Hello I am new to this site. Was searching for answers and trying to make some sense of us losing our beloved 'Zoe' who was put to sleep on Tuesday and came across this site. Wish I had found it earlier when we still had Zoe with us for the precious 7 years she blessed this earth. 3 weeks ago I took her to the vet as she had started to drink bowls of water, was urinating a lot and was off her food. My initial thought was diabetes and on the vet checking her sample of urine she agreed. To confirm this she took a glucose test which surprised her with the results, it was low. Bloods were then taken and the results the next day concluded she was not diabetic. I was very relieved and we were told it was probably a bit of an infection, keep an eye on her and go back if we were still concerned she wasn't getting any better. Things didn't improve but gradually got worse. She was very lethargic, drinking loads, not interested in eating (which was totally out of character) and then she started vomiting anything she did eat or drink. We went straight back to the vet and she was given an anti sickness jab and a thorough examination again and told to bring her in again if things didn't improve. I must say at this point, our Vet was fantastic, she phoned to check on progress regularly and followed things through the whole time. Then, last Friday I came home from work to Zoe lying in her usual spot under the kitchen table and she just had no energy and looked very sad. I gave her a tummy rub as usual and I thought her skin on her tummy had a yellow tinge. This made me check her eyes and they were very yellow which obviously indicated jaundice. We phoned the vet immediately and were seen a while later when the vet gave her antibiotics and jabs to stop sickness again. Our hope was that she had a liver infection and the antibiotics would clear this. Over the weekend we did see an improvement in Zoe. She managed to eat more without being sick and she seemed brighter so on the Sunday night we were very optimistic about her condition. However, by Monday morning she started vomiting again and the vet said she would like her taken over to their head practice for X-rays on Tuesday. We arrived at 10am as arranged and went away for half an hour while X-rays were taken. When we returned the vet showed us and talk through them. They weren't very clear, there were no masses, the liver did look enlarged but there was nothing to raise alarm bells. She had been given a barrio meal and the vet requested we go home for a few hours to see if she passed it and the practice would phone us when she was ready to come home. At this point I wasn't particularly worried and was just looking forward to her coming home. A couple of hours later the vet phoned and he said that unfortunately the barrio meal hadn't moved from her stomach and he was concerned as they're must be a blockage. He said he would like to operate while she was there to see what was going on inside but said if he found something that was not good the kindest thing to do would be to put her to sleep whilst she was anesthetised. This had never crossed my mind, on hindsite, perhaps I was in denial, but I was shocked and broke down on the phone. He again said he would start the operation and give us a phone back with his findings. 20 mins later the phone rang and my husband answered...I saw his face crumple and I knew then that my beloved Zoe had been taken from us. When they opened her up they discovered her liver to be riddled with cancer and it had also moved to her spleen. They had never seen such an aggressive cancer in such a young dog. Zoe was only 7, far too young to be taken from this life. the past 5 days since this happened have been the unhappiest time of my life. I have never felt pain like this. I feel so sorry that I never said goodbye properly to her and told her how much I love her. Her ashes will be ready to collect next Friday and I'm in limbo until then. I just want people to be aware of this horrible form of cancer. The symptoms came of so quickly, she didn't stand a chance and I don't want anyone to go through what we have gone through. I have looked up Liver cancer and all the tell tale symptoms mirror Zoe's and I just wish I had prepared myself better for perhaps losing her but it all happened so quickly. I miss her so much. :'(
Re: Heartbroken I'm so sorry for your loss, what a horrible, shocking way to lose your lovely young dog. My heart goes out to you :'(
Re: Heartbroken I am in tears reading this, how brave of you to post this for all of us and our labs. So very, very sorry to read such a sad post, my heart goes out to you and your family xx
Re: Heartbroken Oh, Christine, how awful for you. So sorry you have had to go through this. I guess its difficult at the best of times, but so suddenly makes it so much harder for you. You sound like you did all you possibly could. I don't know what else to say. Take care of yourself and your family xxxx
Re: Heartbroken I am so sorry - what an awful thing for you and your family. Please don't feel bad about not saying goodbye - that's just a token thing (but I understand how much it can mean). What matters much, much, much more is the love you showed for your girl everyday of her life. That really matters. Your girl was too young to go, but was loved while she was with you - that is the important thing. Sending you the warmest wishes, and hopes, for you to find the strength to cope at this hugely difficult time.
Re: Heartbroken Christine, I have tears falling down my face reading about the awful time you and your family have been through :'( :'( The loss of Zoe was so unexpected and the pain you are in must be just heart breaking. You loved Zoe and she knew it be sure of that. You and the vets did all they could for your lovely girl, you really could not have done any more. You will never foget her and you have all your lovely memories to hold onto. Please take care of yourselves. xxxxx
Re: Heartbroken Deeply sad for you reading what you have had to go through and the sudden shock of Zoe's cancer. Seven years old is so young (I lost one suddenly at just eight years old) and it is heartbreaking. I know you wished you had said goodby, but if you had, you would have been feeling very upset and Zoe would have picked up on that. Losing a beloved dog really hurts and I wish I could make it better for you.
Re: Heartbroken I'm so sorry that you have had such a shock, I've had one of those types of phone calls and I know how tough it is. Zoe knew you loved her, she had a good life with you and you did everything you could for her. Hugs to you, take care of yourself and give yourself time to grieve. Thanks for sharing your story, if you need a place to cry come on back.
Re: Heartbroken Christine, I am so sorry :'( It is just the worst thing to lose them... :'( I know you'd give anything to have her back. I don't know if it is any comfort but you never really feel prepared. We don't go through life, and can't, acting like every day could be their last. When it comes, you feel unprepared, no matter what the circumstances. I guess that what I am trying to say is that you did nothing wrong. You didn't go about it wrong, or fail to do anything, or miss anything. You loved her and you did your level best. You gave her that love every day of her life - that's what matters. When you feel ready we would love to see a picture of your beautiful girl. Thinking of you.
Re: Heartbroken Dear Christine There will be few of us who have read your post without a tear in the eye. The days when we lose our dogs are among the worst of our lives, wether it is the end of a long sad illness or a sudden catastrophic event. Try to focus on the seven happy years you had, impossible at the moment I know. Take comfort from the fact that you always did your very best for her. Sorry for your loss and thinking of you sound like cliches, but they are very sincerely meant. Tina
Re: Heartbroken I am so sorry poor Zoe was so ill and you had to loose her like that. I will repeat what Tina said when you think about her stop yourself thinking about her being ill and remember all the fun times. It's hard to begin with but eventually the fun things will come to mind first. Take care Jen
Re: Heartbroken I have tears in my eyes reading this :'( it is clear that you loved her dearly and I am sure she knew that. We are all here if (when your ready) you want to talk about Zoe or post photos of her xx big hugs to you and your family x
Re: Heartbroken Oh bless you Christine. I'm so sorry for your loss. I too have tears in my eyes. As Naya says we are all here for you when you're ready.
Re: Heartbroken My heart goes out to you Christine , I lost my last Lab Tess to cancer of the liver two years ago , she was taken before her time too . The best words of comfort I can offer are these : Dogs have no perception of how old they are , only we know this , all our beloved friends know is that they are cared for and loved . Take comfort from knowing that your lovely girl knew happiness and love , that you did all that you could for her and ultimately, you made that hard but kind decision . Take care of yourself x
Re: Heartbroken Oh Christine,my heart goes out to you,I've been in tears reading your story.I can tell she meant the world to you and your husband and she would have been treated like she was everyday .......I have Dexter and he is our first dog.....so I've never had to cope with the loss you are dealing with but please know that I'm sending you my very best wishes at this awfully sad time ,please stay in touch with forum,you don't need to work through your upset alone xxx Angela x
Re: Heartbroken Hi Christine, I just wanted to say how sorry I am for your loss. I lost my beloved chocolate lab Teddy in October and he was only 4. I miss him every day, but It helps to know he had a wonderful (if short) life. I hope it gives you some comfort to know that others are thinking of you.
Re: Heartbroken I'd just like to thank you all for your comforting words, it really means a lot to have your support. Not everyone understands the heartbreak that losing your pet (and best friend) brings. It'll be one week tomorrow since we lost Zoe but emotionally if feels like yesterday. We collect her ashes from the vet on Friday so that will, I'm sure, be very difficult. We have thought long and hard as a family what we should do with her ashes and we have decided not to scatter them, but keep them with us at home. I'm hoping eventually I may gain some comfort from having her with us, where she belongs. Zoe was the most loving, gentle, friendly girl and my children miss her terribly too, it's brought great sadness to the family. The children have been asking if we could have another labrador but I can't think about getting another just now, it's just too painful. Thanks again everyone and I will continue to come on to the forum x
