Strokes in Dogs

[Elaine180]

Please can somebody help me.

Our beautiful dog had a stroke (which they believe may now have been 2) nearly a week ago.

Although she has shown some improvement (her eyes aren't rolling as much, she is drinking water) she is not eating.

The vet is giving her another 24 hours but if there is no improvement we have to make a decision whether to have her put down.

We haven't been allowed to see her since the stroke and it's tearing me apart. I can't help but feel that if we could spend some time with her that she may start eating. She's always been a fussy eater.

I've read other people's comments with regards to loss of appetite but notice that putting the dog down was not even considered.

Someone, please give me some advice, she's not in any pain, I love her so much, I just can't believe that we're not been given longer to try and get her on solids.

Any help, thoughts would be appreciated.

[divegirl]

Hi, how awful this must be for you....so first of all....big hug to you.
I can't understand why you haven't been able to see your dog! Has the vet offered any explanation for this and have you told the vet about her eating habits? I would have thought that the vet would be willing to let you try to feed her....she is most probably scared and dis-orientated and seeing you would/could be the boost she needs. Try ringing another local vet and see what advice they offer you. You do not have to have yor dog put to sleep if you don't want to, especially if as you say you are not sure that she has been given every chance.

Let us know what happens.

Lisa x

[kita1]

I am with divegirl on this - cannot understand why you have not been able to see your dog!

I would want the dog at home with me in familiar surroundings. I had a bitch who had her spleen removed - two days later the vets were telling me to take her home as they could not get her to eat. As soon as she got home she started to eat and recover. Dogs (like people) often will not eat in a strange (and stressful) environment. Some dogs will not eat or drink out of another dogs bowl.

I cannot see why the vet would wish to keep her, and unless he/she has a very good reason I would demand the return of my dog TODAY. Don't forget you are paying him!

Try getting in touch with another vet and see what they say.

Let us know how you get on.

[kita1]

If the worst comes to the worst you can have your dog put to sleep at home or at the vets whichever you choose. You can also be present if you wish, the majority of dogs do literally just go to sleep, they sometimes yawn or stretch after they have died which can be upsetting if you are not aware of it, but they have already gone at this point.

Don't be bullied by the vet but do listen to their advice. Like I say don't forget you are paying their bill and you are in control. Hard as it can be the decision is yours at the end of the day.

[Elaine180]

Divegirl and Kita1

Thank you so much for your responses. The reasoning behind our vet not wanting us to see her is that he is worried that she will get distressed.

Up until yesterday her eyes were still rolling and she was not able to stand up. Unfortunately she has had both cruciates done on her back legs and also has spondolosis of her back bone (she is part labrador) so she is not the most mobile of dogs, so part of not being able to stand up is probably due to being stuck in a kennel and slightly seizing up. Believe me when you get her lead she is always mobile then (although she can't walk very far).

I'm not able to talk to the vet as I'm too emotional but he has told my husband that she has been up and can stand up for about a minute and then collapses, she has drank some water by herself yesterday but is still on a drip.

I have asked my husband to ask the vet if we can come and see her today to see if we can try to feed her. We have been told to wait until lunchtime and then ring back, his preference is that we still don't see her but will discuss this at lunchtime.

She has always been a dog on edge (she was a rescue dog), she can' t be left by herself and although I know that the vet has spent an enormous amount of time with her (over the weekend, during the night), I can't believe that this is it. I don't care how much time I need to spend with her, if it means that I can have 50% of my baby back I'll take that. I appreciate she won't be the same and if I new she was in pain at any way at all, then I know what I have to do, but this all seems just too soon.

[peanut]

I wish i could give you the advice you want to hear. I can't say i know how you feel either but I could imagine the feeling if something were to go wrong with my kitty "peanut". keep in mind that your dog does not have to be in pain to feel miserable. you may want to ask the vet what affect it will have on the dog if you bring her home. After all you don't want her to be a vegetable. I understant that it seems impossible to let go of a pet but the reality is that we all as loving pet owners have to face it someday. I really wish you luck today and I hope she perks up for you so you can take her home.

[kita1]

Believe me I know how hard it is. It is always too soon. I really think you need to see your girl, yes it will be hard and if you do see her then try to be strong for her sake. Sadly sometimes dogs give up. They do not have to be in pain to suffer, sometimes just the inability to go for a walk, enjoy food etc. is enough.

Does your vet have a vet nurse that you could talk to? They have more time available and have been involved in looking after your girl.

If you can nurse her at home I would ask the vet (or get your husband to) if it would be possible to have her at home for a couple of days before you make a decision.

This sounds awful - I don't mean it to, please bear in mind that we are approaching Christmas, what would you do if she had another stroke over the Christmas period? Would you be able to call the vet out over the holidays? Would you end up with a locum vet who you don't really know?

I think you really need to sit down and talk with your vet - we all get emotional, don't be embarassed, he will have seen it many times before. Try and make it near the end of the day so that you are not walking through a full waiting room.

Sadly it is inevitable that we will come to the time to part, if it is not now then it will happen one day. You have given her a good life in the time you had together and she knows that you love her and want the best for her. We all want to have one more week, one more day, but sometimes it is just not meant to be and you have to let go. You cannot force a dog to eat, or to live. I know - I have been there. Sometimes all the time, money and prayers mean nothing.

Sorry I cannot be of more help. Thinking of you.

[divegirl]

My turn to agree with kita....and there's not much else that I can add to what she has said. Be strong and we're here if you need us.

Thinking of you and your baby

Lisa x

[smiffy65]

http://www.vetspecialists.co.uk/06_Animal_Welf are/Neurology_Facts/Stroke.html

Elaine my heart goes out to you, my dog a springer cross was eighteen years of age when he had a stroke,but he was completely paralized could not stand up, but the look on his face when I took him to the vet told me what i had to do, but my dog was very old for his breed, so if yours is younger the recovery can be around two to three weeks,I really hope and pray he will be all right, good luck
Kath XX

[Elaine180]

Can I just say thank you all for your responses.

We did visit our baby last night and to be honest was horrified by what I saw. I could see no improvement in her at all and if anything because she was being pumped with something to reduce the swelling on the brain, she looked worse.

We tried to feed her, which within several minutes she brought back up. We wanted to see her out of the kennel and then we realised the extent of the problem. She could not stand at all, still listing, tongue hanging out one side, dribbling.

The vets were prepared to give her another couple of days. That wasn't my baby girl there, it was a vegetable. She didn't realise we were there, the vets were absolutely certain that she had 2 strokes, the 2nd one being major. They were certain that part of her brain had been affected, even when they could get her to stand up she was walking around in circles (this had happened during the day), we don't think she could hear us.

Jess was put to sleep at 7.30 last night. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do and have spent the whole night thinking that I have made the wrong decision, we should have given her longer, but how much longer do you give them. What I saw last night wasn't even 10% of my baby. We were told that she probably wasn't in any pain.

What I will say is that the nurse and vet were brilliant. They didn't put any pressure on us, I wanted to bring her home for a day, they were prepared to do this and even come out and administer the injections etc but in hindsight this would have made it even harder to let her go.

Once again, thanks for all your comments. I am absolutely devastated and guess have all the feeling that other people have who love their pets very much, still doesn't make it easier, but I need to keep on thinking she is in peace now, no more pain, suffering. I will miss you forever Jess, you were my beautiful baby

[kita1]

So sad for you. You did the right thing - the only thing you could do. You had to see her for your own peace of mind. In your heart you know you were right. The vet would have told you if there was any other possible way.

She is at peace now, and I believe that they are always with us, watching over us.

I always remember a line of a poem I once read: ' a part of me went with you, a part of you still stays'.

Take time to grieve, don't be afraid of any feelings, I even felt a sense of relief when I lost my friends, relief that it had been dealt with and the worst part was over.

In time you will remember the good times, the times she made you laugh, the times she was happy.

I am glad your vet was so good and understanding, you really need that support. When you recover a bit, let him know that he handled it well.

Sadly this is the inevitable part of sharing our lives with such wonderful creatures. No matter how many times we go through it, it never gets any easier.

Take care.

[Athley]

Dear Elaine

Read your posts yesterday and felt so sad for you. I'm so sorry you have lost your lovely dog, but you did the right thing.

Think of all the fun you had with her over the years and all the joy she had with you too.

Its a decision alot of us have had to make over the years with our beautiful pets and its so hard. I wish you all the best.

Lots of love to you.

xxx

[divegirl]

Hi Elaine, I am so sorry to hear your news I know how hard it is to say goodbye to a much loved friend. My thoughts are with you and your husband. As others have said, take time to grieve then take lots of time to remember how much fun and love she gave you.

all my love

Lisa x

[lankeela]

Hi Elaine,

Sadly I believe when you first posted you knew what the outcome was to be, but we all need that bit of reasurance that we are doing the right thing. There is a phrase that I always use at a time like this, "better a day too soon than a minute too late".

Remember the good times.

[smiffy65]

I am so sorry for you and your husband but you did the right thing, I have enclosed a link for you to read,hope it helps

http://www.gsdsrus.freeserve.co.uk/untilwemeet again.html

[ruthann58]

dear elaine be assured you did what was best for her at the end you put her first . she is still with you and always will, be i have faced this a lot of times it gets no easier but i have learnt that trying to keeping them going when they get to this stage has been for me and not for them it breaks my heart each time and i always say no more i cant go through this again it hurts to much but i always end up with another one best wishes ruth

[YvonneM]

IF IT SHOULD BE

If it should be that I grow weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then you must do what must be done,
For this last battle cannot be won.

You will be sad, I understand.
Don't let your grief then stay your hand.
For this day, more than all the rest,
Your love for me must stand the test.

We've had so many happy years.
What is to come can hold no fears.
You'd not want me to suffer so;
The time has come -- please let me go.

Take me where my need they'll tend,
And please stay with me till the end.
Hold me firm and speak to me,
Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time that you will see
The kindness that you did for me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I've been saved.

Please do not grieve -- it must be you
Who had this painful thing to do.
We've been so close, we two, these years;
Don't let your heart hold back its tears.

[Cicada]

hi there..I'm very sorry for what you're going through right now...my oldest doggie is also in the hospital right now after a seizure... the vet also advised me to put him to sleep. but his case is different, he is almost 16..with kidney failure and he has had very hard days... I still haven't made my decision!! Please do not put your doggie to sleep!!!!! if she is not suffering, just be patience and take her away form that vet! it's absurd to kill an animal just because is not feeling completely ok!!!!!!!!!!

Look for an anternative vet, maybe accupunture...

Best wishes!

[lankeela]

If a vet advises that a dog should be put to sleep then it is because they honestly believe they can do no more to help the dog. Vets are not in the business of killing dogs, they are there to help them if they can.

Ask yourself honestly who you are doing it for, you or the dog? What right do we have to extend a dogs life just because we would be upset to lose it.

[Elaine180]

Can I just say, this was our decision to put Jess to sleep. There was no pressure from the vets at all, in fact when I asked if it would be ok to take her home for a day, so I could spend 1 last day with her, they were perfectly ok with this. They offered to come along during the day and administer her injections and give us any additional help we needed.

Cicada I suggest really thinking about the quality of life your dog will have. Jess would have had none, 5 days after her stroke she was not able to stand unaided and when we tried she fell over. She was totally disorientated, was not able to keep down any food and in the 5 days she was at the vets had lost a huge amount of weight. It was painful and much worse than I or my husband had envisaged.

It was heartbreaking, she wasn't 10% of the dog I new and to be honest, if there was any improvement if would have been miniscule. It was also difficult to know whether she was in pain or not but she had lost all her dignity and she was not able to get herself up to to to the toilet.

Can I just say thank you for all your kind words, poems etc. It does help. I'm still hurting so much and feel as if my heart has been ripped out, but I know we have made the right decision.

Elaine

[poopy]

Hello, firstly please dont let your vet push you into a decision. He'll give her 24hours you can give her a lot more.

All dogs loose their appertite when taken away from the people they love. I was not allowed to see my dog when he was ill in the vets either. I cried for a week. So I know how you must feel.

Its dreadful, but be strong. Tell the vet you want to take her home and see how she gets on. I have a friend with a goat (i know its no comparison) but her goat had a stroke and the vet recommended she had her put to sleep, but she took care of her and still had her 5 years later.

All your dog will want to do is be with you. Like people after a stroke there mind is willing their body is not able - she may just need a little help from you to get by in life now.

ALL my thoughts are with you.
poopy
xxxxx