Yesterday, Roxy was lethargic and slept in a bit. Not to unusual for her. She does this every once in a while. So, I proceded downstairs without her, leaving her to catch some beauty sleep in the bed we share.
Normally she barks when she wants to come down - the bed is very high. At about one PM, I checked on her, and she still seemed sleepy. I took her out for a walk, but since it was raining, she wanted to come in, which is not unusual.
In the evening, at around ten, we noticed that her breathing was rapid, as though she was in pain. She went from lethargic to limp, and she slept on top of my chest, which s
We do not have an Emergency Veterinary clinic in the area. I stayed up with her most of the night, petting her, singing to her.
I fell asleep at about 7 AM and awakened my husband. She was in the same condition. She also had not passed urine for over 12 hrs. We called our vet, and he told us to come right over.
My DH drove, I held Roxy in here favorite blanket as we drove to the vet's office, only 10 minutes from our home. When we got there I noticed that her mouth was open and her tongue a very pale pink, a sign of shock.
I carried her into the office and put her on the table. Her eyes stared blankly and her mouth hung open. The doctor checked her heart. She passed urine on the table and he announced that she was "gone".
I was horrified and let out a wail, like a mother who lost her child. In fact, that was how I felt.
She was only 6. She had seen the vet last summer for flea medication and a check up.
She was a healthy, happy, active little girl until this happened,
I just went through the loss of an older dog, Bella, who passed the night before she was going to be put to sleep. Bella lived a long life - we think she was about 15, which is good, especially for a larger dog.
While I was sad, sad enough to post about it here, I also knew it was coming. I felt relief that she passed on her own. And gratitude for the long time she had with us.
With Roxy. I feel none of that. All I feel is sadness.
We acquired Roxy when my children were in high school. I knew when they went away to college, that I'd experience some degree of empty nest syndrome. Our other dogs were family dogs. Roxy, as with many Dachshunds, was a one person dog. She was "Mommy's Little Girl".
My plan went well - I did experience empty nest syndrome, but with Roxy by my side, it was more bearable. She was a little comedian and she brought us so much joy and happiness! Our house, devoid of teenagers, and populated with aging dogs, and a quiet cat, was happier and noisier. She got into her fair share of mischief, loved doing Zoomies, fetching, and carried around her dog toy, a stuffed Dachshund in her mouth, dutifully grooming her, like a good momma.
I am devastated and deeply saddened. So is DH. I am crying constantly and mystified by how this could have happened to a relatively young, and healthy dog.
The vet's best guess was pyometria - and inflammation of the uterus. She had just gone through estrus, and another dog we had twenty years ago, had a pyometria, but was saved by emergency surgery.
Where were lived before, we had an all night emergency clinic.
I just cannot stop thinking that her life could have been saved if we had a clinic here that was open all nights.
Does this sound like pyometria to you?
I have another question that may sound strange, but I'll ask it anyway.
Since Roxy joined our family, my health has not been as good as it once was. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and I have had a persistent cough, sinus problems and my asthma has worsened.
Since I have been in poor health, and my children have left for college, I've become depressed.
Could my illnesses and depression have, over time, made Roxy ill? I have read that devoted animals sometimes absorb our pain. She was a very perceptive and empathetic little girl.
I am wondering if in some way, I might have contributed to this. Could I have caused her untimely death?
I cannot even think about life without Roxy. We already miss the rapid clicking of her nails on the hardwood floor, and as I type this, I miss the feeling of her snuggling close to me.
I know that the worst is ahead of me. I am still numb and shocked.
I want to ask those of you who have suddenly lost a beloved pet, how you dealt with this? Did anyone go to a pet bereavement group? If so, was it helpful?
Please give me any advice that you can.
This is truly one of the worst days in my life.
In advance, thank you for reading this,
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