My little man, a healthy 6 year old Jack Russell moved on to a better place last week. It was sudden & unexpected. He was barking at the door as he heard someone coming, once he knew who it was he turned and walked away, then suddenly his legs went from underneath him and he fell to the floor, he jolted a couple of times and then nothing. I gave him mouth to mouth and tried everything I could think of to bring him back home, nothing worked, The journey to the vet's seemed to last forever, to see the light drain from his eyes will haunt me till I die, the tip of his tongue just slightly hanging out, no foam or drool.
The vet had no compassion at all. He couldn't bring our baby back and couldn't answer our questions as to why and what. He just stood there as if to say 'what do you want me to do'. The vet was shocked we wanted our baby back after he was cremated. I couldn't get my head around it, and still can't. I don't understand how a healthy 6 year old dog can fall to the floor and move on. Please can someone help, why did he go so soon?
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It could be any number of reasons. It might have been a heart attack. I would find a new vet
We are going to put in a complaint once we get our boy back..thanks for reply
I'm very sorry re your experience, the vet really SHOULD know better and I think he deserves AT LEAST a really rotten Google or Facebook page review. My mum has had 3 elder cats die on her in the past 8 years and not once did her vets as much as bat an eye when she requested that 2 be cremated and her get the ashes back, and in the 3rd case get the actual cat back to bury in the yard. Please at least do this much and rpevent future pet lovers from dealing with this sociopath.
As far as what was wrong with him, my first instinct is that it was some sort of a stroke. I looked for Jack Russell diseases and:
- Cardiomyopathy is a weakening of the heart muscle that often involves a thickened heart. There will be no symptoms until it's too late. Did you notice his breathing more laboured over the months leading up to his demise? Or did he start to shun exercise?
- Hydrocephaly involves fluid accumulating in the brain - symptoms involve disorientation and loss of balance
- Sometimes, from birth a vessel that exists between the aorta and the pulmonary artery does not close at birth in Jack Russells, and many cardiovascular problems can develop as a result. THis condition, if not caught and surgery done, can lead to sudden death like you experienced. A vet might have caught a heart murmur as a sign.
Hi .thanks for your reply.. once we get our boys ashes back a complaint is going to be made against the vet. the man had no compassion at all..
We had noticed that his breathing had started to sound like an old man, a bit wheezy. .we didn't think anything of it..He hadn't been his usual self for a few weeks, but we put it down to the heat...He was on steroids at the time we lost him, and they were for his ears..He has always had issues with his ears, love him.. I'm lost without him, and don't feel whole anymore..
Hi Jenny, I've just had to put my beautiful doggie of 16yrs down. It all happened so fast that morning. I to am lost and so sad beyond words. It's been 5days now and my baby is all I think about. I too have had Buddy cremated and waiting for him to come back to me.my vet was amazing.
I am so sorry you have lost your buddy. It is hard not to know what happened. The possibilities are many. I dont know anybody who could afford the cost of finding out what really happened. Vet bills have become almost prohibitive. I hope you find some comfort in his happy life with you.
So sorry your loss. Sending my deepest sympathy to and yours.
It is terrible that the vet was so callous. You said you will be talking to the superiors. I will say a prayer for you get closure with them. Maybe the superiors can review the chart and offer some information on what happened.
Losing a pet is devastating. Be easy on yourself. It sounds like you were an amazing pet parent. May you always find joy in your memories. G-d bless you all!
So sorry for your loss. I am at the moment devastated by the very sudden death of my working cocker He was on a walk. came across some pheasant which made him very excited He started chasing them and suddenly collapsed and died almost instantly.He was nearly 9 but in really good health. The vet suggested that it was a circulatory thing, probably heart attack or stroke.
I know this is an old thread but my Jack Russel died suddenly Tuesday night completely unexpected. She was 12 years old, but extremely happy and healthy and in the morning had been running around as usual. Suddenly in the afternoon she lost all appetite, would eat anything nor drink, was trying to be sick at one point and then within a short while had collapsed and died!
Having to pick her up and carry her to the vets (emergency vets as was gone 9pm) was the most heart wrenching thing Ive her done in my life. We left her there and are having her cremated so she can come home where she belongs but not knowing what happened its driving my insane! I just cant get closure!
Personally, I think its poison of some sort but there is nothing in the house that could have done it.... unless something was thrown over into the garden?!
I'm so sorry to hear that. Did the vet have any advice about what might have happened? sometimes, health concerns can develop very quickly, especially for an older dog. There may have been nothing you could have done to prevent it.
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