I had to have Muttley put to sleep yesterday.

I am so lost without him I am not functioning well at all.

Goodby buddy.38388

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I am very sorry to hear about your little guy. I lost both of my dogs this past year about 6 months apart. I too felt lost. When the first dog died that left my lab all alone so we got her a rescue friend. When she died the rescue was alone so we went back to the shelter and low and behold found a minnie-me version of my Plott Hound.

I'm so sorry to hear that! My soulcat died two and a half years ago, and I still haven't recovered. Isn't it amazing how such little creatures can claim such a large chunk of our hearts and give us unlimit amounts of unconditional love.

Martin, I am so sorry. I know how much you loved him. My condolences.

Do you want to share what happened?

I have read this and it is long and not contiguous but will cover for now.

Thanks for the kind words. All of you
it means much, and is obviously from the heart and has honestly been comforting.

From what the Dr told me , it was the infamous collasping / impaired airway inherant in several smaller breeds, and the Yorkie is a notorious victim.

Muttley has always (from the time I got him , he was a rescue) made "snorting/snoring " noises especially when he got excited.
I had noticed it been getting progressivly worse very slowly over the last 2 years but was assured it was a Yorkie thing and could be handeled with a variety of treatments.

But on two other occasions his breathing became labored and panting at 2 or 3 breaths a second. I took him to the vet ,who didn't seem extremely concerned.
He calmed him and got him back to what seemed normal.
He told me he needed a follow up ( not any great hurry ) and he would either X ray or give him an MRI then we would be able to discuss long term tretment options.

Two nights ago it esclated into a panting and snorting/coughing that was terrifying . I started searching for a 24 hour clinic or vet at about 5am and there were none to be found.
Evidently emergency care to most vets here is after coffee, a round of golf and as soon as the check clears.


I finally found one open at about 7:30 am
After I explained only partially what was happening, she asked if that was him she could hear in the backround. When I said it was , she said get him here asap.

I took him to the hospital and when I walked in with him under my arm, the nurse took a glance, grabbed him and said this is life critical , pointed to a release form and said sign that and ran yelling for the doctor .


The Vet , who is an angel , got him on O2 and a vallium shot and then did X rays ( after waiting for him to calm down enough to get an airway in.) She told me while she did this , she was very afraid of cardiac arrest killing him then because of the added trauma .But without the O2 the chance was 100% he wouldn't make it

She showed me the X ray and it was extremely evident that the airway decreased dramatically just past the throat and continued shrinking to less than 1/4 the diameter it normally should be .

It has been very cold here and in Utah the cold air is extremely dry. 12% humidity by my humometer , and consrticting from the cold caused syonosis which caused him to pant making it worse because it was also swelling from the vibrating again exaggerating the trauma, Then it collasped like a soda straw that is drawn on too hard.

She said that it was a common operation to "splice and repair" but she had never seen so large a section be affected .
She brought in another surgeon and he said he had never attempted one so large and gave it a small chance of success IF Muttley lived through it, and he honestly doubeted he would.

And for the finale , if he survived his quality of life would be compromised ansd restricted akin to an invalid. Probably medicated and sedated to almost no life off a bed and even then it could happen again... easily . This also caused his heart to almost burst, and the terror in his eyes as we went through all this is indescribable.

They wanted to check his history with the other vet . So when they finally reached his office and got his records , they found that there was a lab report confirming he had Cushings Disease also.

The vet told me that if he got through the next day or two we could probably keep him alive for a few months to get him strong enough for the operation on his airway , which would be the most extensive they have ever tried or heard of anybody trying , his chances of surviving that would be 50 50 at best and the recovery period would be difficult.
Then we could address the Cushings if he survives.

That is to the best of my paniced and fragmented memory of the events. But seeing him suffering and terrified was more than I could take and knowing that would be his future left me with no other choice.

That was one of the most painful agonizing things I have ever had to do . I had to make the life or death decision.

WG has a saying in her signature that if you haven't experienced the unconditional love of a dog during your life, your soul is not complete.
That is true. And it is also true that when that creature who has loved you and been your companion passes , the pain of parting is like having your soul ripped out.

I still thank God for the time I had him and the love we shared.

Oh Martin I'm so sorry. You did everything you could for him and I'm sure he knows that. It's always such a difficult decision to have to make and you made the right choice.

Goodbye gorgeous boy.

Having been a dog and cat owner for many years I understand your pain. Im sorry you have to go through all of this. Yes we love our animals but it doesn't change facts of life. I wish you a speedy recovery and hope that your heart mends. I had a dog (17 years) and a cat (19 years) and they become family. I will keep you in my prayers.

Rest in peace sweet Muttley. I am so sorry Martin, I know the pain you are in right now. I lost my Max only this summer. It still pains me to think about it and look at his pictures.

My heart goes out to you. Muttley had a wonderful family, and I am sure he knows how lucky he was to have you in his life. ((hugs))

God Bless.

Bella

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss Martin. Putting him to sleep was courageous and selfless on your part. I know how much you loved him. My condolences to you.