Is it possible to get PTSD from the death of a pet?

[eveningprimrose]

I was just wondering...because there was a website which claimed that you can, indeed, get PTSD from the death of a pet. There was a news agency that kind of made fun of the website's claim, saying that there is this "trauma gold rush" in which everyone claims that anything can cause PTSD.

This is just my opinion, and I posted this thread to see how far from the truth my opinion is, but I believe that you can get PTSD from the death of a pet. I witnessed the euthanasia of my 10 year old dog late in 2013, and although it didn't cause me any PTSD, it was not pleasant, and I still feel a bit sad nowadays.

I don't want to offend anyone, or say that ANYTHING can cause PTSD. I'm just saying that, in my opinion, you can get PTSD from witnessing the death of a pet, especially a pet as complex as a dog. But once again, I'd like to see whether or not my opinion is true.

[StoneHouse2015]

I found this link as I'm sure all of you did, feeling that the loss of my dear cat Dickens at just 6 1/2, has indeed resulted in a form of ptsd. My previous cat Oliver  also died young at 5 1/2. In the last 20 years of cats in my life I have had 4 pts and 1 hit by a car. I can clearly remember every horrible moment of these 'traumatic' experiences. This latest one has done me in. I can't sleep, barely functioning, filled with dread and panic.  Certainly what I am experiencing can be attributed to stages of grief but I question it has gone beyond that. My behaviour is manic as I either try to process the whole thing or desperately try to control it around others which makes it even worse. I am considering therapy if for no other reason than to have someone listen to me before I implode. I am filled with sorrow, hate and mistrust of the whole system of pet care and of course myself for not being able to save him. The what  ifs are killing me.  Pet loss  and euthanasia are hugely traumatic. Some soldiers get it and some don't. This 'soldier' does.

[Cats4cars]

Absolutely. I lost 2 of my senior cats this year within 5 months. They were the sweetest loves...with me through everything. Its the worst feeling ever. Each time going to work, having to hide from tearing up.  My boss had the nerve to minimize the loss and my coworkers dont like cats.  I was so disgusted,  I resigned from that employer.

[doglover867]

Yes, I think it is possible. Over the summer this year right after I moved into my new house I witnessed my dog being attacked by another dog. I am younger. I was the only one home and so me and my new neighbor had to take her back to my house and try to stop the bleeding. We stopped and my mom arrived at the house. We took her to an emergency vet. I held her the Whole way there. She was really alert and was licking my hands on the way there but when were about halfway there her breathing began to slow. She made it to the vet but by the time we got there she had already lost too much blood. She died at the vet that day. It has been a couple months since the incident and I have nightmares that basically replay that day over again and again. Sometimes I just will randomly start replaying everything I did that day in my head. I can't be around big dogs with little dogs anymore because I keep on thinking the big dog will hurt the little dog. Even though no one blames me I still feel a snse of guilt about what happened that day. I feel like I am the cause of my dog dying. So yes I think it is completely possible to develop PTSD from a pet dying.

[Lackster]

I am a 49 year old man who has sobbed like a baby after losing my best friend Buster a 17 year old ginger Tom, he  was a rescue cat found in a carrier bag only a few days old. he chose us to be his adoptive parents and we loved ,  cared and spoit him for 17 amazing years. He gave us unconditional love, knew when we were poorly and  comforted us through bad times. he was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism which we thought we had under control for around 5 months , he then got a severe kidney infection and we had to make the heartbreaking decision to put him to sleep, to take away the pain he was suffering. im writing this 4 months 22 days after we said goodbye and im still suffering heartache, the feeling of " could I of done more" I have short temper and no patience at all, the complete opposite to how I was. I believe I am suffering from PTSD as many of you are. I feel for all of your loses and wish you peace and comfort.    

[soulshocker]

I wish nothing but for those who lost beloved pets peace of mind and comfort.
I adopted my cat when he was around 2 months old. He was my first cat. He never scratched me or bit me. He lived just over 10 yrs. I lost my him to f'n cancer late 2015. It all happened so fast. I blame myself for not seeing any signs of his illness before it was too late. Animals are so good at hiding any pain or discomfort. When the vet broke the news to me that my cat had cancer and it was bad, because it had spread so much, I knew my worst fears were about to happen. He may have lived a month or more, I don't know. But I do know his quality of life would have been bad and he would suffer. I could not allow him to suffer. The vet recommended euthanasia and with all the medical results and tests that led up to this I knew there was nothing that could be done. Such a helpless feeling. My heart and soul were crushed beyond anything I ever went through. There are no words to convey the loss and void in my life. It has been nearly 2 months and the images of that dreadful day still haunt me. I was a coward... I did not witness the euthanasia. I asked the vet would my cat know I was there. He said probably not because he was going to give him a sedative before I said my 'goodbyes' and that once the sedative kicked in he would be out of it and would not know I was there. I know I was a coward. I felt traumatized so much that I knew if I witnessed his last breath or however that scene would have played out that I would have crumbled into pieces upon the veterinary hospital floor.
I have to live with that choice I made and it ain't easy. I am left with the image of my cat, eyes still open and awake, being in a towel and carried away by a vet assistant to be euthanized. This is the point in my message where I am breaking down with tears just rolling down my face. I knew my cat would not live forever but I thought I had more years. I always thought that perhaps my cat would be one of those who lived to be over 20. I am sure I am rambling and my thoughts are disjointed. I don't even know if when I click on "Post A Comment" below this text box if my message will post or not because I have not signed up here... yet it allows me to type this. I debate internally with myself that life is full of loss and there are people out there who are going through much worse things than I did and I should just man up and move on with my life. Sure life goes on but the sense of loss is enormous. I was never religious. Spiritual I guess with the belief of something more. But my cat's death has rocked my entire foundation of beliefs and have made me rethink many things in which I adhered to. I could ramble on but all I can say is that from my personal experience of losing a loved animal the degree to which it can affect people is different for everyone. For me it has been devastating. I'm not the same person I was since the loss of my cat. He was my everything. Hoping others who have gone through similar losses find the strength to carry on as best they can. I am thinking about adopting a cat because there are many who really need adopting. But I am not sure when or if I will ever be able to find the strength to do that. Almost every thing I do and when I look at around my place it reminds me of my boy. I still have many of his things in the same places they were before his death. So much more to say but for those who have read thus far, thank you and I hope you find comfort.

[thinkwithyourheart]

I am having PTSD over the tragic loss of my cat, Batman. He was, and I believe, still is a gentle, fat and happy soul in the afterlife of supernatural peace. I believe I will be with him again when I enter into the afterlife that is not tangible here and transcends all human understanding. I found the following words of wisdom and comfort and I want to share them with every grieving soul that suffers the loss of a dear companion. "It may feel intolerable now, BUT YOU WILL SURVIVE.  The day will come when the softness of sweet memories will bring warm smiles of recollection. We are resilient and must face the prospect of death throughout our lives, but are never fully prepared when it takes our loved ones. The agony and intensity of grief responses following pet loss can surprise even those who anticipate the significance of the loss. Be patient. Be kind. Consider this:  Would you have rather this relationship never entered your life? Was it worth every tear you now shed?  The answer to this question can bring acceptance and surrender to the entire experience of sharing your life with an animal companion. It is worth everything." Let your soul be at rest. thinkwithyourheart
February 21, 2016

[usm92]

I find myself on this page reading about the pets because I came here looking for answers.  My sweet rat terrier died last week and I still can't seem to grieve properly, if there is such a thing.  I cleaned ferociously after her death, leaving not one trace anywhere that she had been in the house.  Maybe that made it worse - I don't know.  I had time to prepare since she had been ill with seizures since last spring and had to be put on medicine for that and for her heart.  She was having accidents in the house and muscle fasciculations in her legs.  We gave her the best life we could and pampered her like a queen but most of all we loved her.  I held her for hours that evening while she was trying to breathe.  I was selfish not wanting to take her to be put down.  

I haven't been able to sit still all week at my job and I work from home.  I go sit on the couch and curl up in a ball and my lab cuddles with me.  My stomach knots up.  She's gone, is all I can think sometimes.  

It IS trauma because you are watching it happen, there's nothing you can do to help them but hold them and tell them it's all right and you love them.