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Please take some time to read Eddie's story it could save your dog's life especially if he is a young Standard Poodle. Eddie died age 2 years and 10 months. He was a slim athletic,not skinny standard Poodle whom we love and miss terribly. He came to live with us at approx 8 weeks old.
Apart from his ear infections he had shown no obvious visible health problems prior to the symptoms which manifested in the few days leading up to his death,which will unfold as I tell his story. Before I continue I must digress briefly as the information regarding his recent ear operation is relevant.
In November 2001 Eddie had a one and half hour operation to remove part of his outer ear,under the floppy outer ears.this was necessary to erradicate the cycle of gluey ear infections enhanced by his very narrow ear canals. The operation was a great success, in every aspect and there wasn't any complications whilst Eddie was under the anaesthestic, which is always a great worry of mine.
On the 12th february 2002,I arrived home from work,my husband advised me that eddie had been shaking nervously earlier and would not eat his tea(Eddie had 2 meals a day tohelp prevent gastric torsion, aknown problem in Standard Poodles). I was a little concerned as he had not eaten his breakfast either(he had always been a fussy eater but by adding chicken gravy,sardines or something tasty he eventually ate it). There had been fireworks outside also that evening so I put the shaking down to that. Eddie had become more nervous recently. we put that down to the fact that his ears no longer caused him problems, and his hearing was possibly more acute.
I managed to get Eddie to eat a tin of tuna and some boiled chicken and rice(this always works when my dogs are under the weather). No further problems that evening. however, in the morning eddie vomited and brought back the lot. I then made an appointment fot later that day 13th February 2002.
The vet gave Eddie a thorough examination and put the problem down to gastro-enteritis. His temperature and heart was okay. Antibiotics and anti inflammatory were administered,as my husband said when he was checking him over he had pressed his back and Eddie had growled. We went home and despite coaxing Eddie did not eat anything this day either. He had passed one firm stool which was okay. Thursday 14th February 2002 ,Eddie again refused food ,even his favourite yoghurt. He then passed some loose stools and there was blood in them. I was very worried and made an appointment for 9 O'Clock that morning. I have seen many dog's with gastro-enteritis and none have had it for more than 48 hours without showing some improvement when they have recieved treatment.
I took annual leave from work and Eddie and I attended the appointment. The vet gave him a further thorough examination,his heart and temperature were again okay,and the vet felt for a possible tummy or intestine blockage.Eddie was given further antibiotics and anti-inflammatory. The vet advised that I wait till 12 O'Clock then feed him small amounts every hour on the hour.
I could't wait as I was worried sick so I fed him at 11.30. He wolfed down the small amount of food I gave him, I was releaved, my relief was shortlived, 12.30 came he wouldn't eat,1.30 nothing and so on. I tried everything I could think of. He was still drinking plenty of water and he managed a short walk. I telephoned and spoke to the vet and said Eddie had not eaten anything for 3 days except for the small amount of food at 11.30. the vet made me a further appointment for the next day Friday 15th February 2002,first thing.
Friday duly came and Eddie again refused all attempts at giving him his favourite foods. he was still lethargic and burping alot. I saw the other vet at the practice. Again Eddie was examined and I relayed all the previous days events regarding Eddie's sympyoms. I advised of the food refusal and said Eddie had drunk tea and water that morning.
The vet said it could be a possible blockage, that thought had crossed my mind but Eddie did not have a history of eating foreign bodies like his sister. The vet said he would give him a light sedation, do x-rays and take some blood tests. I wasn't unduly worried about the sedation as Eddie had, had the long operation 3 months's earlier, and was a young usually healthy dog.
I telephoned at 12 O'Clock to see when I could collect him and was told that he was having the x-rays and blood tests as we spoke. I was advised to ring back at 2 O'Clock. The vet rang my husband at 2 O'Clock Eddie, was dead. We were in total shock I was hysterical, we were devastated and still are.
A few days after ,my husband's grief was a liitle more under control so he had a chat with the vet. The vet and staff were also distraught. The vet explained that Eddie had been given the reversal for the sedation and come round okay. He was in his pen awaiting collection.Meanwhile the test results were coming through on the machine,the x-rays showed nothing except a build up of gas in the chest. continued page 2
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