My Yorkie (age 14) started to seem a bit unwell (tired, not eating much, losing weight) for a couple of days. He seemed to be a bit better and then went ill again. He was up and down for a couple of days so I thought it was just something that would pass. I knew he really wasn't himself and took him to the vets. On that day, I had to take him on 2 buses (where he was being sick) and carry him a couple of miles to get there as he refused to walk. He was put on a drip and the next day I phoned and was told that he was very ill and close to collapse due to kidney failure. I went in that day and had him put to sleep. I held him and told him how much I loved him and what a good boy he was. I love him and miss him so much. If I would have gone to the vets a few days earlier when he first seemed to be ill, would they have been able to do anything to save him? If I knew he was so ill I would have gone sooner. Please be honest - I would rather know the truth. Did I leave it too late?
2007-07-04 11:41:41 · 28 answers · asked by smudge 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Aw! Your ordeal made me cry! I'm sorry for your loss. You did everything you could with common sense. He lived a long, happy life. By the time kidney failure shows symptoms, it's usually too late. He probably would not have made it even if you got him to the vet sooner. Some diseases don't show until it's too late. :(
If I rushed my dogs to the vet every time they got a tummy ache or didn't feel like eating, I'd be bankrupt.
Wishing you the best!
2007-07-04 12:04:55 · answer #1 · answered by Pom♥Mom Spay and Neuter 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. You did everything you could. Kidney failure is not something that would just 'come on'. Realistically, 14 is a good age for any breed of dog, some last a bit longer and some don't make it to their 10th birthday. This was obviously a well loved dog that had run it's time. You are dwelling on the horrors of that last journey to the vets, never pleasant, but you did your best which is all you could have done. Kidney failure, if left un-diagnosed, would have been very painful and resulted in an awful death. It is never easy to make the desicion to have an animal put to sleep but you have to remember the good times and the fact that when you had to make desicion; you made the right one for your dog. He was the one who counted, at the end of the day. Your pain will subside, in time, but how much worse would it have ben had you watched this little guy deteriorate daily and still make the ultimate choice. It's not easy and my thoughts are with you. It will, however get better in time.
2007-07-04 12:03:49 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi Honey. I'm am so sorry for your loss. I've have 4 cats and 4 Sheltie pups. I lost a Sheltie 2 years ago and he was 15 years old. Even with the pets I have, there is not a day that doesn't go by that I do not think of my beloved friend. He was the best. I'm saying these because I honestly know exactly how you feel.
lst. I think you did all you could for him. Pups (I call all dogs pups because they are still "pups" no matter what their age)....have a way of trying "to feel better & show us their best side no matter how ill they become." They want to always please us. So it is very difficult to know just what to do.
2nd. Your little Yorkie lived a long & happy life to live to the age of 14...I think that speaks volumes of what type of terrific pet owner you are and how very fortunate your little puppy was to have you as his owner!!!
3rd. It will take a long time to get over your grief and this is new and you will hurt for awhile. I'm being honest...I'm not trying to hurt your feelings. But PLEASE know that I honestly feel you did what you could for your pup! If you would have went sooner...the end result would most likely have been the same. Kidney failure is very difficult to treat and even if they placed him on lasix (a medication to help with the kidney failure)...it might have prolonged his life...BUT ONLY FOR A SHORT TIME...as in weeks.
By putting your pup to sleep, and holding him in your arms, you were absoluately terrific & extreamly caring for your pup. He trusted YOU and he had his final moments with HIS BEST FRIEND! He would not have wanted it any other way. You didn't leave him...you were there for him!!! This decision is the hardest to make in life and you will always second guess yourself....but please remember that your little Yorkie wants you to be HAPPY and think HAPPY THOUGHTS of him and remember all the fun and good times the two of you shared.
When your ready, you may want to get another little Yorkie pup in memory of him, so you can talk to the new little pup and tell him/her all about the other pup. People will have various opinions on this. I am one...that must get a pup within the first week (I know that people will think that's to soon) but this is what I personally needed. My kids & husband would say the same. It will take a few weeks for you to feel really close and bond with the new pup....but from personally experience....it will be one of the best forms of healing you can do for both yourself and your beloved freind.
I wish you well & when your ready...you may want to read the poem.... Rainbow's Bridge.
Many blessings,
Patti
2007-07-04 12:02:43 · answer #3 · answered by Patti 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There was no way you could have known then what you know now. It's always like that. I have two dogs and there are times that they just don't want to be bothered. There's times that they sleep so deeply that I fear the worst. One is 11 and the other is 12.
Even a young dog can go into kidney failure or suffer an infection. My mother's dog had a severe kidney infection once. She cried and carried on. I had to wrap her in a rug to carry her out to my car and she moaned and groaned all the way to the vet. She was in a lot of pain.
I've had a 5 year German shepherd drop dead at my feet. She died of heart failure due to an error made by one of the vet techs who took it upon herself to fill out the prescription drug dosing instructions that goes on the bottle. The dog that died weighed 40 pounds less than my other dog. This woman looked at the 100 pound dog's medical chart. The drug dose was to be determined by the weight of the dog. And so, in essence they killed my dog by causing her to overdose.
What I'm saying here, is that we never know when it's the end for anyone, animal or a person. Don't tear yourself up. You did take your pet to the vet and after that, it was out of your hands. It's just too bad that animals can't verbalize their needs.
2007-07-04 12:05:45 · answer #4 · answered by Call Me Babs 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is a question that only you, in your heart can answer.
Every time I have had to have one of my put to sleep I feel guilty. Some cause, like you, if I'd known, noticed how bad it was I should have done it sooner & others I felt that I'd done it too soon.
With each one I felt guilty. You are the only one who can set your heart at ease. He is no longer suffering, no longer in pain, he lived a long life with you & places himself in your hands years ago & trusted that you would not let him suffer. Now you can close your eyes & look to heaven & see him romping & playing, just waiting until it is your turn to join him.
I have 3 or 4 packs of dogs waiting for me. I have always had at least one dog & sometimes 10 to 15.
Soooo sorry for your lose. He is in a better place now.
Blessings
2007-07-04 12:06:53 · answer #5 · answered by bluebonnetgranny 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think you could've known any sooner or done anymore. You clearly loved your little dog and did the best for him when the time was right. I've been in the same situation myself more than once and, most of us feel guilty when making the decision to have your pet put to sleep, but really, you did the kindest act under the circumstances.
2007-07-05 02:07:53 · answer #6 · answered by Ysanne 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So sorry to hear of the loss of your little dog.
You did all you could, it sounds like you took great care of your little dog and 14 is a great age.
My little Maltese age 18 had to be put down a few months ago, I felt so guilty as I was out all day and when I got home she had had a stroke and couldnt stand properly and was very distressed. I wish I had been there instead of out enjoying myself. I have made peace with it now and have a lovely photo in a frame to remind me of her.
2007-07-04 22:14:18 · answer #7 · answered by jaygirl 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My favorite cat 'squeaky' had the same thing happen years ago. I got him to the vet in time though and they saved his kidneys and his life.
I spent an exorbitant amount of money saving my cat. A few months later he died anyway.
Your baby knows you loved him. He was miserable hanging on. You did a merciful but very hard thing. I know it sucks.
When you feel better about all this, get another one if you can. Its amazing how animals heal us and help us get thru traumatic times. They are very grounding and love us very much.
God bless:o)
Carolyn
http://www.lookgreat-loseweight-savemoney.com/
2007-07-04 11:55:40 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
i think what you are going through is part of the grieving blame is a part of that ,your yorkie was 14yrs and that is a great gift for a dog to reach that age i no some live 17 yrs or more the loss of a dog can grieve for 2 years some never get over there grief .i am speaking the truth your yorkie was very very poorly and when they start to deteriate it all happens very quickly my yorkie died cancer 11yrs 2004 he also was pts i also blamed myself
2007-07-05 05:58:03 · answer #9 · answered by yorkiefamily2001 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you did not leave it too late. To have an animal put to sleep shows how much you loved him, its so hard. If he had shown signs that he was very ill, you would have noticed and taken him straight away. 14 years is a good age for a dog.
I feel so sad after reading your post, I can really feel your pain, im so sorry for your loss.....
2007-07-04 11:54:45 · answer #10 · answered by LEXY 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋