Dog Community

911 - please help fast

Posted : 8/25/2007 10:28:05 PM

Quick story - the little puppies we've been fostering somehow got out the door while we were talking to our son. We saw our female rottie go out and our son said he'd get her.

We heard one of the puppies bark outside later and realized they were both gone from the room. We jumped up and let the female in and ran outside to find the male.

He's been hit by a car. I'm sure he's got serious internal injuries, head trauma, his spinal / hip / back legs have all been damaged.

The only thing I absolutely hate about living in the damn boonies is no on call or emergency vet anywhere close. Like - hours to the nearest. Our vet is good about checking his calls throughout the night and calling you quickly. We instantly called and left him a message.

Of all days, our stupid van blew it's tranny today. So now of two vehicles, they both have blown trannys. We got ahold of the neighbor right as he was about to leave with a friend and asked to borrow his truck. So, we have a vehicle to use to get him to the vet.

Problem is the vet's not calling. The puppy is unresponsive, thank God. I couldn't handle it if he were awake and in pain. But, it's been over an hour and no call from the vet. Now we're wondering what to do.

Some people on the other forum gave us he!! for not shooting him, asking 'aren't you married to a retired cop - do you mean to tell me you don't have a gun in that house', which I found pretty damn mean and nasty. Yes, we do, but the thought of shooting him is leaving my husband in quite a state. He's as much an animal lover as I am. To add to the problem, we have 5 kids here, one of which isn't ours. 2 of our kids have been hysterical. I'm an emotional wreck.

But it's to the point now we have to do something. Even unresponsive I can't leave him in there in the state he is. It's just cruelty to me. But shooting him..... ugh.

So, is there anything else that can be done to 'put him down' from home that is quick and painless that we can do? I just don't know what else to do for him.

Please, someone have an answer for me.....

Liesje

Posted : 8/25/2007 10:37:46 PM

OMG, how awful! Sorry, the gun is the only thing I know of. I'd be too afraid of reactions to any chemical....

willowchow

Posted : 8/25/2007 10:38:13 PM

Try the vet again. Are you in Naples right now? I could do a search on the internet for some places.

DumDog

Posted : 8/25/2007 10:42:29 PM

holy cow.....

if he is unresponsive then i doubt a chemical reaction would matter, but you never know.... he might die slowly anyway even without help.
guns are messy and loud... so is a hammer... there is always suffication... but jeez.. come on... or you could break his neck... but...
no. i say try the vet again. drive him up there now. there is bound to be someone there.

i've been in this situation but it was much much worse. i was out of town for the day and when i got back my dog was bleeding to death in the laundry room. the only option was to get her euthed... but as soon as we called and arranged to show up she was doing the death stretch and died a minute later.... all we could do then was cancel the appointment.

i was livid for several reasons... my dog was NOT unresponsive either.

Pwca

Posted : 8/25/2007 10:47:41 PM

The only method I think is humane, at this point, since you can't get him to a vet, is going to be shooting him. I had a dog (foster escape artist) get hit on my country road in 2005 and had to get the neighbor to do it- couldn't have even loaded the dog into the car without causing him pain (and, given that this was a puppy mill dog who was incredibly fearful and probably would fearbite if pushed hard enough- I wasn't sure we could load him (70 pounds)without someone getting hurt) , the hour trip to the nearest emergency vet was something that I couldn't in good conscience put him through)- I couldn't do it and I don't blame your husband for not being able to- not with a dog he's attached to in the slightest.. I *can* tell you that the dog we put down- Mike- didn't suffer at all and it was instantaneous.

mrs1885

Posted : 8/25/2007 10:56:45 PM

Willow, we used to live in Naples. We're in Bone Cave, TN now. The closest emergency vet is about an hour and a half or more away - probably closer to 2 hours. Our vet doesn't have anyone there at night or on the weekends. This is seriously the middle of nowhere in the sticks. It's the only freaking time I've ever regretted moving up here.

Just heard from the neighbor. Said he and the vet have been friends since childhood. Apparently the vet's wife is dying of cancer and is ready to go anyday. In otherwords, don't expect a call. Sheesh. Just two weeks ago we had an emergency with a friend's beagle and didn't hear from him for a long time ago. Found out his father had a heart attack and nearly died. What else can go wrong for this guy?? Boonies or not, he's a good vet and does what he does for the animals. We owe him a few hundered dollars that we make payments on. He never asks us for a dime, never sends a bill. We pay what we can when we can, and if we need anything - including emergency surgery for a terrier that ate hard plastic and wound up with a serious blockage that nearly ruptured, there's no questions asked - just get them in so he can care for them. We told him once we felt bad that things keep coming up and we never have money to fully pay the entire bill we owe him. He said he lived in a froo-froo Florida area for a few years where all his patients have enough money to buy his clinic let alone pay the bill and he hated it. Said people like that he just doesn't get along with at all. My kinda guy!! [

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Ugh. Hubby just went out back to dig the hole. We have no choice. We can't leave him in there like that. Even unresponsive, it's not fair to him. Hubby's going to be forced to do it himself. Poor guy is a wreck over this. His stomach is totally torn up right now. I'd put my next paycheck on a bet that he's out there crying while digging that hole. He's such an awesome, loving guy.

This whole freaking day totally sucks.

calliecritturs

Posted : 8/25/2007 11:02:03 PM

I just emailed you the closest emergency facilities I found near Bone Cave and Naples. I know this is nerve-wracking -- many many good thots and prayers

mrs1885

Posted : 8/25/2007 11:16:50 PM

ORIGINAL: calliecritturs

I just emailed you the closest emergency facilities I found near Bone Cave and Naples. I know this is nerve-wracking -- many many good thots and prayers

Got your e-mail - thank you.

Murfreesboro is the closest to us. That's the one I'd mentioned. It's nearly a couple hours away. A good portion of the drive is through a heavily patroled 30 MPH area.

Hubby's going to take care of it. We don't have a choice. There's no way I could make him go through another 2 hours, unresponsive or not. It's just not fair. He deserves peace, even if he doesn't realize what's going on. Poor guy is all torn up.

DumDog

Posted : 8/25/2007 11:17:05 PM

i feel your pain... my cousin has a similar situation... only it was her husband that ran the dog over himself. the pup ran out to greet him when he came home, he didnt see her and her over with both tires.... she survived too, which is amazing because his truck is the largest on the market!
she said he ran inside to get a blanket, and when he didnt come back in after a good bit of time she discovered he had passed out in the driveway from crying - the man loves his dog, i gotta hand it to him!
its going to cost 1300 to repair her hips and legs but they're going to do everything they can for the little mite. and she isnt a papered pure bred. nope. she was a $25 dollar hound mix from the animal shelter.

mrs1885

Posted : 8/25/2007 11:24:56 PM

Shelter mutts are the best.

Hubby just walked through to take him out back. Little guy even tried to look at me. Just made me sick. Like he was asking me why I'm having this done to him. Oh God, I could just puke right now. I just can't imagine how my husband is handling it. Oh ..........................

Add insult to injury, it's pouring down rain all the sudden. It's almost like God's crying too. [&o]

DumDog

Posted : 8/25/2007 11:28:50 PM

seems like it rained every time one of our dogs had to be burried.
and yeah i agree, does feel like God and all his angels are crying with you.
at least it wasnt both pups getting hit though. you still have his sister to comfort you.

mrs1885

Posted : 8/25/2007 11:43:41 PM

Well, he's gone. Hubby's in the tub soaking right now with a beer. Poor guy. He's gonna need a 6 pack tonight.

Do you think dogs feel emotional pain or emotional trauma like people? I think his sister saw him get hit and that's why she was barking at the door. After we brought him in, it was almost like she was in shock. She didn't want anyone to touch her or hold her. Usually she's very affectionate. She's also mega hyper but all she did was lay under the desk chair and refused to come out. It's not like her. My first thought was that she'd been hit too, so I pulled her out and checked every single fiber of her being. She's fine - physically. But it took her over an hour before she'd allow us near her. She's still very 'mopey'. She's on the floor by the chair now laying down but still not the least interested in anyone holding her. It's almost like she's mourning.

After this, I don't know how I'll part with her. There's so much emotion attached to her now. No, I will. I'll find her a perfect home. With a fenced yard. Where she'll be the only dog in a family with a retired person to love her all day. She's going to have the best, most pampered life.

Oh my. It just hit me. He's gone. That adorable little guy. He was so sweet. So playful. Dang he was smart. The cutest little thing. I'm so glad I got those pictures this AM that showed how happy he was with his little tennis ball and carrying around a stick like it was some prize he'd won. From a poor little feral woods puppy to a happy one with a stick and a ball. I can't belive he's gone. [&o][

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Bullymom

Posted : 8/25/2007 11:56:44 PM

I am very sorry for what happened. It was a very tragic thing that happened. I know that you and your husband are hurting but please believe me when I say that you did the right thing. Again, I am very sorry. My prayers are with you and your hubby.

DumDog

Posted : 8/26/2007 12:07:15 AM

i agree, you did the best that you could, and at least he didnt die a cold and lonely death as a feral woods puppy!!

and it is possible that she is mourning for him. its also very possible that she was nearly hit too. a lot of puppies run side by side when playing, so its very likely that she was close by when it happened and she saw the whole thing.
i think its horrible that who ever hit him didnt at least try to help!

Stacita

Posted : 8/26/2007 1:07:08 AM

I'm so sorry for the nightmare you and your hubby have been through tonight. I'm also very sorry for your loss. May you meet this little guy again at the bridge. Please take care.