R.i.p.

tonyb

My best friend,my buddy, my beloved GSD. I'm pretty much beside myself,hurt,hearbroken, pissed off. This dog had a heart full of love that most people couldn't live up to. I'm typeing this with tears in my eye's in hope that some can learn from my experience. Some of you know,he had recently suffered a torn ACL and went through surgery, the best money could buy. He was recouping fine,actually better than expected as told to me by his surgeon on his 2 week checkup. Now the pissed off part. I have always taken a more holistic approach in his care, the best dog food, no poisonous flea control crap, nothing that would have a chance of doing him any harm. Seemed to work OK as his whole life he's never been sick,never had a tick,and I live in the woods. A picture of health, active,friendly...no signs what so ever of a problem. When I picked him up after his surgery,I was sent home with 5 different meds for him. Now,seeing that a dog can't tell you when he's in pain,or if something hurts, I temperarily brushed my holistic tendacies aside, for one week. He received all his meds as per instructions, except I stopped everything but his antibiotic med,as that would be the most important and least intrusive on him. One of the meds he was takeing was Rimadyl, that supposedly has a side effect in some dogs as...death. Google it. I specifically asked the vet about side effects before takeing him home and was assured all his meds were designed to work with each other and no harmfull side effects should occure. Even though I stopped giving him the Rimadyl after one week, I fear the damage was done. I few days ago, he became very lathargic, no strength to even stand up. Off to the emergency vet who took x-rays and found his stomache full of blood, by what he called a burst tumor. With the only option being more surgery and if successfull, would only extend the poor boy's life a few months, it was painfully obvious we could not do it for our own selfish reasons of wanting more time with him while he was in pain. Hopefully my sorrow will enlighten some to look into meds before you shove them down your pets throat. Yes, I could be makeing some bad assumptions about the cause, but my gut feeling tells me otherwise. Rimadyl is the drug, look it up,stay away from it. I cried all day today, knowing that somehow,I let my best friend down. Enjoy your time with your pets,may they all live long and healthy lives.

danger boy

sorry for the loss of your best friend

don't beat yourself up... we all have only the best of intentions when it comes to our pets care and recovery after an injury or illness.. with that knowledge, you acted correctly.. doing exactly what the vet recommended to treat your buddy. It's very unfortunate that his recovery didn't go as it should have, and he ended up passing away.

I am sorry for the loss of your good pal. IT hurts a lot.. I know... unfortunately, death is one of the toughest things we have to deal with, and it's never easy.

do something in his honor.. when my cat passed away.. i went to the highest mountain in my area. and got a couple balloons together and attached a picture of my cat Nikki and set it air born. it gave me closure on her passing.. and it's a good way to remember your companion.

snow

Im so sorry for you Tony. I wouldndt blame yourself though, you only did what the experts told you to do, and there is a very high likelyhood that the tumor was there long before you gave him this medication anyways.

My deepest condolances.

REGARDS SNOW

wz2p7j

Tony, I'm so sorry about GSD. Try and forgive yourself, you did everything you did out of love for him.

I can tell you it won't be easy. I had a situation with one of our cats and a vet about 4 years ago. Our kitty died because of what happened at the vet. I still haven't forgiven myself and can't even look at pictures of her because I feel so bad to this day.

I just hope they know everything we did for them was because we loved them so much.

Chris

danz1906

Sorry for your Loss.

NotaSuv

Very sorry to hear of your loss Tony..GSDs are quite a special breed and as their main drive is to please their owner the bonds can be stronger than other breeds..I have had GSDs for decades and every loss was the same a tear jerker....there is no reason to take any blame for this, you did all you could....just think about the good times you guys had, and the fun you'll have with the next lil furry kid

hearingimpared

Oh man Tony that's horrible. It wasn't your fault. I pray the hole in your heart heals quickly. That for the info on the meds Bro. If anything happens to Moose I know just what to do before dosing him.

zarrdoss

losing a dog sucks, sorry to hear.

George Grand

Good looking dog Chief. He's catching squirrels now.

mole'

sorry to hear this.

daboyz

So sorry for your loss. God be with you.

cfrizz

I'm so sorry Tony. But as others have said, you couldn't have known & followed intructions. He had a good life & now he's at rest.

Take care.

tonyb

Thanks guys....but right now,my stomache is in knotts and I'm trying to keep my brain busy on other things. Bless all of you for your support.

lessthanzero

Tonyb, I know exactly what you are going through. I lost my best friend and constant companion, my German Shorthair Pointer a year ago, who also had a surgery for a mystery illness. They sent her home with a shopping bag full of meds. We felt so bad for her when we had to shove all of those pills down her throat. She was not doing well, but the vet insisted that we continue the meds. She passed away in my wifes arms about a week after her surgery. I was so very upset at the vet for not finding out what was wrong with her. I have tears in my eyes as I type this, and a longing in my heart, as I miss her so. It is tough. But I understand.............

ESavinon

I'm so Sorry for your Loss.

LessisNevermore

Truly sorry for the loss of your friend.

shadowofnight

So very sorry for your loss Tony , you had my big **** in tears before I could even finish your post.

Then I remembered that Rimadyl sounded awfully familiar for some reason , in march of last year my dog Pepper broke his hip and they gave us 2 drugs...one for inflammation and one for pain...I just looked in the cabinet...one was Tramadol and one was Rimadyl. :eek:

Pepper showed zero signs of pain or inflammation ( Inflammation easy to spot, pain pretty difficult but he said he would favor or bite at the area ) , so we didnt use them ( Took all of the antibiotics though ) ...probably a really good thing because though he is tough as nails...he has a sensitive stomach. I was saving the pills in case one of our other dogs needed then...screw that...not worth the risk...they are getting flushed right now. After doing a little checking , it seems like regular buffered aspirin is best for dogs.

Don't blame yourself whatsoever , you did the best you could...GSD is up there chasing critters in a field because it was his time to go...not because of anything you did or didnt do.

engtaz

So sorry for your loss.

hearingimpared

Tony my family and I are praying for the Lord to comfort you in our nightly prayers.

BTW John, Tramadol is completely safe, I take it myself. There is nothing in it that would hurt a dog if given the proper dosage. The only problem with Tramadol is that it is addictive as it has a small amount of benzodiazepine in it for a relaxant. It's only addictive if taken in large doses or for a long period of time then the user would have to be weened from it.

I thought Rimadyl sounded familiar too.

Here's what I found about it that reminded me of it.

October 2009: New Rimadyl Class Action Lawsuit

A new class action lawsuit is currently being considered by THE ANIMAL LAW CENTER, headquarters at 4465 Kipling Street, Suite 108, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033. As you may know, Pfizer, the makers of Rimadyl, settled a class action lawsuit several years ago. Given the number of incidents of dogs harmed by the drug since that suit was brought, a new class action suit may be in order. If you believe your dog has suffered from the side effects of or been harmed by Rimadyl and you would like to be included in the suit, send an E-mail to: PfizerCase@TheAnimalLawCenter.com You may also call the law firm at 1-877-PET LAW 1, or locally at 303.322.4355. If you would like more information prior to contacting the law firm, send an E-mail to one of the principal complainants in the suit: brdsofparadise@aol.com

---

My Moose had a two inch deep gash near one of his joints and the Vet prescribed it for him. I looked it up and found bad side effects and didn't give it to him. Apparently there is something you can do about it Tony, I know it's too late for you beloved pooch but you may get some satisfaction out of nailing the vet and/or Pfizer.

[Deleted User]

I'm sorry for your loss, Tony.
Take care.

bobman1235

Sorry for your loss man

ohskigod

you're allowed to be sad he's gone, I've been down that road. you are not allowed to blame yourself. you loved the dog, you cared for him. but what hapenned wasnt your fault.

Shepard are known for stomach and intestinal issues later in life. it hapenned to My Shepard as well.

miss him, remember him, but don't beat yourself up over it, believe me...you'll suffer enough without it. you don't need the help in that department.

you'll wake up to "let him out" before realizing it's not needed for at least a week

that dog looked adorable in the picture by the way

dkg999

Sorry for your loss. Hang in there.

Joe08867

My Condolences, A Prayer for GSD,

Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.

Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between the blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do.

Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footsteps falls upon my waiting ear.

When it is cold and wet, please take me inside, for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements. And I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth. Though had you no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in all the land, for you are my god and I am your devoted worshiper.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food, that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life should your life be in danger.

And, beloved master, should the great Master see fit to deprive me of my health, do not turn me away from you. Rather hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest--and I will leave you knowing with the last breath I drew, my fate was ever safest in your hands.

Fireman32

So sorry for your loss.

amulford

Sorry to hear about this, Broham. He is in a much better place...

fatchowmein

My sincere condolences for your loss.

xj4094dg

Sorry for your loss. It sounds like his life was filled with love.

Amherst

Very sad news for sure. Any guilt you feel is certainly not justified no matter how hard it is to shake. You have our best wishes for better times.

shack

I am very sorry for your loss.

I found this "inspirational" story somewhere and saved it. While it is probably just a heartwarming fable...the sentiment is good and seems appropriate in this situation (or when anyone experiences the loss of a beloved pet).

A DOG'S PURPOSE

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home. As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker 's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why."

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.

He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good lfe -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?" The Six-year-old continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."

So live like a dog:

Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

- When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
- Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
- Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
- Take naps.
- Stretch before rising.
- Run, romp, and play daily.
- Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
- Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
- On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
- On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
- When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
- Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
- Be loyal.
- Never pretend to be something you're not.
- If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
- When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY.

Polk user

I am truly sorry for your loss.