sudden death

[horselady]

My daughter's beautiful golden retriever who was only 4 years old went into boarding kennels last week. They had a call after she'd been there less than an hour to say she was dead! She didn't seem stressed when she was left, the kennel maid was playing with her, then she left her for about 15 minutes, went back and she was gasping for breath, ran for help and she was dead by the time the kennel maid and manager got back. The vet and the kennel are of the opinion she was stung and went into anaphylactic shock because it was so quick, but my daughter, who by the way is only 2 weeks away from having a baby, is making herself ill with guilt for taking her to the kennels. I want answers, what would you do accept it, or push for more answers? Would they tell me anything when it wasn't my dog?

[Snappy]

I dont think they'd tell you anything as you arent the owner. Get the owner to have their own vet do a post mortem, other than that id say it doesnt sound suss to me but for her own peace of mind..

[RATTER15]

Anaphylactic shock from a sting sounds about right to me but I would want to know for sure.

[Hellion]

I'm so sorry for your daughters loss and I can understand why she feels so upset/guilty, it's a natural reaction, losing a loved pet at any time is heartbreaking in a way only feloow pet owners understand.
Unless the vet did a post mortem I'm not sure there's much you can do.
I know this sounds harsh but it is meant in the kindest way really, but when her baby is born she will have little time to dwell on what has happened - it may be best to just let the matter rest and allow her to move forward.
Hug to her XX

[kita1]

What a terrible thing to happen, it must have been a terrible shock to you all. The kennel sound quite good, they found her very quickly (considering they must have been full at this time of year). If I were you I would ring the kennels and explain the situation with your daughter, I would expect any reasonable person to be considerate and realise you are acting for your daughter and discuss the case with you. Your daughter should not (I know she will though) feel guilty as the fact that the kennel maid was playing with the dog and like I say found her so quickly would show that they appear to be a good kennel. Have you or your daughter spoken to the kennel maid? She is probably very distressed about it too but it may help you all.

I would get my own vet to check it out too, that is if you have a different vet to the kennels. For your daughters sake you need to know what happened, at least if she knows the facts and that her dog did not suffer for any length of time she may be able to accept it better.

It does not make it any easier to bear but dogs (especially young dogs) can chase bees and wasps anywhere, it could happen in your own garden.

Thinking of you.

[~posy~]

horselady please tell your daughter i am so sorry to hear about her loss, she must be devestated. there is no need for her to feel guilty! i would phone the kennel and ask more questions, just for yours and her piece of mind. my thoughts are with your daughter xXx

[lankeela]

The kennels should have insurance cover which could cover the cost of a postmortem, but the kennels should pay for one anyway.

It won't bring her back, but it would ease your daughter's mind to know what happened. I would ask for an independent vet to do a post mortem if it is still possible, although it is probably too late for this.

Such a shame but it in no way means people should be scared to board their dogs. When I was manager of a boarding kennels, we had three dogs die, one of a heart attack and two of old age, both regular boarders who we feel sure 'allowed' themselves to go whilst away from their owners. One of these died about two hours after the owner left it. They had checked with their vet and he was happy for the dog to go into kennels, as it was a regular and came in quite happily. Another had her dinner, then curled up in her bed and went to sleep, and when I went to take the dinner bowl out, she had died.

Tell the kennels your concerns, and I am sure they will discuss it with you.

[Roidy203]

I'm so sorry for your daughters loss, but it's not her fault. I had a similar experience 2 years ago with my beautiful black persian cat. We only went away for 5 days but when I got back and went to pick Tilly up, they said she'd been fine. As I went to see her she did look fine but immediately started breathing heavily and coughing. I rushed her to the vets but she died in my arms within an hour. The vet said it was probably a heart attack! I do blame myself for leaving her I think she tought I'd left her for good and the shock of seeing me again did this to her. I hope you're daughter is ok.

[horselady]

Thank you all so much for your replies. lankeela, do you think it's at all possible that she thought she was being left for good and could have had some kind of heart attack/stress reaction, it was the first time she'd been in kennels, although she would happily stay with us at our house if her "mum and dad" went away.

[kittenlittle]

This is so sad. My sympathy to your daughter. She should not feel guilty, she should try to focus on the fact that she gave her dog a happy and love-filled life in the time that it was here.

[lankeela]

horselady, I truly don't think that this was the case, after all you say the kennelmaid was playing with her, and in my experience very very few dogs react badly to kennels. They would have known on arrival if the dog was behaving in a stressed way, which you say she wasn't, and even then, a bit of anxiety is not usually the cause of a heart attack, a weakness of the heart would have to be there in the first place.

Whilst it is probably not your daughter's immediate thought, was she insured - I am thinking of the purchase price (or ask the kennels if theirs covers it). Also did your daughter have to return early (or not go away) as the insurance might also cover any lost expenses.

[horselady]

Thanks lankeela. Yes, she was insured, my daughter put her in there while we all went to my son's wedding. We were in a hotel about 2 miles away when she got the phone call with about 20 minutes to go before we left. We decided to say nothing to my son and his bride (obviously) but my god, it was hard to get through the rest of the day with smiles on our faces. We told our son 2 days later and he was upset, we all loved that dog, she'll leave a big dog shaped hole in our lives that's for sure.

[cat woman]

What a sad,sad post, my sincere sympathies go out to your daughter and your family. X X X :-(