Death of a dog?

Question

My dog just died at the age of four...and i just happend when they started that stuff about the dog food. The vet had told us that she was going to be fine. This was after paying $400 and then the vet had called and said that she had to be brought back in and then told us that she isnt doing good and would have to prob be put down...$200(im not bringing up money because this dog was loyal and would be worth any amount of money) but they had to put her down. I dont understand why they would tell us one thing then the next day tell us something else. Should we try and fight a case to pay for medical bills or what. I dont understand. So Confused Please Help

Answer 1

If your vet can say the death was due to the tainted dog food please call this number & you can be put into the class action law suit. 1-800-847-9094. I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your dog. Like a person, the dog can make a turn for the worse if it is sick.

Answer 2

The vet should not have told you the dog would be fine. What it sounds like happened is that the vet assumed the dog was fine but did not yet have all of the test results from the tsts they ran back yet and that when they got them back they found issues they did not see prior to. I do not think your vet should have told you that your dog was fine before getting all results back. Also, did they say what was wrong with the dog? I ask because you mention the tainted food. You cannot be sure unless the vet determined the cause. Second the pt food comanies are the ones that you have to go after and yes your vet should not have told you the dog was fine before being sure, but the only real thing you can do about thatis to find a new vet from here on out and let others know how this vet acted and that you would not recommend him to anyone. That is so sad what happened to your dog and I feel your pain. My cat had to be put down from kidney failure and we suspect it was from the food as well and the vet says that it was some type of poisoning that did it since he was only a year and half old and that he was healthy prior and had all his shots and neutered and regular vet care. The pet food company offered to refund my money for the food. I was so insulted I hung up on them and would never buy that food again no matter what! Good luck and I am so sorry to hear that.

Answer 3

First I am so sorry for your loss!! I have a sick dog right now and I can tell you vets make mistakes.His problem is not caused from pet food.

Your vet needs to explain what happened to your dog. Did he do blood work or x-rays?? Any tests done should be shown to you and explained.When you took her back was she very sick?? I need to know more details as to why they vet felt they needed to put her down.

If the dog was in renal failure due to the dog food the vet should have ran this type of tests and kept your dog and put her on an Iv.

Did you keep a receipt of the dog food or have the packages??Can you still have an autopsy (it's called necropsy in animals) done?
This would explain a lot.
If the food is the cause the vet has to state this and you file a claim with the pet food co.They will only pay for vet bills.
If your vet was wrong in there care you could consult an attorney you would need the pets records you would have to have another vets statement that your pet received below standard of care. This is very expensive.
I would fight for vet bills if it was the dog food,as for the vet I would have them explain and, I probably would not go back to them as they owe you a very detailed explanation and some proof before they put an animal to sleep.Most vets only do this as a very last result,and thats because there are no more treatment options and the pet is suffering.
Again I'm so sorry for your loss Finding out the facts wont take away your pain but may help you understand.
Best wishes.

Answer 4

I am so sorry that you are going through this. I have lost two dogs as well, only due to accidents. I think you are grieving just like any pet lover would do, but I don't feel that going after the money that was lost is going to make you feel any better. In my opinion, it will only prolong the process. If it were me, I would want to know the actual findings of the test results. I don't think the vet should be held accountable, because most vets will do anything possible to save an animal's life, or at least give you the options available. If it was caused by the food poisoning, you would have to prove to get any compensation. I am sure there will be a group litigation over this like any other of the past tort cases. If you want to investigate this option, you could find more information on-line. I know there are probably attorneys lining up to make money off of this tragedy. You may want to give it some time though to give your heart a chance to grieve, then jump on the bandwagon of a pending lawsuit. This whole poison case is not going to go away any time soon. Just get the facts first. My heartfelt sympathies to you.

Answer 5

Things to consider:
1) Is this a pet food contamination case? Do you have the cans of food to prove she was fed some of the recalled food? If yes, you are in a muct better position than if the answer is no. However:
2) If you no longer have the cans but the you told the vet she had been eating one of the recalled brands and the vet found her to be in renal failure probably linked to the food, you could still be OK provided the vet will say that in a statement
3) I think you missed some of the things the vet was saying after the first visit because they wanted her to come back. My suggestion for your own peace of mind is to go back IN PERSON to the vet's office (but call and make an appointment!) and ask the vet to go through the entire episode with you about what likely happened to your dog. Ask questions like: "We thought she was going to be OK when you said she was. Were there some tests that you didn't have results back on that changed that or what?"
4) Keep in mind: you are your vet's customer. They realize you are an animal lover and if you get another animal they would like to remain your vet. It is in their best interest to have you leave there informed and satisfied. On the flip side: you paid $600 to the vet, they are your "employee". Get satisfaction for your money. Find out what happened if it's possible.
5) If both you and the vet agree this is related to the pet food recall, file a claim with the company responsible! Purina is honoring claims for vet expenses if you file a claim. I can't speak for others. But that's the avenue you want to pursue.
Lastly, I'm really sorry about your dog. No matter when they cross that rainbow bridge, we are never ready to see them go.

Answer 6

First I would take the case to the pet food company and tell them their food caused your dog to die. They will ask a whole bunch of questions.

Your vet most likely took x-rays and missed something that another Vet caught. Its ok, they are human too. You could sue them for whatever you feel is necessary, but you have to understand. When our pets became the target of food poisoning the vets did not know what to look for at first. As reports came in gradually they were able to determine the substances in the blood stream and in the stomach by what they were learning on a daily basis.

Vets are good people, they are not usually out to get you or gouge you for extra money. X-rays are not free neither is blood work or putting animals down.

Did you want to watch your dog suffer as she died from food poisoning? The vet made a good choice and I'm sorry your dog is gone so many people are loosing their animals and its not fair. But life is not fair.

Its your choice to take a case against the vet who tried to help you or the pet food company who created the issue.

Good Luck!

Answer 7

I am so sorry for your lose! Your doctor should of not spoken so fast if he did not know what was wrong with the dog in the first place. I have had this same problem. I took my dog to the Vet. he gave my dog a shot and said she had a seizure. I told him the dog had never had seizures before and something else was going on with her. It was if he did not even hear me. He gave my dog a shot and said to just watch her she would be fine. It was a good thing I am a nurse. I watched the dog during the night and I knew in my heart something was wrong! I took my dog to the University Vet. clinic in Northern Illinois. They said the dog had a stroke. I had to have the dog I had raised from 4 weeks old put to sleep after many different tests. Sorry for going on and on. But I wouldn't fight to get my money back you don't have a case!

Answer 8

I can't help you but want you to know we are going through the same thing here. We had to put our 4 yr old shih tzu down for the same reason a couple of weeks ago. We are devastated and just want someone to pay for what they have done to our beloved Jenny. I called Menu foods and they are sending a claims package. I am hoping they will pay the vet bills, but I really just want my baby back.

Answer 9

Everyone hates to have a pet die. You need to find out the exact diagnosis before you assume it was the food that caused your dog to die. A lot of animals and people die when things were going good after an illness. It happened to my grandpa after he had a heart attack. He was only 57 and the doctor said he was doing good, but then he died the next day. Everyone is so fast nowadays in thinking that the pet food is responsible for their pet's death, when in reality, few have died. A lot of the pet food was recalled voluntarily by the companies. If indeeed your pet died due to the pet food, then you just have to take it up with the pet food company. But you need to find out the real cause of your pet's death before you make any decisions.

Answer 10

I would talk to your vet and find out exactly why he died. Without knowing the reason you can't just assume that it was the dog food that caused your dog to get ill. Don't let him just give you assumptions either. Make him give you an exact prognosis because if it was because of the dog food and you do decide to sue the dog food company, his testimony will be important in your case.