one sick puppy
Thursday December 07th 2006, 18:19
Filed under: blogging,photos

I use to take some degree of pride in never having set foot in the Smokey Mountains. I preferred Paris to Pigeon Forge and Nuremberg to that Gatlin place. I was awful like that. Anyway, a few weeks ago I had to pay a visit to the University of Tennessee’s School of Veterinary Medicine after hearing on strict authority they were the best of the best. (As a side, The Small Animal Clinic there was far superior, and in better form than any NHS Hospital I’ve seen in England. Ever.) The patient in question was my mother’s 2-year-old 3-pound Yorkshire Terrier, Muffy. Yes. Muffy. The prognosis – bad.

Muffy (c) Holt

Muffy has both congenital and acquired portosystemic liver shunts. And even though shunts are what the folks at Tennessee do best they weren’t able to help her. At all. So, her days are numbered…drastically. She’s a bouncy little thing most of the time, but this could change at any moment. Arrangements have already been made with the local vet to attend upon my mother’s home when the time comes.

I’m not really an animal person, rumours to the contrary aside. But this even breaks my heart.


18 Comments so far
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That is one of the cutest doggy pictures I’ve ever seen!

I’m sorry to hear about the little one.

Comment by Marina 12.07.06 @ 18:26

That is awful. I am pouting for the little guy.

Comment by anne 12.07.06 @ 18:27

Oh Buff! That makes me so sad. Give Mom and Muffy kisses for me.

Comment by Misti 12.07.06 @ 19:32

That’s so sad! and only 2 yrs old!

Comment by Flora 12.07.06 @ 21:56

Oh, mine too. So sad!

Comment by Frannie Farmer 12.08.06 @ 0:03

It’s always sad to say goodbye to a member of the family; I hope however many days remain are good ones.

Comment by Jay 12.08.06 @ 2:11

Awwww Buffy as a Yorkie mom too that’s just wrong, Muffy is sooooo cute. I can’t even imagine my Emmy lou with the same fate. We’re pretty tight and she is literally my shadow that makes me smile more thru the day. Hugs to your mom and muffy.

Comment by Sweeti 12.08.06 @ 3:35

So sorry for the bad prognosis. I think losing a beloved pet is one of the hardest things to go through in life.

Comment by Katherine 12.08.06 @ 17:59

i pray that your mom will be able to cope!! :( i know its going to be hard on her considering muffy is like her baby!!

Comment by Steph 12.08.06 @ 19:17

Since I am about to plunge into being a dog mommy (teacup shih tsu) again, this really strikes home. How sad that he is so young with such a serious disease. Does she have him on additive free food from healthfood store?

It really is something how three pounds can work its way deep into our hearts. How kind of you to feel pain even though this is outside of your own journey.

Sorry to be absent from your life for so long. Just busy beyond words with the salon move and all.

Comment by hattigrace 12.10.06 @ 5:37

I am so sorry about Muffy :-(

Comment by LisaBinDaCity 12.10.06 @ 14:25

What kind of cat is that?

Comment by S William Shaw 12.10.06 @ 14:57

Shaw, you made me smile.

Everyone, thanks for the show of kindness.

Hattie, PLEASE remember to have your little teacup’s bile acids tested either by the breeder (ask to see the test results) or ON THE DAY you get him/her.

Shih tzu’s, like yorkies, are prone to liver shunts. Teacup dogs especially (Muffy is a teacup yorkie).

The breeders gave Muffy a clean bill of health. And my mother never knew to ask for bile acid results or to test Muffy herself. Obviously the breeders were dishonest, because she was born with one of the shunts and they didn’t tell my mother this. And if she had been treated for this as soon as it was discovered, the liver may not have developed additional ones to cope.

Very sad. My mother is positively distraught. Hattie, make certain you ask about bile acid tests in any teacup dog.
x
B.

Comment by Buffy 12.10.06 @ 18:10

Thank you Buffy. My tendency is to make these emotional decisions and not do the homework. I will ask her now to provide me with those test results.
I feel so badly for your mom. It really is like losing a human family member. Just aweful.
What a comfort you must be to her.

Comment by hattigrace 12.10.06 @ 19:48

Muffy is precious. We used to have a dog that looked like a Yorkie, but was bigger, and her name was Muffin. I am sorry that your mom’s Muffy will not be around much longer.

Comment by kenju 12.11.06 @ 3:43

There’s something about dogs that makes them impossible not to adore! I hope your momma knows she has our support!

Comment by Bre 12.11.06 @ 4:34

Oh dear…what a sweet little face. My condolences.

Comment by Ryane 12.12.06 @ 13:48

Oh, no. Muffy’s so adorable. I’m sure she’s been a joy to your mother. She has my condolences.

Comment by singlemuslimah 12.16.06 @ 2:58



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