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.

[RenaeWu82]

Yes, people are emotionally attached to their pets for comfort, release of stress, and security. I was so attached to pet bird Frankie. Frankie was my 5 year old cockateil. I loved Frankie.  I work in a highly stressful and life threatening job in Law Enforcement.I can't tell anybody how I feel. Each day Frankie would wait for for me to come home and wanted to be petted and held. He provided comfort, release of stress, and security for me as I sit quietly with him. One weekend my husband and I flew to New York for a vacation and had a crappy flight to and back from New York. When I got back home I was excited to see Frankie again. When I got home I found Frankie dead tangled in his toy. I saw blood on the walls, ceiling, floor, and on my other 2 birds. I saw thousands of Frankies feathers on the floor as he struggled for his life. Through my job I have saw many bad things.That's my job keep it professional get the job done. I saw Frankie my heart broke. I cried. I was devastated. I didn't sleep for 3 days straight just cried thinking of what he must of went through. He needed my help and I wasn't there to help him.I felt bad and felt guilty.I think of Frankie often. I will always miss my Frankie. I was lucky to have him in my life.

[KingChozo]

My dog just got hit by a car. I feel like it was my fault I let her outside because she was getting better at not taking off. She stayed near the house but then bolted down the side walk. She got past one street ok but the se ond street the busiest of the two she ran across and made it halfway and got hit by a car. The scene keeps replaying in my head and I don't know what to do I feel bad because I know that I caused this to happen.

[DaraD4]

My cat was killed by being run over by a car. I woke up to someone pounding on our front door that morning and heard my roommate calling in to my room, "Dara, Cooper was run over. Come down." I didn't comprehend what she was saying at the time, and my body went in to complete shock and I grabbed two plastic bags on my way down because I think my brain was trying to help me fully realize that I was going to have to pick up my baby boy. I came down and out of the house to walk to the middle of the four way next to my house. Cooper was kind of hunched, his head was....well, use your imagination. It must have been a quick death. Someone called the local SPCA that morning before I had the chance to come to. I was sobbing and my roommate was hugging me, rubbing my back. She kept saying "I'm so so sorry Dara..." I didn't want to be near anyone for the next few hours. The scenes of me putting his lower and upper half into two connecting bags was the worst thing I've ever had to do. The SPCA officer pronounced him dead in the box we put him in, as I wasn't expecting him to show up. We had him cremated an hour later when my boyfriend and I could get it together enough to do what needed to be done. I feel like I do have PTSD because I keep getting flashbacks of his face, his body....I kept saying inwardly that I was so sorry that I couldn't protect him...

[DewDropIn]

I wouldnt say NO...I would say it possible though likely not very common. I have Complex PTSD...some Doctors/researchers dont even believe IT exists...I know from personal experience that anyone who has to witness trauma can have Post Traumatic Stress...whether it becomes to the point of being a Disorder would be the question I guess.

Also how a pet is killed could have a lot to do with their response to the trauma.

Also as someone with Complex PTSD (managing better now but at the time was not managed) I had to have my dog put down after 5 1/2 yrs because his kidney disease had started to cause him suffering which I did not want him to suffer...I had had other pets that had passed away naturally in my life but I feel like because I worked so hard to keep im alive that it affected me more when he had to be put to sleep. He was just like family to me. I still  miss him...It still breaks my heart...but my point is that people who are predipositioned to PTSD or have PTSD may find that they deal with/are affected by this kind of trauma more intensely.

[Dogmomof4]

DewDroppin, you and buytheticket should hang out and one up each other on who wins the "it's all about me" prize. You both are obviously very selfish and insensitive people. Friends who have come here to post and share ARE experiencing PTSD, flat out. They are in unbelievable pain and looking for answers - you both offered not only insensitive ones but answers that are factually incorrect. They have lost what are better than human family members and the lasting pain and images truly are what is in the parameters of PTSD. Bless you all who had the courage to communicate here. I wish you a speedy but solid return to joy, living well, and possibly getting a new pet as soon as you can. Lastly, remember that your precious pet is having such a great time at Rainbow Bridge and awaits your arrival on the other side. I love you all...even you two Dew & Ticket.