19 September

The Dark Side Of Dog Love: How Much Suffering?

by Jon Katz

Scott Carrino’s dog Louis is suffering. He’s had a urinary infection that so far defies antibiotics, and has spent the last couple of days vomiting and passing all kinds of fluids from both ends.

He hasn’t eaten in two days and today drank some water, only to throw it up. I went over to see Louis – Scott loves that dog to death and is deeply worried about him.

Lou wagged his tail when he saw me but wouldn’t take a treat. He seemed alert but extremely lethargic, especially for a three-month-old Sheepadoodle. He barely moved the whole time I was there.

His regular vet is unavailable this weekend, so we talked about going to the emergency veterinary clinic about an hour away. We talked about waiting until morning to see if there was any improvement, but Scott called me this evening to say Lou was vomiting the water up again.

The stuff coming out of him was new to me. And I’ve seen a lot of stuff.

He asked for my opinion. I thought Louis was very sick when I saw him, but we have no idea what the problem is. Three days is too long in my book for a young dog to go without food or water.

Knowing what the problem is one thing, being in the dark as to the cause is another. Scott wanted to take Louis to the emergency vet tonight, I could hear it in his voice.

I felt it was time to get to the emergency vet, but Scott is closer to Louis than I am, it needed to be his decision.

It’s a tricky thing for a dog owner to have to decide when the suffering has gone as far as it should go. And veterinary vets are notoriously expensive.

Scott didn’t care about the money. He loves that dogs to pieces. We’ve all been there. Say a few good words for Louis, if you are so inclined.

“You need to do it,” Scott,” I said, otherwise you will have a horrible night. And something is wrong. We need to find out what it is.” He’s on the way.

It was painful to see how much pain Scott was in, and how sick his puppy seemed. I’ll be thinking of him and Louis tonight. Scott’s ratty but loveable dog Deo died four or five years ago and Scott was been aching for a dog ever since.

I’ll be rooting for Louis tonight and waiting for Scott to call. I know he will be okay. It is hard to see a little dog like that so miserable.

 

11 Comments

  1. oh my, I am so saddened to hear Lou is so very ill……which is rather unusual I believe, for such a young pup. My heart goes out to Scott…….and my sincerest and heartfelt wishes for Lou to be able to be well soon. I can only imagine the anxiety Scott is enduring……. my best wishes to them both
    susan M

    1. This is up on that list of horrible things, We who have been there know that sinking, hopeless feeling when our pet falls ill and we don’t know why. I hope against hope that all will be fine once he gets medical attention. My heartfelt thoughts are sent your way for a good outcome.

  2. Hope the dog is okay. It is terrible to go through this with your beloved pet. A friend just lost her dog to a rabid raccoon that got into her fenced backyard in a small town. Lived there 30 years with no problems. Had a doggy door in their sliding patio door. Doggy door has been removed and mourning has begun. Hope your friend’s dog gets well.

  3. I am so glad Scott took Louis to the emergency vet clinic: I have every confidence the vets will do all possible for Louis. This is a harrowing thing – to have a beloved 3 month old puppy seriously ill. All best wishes and concerns tonight for Scott and Louis.

  4. Emergency Vets are expensive, but the many times I have needed them they have always come thru for me.
    Recently evacuated from my home due to wildfires closing in, one of my older dogs simply was not coping, days of not eating landed us at the emergency vet, they were calm, professional, some fluids and anti nausea medication later, the old guy has perked up, at least enough for me to worry about all the other stuff I need to worry about right now.
    I hope Scott is able to find the help he needs for his pup.

  5. Agree that this is the right thing to do. The ER vet can administer subcutaneous fluids and anti-vomit medication while they do bloodwork and obtain ā€œotherā€ diagnostic samples. Iā€™m an animal person, too, and itā€™s a nightmare when our pals are sick. Sending love and prayers to you all this Saturday evening. Peace.

  6. Take care Scott and Lou… it is so hard to see your dog in s much pain and sorrow… and you canā€™t do anything but go to a doctor…. i hope they can find out whatā€™s wrong with Lou….

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