on borrowed time, originally uploaded by tifotter.

Well, Kozmo is home with us tonight. His biopsy/tissue samples have been sent off to the lab for analysis.

He does have a huge mass. We’ve known that since the last x-rays. It is completely displacing his small intestines and growing up into where his lungs should be as well.

When I dropped him off for surgery this morning, I left a note with him that said “If you can remove the mass without killing him, do it. If you’re not confident it can be removed without killing him, just take the biopsy and close him back up. I want to take home a live duck tonight. I won’t discuss euthanasia today.”

When the surgery vet called, he said “I would have tried to take out the mass, but you wrote on the paper that you wanted a live duck back today, and taking it out could very well kill him. I would have euthanized any other duck in this condition today, but I know you want him home.”

So… Kozmo Kirby is on borrowed time.

We’ll see if this 2nd biopsy shows something that would be worth trying to remove. Even if it does, that surgery could kill him. He hasn’t lost much weight at all in the past two weeks, and yesterday he was having fun swimming in the pool, all on his own.

So for now, Kozmo will just be home. Today’s biopsy was harder for him than the last one. Hopefully he will bounce back from it like he did two weeks ago. If he does, his long-term prognosis isn’t good, but he could be comfortable and hang out with us for awhile. I’ve spoken with several people about when to euthanize a pet duck. I always thought if a duck of mine became immobile I would euthanize them immediately. But Kozmo… he seems happy, even though he can’t walk. He likes splashing in the pool and hanging out with the other ducks. He likes his treats and preening in the sunshine.

So for now, he stays. If Kozmo develops keel sores from lying on the ground all the time, or if he is otherwise in pain from his tumors, that will be his time to go. But as long as he is pain-free and seems happy, he will be with us.

Thanks for all the well-wishes and support. I know Kozzy appreciates them and I do too. I’m sorry the news isn’t better. We’re thankful for the borrowed time.