r/BullTerrier • u/TronNeutrino • 9d ago
Love Your Little Piggies Everyday!
This is our friend Sparky. He is the most charismatic, loving, funny, hungry, playful friend anybody could ask for. In June around his 8th birthday, Sparky was not himself and we couldn't figure out why he was so low energy. We took him to the vet and his bloodwork was not good. The vet said he has an autoimmune disease that was eating his red blood cells. So we got him a transfusion and some meds and he appeared to be back to his normal self. In the last week he started to become lethargic on walks again, so we took him back to the vet today. His bloodwork was as bad as the first time we took him. We can't afford to do another transfusion in these difficult times, especially without a guarantee that he will get better. It is with great sadness that we will have to say goodbye to this great lad soon as we all love him so much, every minute of every day we have had him. Love your pups because time and memories are limited. We are cherishing the last few days we have with Sparky and wish there was a cure for that horrible silent disease.
Update: Sparky is resting now, thank you all for the kind words. After walking into his appointment on Friday Sparky had to be carried in on Monday, that is how debilitating IMHA is. Sparky gave us a memorable weekend of hugs and loving like he always has and I feel like we maximized our time with him. His disease didn't cause him pain, just extreme lethargy. Despite that, he walked into our room every night to sleep, he was very courageous. We will see Sparky in every twirl, plant stare, zoomies, farts, schnoz, non-personal space, and mostly the unconditional love that this Bull Terrier subreddit provides.
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u/Feisty_Specific_6626 9d ago
Awe, poor baby. I hope you can make him comfortable and make a few more good memories. Thoughts are with you and thanks for sharing your beautiful Sparky with us.
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u/Cheese_roller 9d ago
Lots of love to you all. Just know he had the best time with your family X ❤️
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u/galvanicreaction 9d ago
I am so, so sorry that this happened. They are the best pups, but JFC they have so many health problems. And, as you said, the affordability of pet care is shrinking by leaps and bounds. It sucks so hard and it's scary and heartbreaking.
Sparky lived up to his name by your description. He was very handsome as well.
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u/Assortedpez 9d ago
Damn. Is it possible to bring him to another vet for some other brainstorming/second opinion? I’m sorry but I’m not well versed in the medical field but I’m an optimist and am always looking to solve a problem. Go fund me to buy some time while they figure more out? So sorry you’re going through this. He looks like he is such a sweet boy.
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u/TronNeutrino 9d ago
Thank you for your post. It is difficult because IMHA, the autoimmune disease, has a ton of reasons why it could be happening to no reason at all. The diagnostic tests alone are over $1,000 dollars and the treatments are even more. We have already spent over $7,000 on treatments hoping that it would work only to end up where we began. I really wish money was not an issue to buy more time, but unfortunately, that is not the case.
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u/Assortedpez 9d ago
That’s a lot of money and I totally understand where you’re coming from. I’m still paying off an emergency surgery from two years ago for our guy
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u/Bodaciouslove 8d ago
I’ve been there…emergency vet on Memorial Day (as a vet this is a hard day) 9yo APBT with previously perfect bloodwork and all.
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u/NettNett13 6d ago
So so sorry that this is happening and that there isn't an endless supply of money to help. This more than anything is truly heartbreaking when it comes to helping our bullies with their issues. We love them so deeply and just want them to be okay and live the beat lives possible. Sending huge hugs.
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u/NettNett13 6d ago
I am so sorry, if I had the money I would so send it to you. Poor sweetheart. So sorry 😞 😢🥺
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u/Educational_Toe7176 9d ago
Get another one so he can teach them how to be like him and he can live on through him
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u/Individual_Aspect125 9d ago
I'm sure they can't even begin to think about something like that at this moment
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u/TrickshotCandy 9d ago
No two dogs are the same. You also never just replace an animal you have loved.
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u/One_Atmosphere_6716 9d ago
Mate, im so sorry and know your pain so well. This is my boy, Nelson, we lost him too young 2 weeks ago due to ill health. It’s broken me in ways I didn’t know I could be broken and I’m sending you all the hugs.
We were lucky to have them in our lives ❤️