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The doghouse

My dog passed away after kennel stay

20 replies

Everythingmagnolia · 09/08/2019 16:56

My dog Poppy sadly passed away yesterday.

She spent a few days at the kennel while we went away. When my DH picked her up she could barely walk. He took her straight to the vet who examined her and said her liver was enlarged and her heart was failing. He phoned me and we made the decision to let her go gently.

I feel so quilty that her last days were at the kennel feeling ill. She was fine when we dropped her off on Sunday. She was 12 and had slowed down a little recently, but otherwise fine. I am not sure why they didn't contact us to let us know, or call the vet. I am so angry.

I wanted to contact the kennel and complain, but DH says to leave it. I agree that the outcome might not have been different, but also that they had a duty of care towards her. They posted on their FB page some photos of some of the dogs playing on the field, but Poppy wasn't on any of them. I commented underneath asking if she was OK and that I was looking forward to seeing her, they didn't comment.

When DH picked her up they explained that she had been very quiet and had just sat there and not eaten for the 3 days she was there.

What would you do if you were in this position please?

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Jouska · 09/08/2019 17:56

You must be devastated. I am so sorry.

I think I would talk to the vet and see if they can give a bit of insight into the illness

I would speak to the kennels - I would be asking why they had not contacted me, or got veterinary advice or ask more about your dogs behaviour when she was at the kennels. I know it will not change anything but I would want to know.

I am so sorry that you are having to go through this.

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VivaLeBeaver · 09/08/2019 18:00

I'm so sorry.

I suppose sometimes dogs in kennels are quite down and sit there not doing much, especially an elderly dog. Dd used to work in a boarding kennels and says some dogs can be quite depressed. So it's possible they didn't realise it was a medical issue.

And while 3 days of not eating seems a lot maybe it's not unusual for a homesick dog and maybe the kennels see it a bit?

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VivaLeBeaver · 09/08/2019 18:01

But I think telling them would be reasonable, it might make them consider medical reasons earlier another time.

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Floralnomad · 09/08/2019 18:27

I agree with pp that it would be useful to tell them but ultimately lots of dogs probably don’t eat when in kennels and that in itself is no reason to go to the vet . Sadly it was just unfortunate timing for your dog and your family but I don’t think complaining to the kennels is the way to go . Sorry for your loss .

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Jouska · 09/08/2019 19:04

I dont want to stir anything up (as this will not help the OP) but I would expect a kennel to recognise ill health against a dog not eating. If a dog is not eating you would expect basic checks to be carried out. It could be that the illness came on suddenly and the kennel had no signs at all but I would want a conversation and to hear what their policy is and what they did to check Poppy's health.

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Saucery · 09/08/2019 19:11

I’m sorry, you must be devastated. I would expect a kennel to do checks on a quiet dog and vet checks after 2 days maximum of not eating at all.
I’m not sure where you go from here, though. It’s not going to bring her back and it will be so hard to prove negligence. Flowers

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EmbarrassingMama · 09/08/2019 19:13

Sorry for your loss OP. Losing a beloved dog is devastating.

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gubbsywubbsy · 09/08/2019 19:21

This happened to my mums dog and my friends . At that age it's often too much for them I think . Sorry for your loss

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Everythingmagnolia · 09/08/2019 19:33

Thank you everyone for your kind words.

I am going to contact the kennel to find out why they didn't contact us or call in the vet.

I know it won't change anything but we are just all so upset that I feel we need some answers. Hopefully then they may act differently in future.

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Honeyroar · 10/08/2019 19:47

I would contact them too. Tell them (as calmly as possible) that you're a little concerned that they left an elderly dog subdued and without appetite for three days without contacting yourself or a vet. As you say, it may make them think in the future. Yes it's probably very likely that quite a few dogs go quiet in kennels, but it's the age of your dog that should have raised flags to them.

Be nice to yourself. You left her in what you thought was good hands. She was elderly. It may well have happened even if she had been at home. Try and focus on what a great life she has with you rather than feeling like you let her down (easy to do when you're upset, I did it when my last dog died).

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Dumbl3d0r3 · 10/08/2019 22:36

I am so sorry this has happened. I'd be cross at the kennels too.

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Everythingmagnolia · 11/08/2019 11:48

Thank you. I am going to contact them tomorrow. DH is now in agreement after having some time to think about it.

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spiderlight · 11/08/2019 13:48

So very sorry. I agree that you need to talk to the kennels.

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BlackSwan · 11/08/2019 19:54

This is horrendous, I'm so sorry for your loss. Thank goodness she was with your husband when she passed away and not at the kennel. I would absolutely speak with the kennel and tell them what happened and ask some questions. They need to know.

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DramaAlpaca · 11/08/2019 19:58

I'm so sorry for your loss. You must be completely devastated.

I think you are doing the right thing by talking to the kennels & I hope you get the answers you need.

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villainousbroodmare · 11/08/2019 20:02

Gosh, that's very sad. When did she last have a thorough veterinary check up? Bloods, heart auscultation etc? Because it sounds as if she was quietly unwell for some time. Flowers

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S1naidSucks · 11/08/2019 20:15

I’m so terribly sorry, OP. Please don’t feel guilty as the blame lies with the kennels. The fact that your poor dog wasn’t eating or active, yet they did feck all is inexcusable. I run a doggy daycare/holiday and have looked after terminally ill dogs. They completely neglected their duty of care to your wee dog. It doesn’t matter if your poor pup could not be saved, they could at least have made him more comfortable, by taking him to the vets. I’m genuinely upset for you.

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CallMeRachel · 11/08/2019 20:28

I'm sorry this is a terrible thing to happen. Take small comfort in the fact you were able to take him out the kennels do at least he knew he hadn't been abandoned there while dying.

A woman I know dog actually died in kennels, it was an older dog too, but not elderly either.

I don't think the majority of kennels are suitable for pet dogs, especially young and old dogs and I'll never use them.

Definitely contact the kennels. I'd probably go in person and visit. It sounds like there was no duty of care at all. Ideally if you didn't get an answer to your question on how your dog was on the fb page you could have phoned them then you could have instructed them to take to vet or get an emergency contact to collect him for you.

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Phillipa12 · 11/08/2019 20:41

I would call the kennels and tell them what has happened esp as your dh had to immediately get vet attention for her My sils dog was put down after they found an enlarged liver that was causing heart failure, she was elderly and had shown no signs of ill health and was actually in the vets for something completely unrelated, so this probably wasnt caused by the kennels but they still had a duty of care towards her and vetinary assistance should have been sorted sooner.

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HeadintheiClouds · 11/08/2019 20:43

Definitely tell them. Flowers

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