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Need help understanding

Bethoven

Let me start by saying that I am deeply saddened today, as our 10yr old sheltie passed this morning, we put him down. I am just trying to wrap my mind around why and find some comfort in the decision we made. About 2yrs ago he was diagnosed w/hypothyroid and an autoimmune disorder. He was immediately and on-going placed on thyroid medication and steroid therapy. in the past few weeks he began to become aggressive, had trouble finding a comfortable sleeping place, excessive panting, disoriented, aggression (even towards me), and while at the vet this week he began seizing. His blood work week before last showed high white blood cells and this week after being placed on antiobiotics show higher white blood cells. He had been having skin twitches and extremely dry skin. Just looking for some confirmation that it was the right thing to do.

Symptoms: Breathing, Drooling, Itching & Scratching

•   Andrea Selner says:

  September 06th, 2009 at 04:32 PM

  I am very sorry for your loss it is always difficult to lose a loved member of your family.  It is very difficult for us on the internet to give you the answers since we didn't evaluate (examine) your pet.  We would be guessing as to what might have been going on.  There are all kinds of diseases that can cause those types of symptoms.  You as your pet's owner, you know your pet and you can evuluate there state better than us professionals.  You know there state of mind and comfort levels far better than us.  It is possible that the disorientation, aggressive behavior, twitching were signs of a neurolgical event, the cause of the event could be infectious, viral or bacterial.  It could also have been cancer of the brain.  Without further tests to evaluate the brain it would be difficult for us to determine the cause.  However since you had a high white blood cell count you obviously had infection somewhere, but even with cancer patients they can get secondary infections.  I really think you made the best decision for your pet.  Sometimes as Veterinary professionals we want to run test after test and still not have the definitive diagnosis.I am so sorry for your loss.  Sincerely, Andrea 

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• Tammy says:

  September 06th, 2009 at 09:22 PM

  Thank you for taking the time to respond. I know that I'm looking for answers that I will never get - even if I do get close it will not bring him home, and am sure it is part of the grieving process. He has been such a significant part of our family. I'm not only dealing with my own pain, I am watching my family deal with theirs. Including my two children that were extremely close with him. Again, thank you for your time.

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•   Andrea Selner says:

  September 28th, 2009 at 10:52 AM

  0

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• User suggests:

  September 29th, 2009 at 06:50 AM

  The loss of a pet is a difficult and stressful moment all I can give you is a short poem by Rudyard Kipling that I find soothing in its semplicity. FOUR FEET I have done mostly what men do, And pushed it out of my mind; But I can't forget, if I wanted to, Four-Feet trotting behind. Day after day, the whole day through Wherever my road inclined Four-Feet said, 'I am coming with you!' And trotted along behind. Now I must go by some other round Which I shall never find Some where that does not carry the sound Of Four-Feet trotting behind.

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• Lizzy suggests:

  November 20th, 2009 at 11:31 PM

  It is soo hard to lose a pet!!! They quickly become a member of your family and a part of your life!!! In the end though it is what is best for your pet not you that must win out. It is such a hard decision but when trying to make it ALWAYS listen to your vet. They understand these situations and it is never fair for the animal to put them thru more pain and suffering!! So i commend you for doing the best thing for your dog!!!!!

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