Ralph ๐พ๐ธ
And last night we said goodbye to Ralph.
We are heartbroken.
#petloss #grief #ralphoftheday #goodbye
How it's going:
After Ralph had to be re-admitted to the emergency hospital on July 4th due to a severe case of bloat, things settled back down and we reached what felt like a tenuous equilibrium - not a place of true calm, but where it no longer felt like constant crisis.
Then a week ago, Ralph started having focal seizures that escalated to generalized seizures his "cluster bluster" medication failed to control, and he had to be admitted to the ER for the third time in three weeks. After returning home, the focal seizures resumed. We eventually learned that he was under-medicated, and after upping his dosages, he returned to his "Roid Ralph the Bark Shark" incarnation. We were glad to see it.
Bella briefly seemed to be doing a little better but then took a downward turn, refusing food and displaying effortful breathing. We took her for a "quality of life" assessment today and discovered she has fluid in her lungs. The vet felt it was worth trying some Lasix and another round of steroids, but we may be looking at saying goodbye to our sweet old lady this week.
For now, we are holding out hope for a miracle.
#ralphoftheday #queenb #glioma #olddog #dog #dogsofpixelfed #rescuedog #mutt #bostonterrier #bostonterriersofpixelfed #lazarus
After Ralph had to be re-admitted to the emergency hospital on July 4th due to a severe case of bloat, things settled back down and we reached what felt like a tenuous equilibrium - not a place of true calm, but where it no longer felt like constant crisis.
Then a week ago, Ralph started having focal seizures that escalated to generalized seizures his "cluster bluster" medication failed to control, and he had to be admitted to the ER for the third time in three weeks. After returning home, the focal seizures resumed. We eventually learned that he was under-medicated, and after upping his dosages, he returned to his "Roid Ralph the Bark Shark" incarnation. We were glad to see it.
Bella briefly seemed to be doing a little better but then took a downward turn, refusing food and displaying effortful breathing. We took her for a "quality of life" assessment today and discovered she has fluid in her lungs. The vet felt it was worth trying some Lasix and another round of steroids, but we may be looking at saying goodbye to our sweet old lady this week.
For now, we are holding out hope for a miracle.
#ralphoftheday #queenb #glioma #olddog #dog #dogsofpixelfed #rescuedog #mutt #bostonterrier #bostonterriersofpixelfed #lazarus
You know who doesn't care that Ralph has a brain tumor?
Ralph.
#ralphoftheday #bostonterrier #bostonterriersofpixelfed #dog #dogsofpixelfed #glioma #dngaf
Ralph.
#ralphoftheday #bostonterrier #bostonterriersofpixelfed #dog #dogsofpixelfed #glioma #dngaf
"Wait, don't stop-"
*thump*
#ralphoftheday #frenemies #catfriend #weirdbuddies #bostonterrier #bostonterriersofpixelfed #dog #dogsofpixelfed
*thump*
#ralphoftheday #frenemies #catfriend #weirdbuddies #bostonterrier #bostonterriersofpixelfed #dog #dogsofpixelfed
This Tuber grew a tumor, our Queen B is refusing to eat, and we don't know how much time we have with either of them.
*****
A couple of weeks ago, Bella started refusing to eat - despite appearing hungry and interested in food. We have since been back and forth to our regular vet and an internal medicine specialty clinic. Despite blood work and scans, anti-nausea meds and appetite stimulants, antibiotics and steroids - and a buffet of different foods - we are not closer to answers or a clear path forward.
Then last Friday, out of the blue, Ralph started having seizures. He spent the weekend at the emergency clinic where they were able to stabilize him, and we crossed our fingers for an epilepsy diagnosis. Instead, the MRI revealed a glioma - a type of brain tumor common in Boston Terriers. With palliative care, typical survival time is about a month.
We were devastated.
But Ralph's seizures are currently under control with medication, and we were able to bring him home. He is full of steroids and shenanigans, earning the moniker "Roid Ralph."
He will continue to have seizures, and eventually we will have to make a difficult choice. After weighing our current options, we are considering enrolling him in a clinical trial of mebendazole:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9862092/
We hope it will extend his time with us and also help future dogs and humans.
In the meantime, we are doing our best to keep both Bella and Ralph comfortable and give them the best quality of life possible for whatever time they have left.
ALL THE TREATS. ALL THE SNUGGLES.
Please keep them in your good thoughts.
#ralphoftheday #queenb #dog #dogs #dogsofpixelfed #bostonterrier #bostonterriersofpixelfed #glioma #mebendazole #roidralph
*****
A couple of weeks ago, Bella started refusing to eat - despite appearing hungry and interested in food. We have since been back and forth to our regular vet and an internal medicine specialty clinic. Despite blood work and scans, anti-nausea meds and appetite stimulants, antibiotics and steroids - and a buffet of different foods - we are not closer to answers or a clear path forward.
Then last Friday, out of the blue, Ralph started having seizures. He spent the weekend at the emergency clinic where they were able to stabilize him, and we crossed our fingers for an epilepsy diagnosis. Instead, the MRI revealed a glioma - a type of brain tumor common in Boston Terriers. With palliative care, typical survival time is about a month.
We were devastated.
But Ralph's seizures are currently under control with medication, and we were able to bring him home. He is full of steroids and shenanigans, earning the moniker "Roid Ralph."
He will continue to have seizures, and eventually we will have to make a difficult choice. After weighing our current options, we are considering enrolling him in a clinical trial of mebendazole:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9862092/
We hope it will extend his time with us and also help future dogs and humans.
In the meantime, we are doing our best to keep both Bella and Ralph comfortable and give them the best quality of life possible for whatever time they have left.
ALL THE TREATS. ALL THE SNUGGLES.
Please keep them in your good thoughts.
#ralphoftheday #queenb #dog #dogs #dogsofpixelfed #bostonterrier #bostonterriersofpixelfed #glioma #mebendazole #roidralph
May your nervous system always be as regulated as Ralph's. #ralphoftheday #frenzobrobeans #bostonterrier #bostonterriersofpixelfed #dogsofpixelfed #dog #nap #lazysunday #relax #relaxation
Well, hello, everyone. #ralphoftheday #bostonterrier #bostonterriersofpixelfed #frenzobrobeans #queenb #dogsofpixelfed #rescuedog #dogs #instagramrefugee #metarefugee
There are actually 4 mammals pictured. #ralphoftheday #bostonterrier #bostonterriersofpixelfed #dogsofpixelfed #cat #dog #bestbuddies #nap #cozy #snuggletime #snuggle #instagramrefugee #metarefugee
