Anxious about my dog all the time

[Errent]

It’s completely irrational, but I am so anxious about my dog’s health all the time. I get racing heart, loose sleep, cold and teary over the slightest things.

Like diarrhoea. He gets bouts, he seems to be allergic to loads of things. Vet is never that bothered. I convince myself he’s going to die regularly.

He’s 1 and we had him from 2 months. Our old dog died at almost 14 years old. There was a six month gap between him passing and puppy arriving.

I’ve made a terrible mistake. I love new dog and will do anything to care for him, but I’m not sure I can carry on feeling like this for another 9-13 years.

I don’t know what to do. Re-homing him simply isn’t an option. I couldn’t do that to the kids and DH wouldn’t entertain the idea. Plus I just don’t think I could.

How do I get over this? Every time he’s sick or hurt or eats something he shouldn’t, my anxiety goes through the roof.

Could it be like when you have a newborn? You’re anxious at the beginning but then when it all becomes normal you will just fall into a routine and won’t worry as much?

Thank you for replying. I hope you’re right. I never worried like this about old dog. He was indestructible! It just seems that 10 months after getting him I should have got over the ‘baby blues’ .

Are you still grieving for your old boy?

Six months is no time at all to get over the death of a pet. Be kind to yourself

I really feel for you op
I was like this with my first dog, a jrt who my partner bought for me before he died. My dog became my absolute world, my best pal, he went with me everywhere including work, and he was my baby. I did settle down as time went on, but I still had that anxiety of, what if something happened to him. I think my irrational anxiety was triggered but the grief of losing my partner and maybe yours is because you have not got over losing your old dog.
Can you try to tell the vet your worries so that they can reassure you? Unless your dog picks up a severe gastro bug, he's not very likely to die from d&v! You know this though. Sending you hugs

Thank you for your kindness and for not making me feel completely ridiculous. My vet isn’t very cuddly but maybe next time we have to go I should say something. I just can’t believe I’ve done this to myself. It was just too soon.

Do you have anxiety generally op?

I do and find I can fixate on things. Often what I'm fixating on isint actually the root of the anxiety though. Could this apply to you?

I had never had a dog before, but had looked after friends dogs. And I told myself I was anxious with them cos they weren't mine...
I've had my pup nearly a year. I was crippled with anxiety at first, waking in the night to check they were breathing/OK. I still check now. I had terrible PND and PNA after my kid was born, so much I was medicated for it. I know my dog isn't a baby, but its the only thing I can relate it to. I love her and she depends on me.
Have you spoken to your husband? Mine is the most laid back man ever and nothing phases him. So I try to take my cues from him. He looks at me sometimes like I've gone too far and I know I'm being irrational. I try not to show it to our kid, and use some CBT techniques to cope. You can find some online for free. I felt it was destroying my joy in having her. It doesn't help she's a tiny wee thing, and makes no noise, never barked, and has a permently sad face (it's the breed) but her tail wags so much. She's the most beautiful dog in the world (sorry everyone else) and I worry about losing her all the time.
So I know I'm not much help... but, you're not alone and the CBT helps with the negative thought spirals.
Also. This is a bit mad... but since I got her, my anxiety about my child and cat has gone down dramatically. It's like my brain can only cope with so much worry at a time. So get another dog...? at least, that's the tack I'm trying with my husband.