Mike died of kidney failure--he was fine last night. I took him to the vet and he didn't come home. Now his brother is curled up in a little space between the washer and dryer in the laundry room and doesn't want to come out--just as if he knows Mike is dead. This is breaking my heart. Is there anything I can do for him? They're less than a year old and have been together since birth.
2007-04-10 15:05:54 · 15 answers · asked by Alice K 7 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Thank you all for your kindness and compassion.
To 3dogmo..., The vet said it could be genetic but he wasn't sure. He suggested a necropsy but I wanted Jazz to see him (Mike), so I couldn't allow it. And I'm taking Jazz in as soon as he comes around a little.
Thanks again - Alice
2007-04-10 15:20:14 · update #1
It wasn't the food I feed them Eukanuba dry.
2007-04-10 15:37:56 · update #2
First please let me say I am sorry for your loss. Time will heal his wounds and yours. We had 2 cats like that and in fact it was the exact same thing kidney failure. He was fine and then the next morning he was weak and lethargic and crying. We took him to the vet and they said that it was kidney failure and there was nothing they could do at that point. They said if he was a human he would be on dialisys. We had him put out of his pain and suffering. My other cat that he gew up with (when we got them one was 9 weeks old and the other one was orphaned under our home at 2 weeks old and we reaised him from then on) and so they were like brothers. Lucky the one at home was very depressed. We got eachother through it though. You will need to lean to him for support and you will need to let him lean on you for extra support and love also. Give him extra attention and let him mourn he will be ok it will take time. He is grieving just like we do.
2007-04-10 15:24:03 · answer #1 · answered by Blueyedshewolf 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I am very very sorry for your loss. My dog Ranger died suddenly early (3am) Monday morning and I'm struggling with it. He was very happy and still playful at 11 years old - we played catch just the night before.
Although the vet does not suspect the food I can not help but wonder. I had just bought a new bag of dog food Sat night (Iams) and gave him his first meal Sunday morning - which he threw up later that day (around 6 pm) and never wanted to eat again, started breathing really heavy around 11:00 at night and he passed away around 3 in the morning... The vet determined he was healthy otherwise. Now I just sit here and cry and wonder if there was something else I should have done.
I hope your other dog feels better soon - I'm sure he's as sad as you are.
2007-04-11 01:04:14 · answer #2 · answered by Karen C 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Show Mike' s to him. If there is no danger of infection then this is a personal choice. Some owners say that the surviving dogs do not search for a companion, having seen the body. Others say that any veterinary smells on the body disturbed their other dogs. They may sniff around the body, lick him and maybe try to wake him up before concluding that their friend has gone. We cannot know what dogs understand by death, but they probably have some awareness that a dead animal does not return to life. If there is no danger of infection and you believe that it will help your other dogs come to terms with the loss of a companion, then by all means allow them to see and smell the body.
Buy him another dog to shift his attention for now. Although it still takes time for him to recover, having another dog around is always the best, the other dog can comfort him and keep him busy.
2007-04-11 03:08:09 · answer #3 · answered by Scarlett 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
So sorry to hear about your pet. Given that this was a rather sudden death - and due to kidney failure - is there a possibility that your pet's death was related to the tainted pet food (the tainted wheat gluten). Just go in - get the puppy out from between the machines. He will certainly know his brother is not there and will be down for a while. You may want to take him to the vet to ensure that he is alright (kidneys are fine - given that the other pet succumbed to kidney failure). Just give him lots of love and attention over the next while.
Again, very sorry for your situation.
2007-04-10 22:18:24 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Did the brother get to see Mike's body? This is really important for animals - it gives them closure. He'll be fine if that's not a possibility, but it may take him a while. I would not fuss over him while he's like this as it will reinforce the behavior. Just try to get things back to normal as much as you can for the remaining dog.
How sad for such a young dog to die from kidney failure. Was there an illness that caused it?
2007-04-10 22:13:29 · answer #5 · answered by th3dogmomma 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I am so sorry to hear that! Was it a result of the food recall? I would first make sure that your other dog is not sick and then just give him lots of love and attention. Maybe something of Mike's that will still smell like him so he has a familiar thing nearby. He knows that his brother isn't coming back and it will take him time to adjust. Lots and lots of love will eventually make him come around and get back to normal.
2007-04-10 22:15:48 · answer #6 · answered by Z B 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
im really sorry. Its hard to lose a pet, espesially a brother. My first suggestion would be to show the dog Mike. That way the dog knows what happend to him and understands he wont come back. If that is not possible, just give him a lot of love and atention. Give him treats and special food. He will soon be his normal, happy self again!
2007-04-10 22:10:38 · answer #7 · answered by animal luva 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I know what that one feels like. I had my two puppies Bonnie and Clyde who got Parvo. Bonnie died and Clyde is fine now. What I did for him was make sure he has a stuffy and gave him as much love as he could stand. I also have a cat and a toy poodle who have been a big help for him. He adopted the cat as his sister. So long story short your puppy needs a friend. A stuffed animal, another puppy, kitten, anything that your puppy will be easily able to adapt to. He will have a morning period and if I know puppies he will bounce back soon.
2007-04-10 22:14:22 · answer #8 · answered by Christene L 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
First let me say how very sorry I am for your loss. It never gets easy.
As bad as you feel, so does his brother. They seem to know before we do that a housemate will soon be leaving. My golden/chow cross (Brandy) adopted a stray chow/shar pei mix. They were inseparable. When Brandy died, I gave my chow (Boo) a couple weeks & when she didn't seem to come around, I found her another pup to take care of. It was either that or put her on puppy prozac. For 9 years it's worked great. They want the pack companionship & a "job" to do which for Boo was taking care of others. It's something to consider.
2007-04-10 22:41:24 · answer #9 · answered by Deb 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It will jsut take time for him to get used to him knowing that "Mike" is not coming home, as it will take you time as well.
Be patient with him, his behavior may be a little off for a few days.
Maybe when the time is right, you can find a new friend to join the family.
2007-04-10 22:09:53 · answer #10 · answered by yarmiah 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋