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Ask the Veterinarian/Follow-up on Jake the black lab

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Expert: - 8/12/2010


Question
Yesterday I contacted you on Allexperts about Jake the black lab. Your kindness and knowledge helped my wife and I make the correct decision. You had asked for follow up;

By the time I arrived home from work yesterday Jake had deteriorated to the point of having difficulty walking and his breathing was increasingly labored. If it had not been for your guidance, we may have attempted to extend his life with medication, out of our own selfishness. After reading your response, we both knew it was time. Our local Vet was kind and compassionate. I won’t go into all the details as I’m sure you know the procedure but I will say he quietly went to sleep, surrounded by and being caressed by those he loved and those who loved him.

We brought Jake home and prepared a spot for him next to his companion Cheyenne, a female black lab, who passed almost 1 year previously.  There was/is grief, of course but my wife and I know we made the correct decision with Jake. In the throws of grief one wonders why we humans allow ourselves to become so closely connected with these sweet creatures that have such a short “shelf-life” but then we remember how wonderful our time, albeit short, was while they were with us. Jake has crossed over the “Rainbow bridge” and has been reunited with Chy and they running and playing in green pastures…..at least that’s what I am going to believe.


Answer
And Don, I choose to believe the same thing.
Thank you for letting me know and while I know this decision was gut-wrenching, Jake is now out of pain and his suffering. You will grieve and that is good, but you will smile with the good  memories sooner than you know.
Bless you both for getting past our all too human frailties of wanting to hang on and letting him go peacefully.

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Jana Connell RVT, CVT

Expertise

PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING TO ME: I am NOT a vet and do NOT diagnose diseases. That is only for a licensed Veterinarian to do. I will give you suggestions and steer you toward calling your vet for help. You can call the vet's office and talk to the technician there or the vet at times. Don't be afraid to call them! If you have a serious issue with your pet please post it to one of the veterinarians in here- I will tell you the same thing in my answer. IF your pet is injured or in an emergency situation, CALL YOUR VET- Do not wait and post in here. Just call the vet's office and get them in to see the vet right away. Critical treatment time is lost if you seek answers here when you should have your precious pet at the vets!! Don't sit at home waiting for an answer when your pet is critically ill or injured!! I can answer most questions about small animal and wildlife care as well as small animal nutrition. I can also answer questions about all phases of dental care for small animals. I DO NOT answer questions about birds (unless it is wildlife or songbirds) or HAMSTERS/GERBILS/CHINS/GUINEA PIGS/REPTILES/FROGS/RABBITS/PET BIRDS OF ANY KIND so please submit these questions to the appropriate sections. I, as well as other experts in here, do NOT do homework questions- that is for YOU to do! Please respect these rules for all of us. Thanks!

Experience

I have over 35 years experience in the field of veterinary medicine. I specialized in small animals and did wildlife rehab for over 25 years, mostly raptors, squirrels and opossums. I am a Small Animal Nutritional Consultant with 6 certificates from Hills Pet Foods, CNM and Purina. I also specialized in Small Animal Dentistry which is a field I truly love.

Organizations
Audubon,World Wildlife Federation, American Society of Veterinary Dental Technicians.

Education/Credentials
Licensed with California and Oregon, RVT and CVT. Certified Veterinary Dental Technician Have over 500 logged hours of Continuing Education Credits(that means I keep up to date!).

Awards and Honors
Nominated for Expert of the Month for the last 5 years.

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