Vet thinks Chiquita has Liver Cancer

by Erna Ruben
(Grants Pass. Or.)

Those soulful eyes

On May 18, 2011, my little dog Chiquita, a longhaired chihuahua in her 11th year, had been outside for a few minutes as is her habit after eating her dinner.

Shortly after she came in, she sort of collapsed. Her pupils were dilated and her gums a whitish-grey. I knew something was very serious and suspected poisoning, although it was doubtful she had gotten a hold of something.

Blood tests and X-rays showed she had an enlarged spleen. But blood test did not reveal too much - yet. There was a little blood in the urine, but nothing was really standing out. I just had to watch it.

This week-end of May 22, Chiquita had diahrrea that had the substance and color of mustard. She has been a little lethargic, sometimes a dull look in her eyes.

I took her back to the vet who again did X-rays and blood tests. She told me that during the last four weeks test results were showing her liver was not functioning very well and things had gotten worse. She thought most likely it is a cancer that may have spread through her whole system. I went home with something to control her diahrrea and something to boost her immune system.
I am doing some research on how to feed her and what supplements I can use to help her with this disease.

She is not keeping her food in her stomach right now, and that makes it even harder to give her what she needs.

I am willing to try anything, because if I lost my little Chiquita, I would be devastated. Missing her would be so painful.

But I have to be realistic and realize that despite my efforts, I may not be able to save her life.

This little dog has been such a perfect match for me. She is a quiet and laid back little dog. She just always wanted to be near me.

I feel so sad knowing what she is going to have to go through.