Tucker's end of life care.

Over the past few years, Tucker has developed a heart murmur, and within the last 2 years, that murmur has gotten progressively worse. This murmur made it so I was not able to get his annual teeth cleaning done, and it was suggested that we see a specialist to see what options for anesthesia he may have.

About 9 months ago, I took him to a heart specialist and found out that his heart murmur had progressed to the point where putting him under anesthesia would no longer be an option. The problems he was having with his teeth would be something we would have to treat with more brushing, dental water treatments, and, when the time called for it, antibiotics to fight off any infection he may get.

Three weeks ago, Tucker's appetite started to decline, and I moved him to a soft foods-only diet. While this helped with the appetite a little, it was just a small symptom of a much larger problem: his teeth. He had developed an infection which was making it harder and more painful for him to eat and drink, and the vet put him on an antibiotic regimen and pain pills.

Over the last three weeks, his health has steadily declined to the point where, 2 days ago, we had an emergency appointment with his vet. A new course of injectable fluids, stronger pain medication, appetite stimulants, and stronger antibiotics were prescribed. We had made an appointment to follow up on Monday, Feb 16th at 6 pm; however, this appointment had a dual purpose. If Tucker's health continued to decline over the weekend, this appointment will be a euthanasia appointment.

Unfortunately, his health, despite all of the fight he has put up, has gotten worse, and now I am facing the costs of his final bill.

I will need to come up with the money to not only pay for the procedure at the vet's office, but I will need to pay for the cremation services for him as well. As I am sure most of you know, vet services are a pay-up-front sort of situation, and after the last 3 weeks of vet bills, meds, and not working these last 2 days, I do not have the funds to cover these last two bills and am reaching out for help.