My 6 year old poodle got sick and died in 3 days.

Question
Hello. I have two questions. My wife and I are having a difficult time dealing with the death of our 6 year old teacup poodle Tucker. The main thing bothering is determining what happened to him. It started out on a Saturday night him vomiting a few times, mostly clear, nothing that hasn't happened occasionally in the past. But by morning and next evening,  some really bad diarrrhea, dark, which lead to eventually diarrhea and vomiting with blood. By Monday, blood(reddish purple)was the only thing coming out rectally, not much vomiting unless we gave him lots of water. So after a vet visit Monday, he took bloodwork which would be available the next day, he gave Tucker a centrine injection which seem to help him and precribed Centrine tablets, Metroz... and an antiobiotic and pepto bismol tablet to stop diarrhea. His assesment was that he may have pancreatis from table food, etc. But we did keep him on strictly dog food(iams) and daily treat of a beggin strip. occasionally, others would drop food to him from the table but not much at all and never had a reaction like this. But later that evening he started getting worse and the blood returned twice(pretty much just dripping out of rectum at this point)He still seemed to be alert enough not to be dying...He had a few seizures in the next few hours(he had a history of probably 2 seizures a year maybe, maybe less.) But the last one, he did a complete flip onto his back and after that he couldn't move anything. So at that point we rushed him to the vet hospital, still barely breathing, they stabilized him on an iv, but he was nonresponsive, he was brain dead or not really conscious. With blood looking like grape jelly coming out at this point, and him not responding and wheezing terribly, we decided to have him put to sleep. The few tests they run there while he was alive, only showed slightly low glucose and evidently the signs of polycythemia, a disease where the body creates too many red blood cells. To top it off, the next day the lab results from the first vet visit, showed no signs of pancreatis or any other abnormalities, including parvo. So now we are so lost on what could have caused this rapid deterioration in 3 days. I have searched all over the internet for diseases and such and we have narrowed it down to poison, a sharp object that lacerated his stomach and/or intestines, or a disease like lymphoma or something that caused his intestines to break down. I understand the polycythemia probably complicated issues at the end, but as the vet said, this would have not caused the initial vomiting and diarrhea with blood. We also have a fenced in property and a 11 month old son, so inside and out our property is very safe as far as poisons go. As far as we know he didn't have access to sharp bones or anything like that. So I guess we are leaning toward some disease that we just didn't know about. My second question is about dealing with all this. This has been so hard for my wife and I, much worse than any human death we have dealt with so far. Everything we do at home reminds us of him, our home feels so empty and quiet, its very depressing and we feel an extreme amount of guilt for not recognizing sooner that something serious was wrong and getting emergency help sooner. We feel like we let him down. We don't know how we will ever get over this. Sometimes we want to just go out and get another poodle or maybe just an outside dog, but most of the time we never want to have another dog again, because it is too much pain to go through another death which would be likely. I guess I'm just looking for advice on what could have caused this and how to deal with this better. If you may not know the answer to what could have caused this, if you have any vet contacts that could answer any questions would be great too. Thank you so much.

Billy Adams

Answer
Dear Billy & spouse,

I am so very sorry you went through such a horrible time and doubly sorry Tucker suffered as he did.  I would guess some sort of poison as well, but failing that, I'd suspect it might have been a congenital problem of some sort that was just not normally something one checks for. I wish I could help you with the causes, but I have no idea. I'd check with my vet, but she has taken (for the first time I can remember) a long weekend for Easter.

As for how to deal with it, I have some advice. I agree you might not want to get a puppy again....at least not right away.  I would suggest talking to your minister if you have one you feel comfortable with, and also visiting a website I stumbled upon when I was grieving the loss of my Rags (a small poodle mix that was hit by a car).  The website is simple - www.petloss.com.  I know it sounds trite, but I honestly found some comfort there. This is not to say there weren't tears, but I felt a little healing.  I don't know if you've ever heard the Rainbow Bridge story, but visiting the site was my first exposure to it.  I know it's something you might not do right at this moment, so let me share the story of Rainbow Bridge with you.  

Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

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Another addition was made just after 9/11

WELCOME AT RAINBOW BRIDGE


by Alexander Theodore, Bouvier, Fourth Year Resident

On the morning of September 11, 2001, there was an unprecedented amount of activity at the Rainbow Bridge. Decisions had to be made. They had to be made quickly. And, they were.

An issue, not often addressed here, is the fact that many residents really have no loved one for whom to wait. Think of the pups who lived and died in hideous puppy mills. No one on earth loved or protected them. What about the many who spent unhappy lives tied in backyards? And, the ones who were abused. Who are they to wait for?

We don't talk about that much up here. We share our loved ones as they arrive, happy to do so. But we all know there is nothing like having your very own person who thinks you are the most special pup in the Heavens.

Last Tuesday morning a request rang out for pups not waiting for specific persons to volunteer for special assignment... An eager, curious crowd surged excitedly forward, each pup wondering what the assignment would be.

They were told by a solemn voice that unexpectedly, all at once, thousands of loving people had left Earth long before they were ready.

All the pups, as all pups do, felt the humans' pain deep in their own hearts. Without hearing more, there was a clamoring among them - "May I have one to comfort?" "I'll take two, I have a big heart." "I have been saving kisses forever."

One after another they came forward begging for assignment. One cozy-looking fluffy pup hesitantly asked, "Are there any children coming?

I would be very comforting for a child 'cause I'm soft and squishy and I always wanted to be hugged." A group of Dalmatians came forward asking to meet the FireFighters and be their friends. The larger working breeds offered to greet the Police Officers and make them feel at home.

Little dogs volunteered to do what they do best, cuddle and kiss. Dogs who on Earth had never had a kind word or a pat on the head, stepped forward and said, "I will love any human who needs love."

Then all the dogs, wherever on Earth they originally came from, rushed to the Rainbow Bridge and stood waiting, overflowing with love to share - each tail wagging an American Flag.

*******

There is also a message board you can visit for support from others who are having some of the same problems. It is:

http://pub70.ezboard.com/fpetlossfrm1


*********

I know what you mean when you say the death of your Tucker is like no familial or friend's death - it is deeper somehow, and more raw.  To have someone who has loved you unconditionally and been loyal all his life - and then he is gone....

I too have a white teacup named Rowdy.  He sometimes throws up just like you say and then is fine.  I give him a spoonful of pepto bismol and usually he's okay.  But I've lost my first pet to poison (Babbette), and my first dog as an adult (Nicky) to seizures.  

One thing I would suggest when you decide to add a companion animal to your home again.  I would suggest getting two of them. I currently have 3 dogs.  It somehow helps ease some of the pain - I'm not sure why, but maybe because when one is gone, there are still others there that need my love and care.....so I go on.  I have tried not caring as much, but I find that I'd rather go through the hell losing a beloved pet is to not having the love and comfort of a loyal family member.  I hope you eventually feel that way.  

I also would suggest when you do get to that point to check out your local shelters.  You would be amazed (and often horrified) at how easily people throw away their pets - for stupid selfish reasons - and how some are inhumanely treated.  There are so many loyal and loving hearts wanting to care for you there.

I would be happy to discuss Tucker further if you would like - or talk about dealing with loss - if you will send me an e-mail at kathrynks@cox.net either with your phone or requesting mine, I'll be happy to do that.  I have flat rate long distance and don't mind at all.  I know how devastating this type of loss is. It surprises some people. And in addition the not knowing why it happened.  One thing I can suggest with all sincerity.  I have had all of my pets cremated. I find an urn that seems to suit their personality and display them on my fireplace mantle.  One reason is because I want to keep part of them with me. The other is because none of them liked the cold, and I just didn't want them in the cold ground......silly, but that is how I dealt with it.

Please know you are in my prayers.  I wish I could give you a definitive answer as to the possible causes of Tucker's death, but I honestly can't and my vet is not around.

God bless you, your family and your Tucker, who is waiting for you at Rainbow Bridge.

Kathryn