Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

What do I do if my dog dies at home?

73 replies

withiceplease · 10/03/2022 11:08

I think my dog is dying. I have a vet appt at 315 and stupidly didn't book vet appointment yesterday as I truly thought she would die and I didn't want her messed with or distressed by going in car etc
I don't know if I can deal with her dead body myself. Do I just take her to the vet if she dies?

OP posts:
AlmostMaybe · 10/03/2022 16:42

Had the vets you had taken her to done any tests at all? The vets we work with at our rescue don’t recommend raw feeding for a variety of reasons, one bring parasites.

I really hope she’s ok.

Original poster
withiceplease · 10/03/2022 17:03

No no tests before for these symptoms. She had subluxation of patellae but no limping or tenderness. She also has a stable heart murmur and they kept saying I should have it scanned every 6 months but she has no symptoms of heart failure so I can't see the point tbh.

It was this that made me lose faith. Lost a third of body weight (more now) and they didn't seem concerned about that or suggest tests for it and they knew I had raw food (some of which I had bought from them) but never mentioned tape worm risk

OP posts:
Franklin12 · 10/03/2022 17:08

We had our dog die at home having only been in our house for 1 week. I called the nearest vet and they were brilliant. They came to the house, gave her injections and she was gone. They told me if she wanted something to eat I could feed her a little something which I did. She couldnt move but when she saw the ham she did perk up.

The vets asked whether I wanted to put something in the bag when they took her away which I did. We have her collar in the front garden underneath a tree which is coming on very nicely now.

I think on reflection having her pass away here was much much easier for her than trying to get her into the back of the car (she was a rottie) and I was on my own.

ABitBesotted · 10/03/2022 17:14

Is there a legal reason you would have your pets cremated rather than bury them in the garden?

AlmostMaybe · 10/03/2022 17:16

They should have offered tests before this stage. Very poor if you had showed concern, that’s a lot of weight to lose.

I will keep everything crossed for her, poor baby. Hopefully it’s something treatable and she’ll be home with you soon. It’s so hard when they’re poorly. x

Original poster
withiceplease · 10/03/2022 17:27

Thank you AlmostMaybe
I'm hoping it is tapeworm and she'll never have raw food again
I know MN doesn't like dogs being referred to as babies but normally she's the same weight as DD2 was when born and it's just like holding her. So yes she's my baby

OP posts:
LottyD32 · 10/03/2022 17:28

🤞 it's something fixable Flowers

LottyD32 · 10/03/2022 17:38

@ABitBesotted

Is there a legal reason you would have your pets cremated rather than bury them in the garden?
No, just preference, I believe.
AwkwardPaws27 · 10/03/2022 17:38

@ABitBesotted

Is there a legal reason you would have your pets cremated rather than bury them in the garden?
Not a legal reason, but we get a lot of foxes. When I worked at a vets, I arranged cremations fir several pets who had been buried in the garden and very sadly dug up. It was heartbreaking for the owners and really steered me towards cremation (I had an individual cremation for my cat, and will scatter his ashes in the garden).
AlmostMaybe · 10/03/2022 17:41

I know MN doesn't like dogs being referred to as babies but normally she's the same weight as DD2 was when born and it's just like holding her. So yes she's my baby

You’re on the dog house board so amongst dogs lovers, you should be safe to call her baby. ☺️ We refer to our 2 dogs as ‘the babies’. The kids joke and call them their sisters. They’re part of the family, that’s why it’s so hard when they are poorly.

SmolCat · 10/03/2022 17:42

Glad she’s with the vets. Do you think maybe you missed some of her worming treatments perhaps? Because otherwise she’ll be covered for tapeworm in her regular treatment. Hope they’re able to help her.

Changethetoner · 10/03/2022 17:52

Oftentimes a vet won't suggest tests for an old dog, as the test itself can be painful for the dog. If they truly are dying, there is no need to subject them to invasive tests, when the palliative route is preferred. So in your case OP, this sounds good. hopefully the tests will find something that something can be done about.
I'd like to think that if PTS was the only realistic option,, the vet would already have suggested this.

Juniper68 · 10/03/2022 17:54

I really feel for you. My dog is 15 and thought he was going to die last year. He's still plodding on. Incontinent at times but still manages little walks and goes to the back door for wees.

I hope there's something that can be done for your baby.

I was hoping when the time comes mine will just go to sleep but sounds like that's rare.

ClariceQuiff · 10/03/2022 17:58

It happened to us - on a Sunday, so no vet open. We put him in a covered box in a cool place and phoned the vet first thing on Monday - we were able to take him straight there to be taken for cremation, but it happened during lockdown so handing him to the vet took place outside and was all very rushed, sadly.

BurgerKingAddict · 10/03/2022 18:03

Dogs are part of our families.
When my dog passed away (at home in her sleep) we buried her in the garden with her bowls and toys and had a ceremony for her. We just did what we felt was best.
Sending hugs @withiceplease Flowers

SallyAnn32 · 10/03/2022 18:08

I hope your baby is ok. I love my dog as much as I love my children. I think only dog owners understand the bond you have 🐶

MaddieElla · 10/03/2022 18:11

We took ours to her favourite place and buried her with all her favourite toys, her bed, and my husband's top (she would always lie on his tops).

We planted wild flowers and a Christmas tree and 6 years later the tree is huge and it brings us comfort.

I hope you manage to get some answers and I really hope it's "just" tapeworm and treatment helps her back to normal.

CharlotteRose90 · 10/03/2022 18:29

We lost our girl at home 2 years ago to a heart attack. It happened at night so we kept her in her bed till the morning and then wrapped her in her favourite blanket and took her to the vets. The vets we used were fantastic and even cuddled her body which broke my heart. I couldn’t have had her PTS at the vets it would have broke me .

Londoncallingtothefarawaytowns · 10/03/2022 19:03

@ABitBesotted it's because if an animal is PTS it's essentially full of poison which can seep or be dug up by other animals.

Londoncallingtothefarawaytowns · 10/03/2022 19:06

And pls, do wash her bedding etc home thourougly if she makes it home.
Tapeworm, salmonella : all risks of a raw diet.
And also, with care to OP and to all : this is why you should bring them into the vets if you suspect they are on the way out: they can be made comfortable, it may last for days or be unnecessary, ans also for your own stress levels.
Pets do not simply close their eyes and pass, as they shows in films: it can be very traumatic for everyone Flowers

Original poster
withiceplease · 10/03/2022 20:09

The vets did blood tests. I had said that I thought the joint problems were a red herring and so they were. It was the weight loss that worried me along with all the other systemic symptoms.

She had terminal renal failure.

The vet was very kind and she went peacefully PTS. The vet said that she was not to influence our decision beforehand but afterwards she said she would have done the same if it were her dog.

When they brought her out, she was just placid and not over the moon at seeing me as she normally is. It was the right thing to do.

She was my best baby and brought us so much joy. She made others laugh and smile - even grumpy looking men would come and fuss her. She always stopped at bus stops for fuss if there was a queue. She was a true blessing.

It's so painful and she leaves such a big space for such a tiny dog

Thank you all xx

OP posts:
ABitBesotted · 10/03/2022 20:12

I'm so sorry, OP. You have done the right thing by your wonderful baby, but that doesn't lessen the heart break.

She's free from pain now and you gave her so much love. xxxx

GiltEdges · 10/03/2022 20:14

So sorry OP Flowers

Juniper68 · 10/03/2022 20:18

So sorry for your loss. Your baby was lucky to have you. All that love ❤

GodspeedJune · 10/03/2022 20:35

I’m so very sorry. She sounds like she was a wonderful companion.

I hope this comes across sensitively, if you have a pet in the future who you feel is close to passing away, it’s best to take them to the vet urgently. Dying at home can often be painful for them, and traumatic for you to witness. I’m glad the vet helped her slip away peacefully.