doubt!

Question
QUESTION: hi,I am very depressed about my dog bruno's expiry.He passed away on 16th dec 2007.He was 9yrs and 10 months old.I had brought him as a puppy from my neighbor.The vet told he is a common breed but breed didn't really matter for me because I love them all.I used to take him to the vet regularly.He showed all major signs of ageing and during the past one month he had cut down on his food intake.Actually he used to vomit whatever he ate.He ate grass and used to vomit.Even water sometimes and when I took him to the vet they said its ageing problem and once when he was continuously puking they called him for drips.But there they said that he had no blood and was anaemic.They gave 50ml and then he started shivering.They asked me to give him two spoons or so of milk every one hour and I did all that,whole night I was up with him...but two days from that he passed away..that night he stopped drinking water too.. I am very confused as to why the doctor didn't take any tests and since I was taking good care and taking him regularly to the vet,how did he become anaemic??please do reply.awaiting your reply!!!!

ANSWER: Hi Priyanka,

I'm very sorry to hear of Bruno's passing.

Unfortuently, I can't say why your vet didn't do any blood work or lab tests. You are correct that usually a vet would need to take some blood to confirm the Anaemia and try to discover the cause.

I know you' did everything your vet told you to do, and that you provided Bruno with the very best in care. You trusted that your vet would do all that he or she could do for Bruno, too.

It's very common for seriously ill dogs to stop eating and drinking. Perhaps your vet realized the end was near, and that trying to keep Bruno comfortable in his last hours was all that could be done.

Sadly, you may never know the cause of Bruno's death. If one day you open your heart to another dog, you may want to consider using a different veterinarian.

Again, I'm sorry for your loss.
Patti

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi again, I am pleased that you replied so soon.Your letter did clear my doubts.Usually doctors do not tell us about our pet's last days even though they know it.I called my vet after Bruno passed away,I thought may be she'll tell that she knew he was in his last days and so they did not take tests,but she did not say anything of the sort.I feel so restless.I am missing Bruno in every step of my life and sometimes I feel like why didn't I think of all this and take him to another vet before and save my baby.In fact 16th morning I took him to another vet here when he started crying in pain and was growing restless that morning.Whole night he didn't sleep and so morning I took him.But he passed away when we reached the vet's doorstep.Another thing that keeps me worrying is his age.He was only 9yrs 10months.His mother is still alive.But my vet said it varies for different dogs and once a dog crosses 8yrs ,it starts aging,is it????

Answer
Hi Priyanka,

I don't know where you live, but as far as veterinary care in the United States (where I am located), having a veterinarian who does not run blood tests or orders lab tests in not typical.

Even if you were to try to take legal steps against this veterinarian, it would be very a difficult, and very expensive course to pursue. I know how sad it is to loose a pet,  it leaves you asking so many questions, but there is very little, if anything, that can actually be done.

Just like with people, nobody knows how long a life their pet will be granted. Some dogs live longer, some leave us all too soon.  Depending on Bruno's size and breed, 9 years and 10 months could be considered an average life span.  Extra large breeds, such as the Irish Wolfhound have painfully short life-spans, of only 5-8 years. Larger breed dogs simply don't live as long as smaller breeds.

If you are in the United States, you can speak to a trained compassionate, understanding person, about your loss. The University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine offers a toll-free and confidential telephone service for people who are grieving the loss of a pet.  Their phone lines are open Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings 7-9 pm Central Time.  Call:  (877) 394-2273.

The Iams pet food company also maintains a special toll-free number for grieving pet owners. The Iams Pet Loss Support Center & Hotline can be reached at: 1-888-332-7738 Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.

Hopefully, you can take comfort in knowing that you did all you could do, and that Bruno loved you as much as you loved him.

Regards,
Patti