Dog Bereavement Advice?

Re: Dog Bereavement Advice?

Sal the 1st — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:42:20 GMT

I knew I had seen it somewhere - just found it - if you look on the Whats new tab you will find a leaflet for grieving pet owners, dont know if that is of use to you? Also dont forget Pet Bereavement Support. If your practice uses CPC for cremation you could also try giving them a ring.

There are very differing opinions as to whether the euthanased animal should be 'shown' to remaining pets or not, and I guess it is down really to what the owner would feel is the best. I dont really think there is a right or wrong to this - just take every case individually

If the euthanasia is a planned one and you are able to talk to the owner in advance (and this isnt always possible) try and find out gently what they would like to happen and then when the day comes do what you can to make that happen for them.

I hope your client settles down soon - it does sound from what you have written that she has a greater problem than the remaining dog.

By the way I think you have done the best you can for her

Re: Dog Bereavement Advice?

Emma Purnell — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:01:25 GMT

That was a lovely thing to say, thank you so much

I have left her with that for now, left it open for her to come back if she has problems with the stressing changing its focus and crossed my fingers well and truely!

Thank you all for your help.

While this is here, I really struggled to find anything anywhere about bereavement in dogs, does anyone else have any stories or tips regarding this? It seems to be a bit of an overlooked problem.

What do you recommend to client when they have animals euthanased? In this case our vet recommended taking the dog home for the other to 'realise what had happened', but from what the client has since said, watching one dog trying to wake the other the next morning where she left it out has done more harm than good, for owner and dog.

What do you guys think?

Re: Dog Bereavement Advice?

Suzanne Small — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 13:47:25 GMT

No I agree, in her case it might be a recipe for disaster! It sounds to me like you've gone above and beyond already. Theres only so much you can do and she's never going to change the way she feels about things.

I think just being supportive in this case is all you can really do. In the long run she will remember the kindness you showed around the loss of her pet and this will ease the memory a little for her xx

Re: Dog Bereavement Advice?

Emma Purnell — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:33:18 GMT

Cat Woman - very much the problem I am working with!!

Thank you Suzanne, I have tried to get her to do that, but the mollycoddling I feel I might be losing the battle with advising her not to do that! I don't really want to suggest another dog, she isn't really a person I would want to inflict on a dog, I can see a few behaviour problems occuring in a new puppy!

Thank you very much for your help

Re: Dog Bereavement Advice?

Suzanne Small — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:08:42 GMT

Hi, I went through this a long time ago with my dog Jessie. I used to own a jack russel and when she died of heart problems, jessie became withdrawn and almost 'hormonal' She wouldnt eat, or enjoy her walks out. Half the time was spent lying under the stairs where the other dog used to sleep.

Its not unusual for them to grieve for the loss of a companion, in that sense they are like us. However, in order to pull her out of her slump, I perservered with her normal routines and tried not to get emotional around her. I didnt mollycuddle her too much because I think that would have lead to deeper problems. Being around other people with dogs also helped and giving her the chance to socialise again brought her out of herself a little. In the end I got another dog and they became thick as thieves.

I think it depends on the animal but in my experience dogs tend to adapt quite quickly to their environment. It'll just take a little time

Re: Dog Bereavement Advice?

Cat Woman — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:31:13 GMT

I hope someone on here will be able to help, although not sure its the dog with the problems! Good luck.