PET'S CORNER

[Wendyf]

Ah bless... they know that they are having their photo taken don’t they.

Becky took the photo and she very cleverly waves slices of apple around!

[Stanley]

Why does a pic of the two lads cheer me up so much? Lovely and a credit to you Wendy. We should all be cared for like those two!

[Stanley]

I'm keeping a very close eye on Jack. He has never been the same since his second severe attack when he was shaken like a rat by a big Lurcher. Since then he has been forgetful and today he's a bit unsteady on his back legs. Early days but if I am any judge the prognosis is not good. He's happy and functioning so no immediate action needed but I am not optimistic.

[Cathy]

Oh I’m so sorry Stanley, can Jack still go for walks? I know you won’t push him. All the best for you both.

[Wendyf]

It might be a temporary blip Stanley, or a touch of arthritis brought on by the cold and wet.

[Stanley]

He's functioning normally Cathy and quite happy, no problem with walks.
You may well be right Wendy but I suspect not, there are other associated behaviours of late.
I shall watch and wait......

[Whyperion]

the cat (who is now at mums) (we have acquired two more at burnley and now they take up sofa and landing at stockport), is showing her age, which must be 16. a bit wobbly and cannot jump up so well - its more of a scramble, but still curious when I move bits in storage / access in the lounge at mums to investigate new spaces.

[Stanley]

Jack's having a bad morning. He had a normal day yesterday but is very unsteady this morning, we've had a short walk but at one point he fell over. If I'm any judge he is deteriorating faster than I thought. I am watching him very carefully and looking after him. Not jumping to an conclusions, we watch and wait but I'm worried about him.
No, I am not flying immediately to the vet's, no point but as soon as he is suffering from whatever this is I will be talking to Mrs Marsh. I am certain that this is a consequence of the attacks on him, he has been showing signs of brain damage for a long while.
However, I try to remember Jimmy Reid's advice. "Beware of certitude", I could be wrong it could be something as simple as an acute infection. At the moment he's wandering round, I'd like to see him settle into a sleep.... (He's just jumped up onto the rocking chair, he may have got my subconscious message!)

[Whyperion]

The cat had a bit of a turn a couple of weeks ago, a long day sleep and two half sleeps the next day sorted her.

[Stanley]

Jack is much worse, I shall be shouting for the vet this morning. Pitiful to see him struggling, he's not happy.

[chinatyke]

I hope all goes well, fingers crossed for Jack and you.

[Stanley]

Thanks China. I am worried but OK, I think we may be getting near the end of the road after 13 fun-filled years! I refuse to hang on and watch him suffer. Almost off his legs...

[Wendyf]

Is it his balance Stanley?

[Stanley]

It is Wendy but that's a consequence of what I believe is a deeper problem, brain damage. Ever since he was attacked in Butts and shaken like a rat he has had spells where he just switched off and stared into the distance. Quite suddenly this has got much worse and in addition he is always wanting to turn right, he can't walk in a straight line. He hangs his head to the right as well. All told it's not looking good and he isn't happy. For instance, this morning in the back street he had quite evidently forgotten where he lived.
There's a price to pay for unconditional love as we all know. It's the thought that's always at the back of your mind as you well know. I fear we may be reaching the point where the bill comes in.

[Wendyf]

It could be vestibular disease Stanley, our Alfie suffered from an attack of that but he did improve. Head to one side, complete loss of balance and, for a while, rapid eye movements. We helped him around with a sling for a few days. It happened when we were completely snowed in and could only talk on the phone to the vet, but there is nothing they can do to help anyway except give reassurance. Sometimes called a dog stroke.

[Wendyf]

Here's a link.

https://www.pdsa.org.uk/taking-care-of- ... se-in-dogs

[Stanley]

I'll bear it in mind Wendy but this is something he has had for a long time. Very slow onset to this stage. Thanks for the link.

[Stanley]

Better morning today, so far so good!

[Cathy]

Good to hear.

[Stanley]

[Wendyf]

That's a relief.

[Stanley]

It is a tremendous relief for me Wendy but I am not clapping hands yet. He still has some worrying symptoms, mostly mental, but physically he's a different dog today. Gott sei Dank! I am much more relaxed than yesterday.

[Wendyf]

My two specialist subjects, elderly animals and vets bills!
If I were you I'd get his ears checked, ear infections deep in the ear can cause all sorts weird symptoms. Do you remember our cat having fits? Mr Marsh was ready to call her epileptic and start her on drugs but treatment for ear mites (imported by both rescue dogs) cured the problem.

[Stanley]

Good advice Wendy and I agree. I'm reasonably sure his ears are clean, I keep a close eye on them and spend a lot of time on them. No shaking of his head which is a dead give-away. But I shall bear it in mind, he's laid down next to me quietly and with his head up, waiting for his imminent walk. All normal behaviour.
One thing about the ear mite treatment which he got when he was boarded out for two nights while I was in hospital. I am absolutely sure that the warnings given to me at the time were correct, his hearing has never recovered. It killed the mites but his hearing as well! He doesn't mind fireworks and noisy exhausts now so there is always a silver lining!

[Gloria]

Good to hear Stanley. We’ve lost a horse, a dog and a cat in the last 18 months or so, that’s the penalty of having animals, so sad but true.