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Well, I feel like I've waited forever to get these results... The vet called this morning to report that Maya died of heart failure and nothing else. Her lungs were fine - she didn't have a respiratory infection. A histopath (spelling?) was run and that's what determined the pulmonary edema (spelling?). I was praying that her death would shed some light on Houdini's condition, but it hasn't. He's not improving and doesn't seem to have the will to live anymore. He's weak, doesn't eat, fights us when we give him meds, injections, or force feed him. Now it's time to decide if his quality of life outweighs my wanting him to live. I don't want him to suffer but I feel that if I put him to rest that I've failed. I really don't know what to do. Any suggestion?

Veronica
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Beautiful Dragons

well,
veronica, i'm glad you got the results back from Maya...i'm glad that it wasn't your fault she died. i'm sorry though that houdini's condition isn't figured out

i totally understand where your coming from on this decision....about houdini....it's a very hard decision. that only you can make....cause in the end you will be the one doing it. my best suggestion is just to think about it...make a well thought out decision and act. think about houdini and his well being, however unwell it may be with him right now. decide whether he'd be happier and in less pain if you just let him go. My one thing that i will give you an opinion on is that it definately isn't failing on your part...some animals aren't ment to be saved...no matter how hard you try. just keep in mind that houdini and Maya had the best care they could of recieved anywhere from a woman who loved(s) them very much on the last part of their lives, if houdini goes too. you tryed more and harder than most anyone would/could....just keep that in mind.

it will be sad whether you wait it out...or you know.

hopefully things start to look up for you...hopefully. i don't mean to sound mean or grim or anything if thats the way this sounded. hope this helps

trevor

Thanks Trevor for the kind words... I really appreciate that, especially coming from you. I know how much you love and care for your animals.

I will be talking with Doug Dix tomorrow at the reptile show in Hillsboro and will discuss possible options for Houdini. My vet doesn't have much hope for Houdini at this point and another repile vet gave me a second opinion and his prognosis wasn't good either. So basically if Doug says that there's not much hope I'll probably be leaning towards letting him go. It's hard to think about that Houdini could be gone soon, but it might be the best for him. When I look back at when I first got him 4 months ago and all the way up until now, he's never really been a normal, healthy uro. Sure he used to eat on his own, but he hardly ate at all when he did eat. He nibbled on his salad. Growing uro's are supposed to have good appetites. So something has been abnormal with Houdini for a long, long time.

Did I tell you that Doug wants to replace both Maya and Houdini? That's very kind and generous of him, but I don't think I can take that step just yet. If Houdini had left us already I might consider it, but he's still here and he's still trying to make it. At least I think he is.

Anyways, I'll quick yackin'. I appreciate your support Trevor! Get over your nasty cold and get healthy.

Veronica
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Beautiful Dragons

hey veronica...thanx

i think that your decision will be well thought out and made well. sounds like your thinking this through very well.

have you considered talking to doug about getting a couple of malis? captive bred....hopefully less problems. seems like they all are feeding great and mine is really happy and healthy. just a thought.

i'm trying really hard to get better so i can go tomorrow....but i doubt i will be....when are you guys going up? i might be better or i might be able to talk my mom into following you guys up there. thanx!

trevor

Trevor,

Yeah, Doug wants me to take two of his mali's home. But I feel that my attenion should be on Houdini at this point, not some new uros. If he insists that I take some replacements I'll see about possibly getting them shipped to me at a later date. If Houdini improves it would be nice to have two malis and if he doesn't ... then I'll go from there.

I'd like to get to the show around 9am to help Doug set up. It doesn't start until 10. I promised him at the last show that I'd help and I'd like to talk with him at the same time.

You're more than welcome to come if you're not contagious. I'm just getting over being sick for 5 weeks (some kind of bacterial infection). I'm on antibiotics and I can't miss any more work. So if your not carrying any more sickie bugs then you should definately join us. We'll probably have to leave Salem around 8 and we'll probably be back around 1 or 2.

Let me know. You have my cell #.

Veronica
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Beautiful Dragons

Hi Veronica,

I'm so sorry about all the problems Maya and Houdini have had.

No one can really make the decision but you, and you know Houdini best. What are the chances he has of getting better? Would you be prolonging his suffering if you tried to hold onto him?

In my personal opinion, there is sometimes a limit where it's better to let a pet go, if it's quality of life is not good, and if it's chances at getting better are not good.

So if you do decide to put him to sleep, I understand and support your decision, as it can often be the more compassionate choice.

And if you think he's got a chance of making it, or leading a good life, and keep trying to save him, that's great.

You've given both Houdini and Maya excellent care, and it's easy to see how much you love them. It's wonderful to see someone so loving and caring. I know you'll make the right choice.

Keep your chin up and know that our thoughts are with you.

Nicki
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0.0.2 Uromastyx geyri (Saharan Uromastyx) - New babies!
1.1.0 Uromastyx maliensis (Mali Uromastyx) - Spike and Lizzy
1.0.0 Lampropeltis mexicana thayeri (Variable (Thayer’s) Kingsnake) - Kavi
0.0.1 Lampropeltis triangulum campbelli (Pueblan Milksnake) - Callia
0.2.0 Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis (Red-Sided Garter Snakes) - Spot and Fluffy

Thanks! It's great to know you have so much support on such a difficult decision. I've pretty much already decided that if he takes a turn for the worse I'll do the humane thing and let him go. But as it is right now the vets don't know what is causing his strange illness and the meds don't seem to be making a difference. He isn't getting any better or any worse at the moment. So I guess only time will tell. Thanks again!

Veronica
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Beautiful Dragons

Not going to say much, I know the "heavy heart" feeling, not much takes it away, for now anyway !

Just hope and pray, Houdini can make it, thats all I'm going to say for now !

Eve