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Post by Aussienot on Dec 10, 2006 6:41:40 GMT -5
Finn is seriously ill. Today about 2:00 he started vomiting yellow frothy stuff. He had about 20 vomiting episodes over a couple of hours, then he seemed to recover. I thought it was just a bit of gastro.
About 7:00 I put him out in the front yard while I took a shower and when I came out, Finn had collapsed. I have my vet's home number, and based on my description he was willing to come in on a Sunday night. After eliminating a couple of possibilities, the vet is treating it as snake bite.
The symptoms add up, but it would have had to have happened Friday. Ironically, for the first time in weeks I have been home with Finn in my sight all weekend, and he was inside when I went up to the shops so if it is snakebite it had to be Friday at the latest.
He's had the snake antivenom, and is on fluids and being treated for shock. If he makes it through the night, he might recover. I'll let you know when I know more.
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Post by Richard on Dec 10, 2006 7:35:07 GMT -5
Linda, I hope you got to Finn in time....you guys are in my thoughts and prayers for his quick recovery!!
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Post by sibemom on Dec 10, 2006 8:41:53 GMT -5
OH Linda that is awful, I will keep good thoughts for Finn.
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Post by Nicole on Dec 10, 2006 10:28:26 GMT -5
Oh no!! I am praying for Finn, poor baby. Please keep us posted. And this probably won't help but try not to sink into panic. Believe me I know that is easier said than done. But it does sound like you caught this in time and your vet is a wonderful vet and person for coming in to give treatment.
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Post by Aussienot on Dec 11, 2006 2:08:49 GMT -5
My best mate is still hanging on as of Monday evening but he's not getting better or getting worse. He's not paralized, he can move his head- tonight he actually lifted himself up and switched from lying on one side to the other about 70% by himself- but he's practically immobile most of the time and his muscles have been broken down by the venom. He's still acutely aware of his surroundings, and his tail still works - he wags whenever anyone walks into the room, and he wags a lot when I am there.
But he's flat - that's the term my vet is using- his eyes are dull, his breathing is labored, and he is just barely holding onto life courtesy of the glucose drip. There are have been brief periods today when he looks a bit better, he lifts his head and his eyes focus, but most of the time it's not good. He's really crook, but he's not in distress, if that makes any sense.
The anti venom did not relieve the symptoms. It should have worked for most snake bites, unless it was a red bellied black, for which there is no cure. I wish there was a dead snake on the property somewhere so that we could diagnose it better. I suspect that if he had been hunting the snake it would be dead. As it probably got away, he probably was surprised by it, maybe he was hunting for lizards in the garden mulch and stuck his nose in the wrong place.
A blood and urine sample has been sent to the laboratory, and tomorrow we should know something about the state of his internal organs. So maybe tomorrow we will have a clearer picture of the situation, and if there's any way to save him. My vet is wonderful, I trust him completely. He's doing everything possible and the vet nurses all love Finn so he's in good hands.
Emo I'm all over the map. Right now, pragmatic and coping. In a few minutes, who knows. Tomorrow morning, probably not.
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Post by Aussienot on Dec 11, 2006 17:23:56 GMT -5
Sadly, Finn died in his sleep early this morning. Pathology confirmed snakebite.
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Post by Nicole on Dec 11, 2006 18:05:16 GMT -5
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Post by Richard on Dec 12, 2006 7:26:12 GMT -5
Linda, I too offer my sincerest condolences for your loss of your handsome boy. You're in my thoughts and I hope you know that we're here for you too.
I've always enjoyed your stories about all your adventures with him. The accomplishments you two achieved reached beyond what most of us here could ever hope for - be proud: of you and Finn - you both did it right!
Godspeed Finn
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Post by sibemom on Dec 12, 2006 7:37:36 GMT -5
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Post by willow on Dec 12, 2006 10:47:29 GMT -5
Linda, I am so very, very sorry. My heart is breaking for you and for your beautiful Finn.
I too will greatly miss hearing about your latest challenge/victory with him.
You were a great Mom to him. Without you he would have been given up on long ago.
You did all you could do, but some times even that is not enough.
I'm so, so sorry.
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Post by Nicole on Dec 16, 2006 20:23:09 GMT -5
How are you doing Linda? I want to say that I hope you are doing okay but that just sounds silly under the circumstances. I am thinking about you.
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Post by Richard on Dec 18, 2006 13:26:40 GMT -5
Hi Linda,
Nicki wrote what is on my mind too...how are you doing?
ps: please check your PM's.
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Post by sibemom on Dec 18, 2006 19:10:50 GMT -5
ME TOO Just checking in to see how you are doing.
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