Doggie Vanity. Any animal vets out there?? My dog is having issues.

[BigBlueJon]

Sorry for the vanity, but....I have a doggie concern, and I need some advice for caring for the situation. My vet is out of town and I have a sick dog. This has been ongoing all day with no relief. My dog is unable to stand any longer. He was able to walk earlier, but with difficulty and with leaning to the right. His eyes are also darting from left to right.

I was able to get through to the vet's assistant and they advised to keep watching my dog and that the earliest I could get in would be Monday to see the vet. The assistant said that strokes in dogs are rare. I checked online and found a couple possibilities, but no immediate treatment or care options.

Are there any vets out there or people of canine knowledge that could offer any help?

Prayers and advice is welcome. Thanks....

[tpmintx]

I am not a vet. I did not play a vet on TV. I have had dogs, and have one now. Find an emergency vet now and go there. If you live in a big city, they are around.

My prayers are with you and your dog.

[JRandomFreeper]

Find a vet that will come out or is available ASAP.

Or do your own .22 caliber doctoring.

No reasonable vet will answer your question on a public forum. There are emergency vets. Large animal vets are almost always available.

/johnny

[Political Junkie Too]

Go to your nearest 24-hour veterinary hospital.

-PJ

[Sarah Barracuda]

First of all, what kind of dog is he..secondly, other then not being able to stand, does he want to eat, does he seem like he is in pain? Strokes are very rare in dogs, that is true..how long has this been going on? I will do some research online and see what I can find. I am a dog lover and have two dogs myself so I will pray for your dog’s quick recovery. Do you have a animal hospital in your area..I know it may cost more money to take him there but if it’s necessary you have to do it

[americanophile]

Did he eat something poisonous? This could explain the darting eyes and deteriorating condition.

[RegulatorCountry]

Is there not an emergency vet in your area?

I’m not a vet, but have encountered people asking about symptoms similar to this on a forum for people whose dogs have been diagnosed with cancer. It could be a sort of infection that often gets misdiagnosed, but can be treated. Do a web search for “vestibular syndrome.”

[Hildy]

You have my sincere prayers, but PLEASE, PLEASE, take that animal to an emergency animal hospital...now.

[azishot]

Please, please take your dog to an emergency vet. clinic now. They’re open 24/7.

[knarf]

My dog did all that over a period of two or three days. I had called a vet and a friend that breeds Jack Russels ... their advice was ... put him down.

I did.

[Texas Eagle]

Mrs. Eagle is a Licensed Veterinary Technician. She wants to know how old the dog is. And what kind of dog it is.

She also asks if its possible may have ingested snail bait or rat poison.

[BigBlueJon]

He is an 11yo Chocolate Lab. He’s not very interested in eating or drinking anything. This just started today. The vet’s assistant didn’t seem too worried, not saying that he didn’t care, but that it didn’t seem too serious.

Unfortunately, I don’t live near any 24 hour vet clinics. At this point, I need to just monitor and see if I can get him in anywhere tomorrow.

[smokingfrog]

try pinging vetvetdoug

[BigBlueJon]

Our dog is an 85 pound lap dog, and is 11 yo. He stays inside, and we don’t keep anything poisonous or toxic out for him to eat, as we have small children also.

[Sarah Barracuda]

Obviously something happened today..damn, I wish you lived near an Animal Hospital. If your dog wanted to eat and drink I’d feel a little bit better about things but something is definitely wrong. The assistant wouldn’t know anything, you need to talk to an actual doctor. What I suggest doing is calling an Animal Hospital(even one not close to you) just to ask what the problem might be, and if its serious enough you gotta bring him in

[Ron/GA]

If it is a stroke, there is nothing that you can do. Particularly, if this has been developing all day.

Check these links out.Vestibular Syndrome is probably what you are dealing with and your dog will probably be ok in a few days: Peripheral Vestibular Syndrome and here: Vestibular Disease

Good luck!

[BigBlueJon]

Do a web search for “vestibular syndrome.”

Thanks....I will do that.

[Texas Eagle]

You said he isn't interested in drinking. Mrs. Eagle says you should try to get gatorade or sugar water in him using some sort of syringe or turkey baster.

If he's lying down, don't let him lie down on one side too long. That's not good for his lungs.

Put a towel under his chest and gently lift him to his feet and walk him around from time to time.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

Has the dog been outdoors? This could be tick paralysis, check for ticks.

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

Full disclosure: IANAvet. If an emergency vet is out of the question, then there's not much you can do except keep the dog hydrated and comfortable. If you're very lucky, he ate a mushroom or some chocolate or moldy food or something (Labs will eat anything) and it'll pass. But there's a lot of things it could be, especially at age 11, which is getting on for a Lab. He really needs to see a vet, so I hope you can get to one first thing.

I really doubt you'll get any valid advice here on this forum beyond "keep him comfortable and hydrated."