know how horrible it is to have to wait for the vet to call, you're hanging in limbo and praying your heart out. I will keep all of you in my prayers and thoughts tonight. Please post when you are able.

Paul Coover · December 31, 2008, 06:19:31 PM

Yes, he was expressed. His kidneya are still working, and I still was able to express him this morning. pedro is very easy to express, and he will often express himself if he moves around quite a bit. His urine is much darker in color right now from the UTI, much darker than when we left.

peterparker · December 31, 2008, 06:28:03 PM

Mega Mega rays for precious Pedro. Take care.

Kari · December 31, 2008, 07:35:32 PM

Mega Rays coming from San Diego! We are pulling for him!

papbouv · December 31, 2008, 07:56:50 PM

Hope that Pedro will pull though you know deep down in your heart a UTI is very common and is no one's fault humans that are paralyzed have that happens often a RN I use to work with her son had Vanishing Bone disease was paralyzed for many years ,he passed away about 2 years ago.She would try her best to keep him from getting UTI's she even tried the Cranberry capsules they have out now. All you can do is the best you can for the Fur Kids on Wheels which I know you do Pedro has been shown love he will try his best.Rays Hugs to you all please keep us posted.Papbouv

doxielady5569128 · December 31, 2008, 10:00:37 PM

Please don't blame yourself for any of this Paul. You did absolutely NOTHING wrong! You have been through enough this month without beating yourself up over something like this. Sometimes these things just happen, no matter what you do. Please keep us posted on how Pedro is doing and feel free to "talk" with any of us about it if you need to. We'll be praying hard for Pedro and your family tonight.

Paul Coover · January 01, 2009, 06:49:03 AM

Pedro died at 7:15 this morning.

JetEd73 · January 01, 2009, 07:46:01 AM

I"m sorry to hear this Paul. Don't blame yourself. It's a simple fact that dogs in Pedro's condition don't have the lifespan that a "normal" dog does. You should take comfort in the fact that you worked very hard to give him a happy life and that he died being loved by someone like you. You did your best and thats all that anyone can ask for.

peterparker · January 01, 2009, 08:10:34 AM

How heartbreaking. I'm so so sorry. Please take care.

AnnieofNJ · January 01, 2009, 09:08:06 AM

Oh Paul, I am so sorry, but please do not blame yourself. You gave him a home and love. He is at the Bridge now where he is running and playing with the others.

Godspeed, Pedro-Angel.

Annie & the New Jersey Doxie Gang

cheryl186 · January 01, 2009, 09:18:27 AM

I am so very sorry Paul. God Bless you and your family. God Speed sweet Pedro Angel. Run happy and free at The Bridge. Please do not blame yourself Paul. It is absolutely not your fault.

sollysmom · January 01, 2009, 09:44:08 AM

Oh Paul I am so sorry for you and Michelle. Please don't blame yourself as it wasn't your fault. Sol and I will keep you and your family in our thoughts and

Darcel

Rich · January 01, 2009, 11:05:26 AM

I'm so sorry to hear this. Please don't blame yourself. We all do whatever we can for our ailing furkids and all to often everything we can do is not enough. Pedro was loved. That is the primary thing you gave. Our hearts and prayers are with you.

doxielady5569128 · January 01, 2009, 11:07:33 AM

I'm so sorry to hear about Pedro. We were so hoping he'd be able to pull through.

You are in our thoughts today.

PattyInAK · January 01, 2009, 12:19:41 PM

Paul, I am so sorry to hear that Pedro didn't pull through. Stuff like this is really hard to understand. My rescue, Misty, died suddenly at the age of 6.5. She was fine, then one afternoon she had what looked like a seizure (although it turned out to be a sort of brain aneurysm). Although I was home and "did everything right".....rushed her to the vet, got her immediate care, she was gone seven hours later. It was terribly heartbreaking. Sometimes even when you are "there" you can't do a thing about it. Its useless to torture yourself with "if onlys". You gave Pedro a great home and lots of love, just like we did for Misty. We got her at the age of 5 months and had her for six years, and for all the happiness she spread in our home, we are thankful. These little guys leave a big hole in our hearts and homes when they leave. But we can all feel good for loving them and giving them good homes. May they all rest in peace and be waiting for us when our time comes.

Kathy · January 01, 2009, 12:43:56 PM

I'm so sorry for your loss. You do a great service for these little guys, and you did everything you could for Pedro. RIP sweet Pedro.

papbouv · January 01, 2009, 05:05:53 PM

So very sorry for your loss please do not blame your self you did all you could for him he had a great life living with you he will be waiting at the Bridge for you one day you all will meet again and then he will be running on all fours to meet you. Hug to you all. Papbouv

Kari · January 01, 2009, 05:20:39 PM

We are so sorry for your loss!!

TerriL · January 06, 2009, 08:16:23 AM

Oh Paul, I am so sorry to hear this terrible news and even more sorry that I did not read this before now. I hope that the words of everyone here will help ease your pain a bit. It was NOT your fault. It was sweet Pedro's time and he is now pain free and at peace.
Please let us all know how things work out with James.... you will be in my thoughts and prayers as you move into this new year.

April · January 06, 2009, 01:07:47 PM

I'm so sorry. Pedro is at the Bridge, running and playing. He will be waiting for you and watching you from there. He was/is loved and knows that. Don't beat yourself up about it, it's not your fault.

mrsmartinez · January 11, 2009, 04:00:12 PM

Our heart breaks for you and your family. Godspeed sweet Pedro angel. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.