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RIP Erik
Erik the Redhead, February 28 1993 - September 8 2011.
Erik has had assorted medical problems for years. In late June we saw the first hints of kidney problems and anemia and started treating those. Both gradually declined through the summer but he seemed to be coping. In late August my vet thought that we would soon need to start a risky treatment for the anemia and we ordered the medicine.
In the last several days he became much weaker and more lethargic, but was still eating and drinking some. Last night he wouldn't eat and wasn't moving much. This morning when I set him down after giving him his medicines (which he didn't resist at all) he took two steps and fell over. Repeatedly. I sat down and set him in my lap and he lay there ignoring me. He would not eat any of his favorite foods.
I called the vet to ask if I should deploy that medicine now. She was about to call me; she'd just gotten the results of Tuesday's bloodwork. She said all the relevant numbers were "terrible"; I don't think I've heard her use that word before. His kidneys had completely given up and his anemia had taken a nose-dive. We discussed options, but there really weren't any and Erik, lying listlessly in my lap, seemed to be giving me his clear opinion (which remained unchanged for several more hours).
The end was very fast. I know I did everything I could for him and showed him lots of love. I like to think he knew that at some level.
He's been part of my life since he was 10 weeks old. I miss him terribly.
Erik has had assorted medical problems for years. In late June we saw the first hints of kidney problems and anemia and started treating those. Both gradually declined through the summer but he seemed to be coping. In late August my vet thought that we would soon need to start a risky treatment for the anemia and we ordered the medicine.
In the last several days he became much weaker and more lethargic, but was still eating and drinking some. Last night he wouldn't eat and wasn't moving much. This morning when I set him down after giving him his medicines (which he didn't resist at all) he took two steps and fell over. Repeatedly. I sat down and set him in my lap and he lay there ignoring me. He would not eat any of his favorite foods.
I called the vet to ask if I should deploy that medicine now. She was about to call me; she'd just gotten the results of Tuesday's bloodwork. She said all the relevant numbers were "terrible"; I don't think I've heard her use that word before. His kidneys had completely given up and his anemia had taken a nose-dive. We discussed options, but there really weren't any and Erik, lying listlessly in my lap, seemed to be giving me his clear opinion (which remained unchanged for several more hours).
The end was very fast. I know I did everything I could for him and showed him lots of love. I like to think he knew that at some level.
He's been part of my life since he was 10 weeks old. I miss him terribly.
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