Glory health update and energy request

[trystinn]

For the last several days, Glory has been super friendly and clingy. Not at all her usual personality, which tends to be rather aloof and independent - like a lot of collies. I'd also noticed the nictitating membrane of her right eye is raised up a bit. Not irritated, no glands showing, etc. and its not bothering her, so I figured we'd give it a week or two to resolve on its own since she hates car trips and gets scared in new environments. No doubt due to her deafness and senility.

"Today, she had some kind of stroke or seizure. Her legs were shaking violently, as she staggered around the living room slamming into furniture and walls, head whipping about. I ran to her and supported her, so she wouldn't hurt herself. Her eyes appeared to roll back a bit, but corrected instantly, and she continued to violently shake for several minutes. I pushed her to a lying down position, which seemed to upset her more, so I let her back up and just held her until it subsided. After several minutes, and of course, after I'd called in the calvary - she got up and is walking around perfectly calm. Super friendly, interested in everything (again, not like her normal personality), panting a bit and stiff legged on her right side (especially her rear leg). After another ten minutes, I gave her a baby aspirin for the stiffness and although she's very tired, she seems fine.

I have no idea what these are. I called a few vets, who insist its NOT an emergency unless she keeps having them (gee, thanks) or doesn't recover from the episode and so we've got her scheduled for an appointment next Tuesday am. One kindly explained that given her advanced age (14), there's not much he could do test-wise or treatment wise and at this stage so an emergency appointment will just upset her and cost $$$, and suggested that keeping her comfortable is all we can do for now."

I know she's getting close to the Bridge and we're as ready for that as we can be. I'm enclosing an older picture of her sleeping comfortably, as that's what we'd like the focus to be for her.

Comments

[beltainelady.livejournal.com]

{{{hugs}}}

My Meghan suffered a stroke at 16. We put her down a few days afterwards. I will pray that she passes comfortably, knowing she's been loved for many years.

Thank you *hugs*

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

We've only had her for 2.5 years, having rescued her from the shelter when we bought this house, knowing we were going to be a sort of hospice for her. They think she was a breeder for a huge puppy mill that got shut down years ago.

We think she's about 14, but we don't know. Its been a waiting game ever since we brought her home.

[midnightfae.livejournal.com]

*hugs* Sounds like a seizure. The other things you describe could also be post-seizure weirdness.

Also, don't give her any more ibuprophen. Buffered asprin is ok, but ibuprophen, naprosin, and acetominophen can all cause major problems (ie. acute kidney failure.)

I've been here. It sucks ass. I wish something more constructive. :/

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

Just checked the label - its children's aspirin, what her vet recommended for her arthritis. Not Ibuprofen. Somehow, I always get those two confused. I won't give her anymore, though.

We knew what we were getting into when we rescued her, but yeah - it does suck. Your information is constructive, thank you.

*zen hugs*

[midnightfae.livejournal.com]

*hugs* If the children's asprin helps, give it. It won't hurt her, and anything that makes her comfortable is a good thing.

She's a very lucky dog, to have you looking after her.

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

Thanks, sweetie. It really helps to hear from you on this. I did some research after you mentioned seizure and think it describes the situation pretty well - though fortunately she didn't strangle, choke or arch her back in the way described. Which would have terrified me, honestly!

She has been very hungry, so we're slowly allowing her to eat. I don't want her to make herself sick as she has a sensitive tummy (like most 14 year old dogs). She's resting comfortably and the other dogs, for once, are leaving her alone.

We'll keep folks posted, though we're hoping this is it for the day.

*zen hugs*

[goddessmusings.livejournal.com]

*big hugs* Lots of energy for her to be comfortable.

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I think she needs that more than any healing that would just prolong this.

[seastormwitch.livejournal.com]

*hugs* Love to both you and Glory. May she pass as peacefully as the photo when it's time.

When I was young we had a Norweigan Elkhound. She lived until 15, and she started doing the same thing. She had cancer and it spread to her brain which caused the behavior shifts and the seizures. Once Mom found out she brought her home, told the family and she died peacefully in just a few days.

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I have a feeling its just going to be a matter of days, now. She's had a long life and its just time for her to let go.

[man-of-snows.livejournal.com]

I will keep you in my thoughts over the coming days.

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

Thanks, hon, we'd appreciate it.

[dana3.livejournal.com]

Is she peeing? Kidney failure can also bring on seizures.
Although I suspect your meta-analysis is the correct one -- we all die of something, sometime, and staying comfortable as possible is the key to doing it well. So here's to Glory resting comfortably ... with a hug from me for a gorgeous dog.

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

I dunno, good question: the last time I tried to follow her outside (doggie door), she managed to lose me over a hill and through some bushes. By the time I went around to the path, she was done with whatever she was doing. She hates me following her around the yard in the best of circumstances. She's rather private in that way.

No incontinence, either. She never lost her bladder or bowels during the episode. She ate a good dinner, drank a bit of water and has been napping since.

Thank you, her spirit is as beautiful as she is. Its been a privilege and a joy to take care of her these last few years, not to mention a constant and gracious adventure. :)

[gentledaddy.livejournal.com]

Is she still able to have full function of her right side? I wonder... with seizures we don't usually see them trying to walk, and there are different types of seizures that we can see - from mild to the more violent grand maul type. Unfortunaltely with seizures, the only thing that can be done is when it is happening, which is give them something like valium to stop the seizures. If it's recurring seizures there are antiseizure meds out there, but that would be best determined after blood tests are done to check for any liver problems. If it is stroke, or a brain tumor, an MRI/CT scan would determine diagnosis.
I am glad she is still eating well though, and that she has you to care for her. May her last days be full of food, comfort and lots of love.
My thoughts are with you.

Thanks, sweetie

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

She's very stiff on her right side, especially her right (rear) leg - not bending her knee and ankle much, but not really limping, either. Sort of pulling from the hip, if you can visualize. I have valium (my script for dental visits - I bite), though.

The vet already ruled out MRI/CT - she's way too old to risk the anesthesia. We only rescued her a few years ago so we don't know her full history, its estimated she's almost 15 and we're told most likely a rescued breeder from a puppy mill they shut down ten years ago.

She's napping comfortably now, the other dogs are staying close to her. I'll keep an eye on her and sleep on the sofa tonight to be close to her, too. If it does happen again tonight, I don't want her alone and in the dark.

[brock-tn.livejournal.com]

We're in a similar state right now. A stray beagle-mix moved in here over ten years ago. The sort of "tossed-and-found" dog people who live in the country outside a city are all too familiar with. He's getting very old now, turning white across most of his face, and he's deaf as a post. And the worst thing is that he must have been terribly abused at some point, because even after ten years and more he can't come to trust us enough to let us touch him. He knows we're the people who feed him, and he'll come up to the back door bellowing for a dog cookie, but he still won't come close to us where there is a chance we could lay a hand on him. He's never been to the vet, and I just know he's eaten up with heartworm, but we decided years ago to take him on his own terms. He spends a lot of time sleeping these days, and I expect that one of these days he'll just not wake up.

I feel for your pain.

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

I think dogs like Glory and the beagle you describe teach us lessons about living on our terms. We've always accepted Glory as she is, giving her attention when she pursued it and giving her space when she wanted it. And yes, having other dogs does help - she's very fond of Gracie and sort of tolerant towards Flash, there's no pressure on her to be THE dog if you know what I mean.

Blessings to you for taking care of your little guy.

*zen hugs*

[wild-heart.livejournal.com]

Getting out the Brighid candle as soon as I'm done typing.

Keep us updated, please. And give her a snorgle for me.

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

Will do. *zen hugs*

[rhiannonbw.livejournal.com]

When we take on a pet we sign a contract with them to do our best, and sometimes that means making hard decisions for ourselves. These hard decisions do seem incredibly easy looking back. What better thing can we do for our beloved pets than make their passing as easy as possible for them.

May her final days be filled with cuddles and food, chocolate, smoked ham, beefburgers, cheese, potato chips, butter cookies, all the things that are "bad" for her.

She is so fortunate to have found such a wonderful person to look after her for her final years.

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

Yes, we certainly do - the pact between a human and a pet is a sacred one.

I'm fortunate to have so many friends who understand these situations and have been supporting me emotionally through this. Having them agree that its time helps, too, so I know the decision is the right one.

I've been spoiling her, which the other dogs seem to understand and are giving us some privacy. Last night she let me groom her while I fed her squid jerky. Its her favorite food, go figure. She let me know she's ready, which helps tremendously.

*thank you*

[paigemom.livejournal.com]

Katie often gets seizures, but they are panic-induced.

Just as a mellowing agent, have you tried giving her Rescue Remedy, about a dropper in a couple spoonsful of yogurt?

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

Yep, we've given her the RR before. I didn't at that time because I was afraid of putting the glass dropped near her mouth if she was seizing - the yogurt idea would be perfect, thank you!

[dolmena.livejournal.com]

Oooo, I am so sorry. I will light a candle in her name...

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

We knew this was coming, each of our older dogs let us know this Spring that this Summer they'd be leaving for the Bridge. We had thought Tracker would be first, but he's hit a sort of plateau.

Gonna be a rough summer, but I'm trying to think how very special and sacred Samhain will be for our household this year.

[bunnsidhe.livejournal.com]

Sorry I've come to this so late.

My Tanya had seizures the last few weeks of her life (she had a neurological disease). I know it was difficult to watch Glory go through these things, but it was such a small part of her life. She had a long life, the last few years of which were wonderful and happy because of you and your husband.