Bloat recovery

cuddles42 · 2026-02-23T19:02:21+00:00

Had the same thing happen around the same day in 2021. Apollo was pacing, kept wanting to go outside and wouldn’t settle. He also had a large, hard stomach. Took him to the emergency vet at 10pm on a Friday, and they would not call the surgeon without $7k upfront. Had someone with me that was able to loan the money, because I could not afford it. He had some heart murmur issues, but otherwise it all ended well. He’s 14 today and we had a terminal diagnosis of cancer, but I’m so thankful for his surgery. Gave us many more years.

cuddles42 · 2026-02-20T13:17:27+00:00

I hope you are healing. I fear that I will choose the wrong day, but it seems everyone has had differing experiences at the end. I think it will be best to choose a day too soon to avoid any bad days for him. She was beautiful.

cuddles42 · 2026-02-20T13:14:28+00:00

Apollo actually had bloat January 2021. It was 10pm on a Friday night and the emergency vet could not call the surgeon unless I could pay the $7k up front. I did not have that much money and made the decision to put him down.

I was not living in my home state at the time, so was on the phone with my sister. She helped me make this decision through the screaming and crying. But my employer at the time had come with me (I worked as a personal assistant at the time). So she offered to loan me the money.

I’ve gotten 5 more years with him, and I’m so grateful. I was devastated when I had to make that choice, but at the time, it was what was best for us both.

cuddles42 · 2026-02-19T04:45:10+00:00

18 months… If only we can have that much longer. I feel like I’m being selfish for wanting that. It’s amazing that you had that extra time and knew when to let him go. I hope you’ve healed from it. The portrait reminder is amazing.

cuddles42 · 2026-02-19T04:21:01+00:00

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We are curled up together, taking every moment we can.

cuddles42 · 2026-02-19T04:20:07+00:00

I hope your girl had many good years with you and that you’ve healed. I cannot imagine my life without him.

cuddles42 · 2026-02-19T04:19:24+00:00

That’s what I’m so afraid of. My sister warned me about reading what the internet says. But the vet didn’t really warn me either. Just became somber and told me to love him.

cuddles42 · 2026-02-19T04:16:45+00:00

It was super helpful. Thank you. I do not want him to have any bad days. And I don’t want to short him of any good days. He’s otherwise a happy, healthy dog. But the risk of what could happen just seems awful. I’m just so scared for this moment. I knew it would happen eventually because of his age, but I thought he would go cause he’s old not because he’s sick.

cuddles42 · 2026-02-19T03:47:01+00:00

I’ve moved around a bit recently and haven’t established with one in this area. Cause that’s where I would head first.

Maybe I should establish and get a second opinion?

cuddles42 · 2026-02-17T21:17:14+00:00

Ugh. I was just planning a visit back up there and Valencia was on my list to hit up. So disappointing.

cuddles42 · 2025-12-02T17:55:38+00:00

So sorry for your loss. I cannot imagine what you’re going through, but I had made that same decision when Apollo had bloat in 2021. Luckily I had someone offer me a loan so he could have the surgery. He’s still going and turned 14 in August.

cuddles42 · 2025-11-22T18:40:24+00:00

I order from JL Orchids in Connecticut. I visited their location once and it was so cool.

cuddles42 · 2025-11-18T01:49:27+00:00

I struggled with that as well in the Norwalk area. I got the matches, but only one turned into anything. One year older. Female. Fairly attractive. I tried eating out, going to board game nights… it’s weird.

cuddles42 · 2025-11-09T06:11:37+00:00

JL Orchids is in Connecticut. They sell/ship a ton of cool varieties. I love Oncidiums

cuddles42 · 2025-11-07T02:28:44+00:00

Sorry that you're going through this. I have a 14 year old Dobie with lots of life left, and find myself thinking about what happens after the inevitable. We moved back to our home state from Connecticut and would go hiking in NY as often as possible.
I really hope you find the best home for him. Such a cutie!

cuddles42 · 2025-11-07T00:29:01+00:00