Believe me when I say: this sucks.
Raedthinn, constant companion of mine since 2005 or so, is most likely within a week or two of the end. Lately I’ve noticed that his voice had faded away, so I took him to the vet yesterday. It was discovered that his chest cavity was full of fluid, compressing his lungs. The vet drained the fluid, consulted Xrays and experts and decided that there were two options:
- A $10,000 operation which stood minimal chance (at his age) of doing much good
- Patching him up, giving him some low fat food and antibiotics and hoping for the best, for that one in a bagrillion shot where the leaky duct fixes itself.
Not having a spare $10K, nor wanting to put the old boy through the stress of a serious surgery for no statistically good purpose… he’s home now. Doc suggests that he has between a few days and a few weeks. So at some point soon I’ll have to make a necessary but unpleasant decision. Until that time, I’m going to give him the most comfort I can.
Note: his whole torso is shaved up to his spine.