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The doghouse

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

Original poster

My dog has just died at a boarding kennel

284 replies

Orc · 29/11/2025 11:27

Looking for advice. We are on holiday and my dog has just died at a boarding kennel.

We have been using this kennel for years. They phoned me at 9.45 to say he had shallow breathing. And that they would normally take him to the vet straight away but they were short staffed and could not.

So they phoned my emergency contact, my sister, who lives 40 minutes away. By the time she had got there he had died. They said “ideally we like emergency contacts to live closer”, whilst also admitting that they had failed him.

I am so shocked and angry. We trusted them. I also feel like I have let him down as I was not there when he needed me.

I’m not sure how to process this but I feel like they could have done more to help him. What should I do?

DSis is taking him to the vet so we can find out how he died.

edited to add: he died about an hour after they first called. My sister did tell them it would take her 40 to 45 mins to get to them. The kennels are a 15 min drive from the vet.

OP posts:
Milosc · 22/12/2025 00:32

I'm so.sorry OP. This same thing happened to our kitty last Sunday. He was playing the day before and then the next day had trouble breathing and we rushed him to the vet. He died within the hour. He had the same blood in his abdomen. It was also Hemangiosarcoma. They said it is rare but almost always undetectable and there is no treatment. It is heartbreaking and I still blame myself for not knowing. I really feel for you. It is a horrendous time right now to lose a pet who.is a beloved member of our families ♥️

firstofallimadelight · 22/12/2025 07:54

Sorry for your loss. Flowers
Based on what you said it sounds like the kennels managed it poorly (in the way they spoke to you and your sister) and their priority should have been getting him to a vet. It’s worrying that they didn’t have enough staff to safely take a dog to the vets. (Also they could have rang an emergency vet who do house calls) But in this instance it also sounds like it wouldn’t have made a difference.

Shirleysurely · 22/12/2025 08:11

firstofallimadelight · 22/12/2025 07:54

Sorry for your loss. Flowers
Based on what you said it sounds like the kennels managed it poorly (in the way they spoke to you and your sister) and their priority should have been getting him to a vet. It’s worrying that they didn’t have enough staff to safely take a dog to the vets. (Also they could have rang an emergency vet who do house calls) But in this instance it also sounds like it wouldn’t have made a difference.

Just to hopefully inform/educate but house calls are rarely suitable in an emergency situation. Few practices/vets can be available to leave other patients at short notice for one thing. More importantly in an emergency it is generally necessary to have the equipment and facilities at the practice to help the pet (eg X-ray, theatre etc). Trying to arrange house visits delays all of this and is really only suitable if the plan is euthanasia or if eg an animal is trapped or impaled and cannot be moved.

Clearinguptheclutter · 22/12/2025 09:22

Sorry to hear op. Hopefully it is of some comfort that it was not the fault of the kennels but of course if would be preferable for this to have happened at home rather than surrounded by strangers

they still handled it all badly. I wouldn’t use again.

MotherofPufflings · 22/12/2025 09:56

Thanks for updating us @Orc

It does sound as though it happened very quickly and that he wouldn't have known much about it. I really hope that over time the trauma of losing him fades and you can remember the happy times you had together ♥️

amusedbush · 22/12/2025 11:09

Orc · 21/12/2025 23:20

I thought I’d pop back and update this thread since so many people were so kind in their replies.

Last week we got the news that Riley died from a “catastrophic internal bleed” in his abdomen, where they found 2.5 litres of blood. They believe this came from a blood vessel tumour that burst. They said there was evidence that the tumour had had small bleeds in the past that went unnoticed and called it a “silent” and “unusual” tumour.

Hemangiosarcoma (v.aggressive cancer) was a possibility that couldn’t be ruled out but the pathologist felt that a birth defect or benign tumour was more likely (although I can’t help thinking that this sort of outcome isn’t really very “benign”).

The vet said it is not the sort of thing that would have been picked up at regular health checks (Riley had one in October and all was fine, or so we thought).

I am glad we know, but I really hope he didn’t suffer.

I'm so sorry, OP. I posted upthread that my dog died while I was on holiday earlier this year - in his case it was most likely hemangiosarcoma. He was with a family member when it happened and they said he went from absolutely fine to a sudden incident in the middle of the night, after which he passed away very, very quickly.

According to them, my Archie didn't know much about it. It came on in an instant and he basically just slipped away. It was likely the same for Riley, so I don't think he suffered ❤️

Pearl69 · 22/12/2025 20:00

Thank you for updating us OP. It must be still so raw for you and your family - he was your boy and you loved him. Run free Riley 🌈.

Empress13 · 23/12/2025 06:25

I’m so sorry how sad 💔

MrsMitford3 · 23/12/2025 08:21

Thank you for coming back @Orc

It doesn't sound like he could have been saved but IMO the kennel def needs better systems in place and I hope they learn. if it had been something that intervention could have saved him then they need to respond accordingly.

Hope you and you family have lovely christmas.

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