Dogs having strokes?
Something went badly wrong with my 12 year old Lab today - she is epileptic - but today really lost her backend and orientation for several hours. I was watching and observing and decided to go to the vet although she had been improving. I had thought I might need help from the neighbour to get her in the car. But when the appointment was made and ready to set off she actually jumped in the car unaided! The vet found nothing much wrong except weakness in the backend - so its into observation now. Previously I have had a dog with the same sort of symptoms who had a stroke and after helping her for what was - with hindsight - far too long - gave up the struggle. Isn't it the worst thing about dog owning - knowing WHEN?
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We have lost two dogs to strokes Pippa, I'm afraid we made an immediate decision about both as they'd had good long lives and they were not well enough to continue further. One of them had several mini-strokes so had kept going normally for awhile. However if the vet feels yours might be ok I hope your old pal can continue to enjoy life and you'll know when enough is enough.
Our two present dogs are now old and have various ailments so I understand too well why you put the question. I would never keep a sick animal going for longer than necessary. I hope yours bounces back....as labs do! Like you say you'll be watching her closely, hope she'll be ok.
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Thanks Brue - she is back to normal today - so I suspect it may just have been a much worse than usual epileptic seizure. I very much hope that side isn't going to go downhill - as they have always been quite mild. The vet suggested filming - which I could have thought of - must be useful to help diagnosing.
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Our 8 yr old Pointer had a 'turn' while we were at Damage Barton a few weeks ago, it was very upsetting to see, I think it was more like a seizure as she went stiff and fell to the ground and started 'paddling' we took to the emergency vet and had blood tests done and found nothing. On our return I took her to our vet who said to monitor it, she hasn't had anything since but I was frightened to leave her for days. We also have a 13 yr old Pointer who I took to the vet for a check up and he told me he thinks he will keep going for a long while. I rely on my vet to help me make the dreadful decision as I am too emotionally involved and I think between us we will make the decision at the right time.
I hope your dog continues on the road to recovery.0 -
Thank you - she has perked up no end - so I am feeling this was just a really bad seizure. The vet did point out that her back end is a bit weak - which I knew as she has not been jumping in the car as well as when younger - so I started her on some glucosamine and she seems much chirpier. I think it's time to get out the dog ramp and teach her to use it.
I agree with relying on the vet to a point - but I think you have to be able to trust them not to "keep going at all costs". My brother became very ill in France and I went out in April and we kept saying to ourselves that if he was a dog....... . One sister in law actually said we would be prosecuted for treating an animal like that! And I have to agree with her.
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Pippah glad to hear of the improvement hopefully it'll jog along nicely for a while now.
Totally agree with the comments regarding your brother. As sad as it is I can only agree with you. I have thought this several times over the years. Does one become a guinea pig or are they frightened to suggest there is nothing more they can do and it's quality as well as quanity? A complete minefield. Seriously thinking about a tattoo, I hate them personally, that ensures if I can't speak for myself it'll be crystal clear!
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Pleased to hear things have improved Pippa. Just for a touch of humour OH says whenever he takes ours out someone asks about their age. The usual response to 15 years is something like "oh ours died at 15 from this that of the other. It cheers OH up no end! Thank goodness they don't enquire about his age too.
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Bakers what a brilliant idea - a tattoo!! I understand that Judi Dench (I think) had one done on her 70th birthday - Carpe Deum. Perhaps that on one arm and DNR on the other! My daughter assures me she has the pills ready!
That's funny Brue too! This dog's mother made it to almost 16 so I probably should stop thinking morbidly. Especially as the so called experts said mother wouldn't make it to 3 years old and shouldn't have puppies etc etc! She had physical damage to her heart done by an extremely nasty human but we showed them! (Obviously if it had been a built in defect we wouldn't have bred from her but she was particularly special.)
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I was speaking to a friend yesterday and her dog had shown identical staggering and loss to back end he was also old and had also just been shampooed. Might be a coincidence but I think I will be using a milder shampoo next time. Both dogs are fine now. I used a Pets at home flea shampoo.
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I suppose they might get shampoo in their ears which might have a temporary effect on their balance? Unfortunately one of ours has balance problems and has never been near a shampoo bottle, it's either inner ear or neurological. He isn't too good at the moment and is falling over more, at fifteen he's done well but I can't see things will improve. He can still run around when out for a walk but is getting frail.
Hope you continue to see improvements with yours Pippa.
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I definitely kept well away from the face but I remember being told not to use a flea shampoo again on a recuse dog I took on. She was incredibly stinky but the kennels had washed her and I was told not to repeat for at least a week because of the chemicals. She is now off the glucosamine too as there have been 3 seizures in 72 hours when it's normally weeks if not months apart. That could be whatever went wrong the other week just have to see how it goes. She is quite happy though and recovers quite quickly. Last one was 2 am today though.
sorry yours is getting frail trying times.
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Thank you Bakers - I can't really say I am sad it's just the way it is with animals? Not like France where that SIL thinks she has signed a death warrant cos the doctors' need permission to keep my brother pain free! That IS sad that it's necessary and that is how she thinks about it! Your support is much appreciated.
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