doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Another empty collar - some tips

Case: 8 year old English Setter. Beloved dog, and close companion of my disabled wife. Impossible dog to replace. Dead in two days from apparent liver disease.

Rather than make this just another sob story, I need to pass along some things I learned. Be on the lookout as your dog ages, as it turns out I had ample warning and misinterpreted what I was observing.

Dog was slowing down a bit. Nothing dramatic, but activity level definitely dropping. Put on some weight, but it's winter here and it's normal to slow down a bit. He started pressing his head on my chest... I saw this as a sign of affection. He started snoring louder, which I put down as an after effect of his slight weight gain. Resolved to start taking walks when I returned from a week long trip.

He didn't last that long. Without getting into specific details, it turns out that 'head pressing' can be a sign of encephalitis, in this case caused by liver failure. The change in breathing sound undoubtedly was because of an enlarged liver.

If I had it to do over again, I would make routine blood analysis part of his annual check. This might find elevated liver enzymes. I did this with a previous dog on the recommendation of his vet, but simply forgot to ask about it with this guy and it wasn't offered without asking here at my new home. This may not have been much help, especially if this was a case of cancer, but at least we would of had some warning.

Observe behavior changes in your dogs, and don't assume something is minor. Use available diagnostics routinely.

We miss the hell out of that dog, and the possibility that I failed him will linger forever. Be smarter than I was.

Dont beat yourself up...It would be nice if they could just tap us on the shoulder and say Hey I dont feel real good...but they cant and most of those symptoms could easily be misinterpreted....Sorry for your loss.

SJ,

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Having buried more than my share of good dogs I know how tough it is. Thanks for the warning on symptoms.

Remember, puppies bring us hope and renewal. Get one soon.

Jim

I wish I could offer something other than I"m sorry for your loss. The most profound losses in my life have included a number of canine companions. Nothing replaces their absence, but a new puppy after a grieving period passes can mitigate the emptiness. Thanks for the clear-headed advice in the midst of pain. Sincere regards,
Will

My 14 yr. old Black&Tan coonhound died of strangulation of the gut or torqued stomach. She was in pain when I got home from work and in shock and near death when I got her to the vet. Only excuse is I wasn't home to notice. She was an independent cuss but had a sense of humor. They're all special.

jack

So sorry for your loss,hate reading these threads but always do.Have buried a couple and don't want to think about whats comming with the two labs that keep me somewhat sane every day.
Give them all the attenion you can when they are alive as our dog companions are here not here for long.One day I hope to meet them all again in the end.

Shotgun Jones --- Sorry for your loss, I've been there too. Please contact me via email or better yet, Call me.

Ken kenhurst@suddenlink.net
910-221-5288 EST

Always sad to hear of a good dog gone. I'd hope that you can find a pup for both you & your bride, soon. Pups don't replace old dogs nor their fond memories, but they have an uncanny way of occupying the present and lessening the silence of the absent.

Perhaps little consolation at present, but I doubt you could have changed the outcome. Some dogs just don't get that many years and that can be and is sometimes counter to the breed's norm. I've been there, more than once. Cancer one time, renal [kidney] failure another and what the lab could only term 'an anomoly' another, and that was after an extensive autopsy.

Nothing easy about losing a friend & companion, ever.
Most sorry for your loss.

Only one of my many setters, mostly Irish, but, a smattering of English and Gordons, as well, made it past 10 years. They are not a long lived dog, usually. One Gordon made 15 years, but, lets just say the final 12 months weren't a pretty sight.

I loved them all to pieces, even the dogs that turned out to be non-hunters. They are all wecome here, and I'd never dispose of one that didn't hunt. Along the way I've picked up a pragmatic (mean?) streak that dictates the younger dogs get more precious dollars thrown at their vet than the dogs past 6 or so years. I've lugged enough 10-13 year old pooches out of a woods over my life to know that long lived dogs aren't always the most productive guys in the big picture.

You both will be heartbroken, and, I have been where you are, many times. I'm sorry for your loss. Time, for a human, marches on, and another dog should be invited into the family.
Best,
Ted

I can grieve along with you too. Last spring my 13 year old black lab "BUCK" went missing one day when I was out of town. He had been gone before for almost three weeks on one of his romantic interludes, so I thought that this was just another. This time he did'nt return. Two weeks later my little lap lassa apso/poodle mix "PHOEBE" started looking feeble. While I was getting dressed she went out in the garden and passed away. I was so down I could hardly go to work.

The next week when I got to my office there was a basket on my desk with a chocolate Lab puppy in it all decked out with ribbons and puppy toys. My daughter, a school teacher, and my grand daughter, who goes to college and works for me part-time had gone and found me a pup even though I had told them that I didn't want another dog. He's now full grown and into everything.He didn't replace BUCK & PHOEBE, but he sure eased the emptiness of their absence.

There is a pet cemetery down in my garden with beloved pets from the last 30 years or so: SWISHKIE, FRECKLES, BROWNIE, WHITEY, POKEY, SHASHTA, FRITZ AND NOW PHOEBE plus assorted cats. I still miss them all but the new guy PARKER (my grand daughter named him) eases the hurt. Be assured we will meet them ALL again some day. SAM and BUCK are somewhere else but I remember them as well.

Best Regards, George