Harley has cancer. This is a huge blow to us since we just lost Simon, six weeks ago. M and I are stunned and feeling broken… We’re awaiting the results of one more test (exactly what type of cancer cells), but the ultrasound suggests that it’s entwined in his lymph nodes and spleen. It’s most likely not operable, and looks to be pretty advanced. Harley is being kept overnight at the vet, a second night, due to being quite dehydrated. ...
Simon is gone. He died about 1:15 am this morning (the 18th). He was suffering something sudden and debilitating; based on blood tests the doctor said it was almost certainly cancer. He was quite frail already and we didn’t want to put him through any surgery, chemo, etc. Other than being hungry and a little confused, and having doctors poking at him, we don’t believe he was in pain or suffering, but that it was likely to go that direction given much longer. ...
According to the emergency vet, Simon either has intestinal cancer or a (less likely but more hopeful) a massive infection of some kind. We will know more after seeing the regular vet for an ultrasound tomorrow. He’s lost a lot of weight quickly and is pretty much skin and bones. He had been having diarrhea and vomiting for a week or so, though we attributed it to Sophie at first. ...
I created a printed version of this and made a Christmas card out of it for my sweetie. Something for Mommy A Christmas Story starring Bunny, Sophie, Harley and Simon. (Content is rated S/MA for Sappy and Mildly Amusing)
This is Sophie, Killer of Socks. She has just bravely killed not one, not two, but four pairs of socks. Not only did she kill them, but she dragged them out of the basket, from the nightstand to the bed, down to the floor, then down the hall to the top of the stairs, where she did the low “mroouw?” that says “I’ve killed something, come and see!!!1” ...
Harley seems to be doing fine, other than a few lost teeth. He has some tartar built up on some teeth - including one large piece that the vet was able to break off with a thumbnail. He also has one tooth that is not really lost but has been covered over by gum and will eventually be re-absorbed back into the body. The doctor recommended that we should brush his teeth, once a day if we can. We haven’t started that, yet, but we are starting to stroke him on the face to get him used to being touched on/around the mouth.