Added 2023-05-24 13:01:21 +0000 UTC
TW: pet loss Hi friends - Tuesday morning, I sadly had to let my baby Poe cross the rainbow bridge. We had tried for two months to get him doing better, but I think he was just ready to rest. You might have been following the progress, and some of you even check in on us (I REALLY APPRECIATE IT) and if not a quick summation is : Poe suffered a spinal stroke- after getting put on a nerve and seizure pain medication and a steroid he was REALLY improving. Just last week I had booked his appointment to start physical therapy and acupuncture. His DR. was raving about how much she thought it could once again improve his mobility. He was eating a lot, getting up to walk around and interested in going for walks. I really thought we had turned the corner and me and my baby would have a few more years together at least. But I had told them, at any point they knew it was time- that for him I would make that choice so he would never be in pain. We weren't there Over the weekend it became time to wean him off of his steroid in preparation for rehab and continuing on with his nerve medicine. The day the wean started it was like someone had took some air out of him. Still eating and moving around but not as peppy. I figured it was a side effect and he went to enjoy some relax time with his buddies while I took a 2 day trip for my birthday. Yesterday it all changed. In the matter of 24 hours he went from 80% to 50%. Last night he began to curl back inwards putting a strain on his neck. He was yelping and wouldn't let me help him. I booked a follow up in hopes it was lack of steroid and inflammation had set back in. Around 5 AM he let me get him comfy with a blanket and got some sleep in my arms. We headed to the vet at 8:45. I explained what was going on and they took him back to see his regular DR and a the senior vet on staff. The news was one no pet parent ever wants. You've done all you can do, he's dying - he's in pain - his gums are becoming paler, he's ready to go. Obviously I love him enough to NEVER let him suffer
