LoveToKnow Dogs:Custom Euthanasia and Death
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It's difficult to say whether or not your other dogs will come down with the same illness your puppy had, but there is definitely a possibility. Did all your dogs receive the same bottled water? If so, and if your puppy truly died from a water borne disease, they could contract it too. Are your other dogs adults? If so, their more mature immune systems may be better equipped to fight off the illness. If your pup died from parvo, the virus could be in your home environment, especially since your pup began having diarrhea at home. The best thing you do right now to limit the dogs' exposure after the fact is to clean as many surfaces as possible with a mild solution of bleach and water. This will help kill bacteria and viruses that might still be on your pup's cage, your hard surface floors and even the food and water dishes. Let everything dry thoroughly before the dogs use the treated items again. You also want to make sure that all stools are scooped up immediately after your dog's exercise because bacteria and viruses are also shed in the stools and this could be a source of infection.

Should you take your dog's to your sister's house while you're out of town? That's difficult to say. Stress can weaken the immune system, and this makes it more possible for an illness to take hold. However, being at home alone without you might also be stressful. The average incubation period for parvo is approximately 14 days after exposure. The vaccinations should provide a measure of protection for your older pets, but dogs can still pick up parvo from direct exposure even when vaccinated. Putting off your trip for another week to see what happens might be the best idea if you can do it. if you can't, make sure you sister has the vet's contact information in case she needs it. Hopefully this won't be the case. Best wishes that everything works out and none of the dogs become ill.

- posted by:Kelly

I'm so sorry to hear what you've been through. It's devastating to lose a pet so suddenly, and it's only natural to begin second guessing whether or not you did all you could. From what you say, I think you did all the right things. You didn't hesitate to take your pup to the vet when you noticed she wasn't feeling well. You followed your vet's advice and purchased the recommended medications you were told your pet needed. You even left your pup in the vet's care believing she would receive better care there with professionals. Sadly, whatever kind of illness she had overwhelmed her system, and that is often the case with puppies because their immune systems are less mature than that of an adult dog.

I'm curious, did the vet actually test for parvovirus, or did he just make the diagnosis based on your dog's symptoms? The virus would have shown up in a blood test, and so likely would have a water borne disease if that's what it actually was. Even so, many of these illnesses present with the same symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy and fever. When the illness is caused by a virus, the best you can do is provide support measures like the IV and around the clock monitoring. A bacterial infection such as a water borne disease would most likely be treated with an antibiotic. Perhaps that is what was in the injection you vet gave your pup. Based on the info you provided, it sounds to me like your vet was basically guessing what was wrong, but perhaps tests were run. You should see those on your bill if they were. Either way, the treatment would have been much the same with an IV to prevent dehydration, medication to slow down the diarrhea, and an antibiotic to stave off a secondary bacterial infection. If your dog received these things, it sounds like she received adequate treatment even if it did fail in the end, and sadly that is often the case in these situations.

As for the bottled water, it should have precluded your pup from getting a water borne disease, but sometimes bottled water is not as high quality as the manufacturer represents it to be. Perhaps you could have a sample analyzed to see if there are any dangerous organisms in it? Is there any chance your pup could have taken a drink from a puddle outside at any point? This would be another way to contract such an illness.

Without a necropsy, it's difficult to say what actually caused your dog's death. Unfortunately, you might have to accept that. However, I really hope you can take comfort in the fact that you did everything you could to give your pup a fighting chance. Please accept my condolences for your loss. - posted by:Kelly

This is always a difficult decision for any pet owner, and it's not one you want to rush into. It sounds like Spice is a wonderful old dog who has multiple chronic conditions. Out of all of them, the heart murmur is probably the most serious. The cough indicates the murmur is large enough to interfere with the heart's ability to pump fluid out of the lungs. This is most likely the condition that will help you gauge when it is the right time to let Spice go. If his breathing becomes labored, that will be a sign that his condition is growing worse, and that may be the right time to consider your options.

You know Spice better than anyone else ever could. Watch his condition, listen to what your heart tells you, and when the time comes you'll have the comfort of knowing that you did everything you could for him. He has been lucky to have you, and I'm sure you feel lucky he has been a part of your life.

Best wishes at this difficult time. - posted by:Kelly

First of all, I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. Losing a pet can be like loosing a member of the family, and it takes a while to process that loss. It's going to be tough going for a while, but the grief eventually receeds and great memories come to the forefront, so hang in there.

Honestly, it's usually best to have a vet perform a necropsy immediately after death. This is just like a human autopsy, and it usually provides clues about the cause of death. Unfortunately, many pet caregivers aren't aware that this service exists, and it can be cost prohibitive. Without a necropsy, all we can do is speculate on what most likely happened.

Your dog's mix of breeds are both known for not tolerating heat well, so heat could have been a factor, but I'm not sure that it was the entire cause of death. The symptoms you describe could have been signs of heartworm, depending on whether or not your dog was on preventative. However, those same signs are also prevalent in dogs with other heart conditions. For example, some dogs are diagnosed with heart murmurs. A low grade heart mumur may not affect a dog that much (and many times goes undetected during a routine exam), but sometimes the murmur grows worse and leads to a decline in health and vitality. A severe murmur eventually leads to congestive heart failure. Any kind of heart problem combined with excessive heat makes for a dangerous situation. I can't say for certain, but I think it was most likely a combination of these factors that lead to your dog's passing. I think discussing the entire situation with your vet might lead to an educated opinion about what happened, and it could give you some closure.

I know this isn't a conclusive answer to your question, but I hope the info helps you in some way. Best wishes to your entire family. - posted by:Kelly

I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved pet. If you and your family feel ready to take on a new puppy, the time is right. Bringing home a new pet doesn't mean you feel any less for the dog you lost. It just depends on what feels right to you.

My advice would be to scout out new puppies first, whether from a shelter or a breeder. Once you've met a few and narrowed down your choices, ask if you can bring your senior dog to meet and interact with the puppy before making a final decision. This way, you can see if the two are likely to get along, and whether a puppy will be a bit too rambunctious for your older dog. You may find that you need to change your plans and adopt a young adult dog that is more settled, or you may find that a puppy gives your older dog a new lease on life. You just have to test the situation to find out how well it will work.

The most important thing you can do, regardless of the age of the new pet you bring home, is to make sure your older dog still receives as much attention as he usually gets. This way he will be less apt to feel jealous of his new housemate. Taking boths dogs for daily walks is a good way to help them establish themselves as pack mates.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I hope you're able to turn this time of loss into a new beginning for your family. Good luck with your search. - posted by:Kelly

I'm so sorry to hear about what's happening to your dear old friend. This must be a very difficult time for your family.

Your question is about the end stage of congestive heart failure, and technically speaking, that would be a complete end to beating, resulting in your dog's passing. That said, it does sound very much like your dog is in the final stages of the disease. The collapses are probably due to a lack of oxygen, and might even be attributed to a series of small heart attacks. Only your vet can assess the degree of damage the heart muscle has suffered. The coughing is also a strong indication that your dog's lung function is very weak and there is likely significant fluid build up since the heart is too weak to pump efficiently.

I wish I had better news for you, but it's very possible that the time has come to make a decision about your dog's future. This is never an easy situation, but with accurate information from you vet you'll be able to make the best choice for your dog's situation. If you have to let him go, please don't feel guilty. You've been with him through it all, and euthansia may be the kindest solution to her suffering.

Thank you for sharing your situation, and you have my very best wishes for all concerned. - posted by:Kelly

I'm so sorry to hear about your dog's failing health, but you raise a very good question that many owners struggle with as a beloved pet's life winds to a close.

It's very likely that your dog is experiencing some level of discomfort from her two conditions. Heart failure makes it more difficult to breathe as the condition progresses. Kidney failure can also cause pain. If your dog walks stiffly with her back legs or tends to hunch her back a little when she walks, these could be signs that she's in pain.

Since you know your dog best, watch her closely to determine if her discomfort begins to increase. Depending on how long she has been suffering from either condition, she may not be in much pain or discomfort right now, but you'll likely see an increase as time goes on. If you notice she begins to clearly seem uncomfortable, that will be the time to discuss end of life issues with your vet.

Thank you for sharing your situation, and I wish your family only the best during this difficult time.

- posted by:Kelly