Abby with Kess, one of her kids

It is with the greatest sadness I announce the passing of a wonderful and beloved Standard Poodle, Anutta Beautiful Baby RN, CGC, TDI “ABBY”.

Abby was the daughter of Major (Marquis Anutta Sweet Success CD, CGC, Delta Dog) and Kelly (Summershade Kelly).  She was my pick puppy from a stud service from Major.  I kept her from 8 weeks to 12 weeks of age, getting her all ready to be our first foster puppy!  At 12 weeks of age she moved in with the best home I could ever hope for, Courtney and her family loved this dog so much it makes my heart ache for them during this terrible time of loss.  Although Abby never had a litter for us, she shaped the lives of a wonderful family and was an active therapy dog, serving her community in true poodle style.

Courtney has agreed to let me post her email about how Abby died of Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus more commonly known as Bloat (confirmed via necropsy).  Hopefully her information will help someone else recognize this horrible killer.  Tomorrow I will be doing a post on Bloat, how to know what you are seeing, what to do first, and what to DEMAND the vet do to rule out or confirm the suspected diagnosis.  I had posted about Bloat last year, after Elvira and her full brother Radar both bloated (and lived, thank goodness).  However, the twins deleted my blog and I have not posted a topic on this important subject this year.

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Becky,

My sweet Abby passed away this morning. I read your blog two days ago about over the counter meds for dogs, and the things you said about bloat really stuck with me. Last night Abby started acting strangely, so I kept an eye on her, wondering if she was headed into an Addison’s episode. She woke me up at 3:00 crying in pain. I knew something was wrong. Her tail was tucked, she kept changing positions, and pacing, and she was quickly becoming lethargic. She did not want me to roll her on her side or touch her stomach. That’s when I suspected bloat or something related to her abdomen.

I immediately drove her to the emergency vet. I told them I suspected bloat or something she had eaten, but I also mentioned her Addison’s. The first thing they did was blood work. Her levels for Addison’s were normal. She has developed a slight heart murmur over the past couple of years and it was much more severe this morning. Also her levels for kidney function were a little on the low side. She also had pale gums. The vet said it was Pancreatitis. Because it was morning by then, they gave her fluids and pain medicine and sent me to my regular vet. Abby couldn’t walk by this point, but they told me it was because of the medicine they had given her. She quickly was becoming more and more out of it, but of course, I thought it was the medication.

When I got to our vet I asked them if they were sure it wasn’t bloat. She asked if the ER had done an XRay and of course the answer was “no”. I didn’t realize they should’ve taken one. They also had not done a test to determine that it was definitely Pancreatitis. They were only going by her blood levels. I didn’t know there was such a test. Time was of the essence at this point and I’m so sad that I wasn’t better educated about these options. I “assumed” the vet had “checked” out all of the possibilities.

My vet assured me they would do an Xray and look further into whether or not this was related to bloat or Addison’s. She made it clear that she was not convinced that it was her pancreas. I received a call thirty minutes later that Abby had collapsed right after I left. They had given her epinephrine and oxygen. She was in critical condition. Within ten minutes they called back and told me she was gone.

My heart is literally broken in two. Words will never express how important she was to me. She’s what I like to call my “familiar”. My soul mate. I don’t think any dog could ever take her place. She was one of a kind. I waited so many years for a standard poodle. I was so excited when she finally arrived to be a part of our family. She was the dog I needed her to be. Always so sensitive and aware of those around her. You never had to tell Abby to move out from under your feet, she always stepped aside, because she didn’t want to be in the way. She was a great therapy dog and loved to be petted and loved on. She always knew when someone was sad and wanted to sit with them. Thank you for placing her with us 9 years ago. She was so loved, and we all feel such a deep loss and emptiness.

This all happened so fast. I just knew this wasn’t the end and that she would pull through and be home again. I wish I had been better educated. I wish I had pushed a little more with the emergency vet. I know there are always regrets with something like this, but my gut told me last night it was bloat. I wish I hadn’t assumed that just because the vet had a degree she knew all of the answers. I’m grateful I will know what to look for in the future, and I’m grateful for your post about medicines for our dogs. I will be adding them to our medicine cabinet.

Thank you for the precious loved ones that you have placed in so many families. And thank you for your continued education and support.

Love,

Courtney