Fred, bloat and "if only"

[bk_blue]

Last night my sister told me her best friend's Dobermann, a 4 yr old male called Fred, was "sick" (did not say what type of sick) and might have to take him to the vet in the morning. I've met Fred several times and he is a very healthy, active boy (and a giant sook). The first thing that popped into my head was BLOAT but it was 2am, I was almost asleep and I thought no, it'll all be fine, surely seeing a dog with bloat (I've never seen one)would be really awful and obvious...? I got a message four hours later (ie. 30 mins ago) that they'd taken Fred to the emergency vet, being increasingly worried about him, the vet diagnosed bloat and he had to be put down... I rang my sister and she told me they had just finished burying the poor boy in the backyard... I'm feeling a bit guilty now, if only I had said something then maybe Fred would be alive now? If only I had asked her what sort of sick and that it sounded like bloat, get him to the vet ASAP instead of waiting until 4am to do it, would he be alive still? I know it's a bit stupid because it's all over now but Fred must have been in so much pain... if only... :cry: :cry: :cry: (meanwhile BK is here happily farting away.... *wrinkles nose* :roll: )

[bk_blue]

Thanks Mei-Mei, I feel a little better now... it is so sad because Scott (sister's friend) and his family are diligent, responsible dog owners whose previous dogs were all rescues and died of old age (Fred was also a rescue/stray). :( Why does it have to happen to these types of "good" dog people I will never know... but at least Freddy is not suffering anymore, probably destroying avaries and eating birds in doggy heaven like he did here! :wink:

[Guest roo]

Bk please dont blame your self...
I know from experience and from friends
Bloat is the silent killer.
If they had got up the vets in time, i would bet
within 4 months, the dog would have blown again. :cry:
I have seen this happen so many times.
Both my hubby and i have now said, if its bloat
put the dog to sleep. it may hurt us, but its kinder for them.
:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :( :cry: :cry: :cry:

Roo

[bk_blue]

Thank you K and Roo for your kind words... I feel better knowing that Freddy is ok now and even if he had been saved this time it may well have happened again... I will tell Scott about the Rainbow Bridge, that is my favourite dog-heaven story :angel: