Ending the spree

[MajGenl.Meade]

So we've been commuting back and forth from our house in the sticks to friend' house in town (staying overnight) in order to look after their three dogs, two cats and one parrot while they are away. We got back from our place at 5pm yesterday to find the oldest dog, Snoopy, unable to walk - rear legs seemed inoperative. He'd pooped and done an enormous pee on the living room tiles and was shaking and trembling.

Lynn carried Snoopy outside to the lawn while I cleaned up (I'd rather do that than touch the dog). We settled him outside with his dog bed and some food and water. I kept checking on him and he deteriorated until he was laying motionless on his side with no sign of life, except an occasional tremor in one foot. About ten minutes after that, with me planning which part of the garden to turn into Snoopy's final home, he suddenly appeared at my feet and collapsed again.

I took him back outside, moved his bed closer to the house and put him in it. Minutes later I knew it was all over and went outside to check. Snoopy had fallen into the small "swimming" pool from which there is no escape. Except he did. He swam to where the pool cleaner tube enters the water, scrambled into the small hole and got far enough in to poke his head up above ground through a covered access hole - Snoopy was wearing the plastic cover on his head. His back legs were still under water. I hauled him gently out (after making sure he would not be caught on any projections) and the next thing you know he's running around like a two-year old, looking for food and being Snoopy. He enjoyed a feast of edamame beans that I dropped from my plate - good protein that

This morning he's bouncing around as usual, eating, drinking and . . . well sleeping which is his forte.

I'm wondering if he's having strokes? A few days ago he got stuck three times in ten minutes when he couldn't figure out how to get out of a corner, how to back out from behind a couch and how to evade a small ornamental coal scuttle

He lives

[Gob]

It does sound like a stroke, maybe a TIA?

[Joe Guy]

It's possible that Snoopy is having some type of seizure. I had a friend who had a dog with similar symptoms and the vet put him on phenobarbital.

I'm not sure what medication he gave to the dog...

[Lord Jim]

It's possible that Snoopy is having some type of seizure. I had a friend who had a dog with similar symptoms and the vet put him on phenobarbital.

I had a dog years ago who would seize up and appear paralyzed occasionally like that; it was a type of canine epilepsy...

It would only happen maybe a couple of times a year, so we would just hold him and pet him until it passed...usually about 15, 20 minutes...

[rubato]

The rapid and seemingly complete recovery does sound more like a seizure than a stroke. But you have some interesting flora and fauna there too ... I don't know of any bug or snake bites that have such a short time of action but ?

Glad he's back for now.

yrs,
rubato

[MajGenl.Meade]

Sad to relate but after we left (when our friends kids got home) Snoopy deteriorated and this morning we heard that he made his final visit to the vet. RIP Snoops - he was older than dirt and had a great innings (better than any NZ batsman anyway).

[oldr_n_wsr]

Sorry for your loss.

[rubato]

I'm sorry to hear he's buried his last bone.

yrs,
rubato

[Rick]

The upside would be now if you go there they might actually be home...

[Gob]

Him and Barnum are off chasing bunnies somewhere...

[MajGenl.Meade]

The upside would be now if you go there they might actually be home...

Yes well they'll be back on Thursday. Bravely they had their son take the dog to the vet here in Bloem while they were still away - sons can be useful sometimes


Meade

[TPFKA@W]

Him and Barnum are off chasing bunnies somewhere...

Dog heaven is bunny hell?

[oldr_n_wsr]

My dog likes the bunnies in my yard. They play together all the time. He chases, they run then they stop and eat some clover. He watches, then chases again. Keeps him (and them) busy.
If I wanted (needed?) dinner, I have my bb gun/crossbow pistol. But I prefer steak.

[Guinevere]

Him and Barnum are off chasing bunnies somewhere...

Dog heaven is bunny hell?

I believe so. My dogs (when I was growing up) used to not only chase bunnies, but eat them, and leave the bloody carcasses strewn around the yard.

[oldr_n_wsr]

Mine just wants to make friends. But not with cats, he hates cats.

[Rick]

It wouldn't be any fun if the bunny had a gun...