- Location
- Isle of Man
Love and lambies for you and Snowie. His vet does sound very sensible and can see through his itchiness to his otherwise still joyful approach to life.
Snowie
- Thread starter M.F.
- Start date
Lisa
Moderator
- Location
- Alberta, Canada
I’m so sorry that poor Snowie is so uncomfortable right now. It’s so hard to see our beloved dogs in distress. You are doing everything you can for him, please try not to take it more than a day at a time and enjoy the little things as you can. Sending hugs and lambies 
Thank you everyone. Again, means so much to have your kind words of support.
It’s exhausting. Physically and emotionally. Up every night when he’s desperately scratching and rubbing his face. Then needing to go out to wee. Every night, at midnight and again 3am. Then during the day, trying to stop him rubbing his face raw. I’d love a full-time carer for him!
And to think what he must be feeling. The constant itchiness. You’d think the extra dose of prednisone would kick in. I’m told dogs get a tolerance and you need higher and higher doses. We’ve found a damp cloth wiped over his face is soothing and he eventually falls asleep.
It’s exhausting. Physically and emotionally. Up every night when he’s desperately scratching and rubbing his face. Then needing to go out to wee. Every night, at midnight and again 3am. Then during the day, trying to stop him rubbing his face raw. I’d love a full-time carer for him!
And to think what he must be feeling. The constant itchiness. You’d think the extra dose of prednisone would kick in. I’m told dogs get a tolerance and you need higher and higher doses. We’ve found a damp cloth wiped over his face is soothing and he eventually falls asleep.
- Location
- Cornwall , UK
My heart goes out to you , it must be so damned awful when you feel so helpless , love to you all xxx
- Location
- SW London UK
Sorry for only catching up now. So sorry to hear Snowie is so uncomfortable. I hope the higher dose of prednisone begins to help him. It’s devastating seeing them suffer.
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
It sounds so difficult for both of you. Exhaustion times ten. I hope you can somehow take care of yourself as well as you take care of Snowie.
I've been out of the loop for several weeks. I am so very sorry poor Snowie has been suffering so badly with the itchiness, and I so understand your exhaustion.
- Location
- Vlaardingen, the Netherlands
How are Snowy and you doing?
I’m pleased I have this thread to look back on. It reminds me how uncomfortable Snowie was.
He is still lying on his bed. We will bury him this morning. He looks so relaxed. Overnight the swelling on his face and snout and jowls has disappeared. The redness and rawness has gone. Fur appears to have grown overnight in all the raw patches. Whiskers have grown, which had been rubbed off. It is remarkable.
And to stroke him, his fur feels wonderful. His skin is relaxed. It is a gift to have this opportunity to see him and touch him and feel the dog he was before his skin got so angry and his body attacked itself.
I keep thinking I’m seeing his ribcage rise gently with deep sleep breathing. I wish he’d wake up and wag his tail and be healed and ready for more life.
I thought it would be creepy to have him lying here overnight. But it’s not. It’s a gift to have as much time as we need to say our goodbyes. I’m so relieved and thankful we didn’t have to go through this at the vet and then be moved out once the deed was done. Here we can mourn in our own time.
I’ve been crying since I woke up. I wish we could’ve done more, done better. I regret learning things about itchy skin too late. I would’ve done things differently. I would definitely have not put him on Apoquel and then Cytopoint. They worked quickly and effectively, but then stopped working and he was a million times worse after. I now know about treatments that we should’ve done instead. I’m sorry, Snowie. I wish I could’ve done better for you.
He is still lying on his bed. We will bury him this morning. He looks so relaxed. Overnight the swelling on his face and snout and jowls has disappeared. The redness and rawness has gone. Fur appears to have grown overnight in all the raw patches. Whiskers have grown, which had been rubbed off. It is remarkable.
And to stroke him, his fur feels wonderful. His skin is relaxed. It is a gift to have this opportunity to see him and touch him and feel the dog he was before his skin got so angry and his body attacked itself.
I keep thinking I’m seeing his ribcage rise gently with deep sleep breathing. I wish he’d wake up and wag his tail and be healed and ready for more life.
I thought it would be creepy to have him lying here overnight. But it’s not. It’s a gift to have as much time as we need to say our goodbyes. I’m so relieved and thankful we didn’t have to go through this at the vet and then be moved out once the deed was done. Here we can mourn in our own time.
I’ve been crying since I woke up. I wish we could’ve done more, done better. I regret learning things about itchy skin too late. I would’ve done things differently. I would definitely have not put him on Apoquel and then Cytopoint. They worked quickly and effectively, but then stopped working and he was a million times worse after. I now know about treatments that we should’ve done instead. I’m sorry, Snowie. I wish I could’ve done better for you.
Atemas
UK Tour Guide
- Location
- North Cambridgeshire
Hindsight - we would always do things differently. Please try not to beat yourself up - you know and we know through your posts the struggle you had to keep on top of Snowie’s complex itching. You did an amazing job and kept it going for so so long and Snowie knew that. I’m glad you get this time with him. You gave him the best life possible and you must focus on that. Feel so sad for you……but time will eventually make you remember all the good about things Snowie. Be kind to yourself………
- Location
- Cornwall , UK
Please do not feel guilt , you did everything you could for your dear boy , I am so sorry and sad for you both xxxxx
Snowie felt your love and commitment to him. He was a lucky, happy boy, and so much loved. You did well Marilyn, please don't allow guilt to cloud your grief (though I understand it, of course, I think it is only natural that we question ourselves).
Jacqui-S
Moderator
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
You have nothing to feel guilty about.
I'm so happy that his last night with you has brought comfort.
He absolutely loved you and loved life (his trips to the market....
....) and you gave him your all.
Keep remembering the good times, I'm quite sure that Snowy would be.
And definitely look after yourselves.
I'm so happy that his last night with you has brought comfort.
He absolutely loved you and loved life (his trips to the market....
....) and you gave him your all.Keep remembering the good times, I'm quite sure that Snowy would be.
And definitely look after yourselves.
Candy
Biscuit Tin Guardian
- Location
- West Yorkshire, UK
No-one could have loved Snowie more, or done more for him than you did. He had a long and happy life and the best care all the way through it, right up to the very end. Time to put any guilt away and focus on the good things. You're in my thoughts and I'm so sorry for your loss and sadness.
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
We all think we could have done more/differently, but you did everything you could to help Snowie. Despite his itching, you said he was happy, We love deeply, we hurt when they go, but they are worth every pain of loss for having them in our lives.