Kaya and Ziggy
Bittersweet.
This is the word that best describes this weekend. As Ocean approaches his one-year birthday, he is going through so many changes. Last week, he started using a cup as mom began weaning him from breast milk. The changes for Ocean means more freedom for Mom, as I get to drink more than one beer at a time and also got to dye my hair for the first time in two years. It’s an exciting time for everyone. Dave and I celebrated our anniversary by running in the Bolder Boulder on Memorial Day, and we enjoyed our first “real” road ride the day before (a 50-miler from Sedalia to Palmer Lake and back).
Unfortunately, with the highs came the lows. Our black Lab, Kaya, decided to chew up a piece of Dave’s rubber bike mat and got a piece of it lodged in his small intestine. We immediately knew something was wrong when he refused his breakfast on Saturday morning. Since his vet was closed during Memorial Day weekend, we opted to take him to the Animal ER by our house. Because he was quite dehydrated, he remained in the hospital for two nights so that they could keep him nourished via IV. After two sets of x-rays, we confirmed that surgery would be the only option available to us.
It was an agonizing decision. After paying the high costs of Animal ER, we were now faced with the additional costs of a surgical procedure, plus the uncertainty behind the results of surgery, since there was a chance that they could get in there and discover major damage in the intestines. Kaya is 12 years old, so fairly old but not so old that we could make an easy decision about his future.
Dave and I stressed over the decision all weekend long. Do we pay the high medical costs or have him euthanized because we can not afford them? What does one do? Kaya is a typical lab, so he eats random things all of the time (socks, books, and now rubber mats apparently). What if we spend all of this money to only have it happen again, which is a definite possibility. After visiting Kaya at the ER, and seeing how excited he got when he saw us, we decided to take our chances with the surgery. How could we walk away from him? In the end, we decided we couldn’t.
Kaya’s surgery is today, and we hope all will go well. We brought him to Planned Pethood, as they offer an affordable alternative (only 25-30% of the cost of a specialist). We have been very fortunate thus far with our dogs’ health, but it prompted us to wonder. As a pet owner, do you think a maximum amount of money should be set on medical care?
Erin Quinn said,
June 1, 2010 at 2:14 pm
Before adopting Dakota a little over a year ago and then Guinness last fall, I’m not sure that I would have been able to relate to the magnitude of the decision that you and Dave were facing. I am hopeful that Kaya makes it through the surgery without any issues.
Ps. If it makes you feel any better, Guinness ate two river rocks this weekend. Thankfully he puked them up, but I constantly worry what he may eat next…
dewdropsinthegarden said,
June 1, 2010 at 8:26 pm
Thanks, Erin. The surgery seemed to have gone smoothly, but he had to have 10 inches of his small intestine removed. They found some of the mat along with a kid’s sock tangled up in there. A week after Ocean was born, we were wondering where his socks were going until we discovered Kaya was eating them. Such a crazy dog
We are happy to hear that the surgery went well and are waiting to see how the recovery goes.
I am so glad to hear that Guinness puked the rocks back up. That happened to my sister’s Golden Retriever, except he had to have the rock surgically removed.
Warren said,
June 2, 2010 at 7:48 am
Wow what a weekend you guys had. That is great to hear about little Oce, and its crazy how big the little guy is getting. I am glad you can get back to your own thing you like to do such as dye your hair, have more than a beer from time to time.
I am so sorry to hear about little Kaya! Those dogs need to stop eating random things good grief! I cant imagine what a tough decision that would have been for you two, or anyone with a pet they love. I am glad that you went with the surgery and he is recovering well so far. I hope you guys wont have any more pet medical issues in the near future.
dewdropsinthegarden said,
June 2, 2010 at 9:03 am
Thanks, War. D’s going to see him today. I know he gets into a lot of trouble, but we still love him so much. We all miss him and are excited for him to come home. Keep your fingers crossed!
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Lori said,
June 2, 2010 at 9:27 am
Oh my GOODNESS, what a whirlwind of events. For better or worse, it was definitely a MEMORABLE Memorial weekend for you all. Poor Kaya. I am glad you deceided on surgery. I think no matter what the outcome is in years to come, I think you will be glad you did what you did. What a sweet dog… and Ziggy probably thanks you TOO. I’m happy to hear surgery went well.
I can definitely relate to your story about Kaya. When we had Kelsi, our dalmation, she ate $100.00 bill she retrieved off a dresser, a furnace filter, and a LARGE brand new box of crayons, (which soon thereafter looked like little mounds of Skittles strewn all over the yard). She even ate a LARGE plastic garbage bag which eventually was “retrieved”, and even lived to “bark” about it…haha. Our chocolate lab, Fred craved anything made of wood. We had 3 small trees in the backyard, and despite everything we tried to protect them, he chewed up each one…. COMPLETELY.
I can’t believe Ocean is almost a year! Wow! And as you said, with that comes a little more Glory time, which I’m sure is much deserved.
Depsite the emergency with Kaya, it sounds like you shared a nice anniversary together. I forgot you had the bike ride AND Bolder Boulder…. boy, you two keep busy!!! I hope your week is relatively uneventful and quiet,,, sounds like you all could use a little R&R.
dewdropsinthegarden said,
June 2, 2010 at 9:42 pm
Thanks, Lori. Ha, I remember you telling us stories about that Dalmation. Ziggy eats wood too, hence the reason we have all fake trees in our house. We learned that the hard way
Labs, you’ve got to love ‘em! We did manage to break open one of our good bottles of wine and toast to our anniversary, even though we were stressed. Now that the decision was made and Kaya is recovering, we are at ease again. Thank goodness!
Carrieann said,
June 2, 2010 at 11:26 am
What a weekend! I sure hope Kaya is ok. We thought earlier this year we were going to have to have $4-$6k back surgury on ruffy and well that is more than we paid for one of our cars! But our vet went the extra mile and talked to a specialist who said without seeing her she thought it would heal and it has. When Ruffy was a puppy she ate ALL of my underwear and they went through her system, she also ate all the bike helmets but left us the buckle! All seem to pass through her system, I hope anyway. Hope you have a better day!
dewdropsinthegarden said,
June 2, 2010 at 9:47 pm
Wow, Carrieann, that would have been really expensive. That is what I wonder, is there a limit to what we’d pay, or would we pay anything for them… a very tough decision! I am so glad things worked out and you didn’t have to go through with the surgery. I was so glad to find out about Planned Pethood. Even though it was still costly, it was 30% the price that our vet was asking. Too funny, well at least she saved you the buckle
Gina said,
June 2, 2010 at 11:41 am
Hey G, So glad to hear that Kaya made it through the surgery OK, and is on his way to recovery! As you know we have had a few of these tough decisions to make with 2 of our dogs, as well. And I think you guys will agree with me, when it comes down to it, you just can’t put a price on the love you have for your pets. They are like family and you really get attached to them (even after only for 2 weeks for us, in Scout’s case). Now look at him… He is a healthy happy 1 year old! I am glad you guys decided to go through with the surgery, even though it was an expense. Because had you not, it would have been tough going on without him and living with regret or guilt of not trying to have done all you can to save him. It is just money, and it will all be worth it when Kaya has recovered and is back to his happy go lucky self again. You will forget all about the monetary part of it…
On another note, congrats on yours & Dave’s wedding anniversary and Ocean’s upcoming 1st birthday! Looking forward to celebrating his special day with you guys!
dewdropsinthegarden said,
June 2, 2010 at 9:50 pm
Thanks, Gina. I know, you have been there as well. I am glad I got a chance to talk to you about it. Yes, we are very happy about the decision we made. Dave went to visit Kaya today, and he was so happy to see him! The vet’s advice was, “Dog proof your home even more because Labs are just Labs.” Oh great….
Gina said,
June 3, 2010 at 3:46 pm
No problem. I am glad I could help. Yeah, I guess with this stress, and expense, and all the stuff that they found in his stomach, it sounds like you have your work cut out for you to “Lab proof” your house! LOL… Just think of it as another way as “baby proofing your home” and making sure NOTHING is left that’s within their reach. Good luck! Glad to hear Kaya is on the mend!