My dog died :(

[jenapher02]

One of my dogs died a couple years back.  Something has always bothered me.  I don't know what caused her death.  She was a 16 year old English Springer Spaniel.  One evening I came home from work.  She wasn't her usual self.  She stayed laying outside when I tried to get her to come in.  I tried again later that night.  She was in the same spot that she had been for hours and wouldn't get up.  I heard her whimpering and went out to check and I heard a gurgling noise.  I saw blood and there was an unpleasant odor (like a dead animal).  What I saw was beyond anything I had ever seen.  She had maggots eating through her flesh.  I am not sure if they were trying to get in or coming out.  I wrapped her in a blanket and took her to the emergency clinic.  I had her put down and they never told me what it was or even what they thought it might be.  I felt like such a terrible and neglectful owner, I wasn't.  Please if anyone knows of this happening and a possible cause I would really like to know.

[smiley733]

I agree with the others but could your dog have been poisoned ?/  i do not want to bring up bad memories but something makes me think that this or what the other person said about a possible sore under the fur.  I agree unpack as your trip should come to an end as nothing can be done now except knowing that you gave your dog 16 years of love.  there are dogs who never get one year of love so your hound had an incredible life.

[Jaybay]

Is there any possibility that some kind of open wound had been present under the fur that you may not have noticed?  If there was even a tiny bit of dead flesh under there that would explain the maggots, since flies are attracted to lay their eggs in necrotized flesh.  It would take much.  That would also explain the horrible smell.  Gangrene (or any other kind of infection) is very stinky.  

It's certainly understandable why this episode would haunt you to this day.  When we're in a panic/ emergency situation it's so hard to unscramble our brains to even begin to ask questions.  Please unpack your bags from the guilt trip.  You obviously took excellent care of your dog since she lived for 16 years.  That's something to be very proud of!  

[crabby70]

If I remember correctly my sisters dog had flies and they made a larva in her....when a fly lays their eggs they turn into maggots.....I thought only by ears...I could be wrong...best of luck

[suzi-q]

I am so sorry that you had to witness that.  From one dog lover to another, it must have broken your heart.  I do not have any idea of what it could be. I just wanted to send my condolences and wish you peace of mind.  Sometimes things happen that are beyond our control.  Please do not blame yourself.  You did what you needed to do.