putting down the family pet

[Ranger__101]

Tomorrow afternoon is not going to be a fun day for me or my family. We have to put down our Brittney Spaniel who's less than 1 1/2 years old.

On Thanksgiving Day we need to take him to the Emergency Vet because he was throwing up this mucus and slime and not able to keep any food down. The vet did bloodwork, tests and x-rays and came back and said our dog had pancreatitis.

We were told to put him on soft foods, elevate his food and to ration the amount of food and water give so he'd have several small meals a day.

The vet said if he had been any worse he'd need to be keept for a few days and given drugs by IV but we could take him home and give him the medicines. That went OK and he started eating and able to keep some stuff down but not completely.

Then a few days later we had to take him back again and they did some more x-rays and gave us more meds to try and get everything under control. So at this point the dog was on 5 different meds for two weeks.

Things got a bit beter and we took him to our regular vet for a check up and also found out he had an enlarged esophagus that we had not know about and had not had any problems with before.

We'll he got sick again and we took him back to the vet and he had aspirated vomit into his lungs and got an infection. Another round of amoxicillin and medicine to keep him from vomiting. We got the infection taken care of but he still could not get back to the way he was before. Any use of a collar would make him choke and cough. Running outside would do the same thing. We though that it would just take a while and we'd see if he'd get better.

Then two days ago, he started throwing up, not eating and not able to hold anything down so we decided to give one last shot with the vet and the meds. The last time he had the shots and pills as a follow up the got better right away. The shots took effect that day but not this time. Going in we knew this would be the last round at the vet and if this didn't work we'd have to put him down.

We'll as you can tell things are not looking too good and the shots didn't work and he can't keep down any food, water or meds. We're going to have to put him down tomorrow this afternoon. When you thing about it we've tried everything possible and I think over the last three months are vet bill / food bill and other special needs will total 1200.00 in the last three months.

The other part that buggs me is I'm actually glad it's going to be over. He's been tire, in pain and just not able to do what he did before he got sick and I'm also sad that we're giving up and there is nothing more we can do.

We knew going into this there was a good chance he'd be OK and just the same that it would not work out. The origional Vet said that the worst would be the first round of medications and we had seemed to have done decent.

My two year old just loves the dog and it's been really hard trying to tell him that the "puppy" is going away. My wife and I have been talking that mabe in a little over a year we'll try again with a new puppy once our son is older and it's spring out so we can potty train when it's not winter.

[metallicat]

I am sorry to hear about that Ranger, of course I wish you the best in dealing with this as I am sure it isn't easy. Letting the dog go may be the best thing for everyone, as he won't be suffering anymore.

[Michelles]

So sorry to hear! I have had to do it too. Once last year and the year before.
Only comfort to find is knowing it will not suffer anymore.

[Drew27k9]

Wow, that is sad..Sorry to hear about your dog.. :(

[fenderbender]

That is so sad. Very sorry for your loss. :(

[md123]

Very sorry to hear about that.

[Whitewolf1970]

I'm sorry to hear it. Prayers for you and your family for your lovable dog. And a special prayer for the dog to be on a safe journey to Rainbow Bridge. :(

[seltzer]

Oh my, I am truly sorry to hear that. I couldn't imagine having to go through that. My heart goes out to you and your family.

[Ranger__101]

It was a tough morning comming home from work. Banjo was not doing too well and we called the Vet and were able to get in at 10:00 AM.

As we were talking we decided that we are going to call the same breeder and get on their list for a new puppy. Their animals are so wonderfull, I could not imangine getting anything else but another spaniel.

If anyone is is interested in how their pups look. Here's the link to their site.

http://doubledsbrittanys.tripod.com/

With any luck, maybe we can get one of the September pups. I know their list is long.

[Coastie 585]

Aww, I am so sorry you have to put your dog down. We almost had to earlier last year, but he is doing better now. Im really sorry man. :(

[sorrel]

Sorry to hear about the pup.
I hope your next experience is a good one.

I, myself, would consider another breeder though.
Sometimes breeders save pups that the mother rejects.
All seems well until the pup begins to mature.
My cousin had to have two dogs put down in a row from the same breeder only to find out they have been saved by the family from different mothers that had rejected them.
The mothers rejected them because they had something wrong with them.

It may not be the case with your puppy, but I would ask.

[Star]

It was a tough morning comming home from work. Banjo was not doing too well and we called the Vet and were able to get in at 10:00 AM.

As we were talking we decided that we are going to call the same breeder and get on their list for a new puppy. Their animals are so wonderfull, I could not imangine getting anything else but another spaniel.

If anyone is is interested in how their pups look. Here's the link to their site.

http://doubledsbrittanys.tripod.com/

With any luck, maybe we can get one of the September pups. I know their list is long.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't get another pup from that breeder!!!!!!! I am a breeder and this thing that you described is a result of in-line breeding!!!! NO NO NO!!!! Please! Instead, you should report them! This is SO sad and can be prevented by breeding dogs to others that are not related to them. OMG! How terribly sad! This just breaks my heart!

Ranger, please PM me. I can give you a lot of pointers in choosing a new puppy. God forbid some poor puppy has to go through that. I am so sorry!

[Old Trooper]

That is pretty sad, and I am so sorry for what you guys have to deal with.

[K9Gunner]

I am sorry to hear about the pancreatitis. My police K9 has it also. It can be caused by a number of things, however I think star ment to imply line breeding, which is not related to pancreatitis. If not, I am not sure what in-line breeding is? It is not genetic. Mine was caused my adrenileane being secreted, and tearing her up. It is fairly common in young police dogs due to the stress. PM me if you need any further info.

If there is a waiting list for the pups, they are proably good. Hang in there.

[Stump]

I am so sorry to hear that Ranger. I remember doing that with my 10 year old kitty a few years back, and it was really the worst day of my life. :(