Isabel964

It's hard to understand what actually happened without knowing the dogs history of illness and whether it was that excitement phase of anaesthesia or the dog was genuinely distressed. From what I can gather it might be the former but I guess we'd only find out by getting a copy of the visit history. It's probably not advantageous for your friend to have a copy of that though, will most likely just cause more upset. There's a chaplain at Lort Smith Animal Hospital - I'm sure they would welcome anyone, even if not a client of the hospital to make a time to have a chat. Other than a caring Vet she would be the best person to see as she would understand the euth process and how things can go 'not as expected'. See here. If she is still having trouble in the next 4-8 weeks pm me I will see if my boss is happy to have a chat to her whilst remaining impartial to her regular Vet. He tends to know *exactly* the right things to say in these situations. Thank you, that is so sweet of you. Somehow I doubt my friend will seek help, but I will certainly tell her about the chaplain at Lort Smith and your offer. I think we all have learned something fro this thread - to ask our vet exactly how they do the PTS process. That way we know, we are ready and if we want to be there while they put the catheter in and their policy is not to let us, then we can negotiate or find another vet if its something we want. Hugs to everybody, we have all been through the PTS process of a fur that is a family member....and its so heartbreaking, even in the best of circumstances

So once an IV Catheter is in, its in and won't 'fall out'? I thought that is what came out with my friend's dog. Oh I know...the catheter can be put in properly, then a length of tubing, and the final injection can go in the end of the tubing which might be a metre from the dog? Is that right? .....I think that is how they put my Aby to sleep, and it seemed like it was just our cat, hubby and I...the vet was towards the back of the room, the cat lay on a towel, the catheter covered by part of the towel he was resting on. So then this is what we should ask for. A catheter put in place, then sedation, then final injection? Edited: Thanks Staff'n' Toller, your info does help. I'll try to explain what I have learned here to my friend because she seemed puzzled how the vet who has been outstanding had these issues with PTS her beautiful girl. I think it might too upsetting for her to see this thread. And I will suggest she might, when she is ready, want to talk to another vet to understand what happened. What I told her this afternoon was that her girl had a wonderful loving beautiful life with her for 14 years, and that is what she will eventually remember and what to focus on. I think she will need significant time to get over the trauma, shock and guilt she feels over the incident though.

Gosh, I knew the PTS thing was difficult for all of us, but I had no idea about all this. Life is so tough sometimes. Some of you have experienced awful things I see that getting the catheter in can be hard, and that is not nice - but my friends dog had some of the PTS dose in her....but not the whole dose. My friend said her dog was screaming. Question: If the vet goes to PTS a dog, and it goes wrong, and the dog is very distressed..being half given a dose, can't they just quickly sedate it, or does sedation need a vein as well? Is there nothing a vet can do to stop the dog being distressed aside from continue with trying to PTS the dog? 20 minutes of distress would feel like hours or weeks to the dog and to the owner.

Pebbles, I am thinking of doing the same. Hopefully its years and years away til I have to do it, but I do not want to risk any of my babies spending their final moments like that. My first cat got PTS and he got so scared by the shaving noise...even though he was so weak with renal failure, I could tell the noiser shaver on his front paw scared him alot. So the next year when his 1 year younger brother also had renal failure and it got to PTS time, I insisted on a sedative. I think I will do that now, every time. Lucknow thanks for all that explaining. Its how they did things with my Abyssinian when his time came. It was all very nicely done.

So should we get the animal sedated first then? Is that an option just in case something goes wrong, the animal will be oblivious to it. My friend says her dog looked at her as if to say "Mum why are you doing this to me?!" ....its just awful. That look and that final experience is just all she remembers of her dog right now. I think counselling is a good idea - knowing my friend, I doubt she will go. She even insisted on going to the vet with her dog to be PTS on her own - she had family and a loving partner. But I will try. Anyone know a counsellor who would be good for this in central Melbourne? Edited to add: Andisa, just saw your post, so very sorry for what you an Jasmine went through. I had no idea this stuff happened, and thank fully its not often. Its good for me to learn about low blood pressure and it being hard for such sick dogs to be PTS. So since this DOES happen from time to time, at the first sign of a problem, can't the vet inject the animal with a heavy sedative? 20minutes for Jasmine....and it sounds like it was at least that for my friend and her precious girl..... its just too dreadful.

I met a previous colleague/friend of mine today, and asked how her dog (female lab) was doing. Her dog had been ill for some time and an older girl. She sadly told me she had to send her to the Rainbow Bridge in April. We had not thought she would make last Christmas. Very sad, she loved this girl so much. But the thing is, and the reason for this post is what happened when her dog was getting PTS. She said it took the vet 4 tries. The first time she did it, the dog was still conscious and then they realised the injection had gone wrong, missed the vein or something The second time the injection went wrong she said it seemed to have exploded at the point on entry into the dog's paw, there was blood everywhere, and the vet said the vein had collapsed The third time the vet tried a rear paw, the dog was in much distress.... and at this point I was in tears and could not hear any more about the details. I sat with my friend while she told me she was traumatised by what her dog went through in the last bit of her life, so much distress, how the dog looked at her during this time....she is so distraught over it. She can't even look at any photos of her beautiful girl. They are turned over or put way - she feel so bad. I asked her if the vet was experienced, if she new her - she said 'they' were the same people who looked after her girl for years and were absolutely outstanding through so many issues. Has anyone else heard of such a thing? I am traumatised by what my friend went through, I feel so much for her, and I am concerned about how often it happens and would like to know what to look out for to minimise this ever happening to me...or you. I have never heard of such a thing happening during the PTS process. My PTS experiences have never been like this. Is it because a lab is a big dog?

I think the feedback would be good. Years ago one of my dogs was off colour on a Sunday - the day the usual vets take off. So we saw his woman, and OMG she had the bedside manner of a sledge hammer. My dog hated her on sight (he was a very easy going friendly 8 year old staffy cross). She decided to muzzle him - I said why, she said because I am going to look in his ears and I don't want him biting me. I said he never bites anyone - but by this time she is trying to get the muzzle on him, and my dog has gone - no way! So she tried harder, he growled a warning to her and I said to stop. I said no vet has ever put a muzzle on my dog, there was no reason for it. I left. I meant to tell the usual vet, but forgot to call up and the dog was fine the next day. Next time I went in, I see large font on the computer screen "BEWARE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS DOG. HANDLE WITH CARE. I spat it. Told the owner vet what happened. Next time we went in the top of his file said "THIS DOG MUST NOT BE SEEN BY HELEN".

Julzjc I am so sorry for you and your beautiful family, what a loss and so young. So tragic. Bonnie was clearly such a huge part of your family and what a dog, so great with the kids....and I can see in your photos how close Indie and Bonnie were. Poor Indie. Your kids seem to have a great attitude, a healthy approach to this dreadful loss, and what Bonnie is for them, clearly seen by your wonderful photos. She was indeed a very special girl. How lucky she was to have such a perfect loving family for her time on earth. I remember when we lost Zeus, he was a Staffy cross, and the most beautiful boy ever, he dies in my arms from cancer at 14 and I swore I would never get another dog again - I just decided I could never ever go through that grief and sense of loss ever again and the damn things just don't live long enough. But she left Punni our kelpie behind. I decided to send Punni to my mother who lived on big land where a kelpie can run like the wind, and she had a gorgeous kelpie too. But I cancelled jetpets 6 times (they were so great about it) - and I could not let her go. So I had to get another dog for company as Punni was fretting, and our Westie came along - they are inseparable sisters, just so gorgeous and loving together. I only tell you this because you might be thinking its impossible to replace Bonnie, and of course it is. But it will do Indie a world of good to meet her new sister or brother....when you are ready of course. From my experience, i it happened agin and lost one of mine, I'd get another one wihtin 2 weeks - for the benefit of the remaining dog. My condolences again to all your family. I need to go get an IV for fluids now as I am surely dehydrated from all the tears I have shed reading your posts and seeing the photos. Edited to add: I had not known of bloat before, I have looked it up now so thanks for the extra knowledge for it may save one of dogs lives one day.

The other disturbing thing about this story is that the woman chasing the dog seems to have 'found' the dog and I reckon she thought about keeping it....after 10 days worked out it was not house trained and that was a bit of hard work so she'd take it to the pound. That is disgraceful. Any decent person finding a dog should try to find the owner - if you keep it your house, put a FOUND add in the paper, let all the local vets know you have it and the RSPCA and other shelters in case anyone looks for it. Why someone has a dog without even a collar with a number or address on it is beyond me. Mine have high quality metal engraved tags and collars...as well as the microchip. i wonder what happens if she kept it and a year later she is at the vet and the original owner see her there and says "Hey that is MY dog!'. Who is the legal owner of the dog if it is not registered with the council and not chipped?

The Leader (Mordialloc Chelsea) dates April 25, 2011 states that the Vic Government is looking to abolish a law that currently forces shelters to euthanise animals after 28 days. Sounds like a good thing. I had no idea this law was in place. And isn't there some other law changing to allow shelters to euthanise with no minimum time to allow owners t find their pets...not even 3 days?

It is! Its got everything from politics, current affairs, home remedies, religion, debates, polls, trends, online shopping....

Well I have to back Leela up in my own personal behaviour with my own dogs - if I have my dogs in the car and leave them alone to pop into the shop for something - even if its pouring with rain and it the rain will wet my car, I will leave minimum one window open enough for them to stick their head out. I would never leave my dogs in a car with no windows open or just one window open 1cm. Its not enough and it leaves the dogs at risk.

I'm like you - I leave ALL the windows open enough for the dogs to stick their heads out, but not enough for them to jump out. Hopefully she was only gone a short while and doesn't make a habit of this. Its dangerous - what if something happened, like she fainted and got taken to hospital in an ambulance - her dog would have been left in a car like that for God only know how long!

I hope everything will be ok. I don't know where in NSW you re but I have listed some places in NSW that have 24 hour vet facilities. Every one listed below are listed via Google as having 24 hr services. Emergency & House Calls. Caring & Professional Vets. Hills District. www.vetcaresydney.com.au 472 Windsor Road, Baulkham Hills (02) 8999 4365 - North Ryde 24 Emergency Vet Phone 1300 368 430 | Fax (02) 9889 0431 Level 1, 1 Richardson Place, North Ryde 2113, Sydney, NSW Sylvania Veterinary Hospital - 24 hour service 335 Princes Highway Sylvania NSW Australia 2224 Forestville Veterinary Hospital - has a 24 hr service 635 Warringah Road Forestville NSW 2087 Quakers Hill Vet Clinic 138 Burdekin Road, Quakers Hill NSW 2763 Phone: 02 9626 9561 24 Hour Vet Expert Veterinary Hospital For Your Pets. Call Us Now. Camperdown. www.vetsci.usyd.edu.au 65 Parramatta Rd, Camperdown (02) 8999 7867 Asquith Vet Ckinic 05 Pacific Hwy, ASQUITH, NSW, 2077 (02) 9477 1349 Maitlan Vet Clinic 9 Walker Street, MAITLAND NSW 2320 02 4934 3044 Brunker Rd Vet Clinic Adamstown 278 Brunker Road Adamstown NSW 2289 Ph: 02 4957 2269 Fax: 02 4952 8666

I crate trained my youngest girl (now 5 years old) and used the crate for her first year. It was most beneficial for toilet training, and for sleeping and a routine. But after a year, without intending to stop using the crate, we just did not use it any more. The dogs have their own beds in the bedroom (not crates) and they are both well behaved and wonderful. I just don't think I need the crate any more.

Sounds like Mr Mulder did not do his homework or engage his brain properly. But I have to wonder when we will catch up with some other countries. I mean in America they can fly with their pets with them....at least the little ones. I don't know how it works, but we seem a bit backwards here. We don't even have proper processes to look after the pets that fly in cargo - they die sometimes due to neglect, heat and who knows what other trauma some of our pets go through that they can't tell us about when we entrust them to an airline. We have to fight for more rights for our pets.

Tragic on so many levels. I'm so sorry this has happened. RIP for both dogs. Hugs for you and your hubby and all the kids. :thumbsup:

Cool, I was wondering as well.

Mine are indoor too. Sorry about the loss of your dog - Sending vibes for these two to get on famously very soon.

I would put in a written complaint so it is on record. Email is good for that. And yeah, get a photo of it. Yes these things can happen, especially with an active gorgeous 7 month old bully. BUT, no matter how it occurred, even if the Bully did it to itself, it should have been noticed. I would expect a call - "Hi, just letting you know that on our routine mid morning check on the dogs, unfortunately your little Bully has been found to have got a hold of some xxx/yyy and ripped her face in a few places. The injuries are not serious, but we'd like to bath them in antiseptic so there is no infection. We have moved her and her brothers/sisters to a different pen where there is no wire....." It should have been noticed and it should have been reported,it should have been written up and you should have been called or had everything ready to explain upon your arrival. I have never left dogs at a boarding place. I've been lucky, my son still lives at home so he can look after the dogs, but usually hubby and I plan holidays where we can take the girls with us. I have left cats for boarding though - like when I move house, and I can guarantee the place I leave my cats at is brilliant. I'm so sorry this has happened. I hope she heals well so you can still show her as you had wanted to.

Oh buggar! Maybe put some liquid ant rid near it - and perhaps in a day they will all be gone. Worse case - ditch the bag, get a new one.

Yeah they do. and they especially miss each other. When one of mine is at the vet or groomer, the other has to actually witness it being dropped off and then they are ok. Otherwise they get quite stressed. I have to say, if one of two dogs goes to the rainbow bridge, the sooner you get another companion for your remaining dog the better IMO. I have seen dogs lift right out of depression and get a whole new lease on life when a new dog joins the family. Does Kenzie like chews - they big rolled up things? I'd buy her lots of tasty things to chew.....nothing else I can think of. At least things she likes to chew that last a while will give her something to do, rather than feeling she is missing Emma. Hugs to Kenzie (and Emma of course).

Personally, I think you can call your dog whatever you like, but I do find calling a dog "David" or "William" a bit unusual - but if that takes someone's fancy, that is their prerogative.

Personally, I think you can call your dog whatever you like, but I do find calling a dog "David" or "William" a bit unusual - but if that takes someone's fancy, that is their prerogative.

My two are the same...except mine are up and waiting for me to get out of bed before I am awake, let them out to pee and give them breakfast and then for their morning walk. Often I wake up to dog eyes in my face