[vandog]

I’ve been a tad MIA lately but thought I should make a post. It’s been almost a month since I had to say goodbye to my spoo. She started shaking her head and whining excessively and vet figured it was an ear infection because her ears looked inflamed and her history of ear infections. we got drops and antibiotics and the next day she was still shaking her head/whimpering and not eating/drinking so brought her back to the vet for blood tests and got a referral for a specialist appointment. A few hours later she started having trouble balancing, biting the air, couldn’t calm down and her breathing got laboured so rushed her back.

She had a grand mal seizure in the car when we were driving back to the vet. We had to drive over an hour to the emergency/specialty vet after they tried to stabilize her. The vet gave us a couple injections of an anticonvulsant + hooked her up to a new IV bag for the drive. She seized two more times on the highway and one more time shortly after arriving at the emergency vet.

Despite running multiple tests (xrays, MRI, spinal tap, blood/ urine tests and even for parasites) everything came back negative. they believe she had MUA because there was next to no chance she ate anything toxic. She was there for 9 days in critical condition. They were great at keeping us updated due to the covid restrictions with texts, calls and video chats. Thankfully, they made an exception and allowed one person in on the 6th day to see her with strict guidelines (mask, face shield, gown, booties) and got to spend 15 minutes whispering to her and petting her. She recognized my voice but could not see me and could barely lift her head. Despite their best efforts, she coded and could not be resuscitated.

 

[Rose n Poos]

Oh, vandog, I'm so sorry to hear your heartbreaking news. It feels like they take our hearts with them. You tried so hard for her and I know she tried for you. She knows how much you love her.

 

[Asta's Mom]

So so very hard. Know you gave her the best of care and love. Hoping your heart will heal and you can look back and love that she was such a big part of your life.

 

[PeggyTheParti]

My heart aches for you and your spoo. What a terrible loss. I'm so sorry.

 

[fjm]

I am so sorry. I knew a dog that had GME - these are heart breaking, devastating diseases that come on suddenly and for no apparent reason, and are so often fatal. I hope there is comfort in knowing you did everything possible for her, and that the vet staff obviously cared deeply for both their animal and human patients.

 

[Liz]

Oh Vandog, I am so sorry to hear about Lola. What a terrible disease. Many hugs to you in this difficult time.

 

[ThePoodlesMoody]

You must be devastated. I am so sorry to hear you and your good girl had to go though that. Losing a pet is unbelievably heartbreaking. Be easy on yourself and be proud that you provided her with the best possible care she could get.

 

[cowpony]

Heartbreaking. I hate the helpless feeling of knowing something is wrong and having no ability to make things better.

 

[For Want of Poodle]

I'm so sorry, vandog. How awful for both of you.

 

[Elizabeth]

I am so sorry you lost your much-loved poodle in this way. You certainly did all you could for her.

 

[Mfmst]

Heartfelt condolences on your sudden, shocking loss. I am so sorry.

 

[Mufar42]

I'm so so very sorry for your loss. Our boxer had a similar occurrence before we lost him . He had been fine. Now that I think back he did shake his head some weeks before on and off but it wasn't excessive. He lost his balance and started walking like the expression goes on "egg shells". He started to tilt, especially his head though it was subtle. We lost him to a grand mal seizure that he really didn't come totally out of, even at the ER vet and his temperature went well above 107, Turned out he has a brain stem tumor . A horrible way to lose a loved member of family. I feel your pain and again am so sorry.

 

[vandog]

Thank you everyone. It was so sudden and unexpected considering she had just gotten her exam at the vet a few months before and was healthy. I know we did everything possible but it sucks not knowing. A few days prior, the emergency vet had called and said that she was still not out of the woods and to prepare ourselves that she may not come home. We were waiting on a test that was ordered (it came back negative) before deciding anything but had a bad feeling. The neurologist was realistic with us and said that she had no signs of vision (no pupil reaction) and was showing signs of paralysis and there was a significant amount of brain damage. The emergency clinic was great (and they should be for the amount it cost) but you could tell they really care for each animal/family that enters their facility. We got a personalized card from the vets/specialists/nurses that cared for her with a gift card in the mail a week after and they were great at communicating especially due to the covid restrictions.

I contacted her breeder just to let know because I felt they should know what happened. The specialists were not able to determine a cause there was a risk it was something genetic.
Disclaimer because this caused a significant amount of controversy on my Facebook post after someone asked if if contacted the breeder: I did not contact them for money back/compensation but I thought it was better if they know so they can keep an eye her parents and previous/future litters because of the risk it was genetic.

 

[hrsldy]

So sorry to hear of your loss. Very sad. I think you did right letting the Breeder know.

 

[kontiki]

Oh no, I am so sorry. I agree, it is so very important to let the breeder know. Some breeders will even replace a dog.
Sending love and hugs.

 

[wgirard10]

Vandog I am really sorry to hear this. I will have your dog in my prayers for their soul.