Dying pet..

[Carol35]

Our 10yr old bitch was diagnosed last night with advanced heart failure. We are still stunned and naturally heart broken. Has anyone else had a dog die of this condition? We want to have her put down but need time to say our good byes and start preparing my daughter who is very close to this dog as she has been with her since birth however, we are uncertain of how much longer we have with her. We don't want her to drop down dead in front of our kids or wake up and she has passed in the night so would rather do it the right way with no suffering. The vet can't really give us a time line without doing extensive tests that is going to cost us thousands with the same result in the end.

If your dog had the same, how long did you have from diagnosis until death? Also, how do we prepare our daughter, who is 9yrs old, for the impending loss, in the least traumatizing way as possible? She hasn't lost a pet before.

UPDATED post #27
Thanks so much again everyone. X

Tia.

 

[copacetic]

My dog Dora:

Also died of heart problems. She was on medication that kept her going for a couple months, but eventually she really started suffering, and I had to put her down.

It's tough.

 

[bwana]

In the past 12 months we've had to put down three dogs (and a cat) from age related illnesses, including heart failure. It was particularly hard on the kids.

 

[maumau]

if your doggie is suffering you should put her down tomorrow or sooner. you and your children understand pain and sympathise but your pet only knows she's unhappy and looks to her owners for help. as difficult as the decision is you'll only be prolonging her agony if you delay. sorry this is happening to your family pet - it's horrible.

 

[Grimspoon]

Shame it's the worst. My mom has to put her dog down tomorrow He is as old as the hills and it's his time. Still so sad.

When I had to to put down my Alaskan malamute I cried like a litter girl when I had to take him into the vet. I stood their trying to pay with tears streaming. Tears in my eyes now

 

[Carol35]

Thanks guys, I want aware that this is a relatively common disease in pets.
Bwana, that many pets in a short time must have been just terrible. Did you prepare your children in anyway?
Copacetic, Dora was adorable.

Sorry to ask you guys these questions but was the deterioration rapid from onset of the illness?

She is under the care of an excellent vet and we have an appointment again in 2 weeks to reassess the situation and she is also on a host of meds to ease her symptoms. The vet assures us that she is not suffering in a major way yet and she doesn't seem to be. Main symptoms are gagging, severe weight and appetite loss and extreme fatigue but she is still very alert and came running to greet us this evening ( I literally clutched my own heart and begged her not to run lol). The vet said to be hopeful and at a massive guess we are looking at 2 months so we are hoping for 1 month left with her if she shows no signs of suffering else it will be immediate.

 

[Carol35]

Shame it's the worst. My mom has to put her dog down tomorrow He is as old as the hills and it's his time. Still so sad.

When I had to to put down my Alaskan malamute I cried like a litter girl when I had to take him into the vet. I stood their trying to pay with tears streaming. Tears in my eyes now

I know, pets can reduce the largest of men to blubbering messes, the husband already told me he is dreading the final visit.
Best wishes for your mom tomorrow

 

[Grimspoon]

I know, pets can reduce the largest of men to blubbering messes, the husband already told me he is dreading the final visit.
Best wishes for your mom tomorrow

Thanks Carol. I have never been afraid of a sob, it helps clear the heart. Not sure what the people in the waiting room were thinking seeing this 6ft oke balling his eyes out.

 

[Hosehead]

I find it easier putting the animals down alone with just the vet attending. It can be traumatic for family witnesses. A case in point was one 80kg Boerboel who was given a whole bottle of sodium pentothal (Euthanhaze) in a vein, but it did not kill. It just made him sleepy ( actually, very very sleepy asleep but not dead as he was still breathing) A second bottle was pulled into a monster syringe and jammed straight into the heart... and the job was done.
As a pet owner you will get a sense when "it's time for the dog/cat/kitten/rabbit/gerbil/rat to move to the big park in the sky" I don't make an issue about it with the children. One day the dog is just there in the home lazing about and the next day he is gone "to the animal hospital where they are trying to make him better" Except he never checks out. As a sign of respect I will accompany my canine on his final journey to the private cremation and I will take him home and scatter him where he once ran free. Then the children will get to choose another puppy and life goes on.

 

[ChilliGirl]

Shame it's the worst. My mom has to put her dog down tomorrow He is as old as the hills and it's his time. Still so sad.

When I had to to put down my Alaskan malamute I cried like a litter girl when I had to take him into the vet. I stood their trying to pay with tears streaming. Tears in my eyes now

Same with my cat but as they know me well (business relationship) the Dr just told me I could go, they will email me the bill....

 

[SlowInternet]

They become like children. We had a miature maltese that we had to put down when she was 18. Vet said that they usually live 12 years. She was really suffering and all her organs failed. It's not a nice feeling taking them to be put down but at some stage one must think about their suffering. I was present and took the body to be buried. All the best and be strong !

 

[nightjar]

She is under the care of an excellent vet and we have an appointment again in 2 weeks to reassess the situation and she is also on a host of meds to ease her symptoms. The vet assures us that she is not suffering in a major way yet and she doesn't seem to be. Main symptoms are gagging, severe weight and appetite loss and extreme fatigue but she is still very alert and came running to greet us this evening ( I literally clutched my own heart and begged her not to run lol). The vet said to be hopeful and at a massive guess we are looking at 2 months so we are hoping for 1 month left with her if she shows no signs of suffering else it will be immediate.

Keep her as long as she is comfortable and you will know when she is ready to go.
In recent years I have had a lot of rescued dogs, often only for three or four years but I always knew when they wanted to go.
They died in my arms and I buried them in my garden.

 

[T-Man]

I stood their trying to pay with tears streaming(

Pay cash. You don't want to be reminded of the event later when you get your credit card bill.

 

[AfricanTech]

I know, pets can reduce the largest of men to blubbering messes, the husband already told me he is dreading the final visit.
Best wishes for your mom tomorrow

I'm the one who has had to take (2 dogs, 1 cat) our pets to the final destination over the years...

Cried every time.

Had little "funeral services" for each one with the kids old enough to understand

My daughter lit a candle in an outside alcove for our cat of 15 years for almost two months...

It heals eventually - wishing you all the best

 

[Flidiot]

I should never have opened this thread. Sitting with tears rolling down my cheeks as well now!

It is an extremely difficult time, an animal grows with the family, becoming a part of the family.

I had an German Shepherd/Bullmastiff, Jack, for just over 12 years. Got him at a pretty tough time as a kid as well, so he was really like a mute (and furry) brother to me.

His heart wasn't as good as it could have been. Was almost no circulation to his hind quarters at all so he started collapsing while walking etc. Was quick as well, he was old but not showing any discomfort.

Our case was like yours as well, the vet wasn't able to give us a timeline without spending thousands.

All you can really do is see how she is and compare it to her healthier self. If she still seems OK-ish, you can probably push a day or so. If you can see she is really not herself and that she is suffering, it's best that you take her sooner.

For your daughter, just comfort her, chances are she understands what is coming even though she may not grasp the complete concept. It sounds stupid, but even as a 23 year old, I was reassuring myself that when he closes his eyes for the last time he will be opening them again without the pain and discomfort, without the his age-ailments. Basically that he is going to a better place.

It would be best though that it happens after school/over the weekend. It's an incredibly emotional time, so you will all need each other.

 

[Dolby]

What a sad thread

 

[Sensorei]

When I was 10, our 12 year old labrador ate poison and died in front of me in my mom's arms. It had a huge effect on me and I had nightmares about being poisoned. Kid's shouldn't see their pets suffer. Sorry to hear about the sad diagnosis. It's painful having a pet put down but when they start suffering it is the right thing to do.

 

[Nanfeishen]

If your dog had the same, how long did you have from diagnosis until death? Also, how do we prepare our daughter, who is 9yrs old, for the impending loss, in the least traumatizing way as possible? She hasn't lost a pet before.

Tia.

A few months back my dog, a friend and very faithfull companion passed on from cancer.
Being home based work wise, she was more than just my dog, she was by my side almost every hour of every day, and her loss is still felt strongly.

The following site was a big help for me in my grief, maybe it can help with your daughter :

The Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

http://petloss.com/

 

[Carol35]

The following site was a big help for me in my grief, maybe it can help with your daughter :



http://petloss.com/

Thanks so much for this.

Thanks guys, I'm in a r****ing nightmare..she is so ready..I thought we would have a month but it not to be...however, the husband is being very difficult. We have had an awesome weekend with her, taking pics and just loving her which has now proved harder in letting her go...but she is done, abdomen swollen, breathing very rapid and she hasn't eaten since Thursday bar the Vienna,s that I hide her meds in. I can't bear in anymore. I'm home tomorrow and hoping the husband gives me the go-ahead..my mom is coming over too to help out. I'm trying so hard not to be dramatic but f%ck ...it's like there is an imminent death in the family.

Thank you so much for all the well wishes. X

 

[MickeyD]

Sterkte.