I'm kinda worried about my Rudy.....

[Barb]

When I went home yesterday he seemed just fine, he at his dinner fine, and barked at the treat counter for treats and then later for a chew stick.  About half way through his chew stick, he lost interest - and that is unusual - he will always finish them (until they are small and I throw away). 

Each time I would get up from the chair - he would be right by my feet.  He doesn't normally velcro to me when I am walking around the house.  He just seemed kind of draggy.   He has not tucked his tail indicating any pain.  He walked right over to the door when I asked if they wanted to go for the 10 oclock walk.  He seemed like he was breathing harder than normal (before the walk).

He normally curls up between my legs while in the recliner, but he wanted to lay right next to my side.

He was kind of restless last night, but not more than me !  I keep touching his tummy to make sure he was breathing and petting him.

This morning he usally stretches a lot and then walks around the house while I get ready for work - then he barks and is bouncing all over ready to go for their walk.  This morning he stayed in bed until I was ready to go for the walk.  He seemed to still do fine and walked as normal - tail straight up - but no pulling like he usually does.

He gobbled his breakfast and Jimmy is home today and said he cooked eggs mid-morning and he gobbled some up.  Jimmy said he has been laying in his bed all day snoozing (but thats probably what they do anyway all day).  He said he just seemed kind of draggy like last night.

So am I being over paranoid?  I asked Jimmy to go outside and see if Rudy had pooped in the yard, and he said he didn't see anything.  So I am wondering if maybe he is stopped up?

I have an appt for them anyway on Friday, to get anal glands done and get Rudy his 3 yr rabies shot.  I really don't know what to tell the vet other than I just feel that HE doesn't feel good.

Any ideas of anything to check?  (Sorry for the length - I just worry about my boy )

[Mike]

I would make a list of the symptoms and gut feelings you have and take it with.  That way you won't forget anything and can show a progression if anything is amiss.  You are the vet's eyes and ears in diagnosing.

Rays from IL for little Rudy.

[Nikki]

Rays for Rudy!  I agree with Mike, you are the best one to gage his feelings and report to the vet.  Hope all is well and he is back to normal soon!

[Tona5959]

Many rays to little Rudy...

I agree with Mike too...take as close attention to him as possible and record everything you find different/unusual...it's going to help a lot when it comes to figuring out what maybe the problem.  And I guess have the little guy take it easy...and it's probably hard, but if he is injured, it's probably best to let him rest.

So good luck at the vet's Friday...and keep us updated!!

[Krista]

I agree with Mike.  Make a list and take it with you on Friday (unless he gets worse, then take him earlier if you can).

Hopefully he just is a little stopped up, or ate something yucky that he needs to get out of his system.

Rays to Rudy!

[Barb]

Thanks for the support - it is just nice to have someone out there who understands -

Last night I stopped and got some canned pumpkin and gave him a healthy scoop with a lot of water with his kibble - more like pumpkin soup !!!  He lapped it up.  He still seemed like he wasn't in any pain and I went and looked in the back yard and he still hadn't pooped all day.  So we went for a walk - he trotted to the door, but didn't get overly excited like he usually does.  He did poop on the walk !

When we got home, he was still clingy, but we settled into the recliner to watch some tv and he seemed to rest fine.  At 10, we went for another walk - no more poop though.

Bedtime, he curled up between my legs (like normal!)  and actually when I asked him for a kiss, he kissed me !  And he hadn't that morning.  He seemed to rest fine last night, although I was the same way - I would wake up and touch him and pet him.

This morning he got up and stretched and walked around a minute and when I said we need to get sissie up - he actually came back up the ramp to smell her (like he normally does  :thumb: ).
He was more lively on the walk, he pooped again and I inspected it and saw a little of the pumpkin.  When we got in from the walk, I take their harness' off at the front door and yesterday when I took it off, he just stood there like a statue - this morning, he ran off to find a toy for me to throw while cooking breakfast.

I added pumpkin and water again to the meal and he gobbled it up.  I sat and snuggled with him for a little while before leaving for work.

For the most part, my boy is back, but I am thinking one of a couple of things - he was constipated or he may have had a light seizure and was disoriented.  The only reason I say that about the seizure is Monday night when he came up the ramp to sit with me in the chair he shook his head kind of to the side like 3 times - like he was trying to shake off a funny feeling.

I have documented all of my observations and will visit with the vet Friday - I feel a little better this morning - I was ready to take him up there this morning if he wasn't acting like he felt any better.

I am going to try and do some research today on seizures in dogs to see if anything clicks - anybody have any info or experience?

Again - thanks for being there for me !!!!

[Jenny G]

Rays to your sweet boy for a full recovery!  Glad to hear he's feeling a little better. 

[TerriL]

Oh Barb, of course your not being paranoid!  We know our babies best and if he seems out of sorts then he most likely is.  Let us know how he is doing tomorrow and then what the vet says of course.  Rays that he is back to his sweet self soon, and hugs to you mama for being the wonderful, perceptive mom that you are! 

[Sandishooligans]

  for sweet Rudy.  I'm anxious to hear what the vet says on Friday.  In the mean time, lots of rays headin' to Texas.

[hildiesmom]

Just a shake of the head doesn't really sound like a seizure--at least not how you're describing it. Could he have an ear infection or something that's bothering him in there? I recently heard of a dog who had a wad of gunk that caused it to have vestibular symptoms--dizziness, etc. I'd probably rule that out first...

Just a thought.
MaryAnne

Let us know how it goes at the vet.

[Tona5959]

HOORAY for Rudy feeling better!!!

Let us know about the visit to the doc!!

[Roberta]

barb have you looked at his teeth, maye he's blown a back tooth or something chipped with the chew stick. Emma blow one on a raw chiken bone.

All the best for Friday.
roberta

[Barb]

He seems to be my Rudy again - but I WILL be asking a lot of questions tomorrow.  I will have his ears and teeth checked (they normally look those over anyway) and will explain how he acted for the 2 days that he just wasn't himself.   The strange thing still......he gobbles up his food in his bowl like a madman....but he still is not begging for treats.  Normally as soon as his bowl was licked clean, he would start barking at the treat counter.  The last several days he hasn't - although he does eat the treat when I give it to them.

Oh well, I will continue to watch him like a hawk - thanks everyone !

[Beth]

Just got caught up on reading about your Rudy.  I'm glad to hear that he's feeling better.  A lot of TLC from mom can go a long way!  I don't think you were being paranoid at all.  Mom knows best, right?  :thumb:

Rays and belly rubs still coming for Rudy.

[Lori R.]

Barb,

How are things now?  I agree with everyone, you should right some things down.  I think you are being aware and you did the right thing by going to the vet tomorrow.  Either way you win that way, if it is something your taking care of it, and if it nothing you have a piece of mind and Rudy got a check up....

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

Boy they can scare us, it's the worst when you know something is off but you dont' know what...and the signs at this point are so vague a vet most likely will not be able to say anything but "he looks fine to me". Argh! Hallie just went through about 2 weeks of being "off", scared me to death. Not anything anyone else would notice, only a mom. She got over it about 2 weeks ago. All we can do is hope we never see it again. I feel for you, and I'm REALLY glad Rudy is feeling better!! My mind always goes to back pain first but you have some good ideas about tummy and all...lets just hope it was a one time wierd passing thing. Give him a hug for us!

[Delia and girls]

Hi Barb,
Ron here. How's Rudy doing? Does he have a cough at all? Also run your finger down his spine (kinda hard) and look for a reaction. Are his eyes clear and nose moist.
Take care,
Ron

[Barb]

Hi Barb,
Ron here. How's Rudy doing? Does he have a cough at all? Also run your finger down his spine (kinda hard) and look for a reaction. Are his eyes clear and nose moist.
Take care,
Ron

Hi Ron - thanks for checking on my boy !

Last night and this morning he seemed much more like himself.  He has no cough and his eyes are clear and nose moist (although his nose was not moist the first night - Monday).   I haven't actually run my finger down his spine - I will try that when I get home.  It has all been so strange - I am anxious to discuss with the vet and see what they might think.  I have an appt anyway tomorrow for anal glands and Rudy's rabies shot.

Give your girls a big smooch for me - ok?