Remembering Rex

Rex was known to our family almost since birth.  Rex was a beautiful Aussie Doodle who loved chasing balls and sleeping deeply. Sometimes Rex snored. Rex loved exploring water and curling with you on the couch. 

At the age of ten, Rex went in for a successful surgery with two month recovery time on his leg. He needed to wear a cone to not pick at the area. We were given four pills (two for pain, one for anxiety, and an antibiotic). We tried unsuccessfully to get Rex to take the numerous pills.  He hated the smell of them though we tried hiding them in eggs, rice, cooked meats, and two different flavors of pill poppers.  We heard that cheese was not good for dogs but figured it might just give indigestion. Cheese also was not appealing to him. We crushed pills into different sizes and ways. We'd try placing four pills in his mouth twice daily and massaging his throat to accept them.  It was difficult for Rex and for us too.  The only thing that Rex accepted to mask the taste of the pills was butter so I frequently gave him pills wrapped in butter. Rex did not eat much and I thought that if he wasn't going to eat then he should always take his medicine which increased his intake of butter.  About a week after the operation, Rex was lightly stepping on his leg and wagging his tail and he appeared to be recovering.

Three weeks after his operation, Rex had a very rough day where he continually threw up. He was obviously in very uncomfortable, but I thought it was just a bad day with an upset stomach.  At the close of the day, I called our vet about an appointment for Rex the next day and was told to take him to critical care now, likely because of the vomiting. At 7pm, Rex was at critical care where he received X-rays and connected to an IV. Results were inconclusive although pancreatitis was a possibility - hard to diagnosis.  Rex's breathing was labored and I decided that Rex would come home with us. On request, I was instructed on how to give him fluids intravenously the following day. We arrived home at 10:30 pm and at 3 am, Rex was breathing his last, rasping so loudly it woke me. It was scary.  We took Rex quickly to critical care and replied "yes, yes, yes" as they asked if permission was given to do anything to save him.  It was heart breaking as critical care ran him into the back room. A short time later our family was told that Rex was on support and that maybe he would recover with days of care in the hospital, but there was a 50/50 chance he would not be the same dog.  Did we wish to continue his life here?  Fifteen minutes later... The veterinarian came in to let us know that Rex had died. 

Do you wish to view him on the table?  "Yes."   Do you wish to spend time with him alone in this room?  "Yes."  Would you like for us to raise the operating table to your height?  "Yes."

After 45 minutes of deep sobbing with Rex, we left.  I am convinced that Rex died of pancreatitis because of forcing him to frequently eat butter for two weeks. He lived ten years, but was due for much more - he did not hit the average life expectancy for sure and I made a horrible mistake through a lack of knowledge.  We as the parents to our pets want to give them the best.  Why is it that medicine bottles state dosage and frequency to administer but for animals there is a lack of input on such a critical step as addressing a finicky eater.  We defer to the internet or a friend.  It is important for vets to study how, when and where owners receive information that may be correct or incorrect. Strongly worded instructions and practices from care providers to us would make a huge difference.  I take responsibility for my ignorance, but never want another pet owner to suffer and encourage veterinarians to create a list of Do's and Do Not's for us, caretakers of our beloved pets.  That's what this site is about.  I would rather learn from my pet's health provider than an internet site, conjecture and anecdotal information about providing care.

Just as people receive exiting documents towards extending our lives at the doctors, a list of best animal care practices will undoubtedly extend lives. 

David