I have cried an ocean of tears.
I have felt angry towards the vet who didn't give me a client insert or even tell me of the side effects. I have blamed myself for trusting in him to care for my dog and not doing the research myself, had I done that maybe my Hank would still be with me.
Hank was born July 28Th 1998, I came to have him the summer of 1999. My ex and I drove to NJ to get him. As soon as I saw him it was love at first sight. He came over to me and placed his little paw on my leg as much to say, "hey pet me". He was a happy healthy dog, so full of love. We bonded instantly. He was so smart, I had him fetching slippers and sitting, lying and rolling over in only 3 days. ( of course he knew a treat was in store for him)...
He loved the winter time, oh how we would go out in the snow and run and play and he loved to root in the snow drifts till his little face was covered with snow and all you could see was his soft brown eyes. He was truly my best friend who loved me for me and could hog the bed and know not one word was going to be said to him for doing so. 10 yrs of memories and love and laughter this furry little friend gave me.
It was the latter part of Sept 2008 that Hank got tendentious. We immediately took him to the vets, where he was put on Rimadyl, the vet wanted him on it for a month. It was about a week later that Hank became lethargic and did not eat or drink, again we run him to the vets where he kept Hank, hydrated him and force fed him, for the love of God you can't force feed anyone who does not want to eat.
We then took Hank to the emergency hospital where he was admitted, ultra sound was done and biopsies, the results, severely ulcerated intestines with hardly any mucosa left. He had developed Irritable bile syndrome. For two weeks he was fed nasal by a nasal gastric tube and given meds to turn this around.
Finally we all had thought he turned the corner, and it appeared he had. He had wonderful treatment from the drs there. All the reports clearly stated Rimadyl was the culprit. Hank came home on special dog food and medicines to help heal his stomach. Three weeks later, he became sick, couldn't get up from the floor. We grabbed him put him in the car with me in the back seat holding him and flew to the E.R. All this time I'm holding him praying and saying to him "Hold on baby we are almost there." We got to the E.R pulled up and just then Hank died in my arms, my ex grabbed him and we ran into the hospital. The tech took him and ran him back to the Dr.
A few minutes later the doctor came out and I knew my worst nightmare had come true, Hank was gone and nothing could be done for him.
That day my heart had a huge hole in it.
There isn't a day goes by that I don't break down and cry for him.
I carry his ashes around with me and tell him how much he is missed and loved.
I pray every one out there who has a pet, please do not take your vets word as gold. Do your research before you let anyone give you loved one anything. For my friend and kindred soul mate it is to late, but maybe reading this will make those who still have their pets be aware of the dangers of NSAIDs such as Rimadyl.
Hank will live forever in my heart and one day we will be together again and cross the rainbow bridge.
God bless all of those who lost pets and who are still lucky enough to have their best friends......
Ruthie
