Tilly is very ill

[Ben's mum]

So very sorry things are not improving yet for Tilly 
Lets hope this round of medication can start to help her.  Keeping everything crossed here for her 

Stay strong, it must be so hard to see her this unwell, but you are doing everything possible and more by the sound of it 

[JaspersMum]

Sorry Nic, everytime I see you've posted I hope that this time things might be better for both of you.  Everything crossed that this cocktail will see some benefits

Take care 

[HeatherandBenjy]

We're thinking of you both and sending all the positive thoughts in the world that Tilly starts to improve. 

Hugs for you Nicola, you must be exhausted. 

Take care of yourself x

[Nicola]

So sorry to hear Tilly is not improving Nic - I am devastated for you    You must be absolutely exhausted  

Still praying for a miracle  

Look after yourself too Nic  

Thanks hun, and everyone else but tbh I don't know if I'm doing the right thing by her or not... I don't really know what to do for the best, something in her is telling me that she's not ready to give up yet and the vet agrees but I don't want to start just projecting my own hopes onto her and seeing what I want to see. I also don't want the treatment to make her more sick than the disease, I have to wear gloves to handle the azathioprine, that's how pleasant a drug it is and there's a chance that the cyclosporine may make her symptoms worse than they already are.

So far though she's still eating, still licking and still wagging her tail (most of the time anyway) and the vet also thinks that it's worth keeping trying for the time being and we may still be able to pull her around. With her lack of improvement so far though we have had to discuss the worst outcome and I'm really relying on him to tell me when he thinks that medically we're at the end of the road and he doesn't think we're there yet. I know I may come across a bit clinical in these posts but I'm really not, I love her very, very much and I'm heartsick with sadness and worry for her but I don't like wailing about it as these things happen and we just have to try to deal with it. I very much appreciate all the thoughts for her and all the messages I've had even if I don't get a chance to respond to them all straight away.

[lisalh]

I keep checking back hoping tere is some improvement- send you and Tills lots of love xxx  I am surre whatever you are doing it is right my Tilly and I know you have a good relationship with your vet so if they happy to continue and Tilly still fighting then I think you should do what feels right to you xxx

[MaggieR]

So very sorry things are not improving yet for Tilly 
Lets hope this round of medication can start to help her.  Keeping everything crossed here for her 

Stay strong, it must be so hard to see her this unwell, but you are doing everything possible and more by the sound of it 

Says exactly what I want to... thinking of Tilly daily and really praying for some improvement.  And really - you don't come across as clinical in any of this, just someone trying to do absolutely everything possible to help a much loved member of the family.

[Helen]

I think your vet knows you well enough to be brutally honest with you and if he thinks there is a chance I would be doing the same as you.

Tills will let you know when it's time, and I hope it's not for a long time yet - if (doG forbid) it does become time then know you have done everything within your power for her  

I know you're exhausted and I wish I was up there so you could have a break and a sleep  - will call you tomorrow

special squidges to Jarv's brown girl xxx

[ClareB]

Oh Nic, I really don't know what to say.    Just keeping everything crossed that this new combination of drugs starts to make a difference.  I've no doubt that you'll do the best for her, difficult as it is to know what to do for the best at times like this.  

[dogsgalore]

Thinking of you and hoping for improvement for Tilly.  You are doing everything you can and it is obvious how much you love her. Hugs to you all.  

[Rats and Dogs]

I know I may come across a bit clinical in these posts but I'm really not, I love her very, very much and I'm heartsick with sadness and worry for her but I don't like wailing about it as these things happen and we just have to try to deal with it.

No, you don't come across as clinical Nicola, you are just telling it how it is, and in layman's terms. We all, especially us who know you, know just how much you love Tilly, and we are all rooting for her.

When I was telling OH about her, he surprised me by talking about her stick branch fixation, I had no idea how he knew - then he reminded me that Tills had walked around Lochore Meadows with him when he had zoomed off and left the rest of us. He sends loving and get well wishes too.

[Joules]

I think your vet knows you well enough to be brutally honest with you and if he thinks there is a chance I would be doing the same as you.

Tills will let you know when it's time, and I hope it's not for a long time yet - if (doG forbid) it does become time then know you have done everything within your power for her  

I agree with Helen.    We all know how much you love Tilly and that you would only do what is best for her no matter how difficult that may be.    It must break your heart having to give her all those awful drugs but I am sure Tilly knows you are trying to help her 

Keep strong Nic - we are all rooting for you and for Tilly 

[Countrygirl]

Hoping with all my heart that Tilly turns the corner soon and starts to get better.

Thinking of you both and praying for you.

[Sheryl]

I don't think for one second that you are projecting your hopes on her.  You aren't ready to give up the fight because quite obviously neither is Tilly.  Believe me, if she decides that she has had enough then you will know.  When you are so in tune with your dogs it is blindingly obvious.  You will do right by her whatever happens, this I know even from the little I know about you

When Chloe first became sick, it took 3 near death relapses and changes of drugs and doses before she stabilised.  Praying that this is what is needed.....just to get that all important balance right.

Huge .......nay, king size hugs from this little corner of Aberdeenshire to you xxxx

[floydlennon]

we think u r doin the right thing here to if the vet thinks there is a chance u take it and im sure tilly wants u to take it to  from the lennon for u all

[Hurtwood Dogs]

I don't know you, but I know you from your posts over the last few years and I don't for one second think you are projecting hopes. Of course you have hopes, but you're a realist and you're just giving her every chance you can with all the love and respect you have for her.

Having been in a similar situation with a dog her age I know the battle you have and to be honest, whilst I didn't like what happened to my boy, if I had to do it again with one of my current dogs at that age, I'd probably make the same choices and keep trying until a vet I respected told me otherwise - or my dog told me clearly. She'll let you know if she doesn't want anymore and she may never give up - Trev didn't, but until then, keep working as a team and keep trying.. It's totally exhausting and worrying about decisions and what you're doing is a massive factor in that, but try not to question yourself, just trust your gut feeling and Tills to guide you

She's a Strong, dignified, beautiful girl and couldn't be with anyone better, you know that, so I hope that helps a little at the moment - she's had a really cracking time with you to date and is getting everything possible to help her now, what a gift .

I wish more than anything I could change things for you both and I'm still hoping very hard for a bit of stabilisation and a little improvement.

xxxx