Yorkie Suzette - more sad news

[Kacy]

I had posted a few weeks ago about an older, little Yorkie that a local rescue took in after I found her on Craigslist.  They took her to the vet the day after she was turned into them, and she had a lump on her lip that turned out to be oral melanoma.  My husband and I offered to pay for a consultation with an oncologist as the regular vet basically said she had 4-6 months to live.  It is about a 2 1/2 hr trip to the closest radiation oncologist, which from what we learned was probably the only option for her.  We were not fostering her, only transporting to these treatments.

The group raised money to pay for the palliative radiation treatments - one treatment a week for 4 weeks.  The only apparent side effect was possibly oral ulcers after the 3rd treatment and so they would wait an extra week between it and the 4th treatment.  The first and second treatments went well, although they did a quick dental on her during the second treatment (her teeth were terrible) since she was already under, and 3 teeth basically fell out and 1 more was loose but had to be helped along.  They gave us pain medication after the 2nd treatment in case she had any problems with losing the teeth.

She didn't really eat well after that treatment, but the foster thought it was due to the pain medication, although that was not listed as a side effect.  The foster was able to get pedialyte into her that evening and Friday.  By Saturday, she was doing better and eating fine.  She was even out running in the yard later that week.  This past Thursday was the 3rd treatment.  It seemed to go well.  The oncologist had told us she would be out of town, but she generally only does the first treatment anyway when they set everything up and then the vet techs do the other treatments. 

The vet tech carried her out to the waiting room after the treatment this past Thursday and showed us how the tumor looked and answered our questions.  While my husband stood talking to her, she put Suzette down and Suzette seemed to be fine.  She was trying to get up on a chair in the waiting room.  I took her outside to see if she had to go potty and she was pulling me all over the place, like she usually did.  We walked around while waiting for my husband and I remember thinking here is this little 8 lb dog, who is older and has cancer, and she just came out of radiation treatment and is raring to go.

We put her in the carseat and headed for home.  Since she had to be fasted before the treatment, we always brought some chicken with us to feed her at a rest area about an hour into our trip home.  I noticed though after about a 1/2 hr of leaving the vet's office, that she was laying flat on her side in the carseat.  It just didn't look right.  She generally curled up and maybe took a quick nap or sat looking out of the window.  But she was breathing okay so I just kept an eye on her.  She ended up laying looking towards the back of the side window (if that makes sense).  Then, she sat up and I thought she looked funny - kind of dazed.  When we stopped at the rest area, my husband took her out of the car and she immediately had a bowel movement on the parking lot as soon as he put her down.  I thought maybe that was what was wrong with her - she just had to go.  She also had vomited a little bile in the car.  As we walked her, she seemed kind of wobbly and still had that dazed look.  She did not want to eat or drink. 

We got back into the car and I immediately called the oncologist's office.  Of course, with her being out of town, I had to talk to a vet tech.  I told her what was going on and she said it was not from anything they did there.  I don't know if she thought I was trying to say they did something wrong or what.  I just assumed they would give some suggestions of what to do with her when we got home.  All they said was to take her to the regular vet if she wasn't better.  I wasn't too happy with that response.  We drove home and met the foster about 3:00 and handed her over.  She was not looking too good - panting and not breathing right.  The foster took her home and gave her pedialyte off and on and then ended up taking her to her vet around 5:00.  The vet examined her and said she thought it was just stress from the radiation treatments.  Her heart and everything were fine.  So, she took her home.

Friday morning, she seemed somewhat okay so the foster went into work for a few hours.  When she returned, Suzette was not doing well.  She took her outside and she could barely walk.  She would not eat.  By this time, it was about 2:00 and she called me all upset, saying she was taking her back to the vet.  I was actually about an hour away from home, doing some shopping.  She called me a bit later to say that the vet said it was either vestibular disease or a stroke.  We were hoping for vestibular disease because it generally goes away on its own.  Dogs supposedly don't often have strokes, so I was questioning that diagnosis in my mind.  They gave her fluids and the foster was to bring her back on Saturday for more fluids.

She seemed to be getting worse after she got her home.  The foster called the oncologist's office and they told her the oncologist was out of town but they would get a message to her.  The oncologist never called back, which both surprises and upsets me.  About 4:00, the foster called me again as we were on our way home and said she thought Suzette was dying.  She was crying and I was crying.  I asked if she was going to take her back to the vet but she said the vet had basically said there was nothing they could do for her, that is was probably a stroke.  I suggested taking her to an ER, but of course then you get into which ER is worth going to and basically there aren't any around - from my experience.  But I would have tried one anyway.  The foster said I could take her but she did not want to put her thru a lot of testing only to have her die there and she was sure she was dying.  So, I didn't know what to do.  It is the foster's rescue and Suzette was not my dog.  I also didn't know how much money we would be getting into in the ER and the rescue does not have a lot of money.  The foster kept saying that Suzette was dying.

We left it that she would call her regular vet back to see if there was anything else to do.  I thought she was actually going to take her to have her euthanized and offered to go with her, but she said that was okay.  When I didn't hear from her by 6 or so Friday, I assumed she had let her go and of course, I was beside myself.  She finally called me yesterday morning to tell me she had not taken Suzette but had let her die at home, which she did late Friday evening or Saturday morning.

It does not end there.  For the last couple of weeks, I had been emailing a vet who does cancer research, asking about different options for Suzette.  She was very kind and offered some ideas and always would say to keep her up to date on Suzette.  So, I emailed her Friday evening when I thought they had let Suzette go to let her know.  I asked about the vestibular disease (which I never heard a dog dying of) and strokes (which are supposedly rare in dogs).  She said she feels that Suzette was hypoglyemic, which is common in very small dogs, especially Yorkies.  She said since she had to be fasted before the treatment, it is possible that her sugar had gone too low and all of the symptoms were the same as she had (unsteady, nausea, facial tics).  I was so upset because this meant we could have easily done something to correct this.  None of the vets or vets techs ever mentioned this possibility.  I don't understand why as it seems pretty basic when you think about it - and would be VERY basic if you were a vet or vet tech.  I truly believe if we had fed her before leaving the oncologist's office, she would have been fine.  I also think maybe the same thing happened to a lesser degree after the 2nd treatment and we just assumed it was the pain medication.  Generally, the foster fed her dinner the night before the treatment and then it would be maybe 3:00 the next day before we gave her any food.  She was only 8 lbs, and apparently it was just too long a period of time to go without eating.

I am just sick about this and feel, again, that the vets basically screwed up and cost Suzette her life.  I truly believe this.  The foster has 100% faith in her vet, but I certainly don't.  I have not told her anything about this because it is too late to do any good now and will only make her feel worse.  But since she does rescue, I wonder if it is something she should be aware of.  She knows to use pedialyte after surgery, but I think Suzette would have needed something like Karo syrup to actually bring her sugar up enough.

I did double check with her this morning as to whether her vet did any type of bloodwork on Suzette when she took her there Thursday or Friday.  She said no, the vet said Suzette would be dead by the time the bloodwork came back!  You can do a quick glucose check in a couple of minute's time, but apparently she never thought to do it.  When she took Suzette in yesterday morning to her vet for cremation, the other vet said he thought the radiation treatment and cancer were just too much for her.  I say that is BS - pardon my language.  They were not there after the treatments when she would be pulling at the leash trying to see everything outside that she could and dragging me everywhere.  And as far as being at the vet's, I'm sure there was some stress but this dog was so calm the whole time and showed absolutely no signs of stress - no panting, no whining - nothing.  Even in the car, she was just okay with it all.

I'm sorry this is so long but I am just going over this again in my mind as I write.  I woke up at 3:00 this morning with a knot in my stomach, thinking this little dog should still be here and probably would still be here if we had known what to do- and once again, the vets failed us and the dog.

Thanks for listening.

Mary

 

 

 

 

[kayc]

I am so sorry for your loss of Suzette.  I think you're spot on, that it was hypoglycemia, and believe me, it can kill in a very short time.  I've had Diabetic Hypoglycemia and when the blood sugar drops it can go very quickly and is very serious and scary.  I would tell the foster so if she ever encounters a situation like this again, she can administer syrup.  It's a good idea to take a vial of it along when you have them fasting, just in case.  It's so much more complicated with dogs because they can't tell us how they're feeling.  In my case, one of my first symptoms is sweating profusely, then confusion, brain sluggishness, slurred speech, then I can't think right at all.  Not sure if a dog sweats but the symptoms you're describing sounds like that's what it was.

You did everything you knew to do for her, and so did her foster mom.  Vets are not perfect and much of doctoring is an educated guess, but still, you would think one of them would have thought of it.  I would let them know, whether they seem to care or not (they're probably defensive and unresponsive, being afraid of a lawsuit) just so it will come to their mind if they ever encounter a similar situation.  It would have been worth a try.

I know the feeling...my husband would still be alive today had the doctor taken his heart symptoms seriously and referred him to a cardiologist.  It's hard to live with yet I know we, as laymen, can't be expected to know everything medically...that's why we trust in our doctors/vets.

[Kacy]

Thank you, Kay.  I'm sure it must have been very difficult for you with your husband.  I don't know why so many doctors and vets don't listen - they seem to have their mind made up sometimes and nothing we say will change that.  That was my experience with my Allie also when I tried to tell them she had gone into congestive heart failure.

What really bothers me is that this should be a basic consideration in a vet's mind in these kind of circumstances and I don't know why it wasn't.  She had been fasted and then had not eaten for almost 2 days.  I think they were too quick to just say she was an older dog with cancer and this was all too much for her.  If that was the case, I would have been carrying her out after her treatment instead of her dragging me around the parking lot afterwards.  I'm sure it did have an affect on her body, but it was not regular radiation where she was having treatments every single day for several weeks. 

I almost hate to tell the foster my concerns.  First of all, she never questions anything her vet says and I'm not a vet.  So, she may just blow it off, and if she doesn't, then she will be left, like I am, with knowing that we could have easily prevented Suzette's death.  It really makes me sick to think about it.  This wasn't some rare condition that developed.  It should have been an obvious consideration for any competent vet, and I can guarantee you that it certainly will be a consideration if any of my dog's have any surgery or treatment that involves them being fasted.  They are not as small as Suzette, but I will still keep it in mind.

I have very little faith in most vets and doctors.  There are some more knowledgeable and caring, but I'm beginning to think they are few and far between.  This oncologist is very dedicated - that's why I was so surprised that she did not call the foster back.  Anymore, even ones I like and trust, I still do research on my own.

Mary

 

 

 

[kayc]

If I thought it would do no good, I'd say don't tell her.  But what if, in fostering, she encounters this situation again and another dog dies when it could have been prevented?  To me, that outtrumps someone's feelings.  But I do understand where you're coming from.  And I would definitely tell the vet's office.  Speak as one with authority.  They can poo-poo you all they want, if they were so smart, why is the dog dead!

[Kacy]

I do agree that she may encounter this again with another small dog - maybe not with radiation treatments but any time a dog would need to be fasted - even for bloodwork.

I don't really have any contact with her vet and am hoping if I do eventually say something to her, that she mentions it to the vet.  But I do expect the vet to suggest that it was not hypoglycemia because that would mean she made a mistake.  And I agree - if they were so smart, why is Suzette gone?  But I think it is easier for them to say she was old and it was stress.  I'm sorry but there is NO excuse for not doing a glucose test.  I wonder if they would have done it for a younger dog?

 

[kayc]

I hate to see anyone disregard a dog's life, young or old.  And that is something so easily corrected!

[LadyCarrie]

Dear Mary,

How can I tell you how sorry I am?  I think you know, because you've hurt for me (as have others, and I am grateful to each for the care and support).  

Jerry has hypoglycemia, and I have to hurry to get a snack and/ or juice into him quite often ~ almost daily.  Of course, I can't say about your little Yorkie.  I'm just so sorry. 

Many of us have hurtful vet stories, don't we?  (Kay, I can only imagine your feelings regarding George. ❤️).  I'm hurt with some aspects of Callie and Beauregard's care (not angry), but am still distraught - and cross-eyed mad - regarding Ashely's mis-treatment and her death that resulted.  The difference is one situation was an accident, and the other one was due to a mean, high-tempered, arrogant vet who wanted to show his competitor that he could do a surgery that his competitor had sensibly refused to do.  He convinced me to believe that he was right.  I made a horrible decision, and my baby suffered 3 weeks, and then died.  This is not about our babies; this is about you and your precious little one.  

I agree with Kay.  I think all involved should know for the possible safety of other little ones.  

I was surprised that both the vet who misdiagnosed Beauregard, as well as the hospital owner (she knew all of our Doxies, and treated Callie and Beauregard), acknowledged the mistake.  We are sad, but the vet's rationale was reasonable based on what she saw (fluid in lungs and around heart).  Radiologist had not given his report.  

I think most vets and most doctors care.  It just hurts terribly when mistakes are made.  

You have such a kind heart full of love, and you are helping many.  You are a blessing.  

Kay, I think of you and  Arlie really often.  I'm concerned for you.

I will be having my second cataract surgery Wednesday at 8:15.  So many things are happening fast here, and this is causing me to not be able to get my mind prepared.  I think I will get more organized tomorrow.  

Please remember I care.  I just now shared what you wrote with Amberly.   She groaned and said, "Oh, no!"  

I'm sending warm hugs, 

Carrie

[Kacy]

Carrie,

Thank you so much for your kind words.  I'm sure you know how much I appreciate, and need, them.  I am just heartbroken.  I can't seem to quit going over and over it in my mind - how wonderful Suzette was when we took her out of the vet's office after her treatment and then how I kept checking on her in the car and just kept thinking something isn't right.

I do agree that there is a difference between a vet who doesn't care and one who does.  I just find it hard though to forgive those who seem to make up their mind about something and then not change it no matter what.  Suzette's foster mom had been giving her pedialyte both the evening of her treatment and the next morning.  She seemed better.  Then went downhill while the foster was at work for a few hours.  She rushed her to the vet around 1:00 on Friday afternoon.  This is where I think the vet should have known that it was not a stroke.  She had gotten a little better (I think from the pedialyte) and then bad again.  I still feel it was easier to say she's an older dog with cancer and this was all too much for her.  I think they have an obligation to treat all animals, regardless of their age or condition, the same.  If this would have been a little Yorkie puppy, would she have been so quick to basically give up trying to figure out what was wrong?   I would think the blood sugar would have been a basic thing for a vet to check - just like listening to the heart, etc.  I know that now that I know about it, it will always be on my mind when fasting my dogs.

The foster tried several times asking different questions about Suzette's condition and I think it was basically the same answer - she had a stroke, she's older, she has cancer.  The foster says she thinks they only gave her fluids because the vet knew she wanted them to at least do something.  I would be wrong but I'm guessing if the foster goes back to them with the idea of the hypoglycemia, that they will say it was not that, that is was a stroke.  I could be wrong, but I haven't found many vets who admit they did something wrong.  With Allie, I felt like I was getting the run around about why she died and this was from my regular vet defending the cardiologist - even though the autopsy showed one of the reasons she died was due to congestive heart failure, which is what I tried to tell them.

I honestly feel that many vets should have their licenses revoked - probably including the one who did Ashely's surgery.  I have to say that I don't trust any vet 100% anymore.  I always come home and research everything they have suggested for my dogs and every medication.  It shouldn't be this way.  I'm not a vet and really don't want to have to do this, but I honestly feel there just aren't that many vets who know what they are doing.  I know that sounds harsh, but that's how I feel.  I have had to convince myself at times to separate a vet I like from a vet I think is competent.  I have liked many of them personally, but in the end, it's not their personality that matters - it's their skill and knowledge.  Of course, I would much rather have a kind, caring vet than one who doesn't seem to care - but ideally I would like a kind, caring one who knows what they are doing.

I hope that you are able to relax these next couple of days to get ready for your surgery and that all goes well.  You've had an awful lot to deal with lately, and I'm sure it must be difficult for you.  You are so fortunate to have Amberly there to help with everything. 

Please keep us posted as soon as you are able on Wednesday.  Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Mary

 

[Kacy]

Kay,

I did decide to let the foster know about the hypoglycemia.  I tried to word it that I should have done something for her right away, but didn't know myself about that being a problem with small dogs.  I had gotten an email from her earlier in the day yesterday that she is very sad, but has accepted that this happened and is grateful for the time she had with Suzette.  I almost decided not to say anything, but then I thought if this ever comes up again, she would not know to have them check the sugar level, since apparently her vet didn't.  Also, she has 100% faith in her vet and, not in a mean way, but I wanted her to realize you can't rely totally on vets for your dog's care.  It's unfortunate, but true.  I am on many different "dog" lists and I hear this over and over again - that you almost have to be a vet yourself to take your dog to the vet.  Sad, but true, IMO.

I sent the email last night and then hoped it was the right thing to do.  This morning, I read her reply.  She said she is having a tough time with all of this - that she thought she had accepted it, but she hasn't.  I know because she has run this rescue for 15 years and been thru this many, many times that she feels that she is more used to it than most of us - but she is still human and loved this little dog so much.  So, she is just like the rest of us there.  You have to mourn the loss.

She said that she feels bad that she went to work on Friday morning (ironically, she doesn't even usually work on Fridays).  She said she thought Suzette was better, and she probably was from the pedialyte.  I doubt it would have really made much difference because I think she would have needed maybe Karo syrup or something at that point, and it was just not something she would have thought of.  I wrote back and said that I really feel that I should have taken her somewhere on the way home and, of course, in hindsight if I would have known her vet was going to screw up, I would have in hopes that maybe another vet would have had sense enough to do something so basic as check her glucose since they knew she hadn't eaten in almost 2 days at that point.  I didn't say about her vet screwing up, but I sure thought it.

It's really hard not to be bitter.  This was not some rare condition that Suzette had.  It is just basic vet care, IMO.  I would think there would be some type of protocol of things to check in these situations where the symptoms could mean several different things.  I would not have wanted them to put Suzette thru a bunch of painful testing, but a simple pin prick would have certainly been worth doing.

Mary

 

[LadyCarrie]

Dear Mary,

I believe I understand ~ at least somewhat ~ your hurt, anger, frustration, and struggle to not have bitterness in your heart.  Me, too.  These feelings are common among us who advocate for our short-legged family members (and for long-legged ones with doctors).  

In hindsight, we see clearer what we could have done differently that might have made a difference, at least for a little while.  It's difficult to keep the "I wish so much I had,  or had not's" from driving us mad (sometimes we do a bit of that even, I think).  I can do this with "the best ov'em," but it doesn't help my babies, my family, or myself.  Although it hurts my family and myself, I struggle to not have these thoughts.  I must consciously talk myself out of them, and pray myself through them.  

I know, for now, I must divert my mind (in a few weeks when I am allowed to cry, and am parroting back to you what you are feeling now, feel free to preach me this same sermon, for I will need it [smile]).  The truth is, we are hurting together and are trying to help the other one (all other ones) to not hurt.  We are going to hurt; we are going to love each other through it; and we are going to find other fur babies who need our help.  We will help them, love them, and will make a new set of "mistakes" during their last days.  I'm basing this on my own experiences, and realize it may not be true for all.  For me, what else can I do?

Blessings and hugs,

Carrie

[LadyCarrie]

Mary,

I agree that some vets need to have their license revoked.  In the case of the vet who harmed Ashely due to his ego, aggorance, and high temper, I  would like him to be suspended for as long as it takes for him to acknowledge to himself, if to no others, that he made a colossal mistake that cost a little Doxie to lose her life at least months too soon, and caused her horrible pain before she died.  

I would also want him to not be allowed to practice until he has had anger management therapy ~ successfully.  He acknowledges he has a temper.  He told Jerry and me years ago that he causes his wife and staff much hurt because of it.  In retrospect, what appeared to be acknowledging his problem in order to help himself, appears to have been bragging.  

Skill-wise, he is among the best, and he knows it.  That is what caused the problem.  He wasn't as good as he thought he was, and he should not have played Veterinary Denistry Cowboy with my wee little girl baby.  

In truth, he does a lot more good than damage.  He is a good man and a good vet who has some major faults.  I pray he will obtain appropriate counsel, and will get well himself.  He is sick.  If he gets well, he will benefit many sick animals, and I will need to set my personal feelings aside.  Today, I don't like him, I don't respect him, and I will tell the truth on him to anyone who will listen to me.  I would like to add "only for the sake of his patients," but that's not the entire truth.  I'm "mad" at him still. 

I confess that for a while I would not have minded much if someone had strung him up from a tall tree by some of his most precious-to-him body parts.  As a Christian, I know this kind of thinking is wrong.  Sometimes I struggle.  I have a bit of anger myself right now.  My hair is turning silver fast, but my Scots-Irish roots are still red.

Carrie

 

 

 

 

 

[MartyT]

(Carrie, my dear, I love the way you write ♥)

[LadyCarrie]

Thanks, Marty.❤️   I write like I talk.   Sometimes I write like (as) I think, and wish I coulc suck it back in. ?

Carrie

[Kacy]

 

I confess that for a while I would not have minded much if someone had strung him up from a tall tree by some of his most precious-to-him body parts.  As a Christian, I know this kind of thinking is wrong.  Sometimes I struggle.  I have a bit of anger myself right now.  My hair is turning silver fast, but my Scots-Irish roots are still red.

Carrie

 

 

 

 

 

Carrie,

Thank you for the good laugh.  I needed it today!  I am 100% Italian, so I can guarantee you that I have a bit of a temper myself.  Wish I had your way with words though.

I will be calling the oncologist tomorrow or Wednesday to talk to her about Suzette and let her know what happened.  I hope I can get thru the conversation and say what I need to say.  I think a lot of her, and I do think she is one who cares more for the animal than the money, which is why I was so disappointed that they did not call back to check on Suzette even though I called them on Thursday on the way home when I could see something was wrong and then the foster called on Friday.  The vet was out of town, but we had been told before that they could always contact her.  If nothing else, why didn't someone call just to check on Suzette.  I don't know - maybe I just expect too much.

My husband keeps talking about getting another dog - a lapdog like our Allie and Lucy.  I really was against the idea, but we find ourselves sitting watching TV or at the computer and no dog to sit with us.  We do have other dogs, but they are just more independent.  About a week ago, I saw a dog online that reminded me of Allie, another Cavalier but one who had the usual initial heart issues.  It is hard to get away from that.  I tried looking at other breeds, but I know that my husband really wants another Cavalier and I love them also.  Anyway, I think it's been a week and haven't heard anything.  This is the same rescue that we got Allie, Logan and Molly from, but once your application is approved it is sent to the foster to see if they think you will be a good fit for the dog.  I decided when I sent the application in that I would accept whatever happens.  If we don't get her, then it just was not meant to be.  Maybe because we have other dogs, the foster might prefer she go elsewhere and that's really okay.

Now, since we have had yet another sudden death, even though Suzette was not our dog, I just wonder if maybe it's not meant to be at all.  First we had Lucy with heart disease, who was dancing around for her breakfast one morning and then gone literally an hour later.  Then Allie, with her heart/lung issues that I tried to tell them in ER had gone into congestive heart failure and they said it didn't look any worse on the xray, so didn't increase her meds and sent us home.  Four days later, she is gone and the autospy showed massive congestive heart failure.  Now, Suzette, who had cancer but certainly was not expected to die when she did.  I do believe that Allie and Suzette's deaths could have been avoided.  Lucy, I'm not sure of. 

The older I get, the harder these losses are to take.

Mary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[kayc]

I think all of us have the capacity to make mistakes or errors in judgment and there's not a terrific vet out there exempt from that possibility.  I guess that's why I try to look at everything with a softening forgiveness in the ability to learn from the situation rather than judge it.  Of course there are always some that invite judgment with their horrid ways!  I talked with mine and George's doctor about not making that mistake again (George was not the only one he ignored heart problems with that resulted in their deaths) and to take it seriously and not dismiss someone's complaints.

I think it's no different with vets.

Mary,

You may think it's too hard to go through again, and that's a determination only you can make, but for what it's worth, I think you're a terrific "furry friend-mom".

[Kacy]

Kay,

I mean this sincerely - I think you are a better person than I.  I've come to the point where I would rather have a really good vet who has no bedside manner (although certainly not one who mistreats my dogs) rather than a nice vet who doesn't do her job for whatever reason.  I just feel that these dogs and cats have no say in most of what happens to them.  It is up to us to make the best choices about who treats them.

In this case, the foster is very fond of the vet.  I'm sure the vet is very kind hearted, but the fact remains that she didn't do something very basic in diagnosing what was going on with Suzette.  And that may have been what cost Suzette her life.  From what the foster has said, the vet has been very negative (not in the foster's opinion, this is my opinion from her telling me things the vet has said) about treating Suzette, I'm sure because she was an older dog and maybe she felt the rescue didn't have the money.  But the fact is, the money was raised to pay for what was being done, and it was raised specifically for Suzette.  The foster tried asking questions when she took Suzette in, and the vet just seemed to have her mind made up that there was nothing that could be done.

I know this sounds harsh, but I am just a true believer in watching out for what happens to my dogs - especially when it could end up costing them their lives.

Mary

[kayc]

I agree totally with what you're saying.  It's always easier to see in hindsight, and I wish I'd encouraged my husband even stronger than I did, to switch doctors, but he was a grown up capable of making his own decisions, so I didn't push as hard as I now wish I had.  With a child or animal, we have to be their spokesperson, for they can't do for themselves.

[Kacy]

If your husband liked his doctor, it probably would have been hard to convince him to switch.  Even if he didn't like him, sometimes change is hard.  Of course, we all know that hindsight is always 20/20.

I was able to speak to the oncologist last night.  She ended up calling me back at 9:00 after a full day of appointments on her first day back after being out of town.  There was some misunderstanding about a few things when both the foster and I had called in with our concerns the day of and the day after Suzette's treatment.  The oncologist had called the foster's regular vet yesterday morning to check on Suzette because she was not aware Suzette had died and knew there had been a problem.

She did ask the regular vet here first thing if they had done bloodwork and checked her glucose.  Of course, they hadn't.  We talked about what would have been done for her if we had taken her to their ER there.  She said the 1st thing would have been bloodwork and if the glucose was okay and everything else checked out, they would have  had a neurologist examine her.  She said they may have been able to tell without doing a lot of extensive testing what was going on with her or at least get a good idea.  So, that makes me very sad.  I know she didn't say it to make me feel bad and I'm glad she didn't try to smooth things over with saying she probably had a stroke.  That was a possibility, but without the bloodwork to rule out the glucose, we will never know.

I did talk to her about how I think it's unfair how so many vets just write a dog off because he/she is older, and I felt the regular vet was too quick to use Suzette's age and the cancer diagnosis as an excuse of why this was happening.  I also mentioned how she kept talking about the stress of radiation treatment but that Suzette did not seem stressed to me while we were there.  Not that I think she enjoyed the treatment, but she seemed to take it in stride.

The oncologist said she is trying to educate regular vets and owners that most dogs handle the treatments well.  Of course, I know this is her living and she believes in what she is doing, but I honestly have to say most dogs that I saw there while waiting for Suzette seemed to be doing very well.  I mentioned to her that Suzette had had a similar reaction after the 2nd treatment, but only after the foster had given her the pain medication in the evening for her dental extractions (well, 3 pretty much fell out and the other was loose.).  The medication was only given for a few days but the oncologist mentioned that it is not known to cause nausea, only drowsiness, which is what the vet techs had told us.  I had suggested to the foster that she call them last week when Suzette didn't want to eat, but she felt it was the pain meds and eventually, she got over it after she gave her pedialyte several times.  I wonder now if that wasn't due to the glucose level also because the radiation does not usually cause nausea either.

In the end, I feel that the oncologist did her job - in some cases over and above what most would do.  I still say that for me, I will always question and research what I am told by any vet because my dog's life depends on it. 

I still feel badly - like this should not have happened and could possibly have been easily prevented.

Mary

[kayc]

Actually, he was my doctor for 33 years and when we got married, George started going to him, I think that's why he hesitated switching, because somehow he had it in his head he needed to go to my doctor, but I didn't see it that way.  Doctors are different with different people.  I was more likely to take a stand with the doctor than George was.  I've been known to tell him what to prescribe for me because I'd research it and find something safe and non-addictive.  George was more likely to do as the doctor said.  

 

At least the oncologist is on board and trying to educate others.  I know it takes time to make a change, but it starts with each individual one.

 

[Kacy]

Kay,

I think sometimes men tend to go along with whatever the doctor says without questioning.  I know my husband does also.  We have filled MANY prescriptions that he ended up not taking for whatever reason - but they HAD to be filled because the doctor said so!  I guess that really isn't listening totally to the doctor and maybe he feels he has to at least try to listen to her - or he listens to the easy part (not the eat better, quit smoking, etc.). 

I'm with you - do your research first.  it's your body and your life.

Mary