One of my clients is dying :'(

At doggie day care, there was only 1 bigger dog in the little dogs group - a mix named Sophie. She was so old. We had to help her up and down the stairs to go outside, and she usually peed on the floor, but she was the sweetest, most gentle dog I've ever known in my entire life.

About 6 months into working there, Sophie's dad moved to Texas. We had a little going away party for her, and signed a nice card. A week later her dad emailed us to say that she'd passed as soon as they made it to Texas. I cried when they told me at work!

So it's the worst and the best - I'm so, so lucky that people trust me enough to care for their furkids, and even luckier that I get to bond with so many more dogs than the average person. I think of it this way -- when it's my turn to go, I'll have a whole crew at the Bridge!!

sl2crmeg

So it's the worst and the best - I'm so, so lucky that people trust me enough to care for their furkids, and even luckier that I get to bond with so many more dogs than the average person. I think of it this way -- when it's my turn to go, I'll have a whole crew at the Bridge!!

I really do feel so lucky that I get to bond with so many dogs, and they trust me and their owners trust me. It's my favorite part of my job. I've never had a client pass away, and I'm very close to this one. When I had to walk him today I just couldn't get "he's going to die soon" out of my head. I know I shouldn't think that way, but after recieving that news I couldn't help myself. I found myself giving him extra lovin' but I was thinking "in the next couple weeks I'm not going to be able to do this anymore", I just feel so sad.

If they are so inclined, there IS treatment.  The boxer/pit we had -- we rescued her when she was 10 and her heart was MASSIVELY enlarged because of having had heartworm for a very long time -- it was my first experience treating a heartworm positive dog the "slow way" (she couldn't take the immiticide -- it would have killed her) and then she took ferosemide and a few other things (including some herbals) and she got acupuncture for her last few years.  She lived with us for SIX YEARS with a massively enlarged heart and lungs that were in tatters (the parasites migrated there after the heart was full). 

 IN short -- if you are willing to give them some meds and deal with the side effects (Lasix makes them incontinent just like it does humans so she wore 'bitches britches' with continence pads in them for YEARS) they can actually live a long time.  Feel free to give this lady my email if she wants more information.

 TCVM (acupuncture, Chinese herbs) helped Ms. Socks a TON.  Socks was incredibly happy and was an active therapy dog until her last days.  And she'd have been REAL proud if she could have told ya that it wasn't her heart in the end.  She wound up with cancer (and lived with it for a long time).  She was a dog who had a really *tough* beginning and  came into her own as a senior dog.  She lived for her ball and going in the car and doing "stuff". 

If people have never experienced giving a dog medicines it can be unthinkable that such things can be treated but they can very often.  These meds aren't expensive.  We just coped and she kept trying!

BlackLabbie

I just feel so sad.

Yep, I know how you feel. ((hugs))

How heartbreaking for everyone.  ((warm hugs))  I have a feeling that this Boxer has no idea that he's dying.  He's taking it as the moments come.  Try not to be too sad when you're with him.  He CAN pick up on your emotions.

I would have this dog on at least taurine (raw heart), L-Carnitine, CoQ10 [the Q-Gel (oil) form], and salmon oil.  You could get them locally and use www.b-naturals.com for dosages.  Be sure you keep an eye on the kidneys and blood pressure!

Heart Healthy Diet
http://www.b-naturals.com/newsletter/heart-healthy-diet/

Bertes Cardio Pack for heart support - URL has doggie dosages:
http://www.b-naturals.com/cardio-pack-41-pk-p-86 
"Bertes Cardio Pack includes L-Carnitine, an amino acid that helps keep the heart strong, while CoQ10 is an essential nutrient that is beneficial for cardiac diseases. The Omega-3 essential fatty acids in Berte's EPA Fish Oil support the heart, while Bertes Immune Blend offers antioxidants, enzymes and other amino acids for optimal health."

I'm not sure what they already have him on, but I will pass this info along, thank you.

gradyupmybutt

Try not to be too sad when you're with him.  He CAN pick up on your emotions.

I agree with this. I really feel for you and for him. It must be heart wrenching. As difficult as it is, try to make your last moments with him as happy for him as possible, even if you hide the tears through the laughter. I have had to do this at the shelter with some of the most broken spirited dogs and although they weren't (as far as I know ) actually dying, their spirit was dead and the light gone from their eyes with no home of their own and lord knows what kind of past they had that brought them to this point. It was so hard at times to try not to let them know, but I feel like for the time I was with them, they knew they were loved and there was a spark of a twinkle coming back.

Just do the best you can. :)

janet_rose

have this dog on at least taurine (raw heart), L-Carnitine, CoQ10 [the Q-Gel (oil) form], and salmon oil.  You could get them locally and use www.b-naturals.com for dosages.  Be sure you keep an eye on the kidneys and blood pressure!

From personal experience this is GOLD.  Taurine comes in pills BUT beef heart is absolutely one of the BEST all time treats ever -- it's cheap, easy to fix.  Just ask your butcher (and even chains will usually carry heart if you ask and it's cheap -- like $1.69 a pound). 

Blood pressure -- MANY vets do *not* have a dog blood pressure cuff.  As a result most of them will seriously downplay the importance of blood pressure monitoring.  Ask your vet point blank if they have one -- if not FIND a vet who has one and ask them what they'll charge to simply bring the dog in every other week (or whatever it takes) to have the BP checked.  They'll usually do it without an office visit -- should be like $15.  Make sure they know that Dr. ____ (your vet) is taking care of your dog - you ONLY want to check the BP periodically.  It's profit for them and often seen as a courtesy to other vets.

High blood pressure can be FATAL.  FAST and fatal.  Any heart disease compromises the kidneys -- (remember the kidneys and liver 'filter' blood for the heart so if the heart isn't pushing blood properly this makes it harder for the liver and kidneys) ... and all of these can make high blood pressure worse.  It's a silent killer in dogs -- most of the time you don't even KNOW it's high.