SOCIAL MEDIA

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Walter Update

Sorry I was absent on Monday. Life was stressful this weekend and I had planned to write a post Sunday, but I was doing other things....like watching my pup. If you follow me on Instagram, then you know a bit of this story already. If you don't, then sit back and read another saga about my dog, Walter.
Chiweenie

Saturday, we spent most of the day away from home. We went up to Lake Tahoe to take a hike and then saw some family up there. We thought we would be home by 1 or 2 pm, but we got home closer to 4:30 pm. Walter was acting just fine. I made dinner, we ate, and then I did the dishes. The girls took a shower and then went to bed around 8:30. Walter snuggled beside me under the blanket on the chair and we just caught up on some tv.

Around 9:30ish, Walter started bobbing his head which meant that he wanted to get out from the covers, so I pulled the covers off of him and he kept bobbing his head. Then he was moving around a lot and started panting. I thought he was going to throw up, so I said, "Walter, get up and go outside buddy". I told Rory that I thought he was going to throw up, so we followed him outside to check on him. Since he had his incident in January, we are very cautious about him getting sick.

I had grabbed a flashlight on the way out and Rory turned on the decorative lights outside. We watched him walk around and then he fell over. His body went stiff, he arched his back and started convulsing. His eyes were open, so he never lost consciousness. He didn't bark, he didn't lose his bowels, he didn't foam at the mouth, he wasn't bleeding, he wasn't drooling and he didn't "chew". Side note: I am writing what happened and what didn't happen for others, so in case they experience this, they can see what to look for as I had to turn to google.
Chiweenie

Anyways, his seizure lasted about 30 to 60 seconds. After he stopped shaking, he tried to get up, but he was very disoriented and his back legs were not working very well. He was very weak in the back legs, so he laid back down. Rory, picked him up and we tried to talk to him and see if he was ok. I seriously thought my dog had passed when this happened and I was crying....hard. Definitely not something you should do. You should remain calm and talk to your dog in a soothing voice.

We tried to put him back down again, but his legs were still weak, so we picked him up again and held him. After trying again, he was able to walk inside. I grabbed his blanket off our bed and Rory cuddled him on the couch while we both searched google for what just happened, if we should take him to the vet and what we should do. I also called my mother-in-law when Rory was holding Walter outside to have her come over just in case we needed to go the emergency vet. She ended up staying the night just in case, and fortunately, Walter was fine.
Chiweenie

Now for a few things that we read and confirmed with Walter's vet on Monday. The type of seizure that Walter had was a petite mal seizure. Since his seizure didn't last around 5 minutes, he didn't lose consciousness, he didn't lose his bowels, he came to more quickly and he didn't have another seizure after, it was a petite mal seizure. When your dog has a seizure, it is best not to pick them up unless they are near something that can hurt them. Then they suggest that you move them by their hind legs out of danger. If you can, film the seizure (we were not able to and did not know that you should). Time the seizure, take note of anything that happens (lose their bowels, lose consciousness, foam at the mouth, etc.). Talk to your dog calmly and reassure them that they are ok. If you are inside, turn off the lights or put a blanket over them as light makes it worse. Once it is over, you need to watch your dog. See if his behavior normalizes and he starts to get back to himself. 

We cuddled Walter until bedtime (which was really late that night and I didn't sleep much after that), and then didn't leave his side the whole next day. We monitored him closely for 24 hours (we went outside with him anytime he had to go to the bathroom, followed him around the house, etc.) and then our vet said to make it 48 hours. Once the 48 hours have passed, you are more in the clear. Not to say that it won't happen again, but you will usually see things go downhill or another happen in that time frame.

After everything that has happened in the last few months with Walter, it has definitely made me realize that animal lives are not forever. I can see how Walter's face has grayed over the last couple months. I have seen how he has slowed down, but yet, he is still full of energy and will bust out the dog door to run the length of our backyard. I have seen his demeanor change after this incident, but I know that he is still full of life and love.
Chiweenie

25 comments :

  1. Oh friend, I know how scary that was! I’m so glad Walter is better now and you took good care of him. He’s so sweet!

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  2. Aww I'm so sorry and I can't imagine how scary that must have been. He's in great hands with you and your vets!!

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    1. Thank you so much. It was really scary and I just hope that another doesn't happen.

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    1. It was incredibly scary and now I worry even more.

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  4. Poor little guy! So scary, but glad he's doing better now. Sending lots of hugs and extra pupper snuggles <3

    Green Fashionista

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  5. I had a small dog who started having seizures at 12. My vet said they're old dog seizures. Eventually, he had to go on Phenobarbital, but, he lived to 15 despite them. It's just awful to watch. I hope Walter doesn't have anymore.

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    1. Thank you for telling me this. It really does help. I hope it is just from getting older and that he lives a very long time. It is awful to watch.

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  6. I'm so sorry you had to see that, it is the worst. Sending him and y'all lots of love.

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    1. It is the worst. I don't handle thing like that very well. Thank you!

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  7. I am so sorry. It is so hard to see our pets struggling and feeling helpless. I didn't know any of this about seizures, and it is definitely good information to keep stored! When Gracie passed a few years ago, it was so hard and Mac has never been the same. It is obvious that he misses his best friend and now he is climbing in age too and will be 10 in August. Sending hugs and hoping this was an isolated incident.

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    1. That is why I wanted to share this information. I didn't know about it and it is good to read about it just in case it happens to your dog. I can't even imagine if we had two dogs and one passed. I know they struggle with it. Mac is a smaller dog so hopefully he lives for a very long time.

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  8. Oh my goodness, Danielle. How terrifying. I am so sorry. I'll be praying for sweet Walter and your family. My sister is a vet and said lots of older dogs start having seizures when their neurocognitive functions start aging :(

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    1. I can see why that happens and it breaks my heart. I just hope they don't damage his brain and he doesn't have to go on meds for them. But thank you for praying for us and keeping us in your thoughts. It was soooo scary!

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  9. Thinking of you, friend. It is so, so hard (and I don't blame you for crying!). Big hugs!

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    1. Thank you so much. I know you responded to my IG story and it was helpful, so thank you!

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  10. I would have been in such a panic too. They really are little babies that need all of our attention & help... I know you have & will always give your fur babies the best love & care.

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    1. Most definitely. It is sooo hard to see them in a state like that. I pay so much more attention to him now. And I am worrying a lot more. I just hope it was an isolated event. I have my vets number on hand now to call her if it happens again (day or night).

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  11. My sister's dog had so many seizures (from a very young age) that he was put on seizure meds. I knew how scared she was each time it happened because one of my boys used to have seizures and it was terrifying to watch (many of the instructions remain the same between human and dog). I absolutely would have cried too.

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    1. Oh wow. I had no idea that your son had seizures too. and good to know that some of the instructions are the same. I cried and I am still so very worried about it happening again.

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  12. OH, that is so scary and upsetting. I'm glad he's doing ok for the time being? How old is he? I was in tears by the end of your post! My Scout just turned 11 and we found out in January he has an enlarged heart. I've also noticed him slowing down a bit and he's got a lot of gray. It makes me so sad. We don't have kids so he's my only child and he's such a great companion. I can't imagine not having him around!

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  13. Oh my! I am so sorry. This sounds so scary. I’m glad he’s doing better now!

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  14. Gosh, Danielle, this is just so scary. I'm so sorry y'all had to go through that, but I'm so glad he's okay. Sweet little guy!! He's just so precious.

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