Thank you all so very much for replying and for your kindness. The guilt will never go away - it's something that I will have to come to terms with. I have foraged the wooded area for anything like fungi / plants etc., but so far no such luck. I think that ifi did find out what killed her I would be able to cope better than I am at the moment.

Once again thank you

Could your vet not tell you now what caused her tragic death? Just thought if you really have to know maybe there is a way but it might cost. Deepest sympathy.

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xx Liz xx

Our new little puppy is a beautiful cross between a Springer and a Cocker, who was born on 18th June 2008. She is a bundle of joy and we want to give her a happy life. Any advice always appreciated :0)

my heart goes out to you, RIP little one,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

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So sorry to hear about your loss. I know it's easy for me to sit here and write this, but please try not to feel guilty - whatever your dog ate it was not your fault. I don't know if this will help, but a friend of mine took her belgian shepherd to France for a show, and he started to show symptoms similar to the ones you describe. Apparently the vet put it down to poisoning by a caterpillar that he ate (they are prevalent where the show was but I can't remember the region) and despite every treatment the vet could offer, sadly her dog didn't make it.

Every sympathy with your loss but please do not blame yourself - no-one can keep an eye on everything a dog comes across.

As it is autumn there are a number of poisinous fungi around but I think it unlikely that a dog would eat one. I think that perhaps your westie disturbed a snake, possibly an adder, and got bit. Investigating something alive seems more terrier like behaviour to me.

Sgurr