Vet Blunders

[spunkys Dad]

We lost our little guy yesterday.

The first thing I have to say is how much it hurts.

My entire purpose for being here is to tell you that I trusted the vet to be in charge, and how to avoid the suffering we have to endure today.

I also blame myself for not being more direct about the care he recieved over six years.

One would think that the vet would have realized the need for a checkup over this time period. I also blame myself.

It's so easy to think that because your yorkie acts happy all is well. It's their nature to be full of life under any circumstance, even when they are very sick.

Last thursday we noticed his eye had more fluid than normally. We scheduled an apointment for saturday. By saturday he was worse and just laying around.

The vet says his heart is enlarged, give him these water pills and start the heart medicine. "He'll be fine"

Last evening we rushed to emergency and three hours later he was gone.

The blood work said he had diabeties, pancreitis,kidney failure, and congestive heart failure. How and when did he get so sick internally?

There where very small signs that did not linger and he got better. like many of you we dissmissed this as normal. He got better right? Wrong!

He was sick and getting sicker and we didn't know it.

Like most of you we rejoiced when he was well, when in fact we know now he was actually a very sick puppy.

I'm so angry now that we missed something, some small sign. We of course would have done anything if we knew he was this sick. No amount of money would have been spaired for his health if only we knew.

He was only being treated with Atopica for skin allergies, but that required office visits before the treatment.

We knew we provided above excellant care for spunky and yet he couldn't tell us he was sick. Please don't think you know your yorkie so well that you'll know they are sick. They may seem like your kid but they can't talk.

All animals have a built in mechanisim to deal with pain. Somehow they mask these issues. Prevention on your part is the key.

That is the whole point behind my being here today.

I have read the many questions about small signs of sickness.

PLEASE do not ignore any of them. I'm not saying for you to run to the vet every week. But I am saying you should require annual (semi-annual)checkups or bloodwork as soon as you can.

Had we known this, Spunky would be here now. Instead I'm crying at the loss of my buddy, and mad at myself for not pushing the vet in a direction I thought he should have known to go.

Our mistake is trusting the vet to be in charge, to be take care of things automatically.

Because they (vets) know they are not cheap, I believe most hold back on what should really be done and instead give us the cheapest way out so we'll come back. We all are guilty of choosing $$ over care.

Shame on them and shame on me for participating.


Get a checkup now, don't wait and assume because he is happy that he is well. Require a blood test that can reveal a lot of information early on. If found early most issues can be addressed and you'll still have your Yorkie.


Miss you &
Love ya Spunk!

If Spunky isn't in heaven when I get there, then I must be in the wrong place.

See you then buddy

[Elybourg]

I am so very sorry for your loss.

[keylargolady100]

So sorry for your loss.

R.I.P. little Spunky Angel.

[Lucia]

I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of Spunky I hope that in time your heart will heal. (((hugs))) to you and all those who knew and loved him xxx xx

[bchgirl]

Your sage advice comes from dire circumstances....I am so very sorry for your loss.

RIP Spunky ~

[Ladymom]

Dogs with undiagnosed/unregulated diabetes can get very sick quickly. If they can't produce enough insulin, they build up ketones which are toxic. Dogs in ketoacidosis have dangerous electrolyte imbalances and organs begin to shut down.

Repeated bouts of pancreatitis can cause the pancreas to shut down and stop producing insulin. It sounds like this is what happened to your Spunky.

Are you saying that Spunky never got a physical or bloodwork in six years? All dogs and cats should get annual check ups with bloodwork even if they don't need booster shots. It could save their lives.

My Lady is thirteen and has been a diabetic for 6.5 years. She also has other serious health issues. I am 100% sure she is still alive because I have always been very proactive about her health. As you sadly found out, not picking up on the little warning signs that something may be "off" can lead to serious problems later on.

I am so sorry for your loss of Spunky. Thank you for sharing your story with us. I hope people will listen and make sure they get regular vet care with bloodwork for their Yorkies.

[chachi]

I am sorry for your loss. My vet requires wellness bloodwork once a yr

[bettyeanne]

My heart breaks for you and your family. God bless and comfort you all.

[Sandysbabies]

I am so sorry about your baby. It is so hard losing one. We lost our male schnauzer to diabetes 2 yrs. ago. When he was diagnosed the first thing we noticed was the increased drinking. He was drinking sooooo much water. Yes, I do think the vets do alot of things to line their pockets. I know they get a kickback on prescription dog foods and thats usually the first thing they do when one is diagnosed with a serious illness. We take better care of our babies than we do ourselves and yet Mandy was eat up with cancer before we were told she had a month to live. We lost her a yr. after Max. Ours get their Welliness exam every year plus I take them in if they sneeze. Its just hard to know what to do sometimes but don't blame yourself. You are not different than the rest of us. We all want to believe our vets have their best interests in mind but sometimes I wonder. RIP little baby. God bless.

[fon]

sorry about ur loss

[kidmuzicdotcom]

I am so sorry for your loss...

[Breny]

RIP sweet Spunky - I'm so so sorry for your loss.

[msjagg]

I'm so sorry for the loss of your beloved little Spunky. Keep the wonderful memories of your time together close to you. They will help to comfort you in the weeks ahead. My Deepest Sympathies to you and your Family... R.I.P. Little Spunky

[KJLive]

RIP little Spunky. Your Daddy loves you so....
Just a little note to Daddy: Please don't be so hard on yourself. Hindsight is always 20/20. No one on this earth is perfect, but we try and do the best we can for our furbabies. You can hear the love for Spunky in your words and there is no doubt in my mind that he didn't feel it everyday.

[elise33]

so so sorey. you did everything you possibly could.. its natural to feel angry or guilty. He will be in heven and a new yorkie needs a wonderful loving home with you now.
love n hugs elisexxxxxxxxxxxxxxx