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- My darling shepherd passed away tonight
Sparty was diagnosed with this on friday. He was off colour but not seriously ill on the Wed night. Vets on Thursday said an infection. Sent him home but friday morning not drinking so got second opinion. Diagnosed and took him to vetinary hospital on friday at about 5pm. His blood count was 20. By sat morning this had fallen to 16. They gave him two transfusions and started aggressive treatment. At about midnight he stopped breathing and his heart just stopped. We told the vet to let him go after they tried for five minutes to bring him back. My heart is broken and I miss him so much. Still can’t believe he has gone. My heart goes out to everyone else who has a beloved companion suffering with thus cruel illness.
Anna, I am so very very sorry to hear about your boy, Sparty.
I can’t tell you how much I hate this disease. It hits so very quickly and strongly that sometimes, there is just no way to win the fight.
When you feel up to it, and maybe not right now, please visit the Bridge page. It was written by one of the ladies who lost her dog and it’s truly beautifully written. I hope it bring you some peace. When it’s time though.
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/the-bridge/
I lost my boy in January, to a cancer, and there isn’t a day that doesn’t go by that I don’t still grieve for him. You have to go through the grieving, there’s no escape, but it’s all a sign of our love.
Please accept my deepest condolences.
Vally (and Angel Bingo)
Thank you so much for your kind words. I will read the link today. I will miss my boy every day. I feel more attention should be given to this cruel disease. Thank you again.
Hi Valley….can I ask a few questions…I have had the list of drugs from the hospital where I took Sparty. The list is as follows:
Cerenia injections
Mycophenolate
Omeprazole
Pottasium Chloride
Rapidexon
and something called Braun Hartmaans
also other things which are obvious, paracetamol and saline and the two blood transfusions he had.
Now I have had time to think about things more clearly, I am going over the events of last weekend. The vet at the hospital said they could not give any strong drugs to Sparty because the vet we took him to on Thursday evening, thinking he was just off color, gave him an anti inflammatory. She said she wanted to wait for this to wear off before giving him anything.
At midday on Sat she called again with an update and said he wasn’t doing too well, and so she was going to give him a milder anti immune drug which she did.
At about 10 pm she called again and said he was still not responding and now not coping with the effects of the anemia, so she wanted our permission to start the stronger drugs. We gave our permission and I assumed this had happened.
However, at about midnight he had stopped breathing and passed away. Looking at the drugs, I cant see the drug that almost everyone seems to use, and wonder why that wasn’t given?
I know she said she was afraid of bleeding, and she said when they took his temp, there was some blood on the thermometer, so could this be why? Were the drugs she gave, the best ones to give to him?
I just would feel happier if I thought everything was done that possibly could have been done. We think that the vets in the US seem to have more of an idea on how to treat this than the vets in the UK but I might be wrong.
Grateful for any insight into this…
Thanks so much, Anna (hurts so much to add Angel Sparty at the moment)
Hi Anna, I know you’re looking for answers to find reason to such a terrible sadness.
If it helps, it sounds as though the drugs were right. They use different names in the UK to USA and Australia, where I am. I’ve looked them up and what I see is that Rapidex is dexamethasone, a potent form of prednisone and Mycophenolate is another immunosuppressant drug. The cerenia is an anti-nausea drug and Omeprazole is to prevent ulcers which the drugs may cause.
So the drugs seem right to me. I hope that helps in some tiny way. You did everything you could for Sparty.
Big hugs,
Vally
Ps if you need to know anything more at all, just ask.
Xxx
Thank you so so much Vally. That gives me some comfort. I cant stress how helpful I have found this site and how much support you have given me
Anna
Dearest Anna, I am so very sorry for the loss of your precious Sparky. There are no words to consol your grief, but know, we all here know your heart is breaking.
My Sadie has been dealing with this stinking disease for six years and it has been a huge roller-coaster ride for us all, particularly her. It is the most unfair disease. It rips my heart out when we loose one, as Sparky.
I agree with Vally, it all looks like they did the right thing. Sometimes it just grabs them and does not back off. Catching it immediately as you did is key and you did everything possible.
Your Sparky was family and you will grieve for him as so. Please do as Vally suggested and visit The Bridge. When up to it, add Sparky’s story – it will help you and it may very well, help others.
Again, my most sincere condolences at this very sad time. Sending huge, loving hugs,
Linda
Thank you so much Linda. Thinking about you and Sadie. I hope she recovers and I truly sympathize with you and with her.
I hope that you and Sadie enjoy many more years together…thank you so much
Anna