I do have a cat, as well as the dog, but the cat is on the payroll as a predator. I don't like him, and he doesn't like me, but as long as he keeps the vermin down, he can stay.
Our 14 year old collie cross, is still falling about a little, as in my last post, but last Saturday he gave us a real fright.
Around midday, my wife came out and said there's something seriously wrong with Max. He had started walking around in circles, and was now unable to stand up without immediately falling over.
I came in, and he was lying there, breathing heavily, head rocking around, and eyes moving continuously and rapidly from side to side. If I got him onto his feet, he would immediately into the nearest solid object. large Didn't look good at all.
Vet was closed, so turned to Google. Came up with "idiopathic vestibular disease", which fitted the symptoms perfectly.
This is apparently a common occurrence in older dogs, refers to the inner ear/brain balance system, occurs without warning, and for no known reason. The good news was that, after 48 hours or so, the symptoms should start to subside, rapidly at first, then, over a couple of weeks, should slowly disappear altogether.
That night, I used three mattresses to make what was effectively a padded cell for him to sleep in, or he would definitely have broken bones falling around.
Sunday morning brought little change, although I did get him to drink a little water.
Sunday evening, and there were small signs of improvement. Head still rocking, eyes still moving, but both not quite as badly, and I could get him to stand, as long as I stood over him, with one leg either side. Back in the padded cell overnight.
Monday morning came, and more marginal improvement, drinking a little more, an eating a few scraps of food, but by Monday evening, there were real signs of improvement, so no padded cell that night.
It's now Wednesday evening, all the head and eye movement has stopped, and he's just about back to normal, as long as he's lying down. He can stand OK now, and walk normally for several paces, but then he'll suddenly lurch to one side, so he's going for short walks outside on a very short lead, so that he can't fall over and hurt himself. Drinking normally, but still turning up his nose towards his usual biscuits, preferring to share our food instead.
Our 14 year old collie cross, is still falling about a little, as in my last post, but last Saturday he gave us a real fright.
Around midday, my wife came out and said there's something seriously wrong with Max. He had started walking around in circles, and was now unable to stand up without immediately falling over.
I came in, and he was lying there, breathing heavily, head rocking around, and eyes moving continuously and rapidly from side to side. If I got him onto his feet, he would immediately into the nearest solid object. large Didn't look good at all.
Vet was closed, so turned to Google. Came up with "idiopathic vestibular disease", which fitted the symptoms perfectly.
This is apparently a common occurrence in older dogs, refers to the inner ear/brain balance system, occurs without warning, and for no known reason. The good news was that, after 48 hours or so, the symptoms should start to subside, rapidly at first, then, over a couple of weeks, should slowly disappear altogether.
That night, I used three mattresses to make what was effectively a padded cell for him to sleep in, or he would definitely have broken bones falling around.
Sunday morning brought little change, although I did get him to drink a little water.
Sunday evening, and there were small signs of improvement. Head still rocking, eyes still moving, but both not quite as badly, and I could get him to stand, as long as I stood over him, with one leg either side. Back in the padded cell overnight.
Monday morning came, and more marginal improvement, drinking a little more, an eating a few scraps of food, but by Monday evening, there were real signs of improvement, so no padded cell that night.
It's now Wednesday evening, all the head and eye movement has stopped, and he's just about back to normal, as long as he's lying down. He can stand OK now, and walk normally for several paces, but then he'll suddenly lurch to one side, so he's going for short walks outside on a very short lead, so that he can't fall over and hurt himself. Drinking normally, but still turning up his nose towards his usual biscuits, preferring to share our food instead.
