Why ?

[Gdepas]

Hi my dog was diagnose with Cushing a month ago she is a mix about 90 lbs and would of been 12 yes in July .. She was taking vetoryl 60 mg she was only on 9 days of the meds I had notice that she was not doing good , I had made an appt for her on Friday at 2 pm the night before I notice she was having a lot of problems she breathing really heavy and also couldn't even walk her back legs just wouldn't lift her . I tried to take her the emergency clinc but couldn't lift her myself , I stayed up and laid with her that morning on Friday April 26 th I got a neighbor to help lift her on a blanket to carry her to my car to bring her to the vet , she seem ok but when we got down to my car we laid her down with her blanket on the ground to back my car up , but right away notice her going in and out so I tried to see what was going on and was trying talk to her and shake her gently to wake her then she died .i tried to bring her back but couldn't .. I am so heart broken and confused hoping that I didn't cause from carrying her to the car and or from the pills . I drove her to the vet the dr came out said she was gone and couldn't understand what happen at that time the dr notice she had some blood coming out if her nose .. I said why and she said maybe he could of got a hold of some rat poison I said no , she then said then she could of maybe have had cancer .. I really hurt over this and had her since she was a pup. Can you help ? Thank you George

[doxiesrock912]

George,
I know how hard it is to lose a pet. They're part of the family. I have lost many and each one has a special place in my heart and memories that I will have forever.

Cushings is a slowly progressing disease and it does not sound like your sweetie girl died from it. Many dogs live out the rest of their lives on medication. My own dog, Daisy is 9 yr old miniature Dachshund (11 lbs = 5.3 kg) and she takes 10 mg twice a day for Cushings. Pound for pound, she's taking more than your dog was and she's doing well. The recommended dose of Vetoryl is to start with 1 mg for each 1 kg that the dog weighs, so 60 mg for a 90 lbs dog is well within the proper range.

When a dog is given too much Vetoryl, it can become the opposite of Cushings which is Addison's disease. This is a medical emergency, but from what I have read - it does not cause bleeding from the nose.

We have another section of this forum that has many links to informative websites. Please feel free to learn more. http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=10

If it makes your more comfortable, you may post the test results for Cushings here for others to interpret of course.

I have a friend who's dog died in the same way to yours and she did not have Cushings. It definitely sounds like something else was going on and at 12 years old, it could have been cancer or she possibly got into something poisonous. Since dogs can't tell us what hurts, the only way to know for sure is if the vet would perform an autopsy. That is a very personal decision and I myself, wouldn't bother.

Let your sweet girl rest in peace and cherish the wonderful memories that you had together.
Please feel free to talk with us, share stories, and pictures :) We're here to listen.

God Bless you and I hope that I have helped in some way.

[labblab]

Dear George,

I am so very sorry over the loss of your dear girl. What a terrible shock for you! But I do not think that anything you did played a part in this. Even though she had just started taking the Vetoryl, it does not sound as though her death was related since internal bleeding is not one of the expected ill effects. Plus, she was taking a very reasonable dose of the drug, given her weight.

I would guess that your vet is more nearly on the mark by guessing that some type of cancer was the cause. I have had two friends now who have lost their dogs very suddenly due to ruptured spleens resulting from tumors. Within just twelve hours, their dogs were gone after having had no symptoms beforehand. The bleeding from the nose and your dog's collapse seems to suggest that there was much more severe internal bleeding as well.

I also don't think you injured her by placing her in the car. Besides, you really had no choice about that. You had to get her in to the vet to be seen.

There is no question but that this is such a tragedy for you, though. And to happen so suddenly -- that has to make things doubly painful. In a small measure of comfort, it would be our privilege to add her name to a very special memorial list of honor alongside all our other dear ones who have passed on. I will send you a message a bit later on to talk with you about this. For now, I am very glad you have found us although I am sorry it is under such sad circumstances.

Sending healing thoughts across the miles,
Marianne

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi George,

You have asked a poignant question that many of us ask on a daily basis - why? Unfortunately, we seldom get an answer and are left to simply accept - a difficult place to be. :(

The only way to know what happened to your sweet girl for sure would be to have the vet perform a necropsy - an animal autopsy. The first thing I thought of, with the nose bleed, was high blood pressure resulting in a stroke or seizure. Another possibility is an internal rupture, maybe from a tumor. If you would like, you can post the test results for any tests your sweet girl had and we can go over them with you. Not that we will find an answer but it might help settle your mind on a few things.

Most of all, we would like to help you through this Valley you now find yourself in with the loss of your sweet girl. I understand to a great extent your pain - 12 years is a long time to have her by your side and then to lose her so suddenly didn't give you any chance to prepare. I know how lost you feel today and am just so sorry. We are never ready no matter what but when it happens unexpectedly with no obvious cause, we are left with many questions, doubts, undeserved guilt....a million "what ifs" which have no answers that seem to intensify the grief we bear.

Tho we just met, I want you to feel part of our family and would love to add your baby girl's name to our In Loving Memory thread for 2013. I know we would all be honored to hear any stories, memories, you would like to share about the life you lived with her. Often this sharing can help us through those early darkest days. We are here to help in any way we can, George, even if it is just to listen.

Our deepest sympathies,
Leslie, Squirt, Trinket, Brick, Sophie, and our Angels, Tasha, Crystal, and Ruby


A Simple Message From Your Pet
by Ken D. Conover

To have loved and then said farewell is better than to have never loved at all.
For all of the times that you stooped and touched my head, fed me my favorite treat and
returned the love that I so unconditionally gave to you. For the care that you gave to me
so unselfishly. For all of these things I am grateful and thankful. I ask that you grieve
not for the loss but rejoice in the fact that we lived, loved and touched each other's lives.
My life was fuller because you were there, not as owner, but as my friend. Today, I am
as I was in my youth. The grass is always green, butterflies flit among the flowers and
the sun shines gently down upon all of God's creatures. I can run, jump and play
and do all of the things that I did in my youth. There is no sickness, no aching joints
and no regrets and no aging. We await the arrival of our lifelong companions and know
that togetherness is forever. You live in our hearts as we do in yours. Companions such
as you are very rare and unique. Don't hold the love that you have within yourself.
Give it to another like me and then I will live forever. For love never really dies,
and you are loved and missed as surely as we are.

Your pet in heaven.

[Fellasmom]

Hi George
I just wanted to say I am so sorry that you lost your baby girl.I too just lost my 12yr old boy on 4/19/13.He died very unexpectedly after surgery for unknown reasons.The shock,guilt,confusion and heartbreak can be unbearable at times.The shock lessens day by day but we are left with an incredible amount of pain and hearbreak.I'm so glad you found this site however.Often times people in our lives cannot understand our loss.This site has provided a lifeline for me during my darkest hours.The love,understanding,support and kindness from the members here truly have been a blessing and helped carry me through some pretty awful days and nights.So please keep coming back.My soul is just beginning to heal because of these amazing incredible angels!My thoughts and prayers are with you and your girl.
Patty

[scoora]

George, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your sweet girl. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

[Gdepas]

George,
I know how hard it is to lose a pet. They're part of the family. I have lost many and each one has a special place in my heart and memories that I will have forever.

Cushings is a slowly progressing disease and it does not sound like your sweetie girl died from it. Many dogs live out the rest of their lives on medication. My own dog, Daisy is 9 yr old miniature Dachshund (11 lbs = 5.3 kg) and she takes 10 mg twice a day for Cushings. Pound for pound, she's taking more than your dog was and she's doing well. The recommended dose of Vetoryl is to start with 1 mg for each 1 kg that the dog weighs, so 60 mg for a 90 lbs dog is well within the proper range.

When a dog is given too much Vetoryl, it can become the opposite of Cushings which is Addison's disease. This is a medical emergency, but from what I have read - it does not cause bleeding from the nose.

We have another section of this forum that has many links to informative websites. Please feel free to learn more. http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=10

If it makes your more comfortable, you may post the test results for Cushings here for others to interpret of course.

I have a friend who's dog died in the same way to yours and she did not have Cushings. It definitely sounds like something else was going on and at 12 years old, it could have been cancer or she possibly got into something poisonous. Since dogs can't tell us what hurts, the only way to know for sure is if the vet would perform an autopsy. That is a very personal decision and I myself, wouldn't bother.

Let your sweet girl rest in peace and cherish the wonderful memories that you had together.
Please feel free to talk with us, share stories, and pictures :) We're here to listen.

God Bless you and I hope that I have helped in some way.

Thank you much , being only three days that she has been gone I cry each day , I just dont know why after moving her to the car how that (death ) could happen , I blame myself with question.. I am now waiting to get her ashes .. I loved her so much !!! I will post her test and pics up as soon as I know how to on here. Thank you

[Gdepas]

Hi George,

You have asked a poignant question that many of us ask on a daily basis - why? Unfortunately, we seldom get an answer and are left to simply accept - a difficult place to be. :(

The only way to know what happened to your sweet girl for sure would be to have the vet perform a necropsy - an animal autopsy. The first thing I thought of, with the nose bleed, was high blood pressure resulting in a stroke or seizure. Another possibility is an internal rupture, maybe from a tumor. If you would like, you can post the test results for any tests your sweet girl had and we can go over them with you. Not that we will find an answer but it might help settle your mind on a few things.

Most of all, we would like to help you through this Valley you now find yourself in with the loss of your sweet girl. I understand to a great extent your pain - 12 years is a long time to have her by your side and then to lose her so suddenly didn't give you any chance to prepare. I know how lost you feel today and am just so sorry. We are never ready no matter what but when it happens unexpectedly with no obvious cause, we are left with many questions, doubts, undeserved guilt....a million "what ifs" which have no answers that seem to intensify the grief we bear.

Tho we just met, I want you to feel part of our family and would love to add your baby girl's name to our In Loving Memory thread for 2013. I know we would all be honored to hear any stories, memories, you would like to share about the life you lived with her. Often this sharing can help us through those early darkest days. We are here to help in any way we can, George, even if it is just to listen.

Our deepest sympathies,
Leslie, Squirt, Trinket, Brick, Sophie, and our Angels, Tasha, Crystal, and Ruby


A Simple Message From Your Pet
by Ken D. Conover

To have loved and then said farewell is better than to have never loved at all.
For all of the times that you stooped and touched my head, fed me my favorite treat and
returned the love that I so unconditionally gave to you. For the care that you gave to me
so unselfishly. For all of these things I am grateful and thankful. I ask that you grieve
not for the loss but rejoice in the fact that we lived, loved and touched each other's lives.
My life was fuller because you were there, not as owner, but as my friend. Today, I am
as I was in my youth. The grass is always green, butterflies flit among the flowers and
the sun shines gently down upon all of God's creatures. I can run, jump and play
and do all of the things that I did in my youth. There is no sickness, no aching joints
and no regrets and no aging. We await the arrival of our lifelong companions and know
that togetherness is forever. You live in our hearts as we do in yours. Companions such
as you are very rare and unique. Don't hold the love that you have within yourself.
Give it to another like me and then I will live forever. For love never really dies,
and you are loved and missed as surely as we are.

Your pet in heaven.



Thank you much , being only three days that she has been gone I cry each day , I just dont know why after moving her to the car how that (death ) could happen , I blame myself with question.. I am now waiting to get her ashes .. I loved her so much !!! I will post her test and pics up as soon as I know how to on here. Thank you

[Budsters Mom]

Oh George,
My heart aches for you. It sound like something went terribly wrong with your fur baby and I am truly sorry. Most of us have had beloved pets pass on through the rainbow bridge at one point or another. We know how you are feeling right now, because we have been there. Please keep talking to us and letting us know how you are doing.

Many hugs sent your way,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

[BelindasMom]

I am so sorry for your loss.

[goldengirl88]

George:
I am so sorry to hear your beloved girl has passed over the Rainbow Bridge. God Bless you and I hope you can get thru your grief. I know that is a long time to have a wonderful pet and have them go so quickly. We will all be in your shoes sooner or later. Blessings
Patti

[Dodie]

So very sorry for your loss. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Dodie&Molly

[Mel-Tia]

George

I am so sorry you lost your little one this way. I am hoping you find some peace in the coming weeks

I have recently lost my little girl in different circumstances, please talk to us whenever you feel like you need to. we all have a common bond which is the love we share with our dogs.

Mel and my angel Tia x x x

[molly muffin]

Oh George, what a horrible heart breaking thing to have happen with your baby. I'm so very sorry.
I can only echo that this does not sound like a side affect of vetoryl, nor cushings, however, other things could have been going on that weren't diagnosed because so many things can interplay with cushings lab results. There are possibly some clues in the results, but that isn't a given. Tumors rupturing, cancer, all can have these same type of symptomatic outcomes and often, we don't Know until it's too late. Even if you did know, there probably is not a lot that could have been done about it.
This is all so very raw and new, the heart ache and the guilt (most often misplaced, but there none the less), is an ordeal in itself to get through.
We'll do all we can to help you look at the results and see if anything jumps out at us. We see a lot of test results around here.
Would you feel comfortable, now or in the future perhaps, telling us a bit about your baby? We'd love to hear anything you want to share with us.
We all have special bonds with our precious companions, it's why we are here and we share the sorrow when even one of them passes on. It leaves a hole in your heart and your life that we completely understand. What lives on forever though, is the love shared and the memories created.

Hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

[Gdepas]

Thank you all for the nice responsive notes although I can not stop crying for her and the thinking why it happened the way it did I have so many question.. This is very difficult .. I now await for her ashes and know that will be tough as well ... I will send the test results here as soon as I can.

[Simba's Mom]

So sorry to hear about your fur baby passing onto the rainbow bridge..sending hugs to you, take care, we are here for you!

[Gdepas]

I wrote last week about the passing of my sweet little girl ( Rasco ) it's been a week ago today and I still cry everyday .. With still unanswered question , I want to ad pictures and also her last test results , how can I do that ? Thank you all for all of your kindness , I now await for rascos ashes, I pray and think of her often .

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi George,

Nice to hear from you again. We are here anytime you need to talk. We do understand your pain, the dark nights that seem to never end, the mornings that come too soon and with wrenching reality, those thousands of little tiny things we had never realized meant so much, those "firsts" we must face - so many "firsts". We have broad shoulders and soft, strong arms. We will walk this Valley with you and out the other side into Light again. And, yes, there will be Light, honey. As hard as that is to believe just now, there will be Light again.

Here is a link on how to post an avatar (the little pic by the user names) - http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2018

You can also create albums on your personal page. To make an album or two of your own, go to "User CP" on the bar near the top of the page then click on "pictures and albums" (left side of your usercp page) then follow the prompts. I would love to see some pics of your sweet Rasco.

As for test results, most of us simply type out the info - all the numbers and little letters for results that are too high or too low on blood work, all the numbers on tests like LDDS, HDDS, ACTH and any other specific tests she may have had, and all comments from ultrasounds. Sounds like a whole lot but typically it isn't. Some use things like Google Doc and post the link.

Keep talking to us. Someone is almost always here. We have members from all across the globe and all time zones. Never hesitate to post any time.

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

[molly muffin]

hi George. Glad to see you back. You are still very new into the grief process and it's different for everyone. I think that the unexplained questions only make it harder. You always will miss them but eventually the grief shouldn't feel so sharp and deep, more of an ache I think. However, saying that grief is very personal for each one of us, so everyone is a bit different.
I do hope that at some point, you can remember more of just the happy time and the love shared, rather than the last moments. Remember that that moment, is but a brief one in your lives together.

Hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

[Gdepas]

Hi I feel kinda bad to still write about the passing of my baby girl Rasco who passed on April 26 th 2013 I can't stop crying for her especially when I'm home . I still have so many question . Still don't know why the night before she passed why she suddenly lost the use of her back legs ... Still question the pills ... Etc .. I am gonna write her last test results as soon as I can on here , but for know I have ask her vet if there is someone I could talk to , they told me that they would find out for me .this is do hard... I still wait for her ashes but am so devasted and confused . I wish I could of done something to pervent her sudden death .. Hoping it wasn't the pills , poison , being moved that morning ... I just her to know how much I miss her and love her .

[k9diabetes]

Aw, George, I'm so sorry about Rasco. Dogs can be so stoic and they can have developed very advanced diseases like cancer without giving us any indication that something is wrong.

I am certain that you did not do anything to cause your dog's death.

When our dog passed away in 2008, we were "fortunate" to find that he had cancer just two weeks before it started to bleed internally and we had to let him go. He had had many tests regarding his heart condition and an abdominal ultrasound. We did a chest x-ray looking at his heart and found cancer in his lungs instead.

If we hadn't done that chest x-ray for other reasons, we would have had no idea why he suddenly got extremely weak and had blood in his gastrointestinal tract. He would have passed away and we would have been as confused as you feel now.

Natalie

[Fellasmom]

George,
I'm glad you're here as it really does help to talk about it.I blamed myself as well because I just couldn't accept that this could happen,and needed to blame someone.Try to not be so hard on yourself.I was in a complete state of shock when I lost my boy so suddenly.It seemed like a week went by before I could even breathe.The pain is unbearable-I try really really hard not to focus on "the end".I was blessed to have him in my life for 10 1/2 years and all I thought about was his last 6 days.His life and the love we shared was so much more than those last 6 days.I can't go "there" right now,can't have the talk with the vet as to what may have happened because I know I'm just not strong enough to hear it,but I will one day.So,be gentle with yourself,take one day at a time and know that everyone here understands.Don't ever feel bad about coming here to talk-heck,I've been on here several times per day since losing Fella!:).They're too nice to ask me to leave!:D.

Praying that you find some peace in the days ahead-it won't always feel this bad.
Patty

[molly muffin]

pffftt Sorry gang, once you're here, you're ours. We call if our k9 family and it's as real as anything else in our lives. We share together, we worry together, we cry together and we rejoice for everything good that happens, together. :)
We have had members who have found pet loss support groups. If your vet doesn't know of one, maybe look for one online in your area.

http://www.petpartners.org/page.aspx?pid=686

Maybe one of the groups will be in your area.

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

[labblab]

Dear George,

I want to offer you my continuing sympathy over the loss of your precious girl. I also want you to know that Rasco's name has now been added to our special memorial thread of honor:

http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4794

You will see that another one of our sweet babies passed on the very same day. I am hoping in my heart that Gunner and Rasco ran to Rainbow Bridge together on strong healthy legs, side by side, as they joined all our other angels who await our final reunion.

I've been to your new photo album, and I am so glad that you have posted these wonderful pictures of your baby. If it would be a comfort to you, it would be our privilege to also add a photo link to Rasco's memorial line. All you need to do is tell us which one of the photos in your album you'd like us to use, and then we will take care of the link.

George, please know you are not alone. Please keep writing to us here -- anything that comes to your mind. Also, here is a link to a thread of supportive resources that may offer additional comfort to you in the coming days.

http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=171

Sending many hugs across the miles, always in loving memory of your dearest girl.
Marianne

[Gdepas]

I wrote awhile ago when my sweet girl Rasco passed away on April 26 2013, i don't know what to say or think still its been a little over one month and i am still lost for words, sad, and hurt and confused with unanswered question. i cry still and hold her box of ashes sometimes at night.some people might think im nuts but she was my child, i miss her so much.. here is her last test for the abaxisVetScanIItest that was on 4/03/13.. maybe someone can see something that i cant...
VetScan VS2
Comperhensive Diagnostic
ALB 2.600 2.5-5.4g/dl Normal
ALP 2200 * 20-150U/L High
ALT 121 * 10-118U/L High
AMY 653 200-1200 U/L Normal
TBIL 0.3000 0.1-0.6 mg/dl Normal
BUN 7 * 7-25mg/dl low
CA 9.8000 8.6-11.8mg/dl Normal
PHOS 4.8000 2.9-6.6 mg/dl Normal
CRE 0.5000 0.3-1.4 mg/dl Normal
GLU 108 60-110 mg/dl Normal
NA+ 150 138-160 mmol/L Normal
K+ 4.4000 3.7-5.8 mmol/L Normal
TP 5.9000 5.4-8.2 g/dL Normal
GLOB 3.3000 2.3-5.2 g/dL Normal
QC OK
HEM 3+ LIP 0 ICT 0
GRA 12.9900 3.33-12.00 10^ 9/1 High
GR% 92.2000 62.0-87.0 % High
WBC 14.0900 6.00-17.00 10^ 9/1 Normal
LYM 0.1400 1.00-4.80 10^ 9/1 Low
MON 0.9600 0.20-1.50 10 ^9/1 Normal
LY% 1.0000 12.0-30.0% LOW
MO% 6.8000 2.0-4.0% HIGH
RBC 7.7000 5.50-8.50 10^12/1 NORMAL
HGB 14.8000 12.0-18.0 g/dl NORMAL
HCT 46.86000 37.00-55.00% NORMAL
MCV 61 60-77 fl NORMAL
MCH 19.2000 19.5-24.5 pg LOW
MCHC 31.6000 31.0-34.0 g/dl NORMAL
RDWc 15.6000 0.0-0.0 %
PLT 504 200-500 10^9/1 HIGH
PCT 0.5400 0.00-0.00 %
MPV 10.7000 3.9-11.1 fl NORMAL
PDWc 38.1000 0.0-0.0 %
Please let me know if anyone can make this out or you need more...
i appreciate the support that i get from this site.. i am also looking for some kind of support group in my area but haven't found one as of yet. but i definitely need one, i broke down a lot last night, i miss her so much !!
Thank you all !!!
george

[labblab]

Dear George,

I'm afraid I can't be much help with the labwork, but I surely am glad that you've come back to talk with us some more. My heart aches for you and the pain you are suffering. In some ways, a month may seem like just a moment of time, and in other ways it may feel like a lifetime away. Your loss is still so fresh and so raw, and I can only imagine how empty and lonely your house feels without Rasco.

We will put our heads together to see if we can find a support group near you. But in the meantime, WE are definitely your support group! So please know that you can continue to write to us at any time you wish. You can share memories of better days with Rasco, and you can talk to us about your struggles now. Anything and everything that you care to talk about is fair game!

Sending you healing thoughts and warm hugs,
Marianne

[Roxee's Dad]

Hi George,
Glad you came back, Please know you can lean on us anytime. Write your thoughts, or just tell us about your sweet memories with your sweet girl. Maybe how she made you smile or laugh.

We will be here and are honored to share in her memories.

[Harley PoMMom]

Oh George,

We do certainly understand the pain you feel and that you miss Rasco so much. We are here for you, my friend, so please do talk to us.

Sending huge and loving hugs, Lori

[k9diabetes]

4/03/13
ALP 2200 * 20-150U/L High
GRA 12.9900 3.33-12.00 10^ 9/1 High
GR% 92.2000 62.0-87.0 % High
LYM 0.1400 1.00-4.80 10^ 9/1 Low
LY% 1.0000 12.0-30.0% LOW
MO% 6.8000 2.0-4.0% HIGH
RDWc 15.6000 0.0-0.0 %
PLT 504 200-500 10^9/1 HIGH

george

Just a quick list of the substantially abnormal values.

I hope you can find some support George... We all understand what you are going through and wish there was more we could do for you.

Natalie

[mytil]

Oh dearest George,

You are among "your dog family" here as we all understand the immense pain and grief you are feeling completely. My dogs are my life.

Please stay with us - we are all here.
Terry

[labblab]

Hi again, George. Just wanted to tell you about this support group in your area that another one of our staffers tracked down for you:

http://www.meetup.com/Glendale-Burbank-Pasadena-Pet-Loss-Support-Group/

We're hoping that maybe this group would be a comfort to you.

Marianne

[goldengirl88]

George:
I know you are struggling, and I am sure I would be worse off than you so I know your pain. Please know that others on here are always thinking and praying for you to begin healing. I know it's easy to say, and so much harder to live thru it. God Bless you and give you the strength you need. Do you have any family members to talk to? God Bless you and you angel in heaven.
Patti