Dave and I were watching TV with Olga last night, as we always do after dinner, when Olga suddenly got a wild-eyed look and began squirming around and panting. She got off the couch and began walking in agitated circles in a strange, hunched posture, and fell down a couple of times. It was like her legs weren't working right. We got on the floor with her and tried to keep her calm, and noticed here eyes were rapidly shifting back and forth, as if she were dizzy.
It was scary as hell. We were sure she was having a stroke. She had been a little "off" all day, from falling while climbing the front steps in the morning to being hesitant to eat her dinner. We thought she was just shaky from old age, but maybe something else was going on?
Dave called the 24-hour vet and we were going to take her in, but then, after about ten minutes, she seemed to calm down. We thought putting her in a cab might agitate her again and maybe keeping her calm would be better, so we decided to try to wait through the night and bring her to our regular vet (literally around the corner) in the morning. She went to bed with us as usual.
But then, in the middle of the night, another crisis -- and this one worse than the first. Dizziness, panting, falling down, vomiting. We called the vet again, and this time we got a cab and took her in, at 2:45 a.m. We had to carry her up and down steps and into and out of the car. We both thought it might be the end.
Surprisingly, the vet gave us potentially good news. She said there could be something going on "intracranially" -- in other words, a stroke -- but it could also be vestibular disease, or basically an ear infection. She cleaned Olga's ears, which were filthy (I feel the guilt of a bad parent), gave her an injection to combat nausea and gave her antibiotic ear drops, and sent us home with instructions to use anti-inflammatory medication (as well as continue the drops). So we'll see what happens.
Needless to say, we are both exhausted, though we did get a few hours' sleep after getting home around 4 a.m., £380 poorer. The photo is what Belsize Park looks like at 3:30 in the morning, in case you've ever wondered.
My boss was very kind about this and she suggested I come in late this morning, so that's the plan. I'll stay home with Olga this morning and then Dave will come home in early afternoon. We've cancelled her dog walker.
So sorry that you had such a scare..even worse in the middle of the night! I hope that Olga will be feeling better when the meds kick in.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it was not a fun thing to deal with at 2:30 a.m.!
DeleteThe casting shadow is truly amazingly captured
ReplyDeleteIt caught my eye immediately as we were standing outside the vet's office!
DeleteLike the rest of her adoring public, I will be rooting for Olga and hoping that she pulls through to give you another year or two of her delightful presence. What a scary incident and not one plant or flower in sight!
ReplyDeleteNo time for plants today!
DeleteI will be thinking of Olga. Those episodes are so scary. And I think anything that happens in the middle of the night is just worse. I known dogs w/vestibular disease who have recovered after just a few weeks; am hoping Olga is on the same path. ♥
ReplyDeleteI had never even heard of vestibular disease but apparently it's common and dogs often recover fairly quickly. Fingers crossed!
DeleteAlthough never a dog, I've been around two cats that have suddenly started falling over and were diagnosed with having seizures so that was my first thoughts reading this. I hope whatever was causing the issues is now solved and doesn't come back. My thoughts are with Olga and also you and Dave.
ReplyDeleteFortunately she never went into full seizure mode, but it was still very surreal.
DeleteOh my gosh. Through the years I've gotten to know Olga through your blog, and I read your post with tears in my eyes thinking that his was the end for her. I truly hope it is a simple ear infection. She is such a sweet girl. Hopefully things will be better today. You, Dave, and Olga will be in my thoughts today.
ReplyDeleteWe really thought it was the end too!
DeleteI know you and Dave must have been so frightened for Olga and so worried. I really hope it's the ear thing. I believe I've heard of this before.
ReplyDeleteYeah, apparently it's a "thing" with old dogs (as several other commenters have mentioned).
DeleteYou are bad daddies for neglecting Olga's ears, but it is good to know she is ok now.
ReplyDeleteAs Dave said at the vet's office, "I have NEVER cleaned any of my dogs' ears!" I'd never done it either, but I guess it's an expectation of pet ownership these days. (Along with brushing pets' teeth, a bridge I still haven't crossed.)
DeleteWhen I read this, my first thought was, this is like a really bad attack of vertigo - losing balance, falling, stumbling, sweating, vomiting - I wonder if dogs have vertigo too.
ReplyDeleteAll the best to Olga and her people, hope she'll have good days coming up.
I think vestibular disease basically IS vertigo -- it certainly seems that way from Olga's horizontally shifting eyes.
DeleteThis was scary to read, and I hope she does better now.
ReplyDeleteThanks! It was even scarier to watch!
DeleteThis happened with our Ginger the year before she died. They diagnosed vestibular disease, and didn't mention anything about an ear infection. It was scary as hell, but she recovered. The specialty vet we went to said it just happens sometimes with old dogs. Hugs to sweet Olga!
ReplyDeleteApparently there's an idiopathic version that's not infection-related -- and actually I think that's what Olga has too. Her ears don't seem infected to me. Dirty, but not infected.
DeleteScary stuff! I'm rooting for Olga's recovery!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'll keep you posted!
DeleteI hope Olga feels better today and the meds work quickly. That was a scary event for all of you! Hope it doesn't happen again.
ReplyDeleteShe does seem better this morning (Wednesday).
DeleteOh Steve -- this is horrible. I can feel the frantic worry in your words and was absolutely terrified reading along that she might not come out of this. I do hope it was an ear infection and that the meds do their trick and quickly, and that you're already seeing improvement. I'm sending healing cyber hugs to Olga and strength to you and Dave as you walk Olga through this. Hopefully all will be well -- or at least better -- today. I'm glad your boss is understanding on this. It's not a time for her to be alone. She needs you. And I think you two need to be with her, too, as much as is possible. Big hugs.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the cyber hugs! I do think Olga is gradually on the mend.
DeleteOh how scary!! If it was the ear thing & she was having vertigo as a result, no wonder she was freaking out!
ReplyDeleteYeah, exactly. Can you imagine how scary that would be for a dog?
DeleteMakes my heart hurt and my eyes leak.....Sending hugs to all.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the hugs! She seems to be feeling better so hopefully this episode is passing.
DeleteWhat a scary night you've had. I'm hoping the treatment works. Sending hugs your way.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Yeah, I could have done without that drama, for sure.
Deletescary stuff! hopefully the vet is right in her diagnosis. Sunday Minnie was definitely in distress. restless, couldn't get comfortable, would lay down and then get up or was constantly shifting her position. threw up some grass and the fluid was pink which worried me. wouldn't eat, stomach making all sorts of noise. she went out later with me, ate more grass and then threw up again but normal looking and then early evening she calmed down, ate her dinner and Monday was her normal happy self. I guess she ate something I was unaware of outside. I had planned to take her to the vet Monday but she was fine.
ReplyDeleteOlga is a big grass-eater, especially if she's not feeling well. I think in her case it's often achy joints. Do you think maybe that's Minnie's problem too?
DeleteSending Love And Light Your Way - Stay Strong And Thanx For Being The Better Human - Its Travis From Colorado And My Fingers Are Crossed That This Anonymous Link Works Today - Here We Go
ReplyDeleteCheers
No Way !!!!!! It Worked !!!!!!! Love You Olga Girl
DeleteThanks for the good wishes, Travis, and I'm glad your login worked! :)
DeleteVestibular disease is interesting because it happens to many dogs, and their owners are unaware of it. My former step-mother had her dog euthanized, thinking it was a stroke. Dogs should come with a pamphlet on the subject. Glad she's better, she's a good dog.
ReplyDeleteI think Olga's been feeling "off" for a day or two, at least, but it reached a crescendo that evening. I'm also surprised the condition isn't better known, because we thought it was a stroke, too!
DeleteOur hearts go out to you. We will be holding a prayer for you and Olga close to our hearts. Aloha from Honolulu
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cloudia! The good wishes seemed to work as Olga is feeling better as of this morning (Wednesday).
DeleteGoodness! Poor you (all three of you). This must have been very scary and worrying, as all pet owners know when something is wrong with their four-legged friend. Truly sounds like a stroke, but maybe it really was "just" something to do with her ears.
ReplyDeleteYour boss is very good!
Yeah, it seemed very stroke-like, from the loss of coordination and lack of balance to the malfunctioning eyes. It's basically a bad case of vertigo, apparently.
DeleteOh, this frightened me as I began reading.... my first thought was "seizure", but now hope the vet is correct in it just being an ear infection. I use to be good about cleaning out our dogs' ears to check for ear mites, but don't know when I last cleaned Pat's. I think I'll do that now!
ReplyDeleteI'll be thinking about you, Dave, and Olga.
We'll certainly pay more attention to Olga's ears from here on out!
DeleteSending a big hug to you all, and hopefully Olga will be feeling better soon.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Things are looking up here, so far.
DeleteI'm hoping for the best for Olga--so scary when these events happen, especially in the middle of the night. Hope she improves on the meds and that you two can catch up on your sleep. Sending hugs!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Yes, we got better sleep last night. :)
DeletePoor Olga. And her keepers. It's so sad when they're obviously having a problem but can't tell us what it is or what to do. As Margaret said, hoping for the best.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the good thoughts!
DeleteI hope Olga feels better today.
ReplyDeleteMy dog had an ear infection and Otomax ear ointment helped tremendously. His ears were not clean as well and we used TrizUltra+Keto Flush (available from Amazon) as recommended by the Vet.
We're using an "Oto-" drug too -- I can't remember if it's Otomax or a different one!
DeleteOur old girl suddenly developed jerky eyes and kept falling over, just as you describe Olga did, and we rushed her to the vet assuming stroke, just as you did. It was really scary. We were much relieved to learn about vestibular disease, aka Old Dog Disease. She recovered fully and fairly quickly, so I hope Olga will have the same result. https://southfields.co.uk/factsheet/idiopathic-vestibular-disease
ReplyDeleteOlga does seem to be getting better. How is it I'd never heard of this and yet it seems so common?!
DeleteSo scary, but relatively good news from the vet. Hopefully this will clear things up and Olga will be back to happy and smiling soon,
ReplyDeleteYes, the vet knew right away what it was!
DeleteI'm late to the party here Steve, how is she doing?
ReplyDeleteMore details in subsequent post, but the short answer is, she seems better!
DeleteOh poor Olga with an ear infection. I hope it clears quickly and she gets back to normal, or as normal as she can be at her age.
ReplyDeleteShe's pretty normal otherwise, actually, aside from moving slowly!
Delete