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Our oldest Sheltie (Kiyomi) suffered a severe seizure (unresponsive for several hours afterwards, vet tells us likely due to brain tumor/damage) last week. She’s still with us, but she’s on Prednisone, Gabapentin, Antibiotics, and Anti-Seizure meds. At 14yo, we know our time with her is nearly at an end. We’re trying to make the most of our time together. It’s amazing how quickly time with our beloved pets goes by?
We were able to take better pictures of our Shelties together and together as a family this evening.
With love from our little family to yours… Happy Valentine’s Day.
Our Hearts Are Breaking…
A Temporary Reprieve and Last Time Together as Family.
Since I don’t feel like re-typing or retelling the events of the past week, this is what I told my manager and co-workers:
You know that Vicky and I weren’t able to have children, despite trying for years and then getting medical assistance (IUI/IVF). I finally convinced Vicky into our getting dogs about 14 years ago. We got Kiyomi the same month that Vicky’s mom died, and she quickly warmed up to becoming a “mom” for Kiyomi. Long story short, Kiyomi’s been like a daughter to us.
While working on my notification script on Wednesday morning, Kiyomi was asleep on my food and began spasming. At nearly 14yo, I thought she just woke up and was trying to right herself. She immediately urinated, pooped, vomited, and began having violent spasms. It was a seizure. She bit my leg and scratched me as I tried to pick her up. When I swaddled her in a blanket and tried to constrain her seizure, she let loose this horrible scream. I’ve never heard a dog scream before, but it made my skin crawl and my heart ache. There was nothing I could do for her. It lasted for a solid 20 minutes while I was trying to call Vicky and to get Kiyomi over to the vet.
Once at the vet, Kiyomi was unresponsive. The vet told us that 20-minute seizures usually result in brain damage or death. Vicky and I had to make the terrible decision. We signed the paperwork and as the vet was preparing the injection to put Kiyomi to sleep, Kiyomi raised her head and looked at Vicky. Vicky asked for a moment, put Kiyomi on the floor, she stumbled and staggered, but walked around and followed Vicky as she called or walked around the room.
So, we asked for more time, but the vet said that Kiyomi might only have days or maybe weeks, but that she won’t be the same after such a seizure. He told us to take care of her, enjoy our time, but prepare ourselves. He sent us home with steroids (Prednisone), anti-seizure medications, and Diazepam injections (in the event she has another seizure). He warned us that she may very likely have a second severe seizure, and told us to be thankful but to enjoy our last time together
Sorry for the “drop everything and run”, but it was a horrific experience. When people have children, pets take on a lesser meaning. Since Vicky and I don’t, and Kiyomi was our first dog together when we couldn’t have children, she’s been like a daughter to us. Between the shrieking seizure and the experience, …well, it was rough. Going to be a few days before I get “dog screams” out of my head.