Care for Dogs staying in Vets overnight

Gael23

My Dog took a bad turn this morning and as we expected has been kept in by the vets overnight. He has a lot of problems to start with but as of now things are quite a lot worse. Once the vet closes up for the evening does that mean nobody will check on him until tomorrow morning? I don't like the idea of him being left alone the way he is right now.

SillyMangoX

If the dog isn't stable the vets will stay with them until they are.. If they're very worried, there's always a vet on call who will pop in and check a few times during the night. That's just from my experience anyway, different vets have different practice.

Gael23

Its just when he's this sick I feel like he'll get the best care at home with us where we will never take our eyes off him, but hes on loads of drips right now so I guess he has to be there

heldel00

They always have a vet on call and that vet will check on overnight stay animals during the night. Imagine if you brought him home and something happened? He's in the best place if he not well

Gael23

heldel00 wrote: »

They always have a vet on call and that vet will check on overnight stay animals during the night. Imagine if you brought him home and something happened? He's in the best place if he not well

I know that too - if we didn't bring him in today I dread to think what the situation may have been tomorrow. They think he's badly dehydrated due to this infection. He's 15 and has a good few problems so you cant help thinking is this the time that they cant fix it but they told us he has made sight progress so thats positive

VickieVexed

I can't answer your question OP, but I've been in the same situation, having our boy stay in the vets overnight. You feel so helpless and just want to be by their side to comfort them, but sadly, we don't get to do that. Your little one is in the best place for now and I hope with all my heart that he is back home very soon.
Get well soon, Sweetheart.

Gael23

I have a positive feeling this can be fixed but as he gets older and less healthy, you have to prepare yourself that each time might be the one that they don't bounce back. If he has a good night and continues to improve, he should be home tomorrow afternoon. Watching a Dog with an insatiable appetite turn his head in a different direction when shown one of his favourite foods gave me a fright I can tell you

DBB

Ah ryanf1, I'm so sorry to hear he's not in the best... I think there are a good few here who kinda feel like we know him a bit because of your posts about him
I'm sure I'm not alone in telling you that I'm keeping everything I can cross, crossed for him. Keep us posted

Gael23

I swear he has 9 lives! Although a few of them have been used up now. Im feeling positive, as is the vet although at his ae and state of health you always have to be mindful that this may be the time where he won't fight back.

I knew the minute I got him uo yesterday morning but I thought it was just that one of his medicines has changed and it wasn't working but as he deteriorated during the day then we all knew it was a bit more than that. He still hasn't drank anything by mouth and all he ate yesterday was a tiny piece of toast with Nutella on it ( we has to get his meds in somehow!)

Gael23

So slightly mixed news.
Yesterday he was totally disorientated and lifeless and this morning the vet said he gets up for a few minutes and then goes again, that is an improvement so happy enough. But he had quite a bit of diarrhea during the night so they want to keep him until tomorrow.

Gael23

Hes had quite a bit of diarrhea since this morning which isn't such good news, so now its onto the next level which is blood tests and take it from there tomorrow.

I truly hope I'm wrong but I've got that horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach that this points to a kidney problem, which considering his age and health problems would edge us closer to the end of the road, but with him I've learned to not go there until I have to, done it before and he bounced back:)

Jerichoholic

The poor fella. I'm sure he'll be fine.

tk123

Fingers crossed for him!

Gael23

Being realistic about this, we hadn't a good year with him in 2014, as you probably know from my posts here. One point last year we said it would be great to get another christmas with him and today being January 14th we have done that so we just need to wait and see what the next few days bring

Gael23

Forgot to ask whats the best thing to do regarding going to see him? We are worried that it will upset him- and us to an extent. But on the other hand if he doesn't get through this could you rest not having done it?

aonb

I was in this exact position with our dog this time last year. Praying for him to get through christmas - he did - bounced back and made it until the summer - the most precious few month of enjoying him... Sounds like your boy is a fighter - our Pepper used up his 9 lives several times over too.

If he is alert and well enough I would go in to see him - as you say, how will you feel if you dont and the worst happens. They will take him out of his cage and you could sit and cuddle him a bit (we did with Pepper - we took him out to the car and sat in the back seat - it was torture to return him though) If he isnt well, well thats up to you - could you bear looking at him unwell in his little cage? Tough times, and fingers and everything else crossed that he pulls through this bout again

ShaShaBear

I would definitely go in and see him. You actually never know, just laying eyes on his family could totally change his receptiveness to treatment!
Aside from that, I could never have lived with myself if Shadow had died alone. I'd always fret terribly that he was looking for me, or held out longer in the hope that I would come and save him. Letting him see you for a cuddle might just be the peace and comfort he needs for either outcome.

Gael23

ShaShaBear wrote: »

I would definitely go in and see him. You actually never know, just laying eyes on his family could totally change his receptiveness to treatment!
Aside from that, I could never have lived with myself if Shadow had died alone. I'd always fret terribly that he was looking for me, or held out longer in the hope that I would come and save him. Letting him see you for a cuddle might just be the peace and comfort he needs for either outcome.

I won't let him go without seeing me, thats for sure. I think I'm going to wait and see what news the morning brings and take it from there. Im actually tied up all day so I cant anyway until late in the evening at least.

Gael23

Things can't be a lot worse right now.
He's basically being kept going by IV fluids alone. Bloods were done yesterday and pretty much everything that can be wrong with them is wrong so in effect his body has just started to stop working.
There are ways to sustain this for a brief period but I don't want him to continue on like this with no realistic possibility of successful treatment. On the other hand for our own selfish reasons we all want him with us for as long as possible. For the last 3 and a half years I always hoped he would die naturally in his own time and at home with us, I'm not sure if that wish is going to come true right now but time will tell.

DBB

So sorry to hear about this ryanf1.:(
But now's not the time to be holding onto him for your own sake... it's a horrible, horrible thing to have to do but it is the last great selfless act we can carry out for our pets.
For me, I would hate to look back and have regrets that I left it too late for the sake of a few hours or days, and left the dog suffering just to buy time for myself.
I'm pretty sure you know what you need to do, given what all the results say. I'm so sorry, I've been in the same spot twice in the past few years and it is a dreadful place to be.

aonb

Agree with DBB, the time has come & your last loving act is to let him go before he starts to deteriorate and be in pain etc. Its just so horrible and sad and heartbreaking, but the dogs comfort is all that matters. Im sure you know this... holding on for a couple of days or whatever, will make you feel worse because later you will say to yourself "I should have let him go on that first day" or whatever (I did with Pepper - we KNEW on monday he was going, but we waited until wednesday - the longest, most miserable couple of days of my life - even though he wasnt in any pain/discomfort)

Very best wishes

ShaShaBear

So, so, so sorry to hear this. It's such a heartbreaking time but to echo what DBB said, don't delay for selfish reasons. I made this mistake with Shadow (we held out two days longer than necessary in the hopes that his steroid treatment would take) and vowed that I would never again. It is the one thing we can give back to our pets after years of love, cuddles and memories. It's such a relief to know you've taken away their pain and set them free, and the last thing they know is that you are right beside them, giving them all the love and adoration they have come to expect as they drift off.
Don't get me wrong, it's like a dagger to the heart and just remembering it is still making me sob almost 3 months later, but I'm so glad I took his suffering away and he didn't die alone or in any more pain than was necessary

Gael23

I would like to hold on for just a few more days if possible, and maybe get him home for a short while. It's also my graduation from College on Monday. That and the memory of me getting him for my 1st communion age 8 (I'm 23 now) is what's on my mind most just now.

Gael23

3 January 2000-15 January 2015

DBB

So sorry ryanf1.
RIP little fella

Stheno

So sorry ryan

ShaShaBear

So, so sorry

Gael23

I don't know how I feel right now or how I'm supposed to feel. Its only been 2 hours so apart from throwing out the food in his bowl, all his things are still in their place. Yesterday I knew deep in my heart that it was over so I've had 24 hours or so with those thoughts.
One thing ill forever have to comfort me is that we have gotten 3 years and 11 months bonus with him since he first got sick and we thought we were losing him. But then I said here last night I wouldn't let him die without seeing me and thats whats happened.

Also, the advice on here has been great, particularly over the last 3 years and I hope to still contribute, maybe not for a few weeks , but when the dust settles.

tk123

RIP x

Karen91

ryanf1 wrote: »

I don't know how I feel right now or how I'm supposed to feel.


So sorry for your loss I lost my Misty back in October, she was a present when I was 6 years old I am 23 now. Its normal not know what to feel I felt numb for about 2 days until it finally hit me that she was gone. It gets a little easier with time it may not seem like it now but you will be able to look back on the good times you spent together and smile.

Drexel

So sorry Ryan. Dreading when this come around.

Feel for you

bluecherry74

So sorry ryanf1.

Oscar15

So sorry to read this.

I've just joined so don't know your story - I read this thread because before we lost our boy in June he was at the vets a lot and I had the same concerns as you about him staying overnight, turned out the vets were there a few times checking through the night.

Lovely photo of your boy. It sounds like he had a long and happy life. Mind yourself

Gael23

I'll post some other photos sometime soon. The past 3 days have been a sense of nowhere because Tuesday morning when he got sick we took him to the vets thinking they would give him an injection as happened a few times recently and although we soon knew it was a little more serious than that, he did brighten that night into yesterday morning but then last night and this morning the bloods started coming in with one being worse than the next.
I'm also glad that it was out of our hands and he went in his own time, but I wish it was at home with his family.

Does anyone have an idea how much individual cremation costs?

DBB

I would think you're looking at around about €250 for individual cremation, that's just based on somewhere in between what I paid for one small dog, and one very large dog.
There is a pet crematorium in Trim, Co. Meath, that you can travel to with your dog's remains, and wait there for them to return the ashes. There's another such place in the north, but both of these may be too far from you.. are you in Waterford?
Or you can leave your dog's remains with your vet for collection by the cremation companies, in which case you'll get the ashes back 1-3 weeks later.
Horrible conversation to be having

Link to the crematorium in Trim... I only discovered recently that I know the owner of the premises where this is, and the whole process is genuinely very respectful.
http://www.pawprintscremationireland.ie/

Gael23

Yes I am in Waterford, I'm assuming the vet deals with it but I cant take those details in just now.
Also another pic in this link https://dayone.me/1er2zsZ

Gael23

Today it feels real, life hasn't been normal since Monday and yesterday was just pure craziness and its really happening. Its impossible to understand for anyone not been through this to appreciate but the emptiness hurts most of all, the feeling that you just lost a limb. Particularly at certain times when he always done things usually around the same time each day.

What period of time is appropriate to think of getting another one?

Deenie123

ryan, I'm so sorry for your loss. Went through the same with my dog about 15 months ago. His kennel is still standing outside, with his bowl and toys in it. We've yet to get another (have a cat who's nearly 10 so it would be a bit much expecting her to adapt to a new dog).

I'd say wait til the sting of the loss is gone before getting a new dog. There'll probably always be moments that catch you unaware - like just before Christmas I was carrying a load of stuff heading out the back garden and I thought "ugh how am I going to avoid being tripped up here?" because he always bounded around and got all excited and ended up under your feet. But that made me laugh a little and think "poor auld bubbles" and remember him fondly... Whereas in the immediate aftermath of letting him go, 6 o'clock would come around and I'd start to head into the utility room to feed him and it would just hurt. It didn't bring back fond memories, just sadness at his absence. Wait til you can look back and feel like the memories are bittersweet, rather than just painful because he's gone. Your future dog deserves to be loved and cherished in his/her own right without serving as a painful reminder.

Gael23

Deenie123 wrote: »

ryan, I'm so sorry for your loss. Went through the same with my dog about 15 months ago. His kennel is still standing outside, with his bowl and toys in it. We've yet to get another (have a cat who's nearly 10 so it would be a bit much expecting her to adapt to a new dog).

We cleared away most of his things during the night- none of us slept that much. All is left is food things and his medicines that are have to be thrown away.

I'd say wait til the sting of the loss is gone before getting a new dog. There'll probably always be moments that catch you unaware Wait til you can look back and feel like the memories are bittersweet, rather than just painful because he's gone. Your future dog deserves to be loved and cherished in his/her own right without serving as a painful reminder.

I do feel that I couldn't love another one the way you should do just now. Those moments that catch you are happening almost every minute. Stuff like I went out to get some shopping and realised I forgot bags and ran back in to get them, but I didn't need to close the door behind me any more.

Oscar15

We lost our boy in June, he was 14 and we had him from 8 weeks. I was in bits, still miss him terribly but at least can talk about him now without crying (well, most of the time anyway!)

We are thinking of getting another dog in the summer because we really miss having a dog. In no way is this trying to replace the dog we have lost - he is irreplaceable. We are going for a totally different breed as well to avoid comparisons.

Gael23

Oscar15 wrote: »

We are thinking of getting another dog in the summer because we really miss having a dog. In no way is this trying to replace the dog we have lost - he is irreplaceable. We are going for a totally different breed as well to avoid comparisons.

So that's about a year? We want to wait a few weeks or maybe until the summer but that emptiness is setting in and it's horrible. It's not something I have given an ounce of thought but I think I would like another cocker, maybe a different colour but they are co loving and loyal it would be hard to leave that behind.
I know someone that got another one the following day, they love him dearly but it's not something I could have done personally

borderlinemeath

I'm so sorry for your loss Ryan, it's absolutely heartbreaking.

There's no right or wrong time to get another dog, some people can go out the very next day but it takes others a long time to get over the loss of a pet. A good way to ease your way back to having a new pet is to volunteer at a local shelter and walk the resident dogs, it can be very cathartic and you can get your "furry fix" without jumping in too soon and finding it hard to bond with a new dog. Fostering is another option, but the circumstances have to be right in the home for the foster dog.

retro:electro

I'm so sorry to hear about your gorgoeus dog. Reading your post brought it all back for me. I lost my gorgeous charlie almost two years ago now, and let me tell you I've never known heartbreak like it. He was 12 and had both cancer and a bad heart. We knew the end was near but it never prepares you for the heartbreak and loss. I know exactly how you're feeling right now. You find yourself looking around for them and can almost trick yourself into hearing their little noises, to this day I still think I hear the pitter patter of his little nails on the wooden floors.
Like you I didn't want him to die on his own either. I took the week off work when he got bad as I wanted his final moments to be with me. I went to collect my mam from work one day and was gone all of five minutes and when we arrived home he had gone. I was devastated and inconsolable.

I didn't eat right or go anywhere for weeks. I wanted to be there when he died and I couldn't believe the five minutes i left him for was when he went. But I had to realise that's when he chose to go, that was his time and maybe he was waiting to be on his own to slip away quietly. I slept with his blanket for weeks and I sleep now with his picture beside my bed. Get another one when you feel ready, don't deny yourself the chance to be happy again and have another little fellow to look after. It won't be a replacement but it'll lift your heart.

Gael23

One than that comforts me immensely is tht he died at a time of his choosing and it was taken out of our hands.
I wasn't with him when he died and I didn't see him since I brought him in on Tuesday. If I had known that things were going to turn so bad yesterday morning I would have gone in on Wednesday night. But everyone I say that to is telling me I was best not to see him the way he was that night, practically unconscious and hooked up to lots of different things, drips monitors and so on, and that my last memory of being with him is the best one, cradled in my arms with his chin on my shoulder and tail on my lap almost like a baby.

We knew on Wednesday evening that it was going to be a short time and on Thursday morning that timeframe went down to days or hours and he died after 3 hours. I would have liked to taken him home on the drip and let him be in his own bed with us around him, but then there's the earlier point about what's a good last memory.
We took away almost all his stuff this morning, nine of us want it around. All we have left is stuff like food , treats and medicines that you can't give to someone or reuse.
Today was hard. There's no other way of saying that, it comes in waves at certain moments. Things like we have family that come to visit every Friday and we always eat cheese when they do, which was his one of his (many) favourite foods and he would do whatever it took to get some so not having that today wasn't easy. Also at one stage the wind banged our letterbox but I thought the sound was his nails scratching off the floor.

retro:electro

You nearly have to take yourself out of the equation when you're thinking about how they died and say to yourself well I know I would have loved him here with me but really all that moving of him about would only have added to his discomfort. I'd say he passed in his sleep with no pain as he was on meds and drip. I know for yourself you wanted to be there but he went when he was ready, if he saw you he probably wouldn't have been able to control his reaction and try greet you and then not be able and get more distressed. He lived a good life and by the sounds of it was well loved and spoilt. You did the best thing for him so take comfort in that.

Zapperzy

So sorry to hear about your dog ryan. You did your best for him and he lived a long and I'm sure a happy life.

I lost my cat who I was very close to in november, she had to be put down after a very short and sudden illness, I had her 9 years. The first milestones are very difficult, first day, week and month. It's been just over 2 months now and I still hear certain noises that remind me of her like her pawing at the door, or I do forget sometimes for a split second that she's gone and expect to see her running down the stairs or sitting on the windowsill. Or going to close a door and realising that it doesn't need to be shut anymore. It's an individual thing but I don't feel ready to get another one, I'd draw too many comparisons and expect it to be exactly like her. I am considering short term fostering though, just to fill the gap and feel like I'm doing something worthwhile for other cats less fortunate.

I also picked an animal charity and set up a standing order every month in her name, I figured it's about what I'd have spent on food every month for her so it's no loss to me and sort of helps.

Gael23

DBB wrote: »

So sorry to hear about this ryanf1.:(
But now's not the time to be holding onto him for your own sake... it's a horrible, horrible thing to have to do but it is the last great selfless act we can carry out for our pets.
F(

aonb wrote: »

Agree with DBB, the time has come & your last loving act is to let him go before he starts to deteriorate and be in pain etc.

ShaShaBear wrote: »

So, so, so sorry to hear this. It's such a heartbreaking time but to echo what DBB said, don't delay for selfish reason. It's such a relief to know you've taken away their pain and set them free, and the last thing they know is that you are right beside them, giving them all the love and adoration they have come to expect as they drift off.

I never got to reply to these posts. In the end he died in his own time before we could decide anything. We found out at midday that we were dealing with end stage kidney failure, which I suspected without wanting to the previous day. The vet,who was so compassionate and caring to us and him those last 3 days, said at this point we are talking hours to days. All of us were scattered in different places so it took about 2 hours before everyone knew, and he died in his sleep at 4:15.

The fact that he went in his sleep means a lot to me, because I know that his body told him it was time to go and we didn't need to decide that for him, I know thats mostly nonsense but thats really how I feel.I had an appointment in Dublin that day which I couldn't change at such short notice so I wasn't home until later that evening but even though he died the way I wanted I wish he had been at home in his own bed, surrounded by people that loved him.

Lia_lia

Aw Ryan very sorry to hear that.

Sounds so similar to when my cocker spaniel Holly passed away a few years ago. She was also 15 and was very disorientated, so we brought her to the vets. Turned out she had a stroke wasn't going to recover so we had to decide when to get her put down. And then she died in her own time. So similar!

It's very sad when you lose a pet, especially when you've had them for that long. Hope you are okay!

Gael23

Lia_lia wrote: »

It's very sad when you lose a pet, especially when you've had them for that long. Hope you are okay!

To be honest its just getting worse today because its real now. Life since Tuesday has not been real but now things have begun to return to normality as much as possible.
Also the reminders are absolutely endless. Things like I woke up in the middle of the night last night and I thought I heard his nails on the wooden floor in my parents room where he slept, but it was just the wind banging the letterbox.
Then there was a period today where I was in the house on my own, which I couldn't bear, luckily I had things to do in town.
And above all, I just want a hug:(

shamrock55

So sorry to hear about your pal op, he looked like a lovely dog, cockers are great in fairness, i cant believe our little black cocker bailey is gone about 6 yrs, we still havent replaced him:(

Gael23

We're getting his ashes back tomorrow.
Part of it fills us with dread because with every day you learn to deal with it a bit better and this is inevitably going to set us back. The past 3 weeks have been a bit of a roller coaster, one minute your fine and the next something happens where it hits you with a bang.