Post by: sisu on June 21, 2009, 07:15:42 PM
We are in a very difficult time here at the Sisu residence.
Aurora is mobile, can poop and pee OK. I need to take her out for small walks to do her business; she eats OK and drinks OK but there are times when she needs me to hand feed her and take a syringe and squirt water in her mouth as she just does not feel like eating or drinking and then there are days like yesterday where she ate two good meals on her own and drank all she wanted...
The stroke happened Tuesday morning and got progressively worse...she has a facial paralysis on her left side, but can walk slowly, seems a bit confused at times, but still can offer a good growl or bark if she figures she needs to do so.
I love my dogs so much that this is a very painful experience for me. She is a good travel companion and guard dog on a road trip. I can't bring myself to put her down as long as she can get around with comfort not matter how slow she may be.
I am publishing this to see if there are others out that that have gone through this experience of a stroke with a dog...
Post by: tmike on June 21, 2009, 07:23:41 PM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on June 21, 2009, 07:42:15 PM
Post by: Happy Gilmore on June 22, 2009, 03:15:33 PM
Post by: old boat on June 23, 2009, 06:52:32 PM
Post by: sisu on June 28, 2009, 02:34:30 PM
I was all set to head in on Tuesday for the euthanasia experience. BUT much to my surprise she got up with some help, ate a great breakfast and drank water AND wanted to go for a walk. We got outside and made it about 100 yards round trip. Now Sunday, Monday and everyday since I've been doing some really weird stuff I learned from a Filipino sensei that wouldn't teach martial arts in the mainland because he said: All these people want to learn is to hit, kick and spar, so he was a custodian at our school.
Any way I've been doing his massage, limb manipulation, and positive feed back with energy from the Earth, as well as TLC. I work on her neck, spinal area and the rear legs. Her facial paralysis seems to be lessening but who knows. Her appetite is increasing, her energy to go farther on walks has increased to about 1/2 mile and I'm sure on a cool day she'd go farther, but for now less is better.
If anyone from Spokane remembers the story of the crippled APTB and his owner that has a wheel chair for him and does therapy daily I live near Craig and he has been giving me tips on health care for dogs in need.
Any way this dog has an amazing spirit and will to live with us. I've never met a more loyal dog than this particular dog.
Post by: rasbo on June 28, 2009, 02:39:44 PM
Post by: Idabooner on June 28, 2009, 05:28:18 PM
Post by: sisu on September 04, 2009, 04:42:41 PM
Right now Aurora can walk about a mile with no problems other than getting tired and showing signs of a slight limp on the opposite side of her face paralysis.
I think the lesson learned here by my wife and I is don't pull the plug too soon. I've had two pit bull owners tell me that the more you put in to a pit the more the pit puts back to you. I'll tell ya this. I've owned a great variety of dogs and THIS is the only dog I know that lives, breaths, and eats for me. She is so closely bonded to my wife and I that I would worry about her health if we were to be incapacitated for some reason. I was in a car wreck on I-5 about 6 years ago. She would NOT let an armed police officer approach me for assistance. I told the officer that she would not let her near me and to get an unarmed fireman to remove the dog and all would be fine. Sure enough the fireman put her in the fire truck and all was fine. Aurora knows guns and will not let some one she does not know get near me with one. Pretty smart dog if you ask me.
Post by: BLKBEARKLR on September 04, 2009, 04:44:56 PM
Post by: littlebuf on September 04, 2009, 09:23:50 PM
Post by: THE SHOOTER on September 25, 2009, 09:06:49 AM
Post by: Wayne1 on September 30, 2009, 12:31:03 PM
Post by: sisu on September 30, 2009, 07:17:28 PM
So... whats the update with Aurora ? Still making progress ?Oh yes. She has nearly lost all her paralysis on the side of her face. She can blink her eye, something I was hoping that would not come back is her APBT attitude toward other female dogs, but it is back just like when she was a wee little gal. She can do a good mile to 1 1/2 mile walk. Toward the end of the walk she is tired but she is 11 years old and I guess that is a lot of miles for a dog that old.
She is one heck of a dog. Loyal to a fault, always wanting to be with either myself or my wife.
Post by: Wayne1 on September 30, 2009, 07:19:48 PM
Post by: ribka on September 30, 2009, 09:19:23 PM
My neighbor and good friend has a german shepard who had a brain tumor and has been having terrible strokes. He had a really bad one this weekend and took him to the Vet to put him down. He was just too miserable to live. I helped her bury him next the wood pile where he terrorized chipmunks. Very hard to do but best for him. He had a good life
Hope your dog continues her progress. Do not want to depress you but enjoy your time with your dog. Dogs' lives are just too damn short
Post by: sisu on December 18, 2009, 01:43:15 PM
Thank you every one for all the encouragement with our ups and downs with our American Pit Bull Terrier. This breed is, in my opinion, the most loyal and dedicated breed known to man. But in saying that they are also the most needy dog for human contact. Too bad SOBs get this breed and abuse them. If I every catch some SOB doing this to a APBT I'll be in trouble for my actions.
God Bless all of you people and Merry Christmas.
Post by: Curly on December 18, 2009, 01:49:03 PM
Post by: halflife65 on December 18, 2009, 01:49:15 PM
Post by: Idabooner on December 18, 2009, 04:07:01 PM
Post by: jackelope on December 18, 2009, 04:16:47 PM
she's comfortable now.
Post by: rasbo on December 18, 2009, 04:35:14 PM
Post by: ICEMAN on December 18, 2009, 07:00:51 PM
Post by: floatinghat on December 19, 2009, 06:23:35 PM
Post by: Birdguy on December 19, 2009, 07:32:04 PM
Post by: Ironhead on December 20, 2009, 08:56:05 PM
Hope for the best for you and your family.
Post by: kbyers on December 24, 2009, 01:11:53 PM
Post by: goosegetter79 on December 27, 2009, 11:20:15 PM
Post by: BLR 243 on December 28, 2009, 12:41:52 AM