lgajohnymac
New member
- Oct 1, 2015
- 30
- 2
- Country
- United States
- Bulldog(s) Names
- Summer
Last week I lost Summer. She was 16ish, had several chronic issues, including dementia and vestibular disease. I had been evaluating her quality of life monthly for about a year. I often wondered if I would be able to make a rational decision. Tuesday the 17th of Oct. forced my decision.
After breakfast as I prepared for work Summer was doing her normal thing after eating and drinking. Pacing a bit after her morning walk. She had an accident inside, and then continued to get herself stuck in places she does not normally get into. After a couple outside trips with no results I continued to get ready.
It was normal for her belly to be a little swollen for a bit after morning breakfast and tanking up on water. But as I neared ready for leaving, she continued to pace. We went outside and I noted her belly was becoming quite swollen. We walked for 20 minutes in the small yard and nothing was happening. I feared she may have eaten a mushroom stem as there were two caps and one stem on the ground not far from where she eats.
After giving her some peroxide to enduce vomiting she would not vomit. A second shot of H2O2 didn't enduce vomiting either. It had been about an hour now outside.
To the veterinary office I took her. Xrays comfirmed a twisted stomach, with additional swelling restricting blood flow and pooling of fluids in her abdominal cavity. Her gums were grey, she was howling in pain. Option was to get to vet school for further pre-op procedures to determine if the condition was operable, then surgery if possible.
I chose not to go that path in her advanced age, with her best prognosis to return to the same quality of life after rehab. She had a strong heart and lungs as reported by the vet at her appointment just days before. I was torn. I decided to say goodbye and end her pain.
I had heard about bloat. I did not know how serious it can be and how quickly it can take a dogs life. For several reasons I did not notice early warnings that morning. Not that it would have changed her outcome. She often got lost in the house and had accidents. Her belly was typically larger after a meal and water, as she had grown far too messy to eat inside when there was nice weather outside.
I write today to help myself heal, and to remind you all that this condition can appear out of nowhere. Even in a dog that has eaten the same way and same manner for 15+ years. My only change recently was to give her water with her meals, instead of access all the time to reduce accidents inside usually in her bedding. Watering outside also relieved the amount of water spilled in the floor, leading to other problems with slips.
So my intention is not to alarm anyone. Just beware of this possibility. Read up about bloat. Know what to do if you suspect bloat.
After breakfast as I prepared for work Summer was doing her normal thing after eating and drinking. Pacing a bit after her morning walk. She had an accident inside, and then continued to get herself stuck in places she does not normally get into. After a couple outside trips with no results I continued to get ready.
It was normal for her belly to be a little swollen for a bit after morning breakfast and tanking up on water. But as I neared ready for leaving, she continued to pace. We went outside and I noted her belly was becoming quite swollen. We walked for 20 minutes in the small yard and nothing was happening. I feared she may have eaten a mushroom stem as there were two caps and one stem on the ground not far from where she eats.
After giving her some peroxide to enduce vomiting she would not vomit. A second shot of H2O2 didn't enduce vomiting either. It had been about an hour now outside.
To the veterinary office I took her. Xrays comfirmed a twisted stomach, with additional swelling restricting blood flow and pooling of fluids in her abdominal cavity. Her gums were grey, she was howling in pain. Option was to get to vet school for further pre-op procedures to determine if the condition was operable, then surgery if possible.
I chose not to go that path in her advanced age, with her best prognosis to return to the same quality of life after rehab. She had a strong heart and lungs as reported by the vet at her appointment just days before. I was torn. I decided to say goodbye and end her pain.
I had heard about bloat. I did not know how serious it can be and how quickly it can take a dogs life. For several reasons I did not notice early warnings that morning. Not that it would have changed her outcome. She often got lost in the house and had accidents. Her belly was typically larger after a meal and water, as she had grown far too messy to eat inside when there was nice weather outside.
I write today to help myself heal, and to remind you all that this condition can appear out of nowhere. Even in a dog that has eaten the same way and same manner for 15+ years. My only change recently was to give her water with her meals, instead of access all the time to reduce accidents inside usually in her bedding. Watering outside also relieved the amount of water spilled in the floor, leading to other problems with slips.
So my intention is not to alarm anyone. Just beware of this possibility. Read up about bloat. Know what to do if you suspect bloat.
