Ernie Can't Catch A Break

What Next?

Ernie has not had the best of luck in his life. Poor guy can’t catch a break. Sunday, he had a seizure. To say I was freaking out was a major understatement. I didn’t witness it my husband Gary did. He took Ernie out for a potty break. Ernie vomited and walked stiff legged, then fell to his side and had convulsions. I am very glad I did not witness that. Gary said it didn’t last long, but I could tell he was a little shaken up by the whole experience also.

I called the emergency vet because of course it was Sunday, so no one was open. She told me to monitor Ernie and if he has another one to bring him in to see them. She also told me to call our primary care vet in the morning and explain what happened. Thank God we made it through the night without another seizure.

Old Dogs Have Seizures

First thing Monday morning I called the vet and told them what happened. I spoke to the person at the front desk who wrote down all the information and informed me the vet would be calling me. An hour later the vet called. She asked me to explain what happened, so I gave the phone to Gary since he was the one who saw Ernie’s seizure. Gary told her what he saw and handed the phone back to me. The vet didn’t seem overly concerned. She said it was short and sometimes old dogs have seizures. She also told me seizures are at times stress related; I explained what happened to Ernie at the Groomers and she said that may have contributed to it. There was an appointment scheduled for 2 pm but she canceled it and told me to monitor Ernie.

Another Vet Call

Ernie and I walk daily, and he has not had a bowel movement in two days. I can tell he has to go to the bathroom but for some reason he cannot. This makes me think maybe he has an obstruction inside him. So, I placed another call to the vet and an appointment was scheduled for the following day at 9 am.

Here We Are Again

Ernie and I were at the vet at quarter to nine. Ernie knew where he was and didn’t like it. The vet and her assistant came in and examined him. She explained his anal glands were full and would have to be emptied. They took him to another room, and I could hear him cry out. He didn’t like it one bit and neither did I. The vet came back to the room I was in and told me Ernie has an enlarged prostate. What Next? She said dogs who are not neutered encounter this, and at times more problems. My husband and I had hoped to spare Ernie being neutered but now it is essential he is. He has surgery for his mouth on Thursday, they are going to neuter him at that time. Hopefully his prostate will shrink back down to size and he will be fine.

I am home now without Ernie. The vet thought it best to leave him there so they could give him a couple enemas. She wanted to make sure he could have a bowel movement. So once again I'm leaving him and going home. She told me as soon as Ernie has a bowel movement, she will call me, and I can come and pick him up. Ernie will be on an anti-inflammatory medication along with a stool softener.

The vet asked what I fed him, and I told her turkey with mashed carrots and peas. She told me to be careful with the peas as they can contribute to heart disease. She also told me that was not a balanced diet for a dog. Good grief, can we do anything right over here? Now I will research for the best dog food for older dogs, (it has to be soft) and go from there.

It's Ernie's Day Wednesday

Ernie has a day off tomorrow; he doesn’t have any appointments so he can lounge around the house. What he likes best. That statement is almost true because I believe he loves his walks the most. He lives for them.

Surgery Again

Thursday we will be back at the vet for his surgeries. Let’s all hope everything goes well, and they encounter no complications.

Good Luck

Ernie has to have good luck sometime, doesn’t he? He has had his share of bad luck. A life full of neglect and loneliness. It is now time for him to come into his own. Run and play in our yard, summertime cannot come too fast. We will find Ernie lounging on the deck or snooping in the yard. We have rabbits so he will have a good time with them. He cannot hurt them since he doesn’t have teeth.

Double Whammy

He will get the double whammy Thursday, not only his mouth fixed but being neutered also. I am hoping that will be the last visit for a while. A follow up visit will be scheduled down the road for him.

Now it is time for Ernie’s walk. He has waited long enough. Paws to the pavement.

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