This whole story is so heartbreaking.
I do want to say thought that the vets probably did what was right.
You mentioned that she seemed uncomfortable - so, the vet probably gave her the pain medication to make her more comfortable ---even though he couldn't find out what might be causing any pain. Anal glands can be very painful, and if he found hers to be enlarged, he hoped that taking care of this would make her more comfortable also.
Dogs sometimes don't tolerate some medications well. I can't tolerate antibiotics or pain pills myself - they make me nauseated and I get sick to my stomach. But, sometimes I still have to take them.
I really don't know what else you could have done. You were very very concerned. You took her to different vets. You were on line frantically trying to help and some answers.
I think that what caused her to pass away was something that couldn't be treated. It would have happened with or without the care you gave her. And, the care you did give her and the love you gave her did make her more comfortable.
You shouldn't feel guilty. And, in time you won't. You are just so heartbroken and miss her so much right now that you want to blame someone, even if it's yourself. But no one is to blame. Heart failure and blood clots are serious problems. (I work in Cardiology - I am very familiar with both of these conditions.)
Blood clots ----- I know two dogs that died from blood clots. Both were seemingly perfectly well one minute (one had had surgery the day before), and gone the next minute.
Heart failure ---- is a terminal disease. It is not curable. Patient's can be treated and kept going for some time, but they do eventually die from it.
I think you did more for your little puppy than many people would have done.
I don't know what more you could have done.
You deserve love and hugs and a lot of respect.
Carol Jean |