Congestive heart failure and kidneys shut down

[chloed1205]

Hey guys.  I had my Yorkie mix's (Chloe) teeth cleaned about 5 months ago.  They said she had a good heart and was in good health and able to be put under to do the procedure..  Three months later she developed congestive heart failure and her kidneys began to shut down. She was 15 years old. I don't understand it.  Before having her teeth cleaned she was a ball of energy but after the procedure she started to go down, I had her put to sleep September 8, 2015. I just don't understand it.  I need some closure here please.  Did I sign her death warrant when I had her teeth cleaned? I don't know what to think..... It's driving me crazy...............

[JanisM13]

I just saw you've had a buddy cross over very recient,(17 days
ago) holes and empty spots in the heart are hard to heal even
it the fur kid was 16..loss is loss.
Six in the house huh,we've got 12 now, many are in the 13 to
16-1/2 year area so I psuh aside the road I know is coming and
just enjoy each day we have left.( I used to breed many years
ago,pups were neutered or spayed prior to leaving but many
folks didn't want males so majority of fur kids now were those
males..other people's loss my win) one Greyhound and a Rottie
are rescues and 4 are younger fur kids.( not from my breeding)
I hope Chloed1205 found some peace and her(?) heart found
a way to healing and closure, Chloe's dad or mom(?) did real
good taking care of her,love and caring was obvious.
Sorry for the reasons that brought you here but glad for the in-
put,help and information for all of us,appreciate it.
Jan

[kerk2]

I agree with Janis, we can only do our best, and I'm sure you took good care of her for her to reach that age.

I know the feeling of second guessing. I have had to let go of all 6 of my babies within the last 5 years. 5 were between the ages of 12 and 16, and one that was 9.5 became totally paralyzed for an unknown reason. I nursed them all though old age and cancer to give them as much life as I could, probably because I could not bear letting them go. But all were taken on that final ride to the vet where they were sedated before being put to sleep.

I always wished that God would make that call for me, as I always found it the most difficult decision I had to make ...... that today is the day.

I have second guessed myself on all of them. What else could I have done? What did I do wrong? I think it is only natural to do so.

The last of the 6, a 16 year old Jack Chihuahua mix (BTW named Chloe) was let go about 17 days ago. Now the house is empty and I don't like coming home half as much as usual. So I have found that reading and posting here has become sort of a surrogate for them being gone.

For a two year period we had all 6, all house dogs. What a hassle, but what a joy.

Anyway, don't beat yourself up. Live, learn, and get better at it. And always take what medical advice you are given with a grain of salt.

[JanisM13]

I am so very sorry about the loss of your little girl.
Answers are NOT EASY in this case.
You little one was an elder dog(15 years old) it is
hard to put a dog under an anesthetic,there are
ALWAYS risks but older dogs even more so,it
maybe a stress on thier systems or they may do
fine,you just have no guarantees,when things go
wrong we may never know why or what caused it?
NO YOU DID NOT cause her death,nor did your
vet,because Chloe was older she could had a
bit harder time but I do not know...
Some dogs never show any heart issues but then
they have a sudden snap to their organs and this
can trigger other things..heart issues can effect
kidney issues or vise versa...
Chloe was very fortunate to have spent so long a
time with you in a very loving home,where she was
cherished...at 15 this says you were doing so many
things right for her,gave her great care.
I KNOW HOW DIFFICULT THIS CAN BE,I lost a little
guy (Yorkie who was 10) and 12 days later we said
good-bye to his mom who was 15 years old.
We can only do our best for our beloved companions
but when it is time,they must leave us,oh that they had
a longer life...
Again I am so very sorry for your loss.
RUN FREE LITTLE CHLOE,BE HAPPY.....
Jan