Saying goodbye to a friend unexpectedly... had to put my dog to sleep at 4am

Great Dane

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#1
I haven't been on here much over the past 3 years so I'm not sure how much this post matters. I just need to get it out. A lot has changed, a lot has stayed the same but for the second time in... way too soon, I had to say goodbye to a best friend again last night.

The worst night of my life. I'm heartbroken and in shock.

Last night at 2 am my 2 and a half year old male Great Dane started to bloat. In case you're unfamiliar, what happens is the stomach fills with gas and fluid and then distends. It rotates, called torsion, twisting the stomach and pinching off the esophagus and upper intestine and trapping air, food, water etc. ... once that happens, their stomach lining starts to become necrotic and they don't have long to live. It's a horrible disease that can strike at any time with no warning at all.

I fed him late, usually 8 pm is his last meal, but last night... for whatever reason I fed him around 12-ish. About an hour later he started throwing white foamy mucus, his food and bile four or five times about every 5-10 minutes. Bloat is a reality with this breed so owners are always aware but he had done this before and I passed it off to an upset stomach or something he had eaten. It quickly escalated after that to unproductive vomiting, retching, restlessness and shallow breathing... my heart sank and I rushed him to the e-vet and the x-ray confirmed my worst fear.

Had an option of spending $6000 on surgery to save him but they give him a generous 25% chance of survival. I couldn't put him through it with such low odds... wouldn't have been fair. No matter how many times you go through it, saying goodbye is never easy. Comforting a family member as they take their last breath is something I wouldn't wish on anybody.

In hindsight, I’m guilty wasting an hr that could have saved him. When he started throwing up, retching… he had done it before so I watched him. I should have known. I waited until he showed signs of restlessness and shallow breathing… I don’t know if I did the right thing opting to let him go instead of going through with the the surgery. With such low odds… you know, I didn’t want him to suffer any more than he had to. Keep trying to convince myself it was the right choice.

My friend just lost two Danes in the last six months and we were talking health issues about the breed via Twitter and phone last night... if that's not cruel irony... :'(

I had Boots in the room with him during his final moments and after he passed, they put his body on a gurney to wheel him out. She blocked the door, growling and mournfully wailing, refusing to let them take her best friend away.

Life is not fair.

Run strong and free, my sweet boy...

 
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#3
So sorry for your loss.

Bloat is such an unfortunate reality with Danes. Hindsight is always 20/20 so don't beat yourself up with the should've and could've s. $6000 surgery with 25% chance if survival? No, I would've done the exact same thing.

(((Hugs)))
 
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#4
My heart is breaking for you... I'm SO sorry!

Don't blame yourself or second guess your choices. It's hard enough to be in your position without the added guilt and stress.

Such a beautiful boy.
 

Saintgirl

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#7
I am so, so sorry. Bloat is a terrible thing and you can't beat yourself up about it. You can do all the right things and still have it happen. What a beautiful boy he was.
 
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#8
I'm so sorry. Don't beat yourself up over it, second guessing yourself. I would not put a dog through any major surgery with only 25% odds. I don't think it is fair to them
 
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#10
Oh no, I'm so, so sorry. :( that must be heartbreaking for you. I can't imagine all the pain you're going through. (((good vibes)))

Seriously, don't beat yourself up over the head about it. I probably would have done the same thing.

What a beautiful boy...run free at the bridge xxx.
 

yoko

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#13
I'm so sorry.

Bloat is such a horrible thing and there is such a small window to catch it and even then it's never 100%. The treatment/surgery are really expensive an even with a savings can easily cost way more than you have saved up.

You made the best decision you could for your friend.
 

Great Dane

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#14
Thank you so much guys. It's been a long day, I can't even begin to thank all of you enough for the kind words. It means a lot. Knowing I gave him the best life I could for his two and half years brings a small measure of comfort. I picked up his remains a while ago and the clinic was nice enough to not charge for the cremation and ink his paw prints for me which was a very nice gesture.

And thank you so much for the reassurance about not second guessing myself. It’s so tough not to do but I know he was in pain & agony and as painful as it was, the right choice was made.
 
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#15
I'm so sorry for your loss. Danes truly are a heartbreak breed. If you choose to love them, always in the back of your mind is that reality that every day could be the last day. I just had to put my dane to sleep July 1st, and after 20 years of owning danes, I'm done. I just can't do it anymore.

Hoping time brings peace for you. Hugs from another dane lover. Bloat really, REALLY sucks. Hannah survived a really scary bloat/torsion event, but was never the same.

Hugs.
 

Barb04

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#16
My heart goes out to you. I'm so sorry. Try to remember all the love and good times you shared. Hugs.
 

smkie

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#17
I am so terribly sorry your friend had to go this way and so soon in life. My heart goes out to you, I know there are no words I could say to make it hurt less. (((((HUGS))))) . Run free and strong and stomp the heavens with your paws Boots. WAke those angels up to play.
 

Great Dane

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#18
Thank you everyone :)


Shadowfacedanes, I’m so very sorry to hear about Hannah. My condolences. Like you, I’m also struggling with that question myself. I know time is needed for emotions to settle but I’m not sure if I can or am willing to put myself through this again either. It's too tough.
 

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