My 13-year-old pug Charlotte died Saturday and I feel full of guilt.
She had been having some issues over the past few weeks including bladder infection and ear infection. We had done full bloodwork just 2 weeks ago and had spent about $700 on tests, but they didn't really find anything (except some abnormal glucose and liver enzyme levels) and she seemed to be improving.
On Saturday, she woke up totally normal, went for her walk, ate, and had her treats. Then she cuddled with me until 11:30.
At 11:30, she howled several times which was unusual. Then she threw up and had diarrhea. I called the vet, and they said they could fit her in at 4PM. I called an online vet from San Francisco who told me to get Pepcid and Pedialyte in the meantime, which I did.
When I came back from the store, she was resting. But when I tried to give her her Pedialyte, she seemed very lethargic and didn't raise her head. The next time I checked on her, I was absolutely devastated to find that she was not breathing. I rushed her to the vet around 2:45 and they said she was dead. They said it was probably something internal if she went that quickly.
I know she was old and had been having issues. But I can't help but wonder ... what if I had taken her to the emergency vet at 11:30? Could they have saved her? I know I will never know, but I feel just sick with guilt over this. I am thankful she died peacefully at home, but I am worried she was in pain (when she howled) and I feel like I let her down.
She was my baby.
