VioletStripe
Well-Known Member
As some of you know, my beloved Rhodesian Ridgeback, Titan had been rather unwell for a while, having had a pericardiectomy last summer, and seeming to be fine up until a few weeks ago, when he went off his food. After a bit he started eating again, but just a couple of days ago began to start panting and becoming very worried at night time, before not being able to lie down properly.
After speaking with our amazing cardiologist, we came to the difficult decision that being 9 years old, and already been through a lot, it simply wasn't fair to put him through any more to try and find out the issue that made it hard for him to breathe lying down. After a beautiful sunny day, we took him down to the vet and Titan finally went to sleep for the last time yesterday evening surrounded by me my brother, my dad and the vet. We came to the conclusion that what was causing the excess fluid surrounding the heart was also secreting a fluid into his lungs, and the most likely cause of this was a tumour, although we have chosen not to have a post mortem. He almost looked better once he was asleep. Last night seemed near impossible, and I swear that as I was going to sleep, I could almost feel him come and lie down on my bed as he often did. Just felt nice to have that little comfort. I don't expect anyone to read this, I just simply wanted to write this in some form. Thank you for anyone who has read this, just typing it all out has felt like some form of help to me. I will always remember him as my rock through everything. To absent friends, RIP.
After speaking with our amazing cardiologist, we came to the difficult decision that being 9 years old, and already been through a lot, it simply wasn't fair to put him through any more to try and find out the issue that made it hard for him to breathe lying down. After a beautiful sunny day, we took him down to the vet and Titan finally went to sleep for the last time yesterday evening surrounded by me my brother, my dad and the vet. We came to the conclusion that what was causing the excess fluid surrounding the heart was also secreting a fluid into his lungs, and the most likely cause of this was a tumour, although we have chosen not to have a post mortem. He almost looked better once he was asleep. Last night seemed near impossible, and I swear that as I was going to sleep, I could almost feel him come and lie down on my bed as he often did. Just felt nice to have that little comfort. I don't expect anyone to read this, I just simply wanted to write this in some form. Thank you for anyone who has read this, just typing it all out has felt like some form of help to me. I will always remember him as my rock through everything. To absent friends, RIP.
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