Fhl

From: Joanne Ruffner
Date: 2002-07-03 23:50:13 UTC
Subject: Zorro update

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<div><font face="Arial" size="-1">I had a very hard time reading
today's FML because of all of the losses.  I am afraid that soon
I will be posting about a loss....</font></div>
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<div><font face="Arial" size="-1">I thought I should update everyone
on Zorro. </font></div>
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<div><font face="Arial" size="-1">He was scheduled to go in for
exploratory surgery July 2 (believed it was an enlarged
spleen).  The evening of July 1 he was breathing really
hard and couldn't not stay awake and could not go to sleep.  We
called the ER Vet and explained what was happening.  He told us
something's to look out for and to keep a close eye on him.  We
made up a waterbed for him and he slept for about 2
hours.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="-1">July 2 I took him in for the
exploratory surgery.  His breathing was still really bad so they
did an e-ray first.  The x-ray showed a mass in his lungs. 
They almost filled his lungs up or was pushing them up to where he
couldn't breathe.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="-1">The vet diagnosed him with
lymphoma.  The vet told me my choices were to either put him down
or put him on steroids to make him comfortable.  I started
looking and asking others and I have ordered a herb (Essiac </font><a
href="http://www.newrainbowbridge.com/default.htm"><font face="Arial"
size="-1">www.newrainbowbridge.com/default.htm</font></a><font
face="Arial" size="-1">) that has had good results with Lymphoma. 
It should be here Friday.  The vet is also looking into Chemo,
the cost starts at $350.  However with the state that he is
in, I don't believe that it would be an option.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="-1">He is currently on prednisone and
lasiks and will be starting the essiacs on Friday when it comes
in. </font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="-1">Last night was a very hard night. 
Everything hurt him.  Laying, walking, pooping, peeing,
sleeping...everything.  He cries when he pees!  And yet,
with all of that pain he manages to find the litterbox.  At 11 pm
he ate a little bit of solid food.  At 2 am I gave him fresh home
made soup.  He had that again at 4 am and 7 am.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="-1">This morning my friend June
(THANKS!) told me about a pain medication that I could give him if the
vet said it was ok.  It is called Torbutrol.  My vet said it
would be ok.  June went over to the house (Shawn is home - I am
at work) and gave him the medication.  Then while her husband
Glen held him, she fed him baby food.  Zorro is now
sleeping.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="-1">I cannot stand to see him suffer. 
We are going to try the medication route and see if that helps him. 
If it doesn't then we will find the strength to help him cross over to
the bridge.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="-1">I want to thank everyone for their
kind words and for their advice.  I have tried to respond to
everyone that has emailed...if I have missed you I am
sorry. </font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="-1">We haven't lost him yet
and we cry as if we had.  He is our first rescue
that we have had to deal with this decision.  We am
still new...and this hurts. </font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="-1">He is such a doll baby.  He
loves paper bags, toilet paper and paper towels.  He would rather
sleep in a nice soft sleeper than hanging from a hammock.  He
doesn't like to curl up either, he would rather be all stretched out. 
He has beautiful green eyes and you can tell he still wants to
live.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="-1">Joanne and Shawn</font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="-1">Ferret Corner Shelter</font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="-1">Spice, Pepper, Bugz, Dodge, Kuri,
Chocolate, Tonka, Buster and ZORRO</font></div>
<div><a href="http://www.geocities.com/ferretcorneraz"><font
face="Arial"
size="-1">www.geocities.com/ferretcorneraz</font></a></div>
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