MY female dobie is very sick.

Alfasudcrazy

I have not posted here for ages for some reason. Its just my dogs were just all great and enjoying themselves and I had become accustomed to the pressures of managing three dogs effectively.

But as usual before the Christmas holiday Dec 23rd - my female Dobie I noticed was not eating and feeling depressed. Off I go to the vet who gives her some tablets to take but no good. To the vet again the next day and a kidney infection was detected by the vets own blood testing system so some injections which I administered myself according to the vets instructions. Still not much good though and she is still feeling very poorly.

Problem is with everything closed for the holidays no proper blood tests can be carried out and the vets is closed however he has been very good and has come in to his surgery anytime I wanted her checked out.

I fear its something serious which has not yet been identified so its just a matter of trying to get her through this until everything opens up again and she can be treated properly.

Its strange as my elderly dad was hospitalised for a kidney infection at the same time my dog got sick and the female dobie regarded my dad as 'her master' even though I was paying the bills :rolleyes:

So I have my old man in hospital (probably never going to be back to normal) and a dobie who can oly barely walk. Merry Christmas.

Ado86

What are her symptoms ? What age is she ? Has she been spayed?

YOURFACE!

aww... Alfasudcrazy thats a horrible run over Christmas

Hows she doing today? Is she old? Your Vet sounds fantastic! I hope your Dad and your Doggie get better soon!

Alfasudcrazy

Its not looking good for Bonnie (my Dobie). We had a nice bit of relatively warm sunshine for a bit yesterday evening so I brought her (with the other dogs) to her favouite place for a walk just to see would it do some good. However I went home feeling worse than my dog as she could only barely walk back to the jeep. I knew then for definite she was in big trouble as she was always the 'leader of the pack' in terms of exploring and relishing walks.

Glad to say my Dad is slowly improving too but there are a lot of challenges ahead. .

Normally I would be devastated by such things but when there is too much to worry about there must be some trip switch in the brain that pops as I can still think about things rationally. I find myself constantly working and doing things as it helps avoid becoming depressed. The vet seemed to be gently suggesting that she should be put down which I suppose is a decision I might have to make soon. My other dobie is distraught and seems depressed too - not his usual self at all. But as always the collie makes everyone laugh. Bonnie and the collie grew to be best mates eventually but Bonnie hated her for the first year. Similarly with me she drolled over my Dad and would walk past me as if I was not there - only in the last year has she opened up with me which makes it even sadder for me.

Oops sorry for going on - just thinking out loud really.

star-pants

Alfa - you can come in and ramble any time, it's a very tough thing that's happening.
The human mind can do that switch thingy - I do it, so does my dad, concentrate on what has to be done and what is being done rather than the what ifs.

I hope your father improves - he's in the best place and with care and rest he will hopefully get better. Things may not be the same, but people can adapt

Your poor Bonnie - of course your other dogs will pick up on her not being well and any other feelings in the house. Regarding the decision to put her to sleep - that's obviously a massive decision, and won't be easy to make if it has to be made. I know you're trying all routes of getting her better, which is all you can do for her right now, and making sure she's comfortable and happy. Once the bad starts outweighing the good, you will probably have to consider what's best for her. I hope it doesn't come to that though.

roxiesmammy

Fingers crossed everything will work out ok.

ghost_ie

Hope both Bonnie and your Dad will be ok. That trip switch in the mind does come into play at times like this. It's a sort of protection mechanism. You'll know yourself if and when it's time to let Bonnie go but hopefully she'll get over this and have more happy years with you.

joyce2009

is she drinking a lot???if so ask the vet to check for diabities,,my dobbie went through the same sort of thing,,funnily enough at this time of year too.. The vet thought it was a kidney infection inatially but it was diabities,,,once we got the dosage right she went on to live a very happy life and lived untill she was nearly 13..unfortunatley she was pts last month but it was cancer not the diabities that got her in the end:(
Hope she recovers soon,,

Alfasudcrazy

See post 371 in Departed pets.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054924749&page=25

Paul91

sorry for your loss - beatiful babies - obviously loved and well cared for - my thoughts are with you

iguana

I'm really sorry to hear about your girl. I know it's slim comfort but it sounds as if even though her life was short it was very good. That she was happy and loved and had everything she needed and more.

ghost_ie

Sorry to hear she didn't make it. You made her happy while she was with you, although I know that's of little comfort to you right now.

Alfasudcrazy

Well - collected my new Dobie today - a 4 month old female - in a mammoth drive to Donegal town and back in a day. A long day for the dog too but the Landcruiser performed brilliantly as always.

I was apprehensive about getting another Dobie as I expected it might upset my other Dobie. I had been on the point of collecting two cross collies yesterday but because people had phoned up the vets to put their names down for one of the litter I was denied any of them so then I arranged the Dobie deal €380 full pedigree. Naturally when it was too late the collies were again available but it was either another Dobie or two cross collies - not both options.

As feared my other Dobie became very upset when he jumped into the back of the jeep to greet his sister to find a whimpering pup who thought he was going to chew her up.

I will start a new happier thread in the next few days with pics of the new addition. So far she is typical new Dobie - looking a bit lost and scraggly but with a heart of gold.

star-pants

Well it's very soon after the passing of Bonnie - so it's understandable your other Dobie is confused at the situation. Just make sure to give him lots of attention and reassurance.

Best of luck with the new gal

Magenta

Alfasudcrazy wrote: »

Well - collected my new Dobie today - a 4 month old female - in a mammoth drive to Donegal town and back in a day. A long day for the dog too but the Landcruiser performed brilliantly as always.

That was quick- 4 days? Wouldn't you have left it for at least a few weeks or so to let your dogs and yourself grieve?

TooManyDogs

Everyone grieves in different ways, no one has to understand what works for other people. Sometimes the joy in a new dog can help the whole family to recover and other times waiting is the answer. Everyone is different, there's no magic formula.

Alfasudcrazy

Magenta wrote: »

That was quick- 4 days? Wouldn't you have left it for at least a few weeks or so to let your dogs and yourself grieve?

Ah yes - now I recall why I stopped posting here a while back - in my grief I could not exactly recall why. :rolleyes:

Magenta

TooManyDogs wrote: »

Everyone grieves in different ways, no one has to understand what works for other people. Sometimes the joy in a new dog can help the whole family to recover and other times waiting is the answer. Everyone is different, there's no magic formula.

Well when I lose an animal that meant a lot to me, the last thing on my mind would be rushing out for a new one. The OP has said that the deceased dog's brother is confused by the new arrival, and while I am glad the OP seems to be happy with the new arrival, perhaps it would have been better for the dog to have some time to get used to life without his sister first. Dogs grieve the same as humans do.

Alfasudcrazy wrote: »

Ah yes - now I recall why I stopped posting here a while back - in my grief I could not exactly recall why. :rolleyes:

That remark is so passive aggressive that I am not sure what you mean, but I do apologise for having a different opinion to you, if that's what you found offensive.

peasant

Magenta wrote: »

Well when I lose an animal that meant a lot to me, the last thing on my mind would be rushing out for a new one.

That remark (in this particular thread) is so delithouthly thelf thentered, you might as well have kept it to yourself :rolleyes:

@ Alfasudcrazy
Best wishes to you and the new addition to the "pack"

Magenta

peasant wrote: »

That remark (in this particular thread) is so delithouthly thelf thentered, you might as well have kept it to yourself :rolleyes:

@ Alfasudcrazy
Best wishes to you and the new addition to the "pack"

Oh well I'm very sorry, I am sure every post you have ever made is polite, tactful, and exactly what people want to hear. :rolleyes:

I am only thinking of the OP's remaining Dobermann, who is possibly very confused about all the goings on in the past week.

star-pants

Ok we'll end that there please people

Everyone deals/views differently and we'll leave it at that

Alfasudcrazy

I waited 10 years after my first Dobie died - partly as I could not deal with the possible grief of losing another Dobie.
Having been there before I know that that is the wrong thing to do and that in that 10 years I could have provided a loving happy environment for another Dobie or any dog ( I did not have any) So this time around the grief is several times higher as she was so young and the death came so quickly and left me just stunned.

I found I was getting worse every day and feared for my sanity as my Dad is seriously ill too bizarrely having its origins in a kidney infection - the main cause of death in my Dobie.

I saw this dobie advertised - the last of a litter and sensed she was in trouble and being neglected - a situation which is all too apparent from her thinness and general condition. She will be off to the vets as soon as they open to get a general check out and her second booster vaccination (her first was last September!) So I set off at 4am after finishing work braving possible blizzards and reports that Mayo was snowed under to get her in Donegal.
As if some divine force was guiding me the road was generally dry and clear so I got her.
My point being that my dogs have an idyllic life with everything they want they will have to put up with the odd bit of discomfort when a dog less fortunate than themselves joins the pack as they had to when I rescued my abandoned collie. They got over it then and they will now too. I am sorry for being a bit sharp in my earlier post but I suppose its an understandable and obvious viewpoint.

Some pics of the new lady.




What ya think of the new wan? Mmmm seems a bit cheeky to me.

lrushe

Sometimes faith just steps in and hands you what you need when you need it. Maybe think of it that your first dog was taken from you so you could open your home to this pup in need. Its how I like to think of things anyway

Magenta

Alfasudcrazy wrote: »

I waited 10 years after my first Dobie died - partly as I could not deal with the possible grief of losing another Dobie.
Having been there before I know that that is the wrong thing to do and that in that 10 years I could have provided a loving happy environment for another Dobie or any dog ( I did not have any) So this time around the grief is several times higher as she was so young and the death came so quickly and left me just stunned.

I found I was getting worse every day and feared for my sanity as my Dad is seriously ill too bizarrely having its origins in a kidney infection - the main cause of death in my Dobie.

I saw this dobie advertised - the last of a litter and sensed she was in trouble and being neglected - a situation which is all too apparent from her thinness and general condition. She will be off to the vets as soon as they open to get a general check out and her second booster vaccination (her first was last September!) So I set off at 4am after finishing work braving possible blizzards and reports that Mayo was snowed under to get her.
As if some divine force was guiding me the road was generally dry and clear so I got her.
My point being that my dogs have an idyllic life with everything they want they will have to put up with the odd bit of discomfort when a dog less fortunate than themselves joins the pack as they had to when I rescued my abandoned collie. They got over it then and they will now too. I am sorry for being a bit sharp in my earlier post but I suppose its an understandable and obvious viewpoint.

I am glad that you are happy with your new puppy, it was just the idea of your other dog being upset that got me!
Maybe having the new puppy around will distract him from thinking about his sister and cheer him up.

Have you picked out a name for the new puppy yet?

Paul91

Hey Alfasudcrazy i hope it all goes well for you, sounds like you did the right thing to me, keep us up to date

was so jealous of your "running photo" i took my 5 down the beach today - when i get chance i'll see if there's any post worthy pictures

iguana

Alfasudcrazy, you don't have to justify yourself to anybody. If getting this new dog was the right thing for you to do then that is your move to make. And nobody knows your dogs or loves your dogs like you do, I'm sure you also considered them fully when you made your decision. People should know that everybody deals with situations differently and what is right for them may not be right for another person/family/pack.

I found I was getting worse every day and feared for my sanity as my Dad is seriously ill too bizarrely having its origins in a kidney infection - the main cause of death in my Dobie.

I could be crazily off base here, and I'm sorry if I'm over-stepping the mark, but have you mentioned what happened to Bonnie to your father's doctors? Could it be possible that they both got poisoned in some way? It could be that I've seen too many episodes of House:o but if the doctors don't already know, it wouldn't hurt to tell them.

YOURFACE!

Alfasudcrazy, Im really sorry to hear about Bonnie We've all been there at some stage and its so hard. Congratulations on your new pup! She is lovely! I'm glad you found each other and I hope you have great fun together!

GinaH

What is that 'Thing' around her neck ?

andreac

PAWS animal Res wrote: »

What is that 'Thing' around her neck ?

I saw that too and was wondering what it was?

Lovely pup though.:)

Paul91

andreac wrote: »

I saw that too and was wondering what it was?

Lovely pup though.:)

i'd guess bark collar or electric fence collar?

Alfasudcrazy

PAWS animal Res wrote: »

What is that 'Thing' around her neck ?

Electronic Fence collar.

I had my new dobie a the vets today being vaccinated and it is possible Bonnie may have somehow ingested antifreeze. I thought the idea absurd as none of my cars leak coolant and all containers of antifreeze are stored in sealed containers in other garages.
Then the horrific thought that we had a digger and other machinery parked in the yard before christmas while some construction was going on and perhaps one of them may have had a leak.
I am totally devastated at this possible and (if correct) stupid cause of death. Is it easy to do a post mortem on a dog or to detect antifreeze in the system (she is not cremated yet - in a freezer) and who could do one for me?
God I know I should just drop this and let it be but I can't.

star-pants

Oh that's awful!
I honestly don't know anything about getting a post mortem on a dog, but would your vet know? I guess if you can get it done at least it'll stop you wondering what it was /what if etc.

Don't beat yourself up about it if it is anti freeze - accidents happen - we can watch them 24/7 and 2 seconds you blink. Plus it's only a 'might', and if it's true - it's something you know you'll be extra careful about in future. I can understand how you must be feeling though.

iguana

Our old vet carried out that autopsy on our pup who died a few years ago. We had initially thought that Dinny died from damage caused by a shard of bone he ate on a walk. But the autopsy showed up that it was paraquat that he had eaten 10 days before he died. I can't honestly say what effect the result of the autopsy had on us. On the one hand it was devastating as my husband took him to the vet immediately after he ate the bone so if we had a clue then about the poisoning we could have stood a chance of saving him. On the other it meant we could alert the council to the poisoner and keep Dougal and later Toby out of that park.

Alfasudcrazy

Well I have decided to get the autopsy done anyway just to clear the air so to speak. What I find puzzling about the antifreeze theory is that my other two dogs were out and about too and they are fine and never at any stage looked out of sorts.
I know that they all watched each other like hawks and any thing one dog investigated / sniffed the other two had to check it out as well.

But at the same time the symptoms and time frame involved would tend to support ingestion of antifreeze.

gypsygirl

I'm so sorry for your loss Alphasud, its awful to lose a dog so young, we lost a 15 month old dobie a few years back, he had eaten a cob from the corn and it did seriousy internal damage and despite two operations, he died from the injuries, it was awful but now I remember the good times with him. I was looking at the pics of Bonnie in your other thread, what a beauty, absolutely perfect dobie. Congratulations on the new addition, of course she won't replace Bonnie but will hopefully ease the grief a little, I wish you many years of happiness with all your dogs, have you decided on a name yet??

lrushe

I'm not sure of any individual vet who does autopsies but I'm sure the veterinary college would be able to help.

Irishcrx

I'm sorry to hear about Bonnie passing, do you mind me asking what the cause was or if they even knew, she was so young. Best wishes to you and your new pack member.

NewApproach

. didnt realise the dog had died

Alfasudcrazy

The autopsy has been done and the results are presently inconclusive. Samples have to be 'sent off' for testing but I am not confident dog autopsyies are taken very seriously here.

Apart from wishing to know why my baby died from my own peace of mind perspective I feel its important to know for the safety of the rest of my dogs.

Was it something I did / did not do. Something in the food / enviornment in which they slept etc - all these questions are floating around in my mind.

I had to hand her back to the cremation place today and even after undergoing an autopsy she looked so qute and peaceful - all curled up as if asleep as I often watched her do. It used to relax me. I gave her once last cuddle and itched the back of her neck as she demanded me do to her so often.
My new Dobie is a dream too but still she has not stopped me shedding a tear or two every day since she passed.

iguana

Alfasudcrazy wrote: »

Was it something I did / did not do. Something in the food / enviornment in which they slept etc - all these questions are floating around in my mind.

Could your dog have gotten access to raisins? One of my dogs went into kidney failure in September and we were told raisins were a likely cause of the problem. We never give them raisins, obviously, but I've since noticed that someone keeps leaving raisin-bread in the park as bird feed, which I suspect Toby ate.

GinaH

Alfasudcrazy wrote: »

Electronic Fence collar.

http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=1551&d=pg_dtl_art_news&h=243&f=0

http://www.dogsey.com/dog-news.php?t=37868

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/6983279.stm

star-pants

PAWS animal Res wrote: »

http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=1551&d=pg_dtl_art_news&h=243&f=0

http://www.dogsey.com/dog-news.php?t=37868

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/6983279.stm

All three of these refer to shock collars (for training) only.
None mention the fence collar.

GinaH

The are one and the same. Electric shock is electric shock

http://www.dogtrainingireland.ie/articles/DTI_18122007_ElectricShockCollars.php

iguana

PAWS, I think that bringing up this topic on a thread about the death of someone's beloved pet is incredibly distasteful.

peasant

PAWS animal Res wrote: »

The are one and the same. Electric shock is electric shock

No, they are not the same.

I'm no great fan of the electronic fence either (used to have one) but that's mostly to do with its unreliablity.
If you do the training for the perimeter fence correctly and if you put it up in conjuction with an actual physical barrier, the dog will only ever get shocked once, if at all.
It is not an instrument of torture and in areas where a proper fence can't be put up for whatever reason it is much better than no fence at all (or couping the dog up in a tiny cage, a so called "run")

TooManyDogs

peasant wrote: »

It is not an instrument of torture and in areas where a proper fence can't be put up for whatever reason it is much better than no fence at all (or couping the dog up in a tiny cage, a so called "run")

I agree. I had a choice of getting an electric fence for my dogs or a 12ft x 7ft run to put 4 dogs in while I was at work, I couldnt afford to fence in my half acre (was quoted €6k for supplies alone, not labour)

Now I have a quater acre fenced in and have stopped using the electric fence but it was far better for the dogs at the time than a tiny pen.